Several years ago I had the pleasure of photographing Tina Avila of Casa Tina’s, Mexican Restaurant in Dunedin, Florida. I’ve always been smitten with her mole sauce and to meet the woman who created this eclectic eatery was just as sweet.

She and I have kept in touch and she invited me to come and document their Cinco de Mayo festival a few weeks ago.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the festival. If you are in area you have to pop in for drinks and food. The restaurant is not only visually stimulating but the food is amazing!  I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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Newborn Photography has it’s challenges. Fussy baby, sleep deprived Mom, blow outs. You name it, anything could happen.

The one thing you need is patience, and if you know me, patience isn’t always my strong suit. But with little Parker and his Mom, Lindsey, they certainly made it easy for me to follow along.

With my partner-in-crime, Elise Schreiner of Elise Schreiner Photography playing the role of Baby Wrangler we had a great time documenting the latest addition to the Harrie family.

Take a peak at our favorites.

And thanks, Lindsey for trusting in me to continue to tell your families story.

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What does that song say, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

As a children and family photographer I would have to agree. Believe me, it’s busy. Crazy, pull-out-my-hair busy. But honestly I wouldn’t want it any other way.

This is the time of year that I get to see who lost a new tooth, or who got glasses or who’s Mommy is having a baby. I love watching my families grow and grow up.

Here is a small sampling of a few cute shots of my awesome clients and thought I might as well add my adorable kiddos in there too.

Enjoy!

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My business runs on Word of Mouth referrals.

When I first started out I advertised my business online and I dabbled in print and I would get an occasional lead, but now 90% of my business is either repeat families, couples or they are referrals from those two.

And I love it!

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I still get that 10% that find me using an online search (Side Note, I am happy to report that I am on the second page on a Google search for Tampa Children Photographer thanks to my awesome friend Carrie Pratt for working that SEO for me.)

And so that is how I met this very sweet, angelic, baby named Fiona. Her Mom knows my old hair dresser and through my facebook business page, we came together and these beautiful pictures were captured. My friend, Elise Schreiner helped me with the shoot and we had so much fun posing Fiona and chasing around big brother, Fisher.

Oh, and thank you Amber for referring me to this beautiful family. I hope to continue their story for a long time.

So, enough with the words..check out this serious cuteness!

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It’s always a beautiful thing when my clients appreciate what I do and come back year after year.

I feel very blessed to have known the Lever family for a while now. I’ve photographed their engagement, wedding, holiday sessions and now I was given the gift of documenting their first photos as a family of 5.

And Baby Noah is such a cutie. His perfect plump lips and chubby cheeks are irresistible. He fits right in with his adorable older brothers.

On a beautiful summer evening I headed over to their home in Winter Haven and spent the night snapping away at all the cuteness.

He is definitely one lucky lil guy to have Mark and Sabrina as parents.

Thank you both so much for trusting me with such an important memory and I can’t wait to see all your sons grow up in front of my camera.

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Lots of babies on my blog lately. Beautiful babies.

My dear friends, Laci and Kyle were blessed with their bundle of joy in April and a few weeks ago we went out to Kyle’s mom’s house on the river and Ellison Grace had her first photo shoot. She was so sweet in front of my camera and it was endearing to watch my friends as parents.

Laci did not disappoint with the outfits or the accessories which made this one of my most creative shoots.

Here are a few of my favorites. They were so hard to pick because there are SOOOO many beautiful ones.

God Bless baby Ellison and best wishes to Kyle and Laci as they embark on the toughest but most rewarding roles they will ever play as a Mom and Dad.

XOXO

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Pink tulle dresses + two sisters = lots of adorable photos.

This is such a small world. I worked with Eddie at the Tribune years ago and I saw on Facebook that he had moved to my area and that his wife had joined a MOMS Club. Little did I know that the new face in the group was his wife, Stephanie. Their oldest, Evy and my son have a love-hate relationship. It’s so fun to watch them play together. I think they are both sweet on each other.

I was tickled when they reached out and asked if I’d like to photograph their second daughter’s newborn photos. I knew if Aubrey looked anything like E she was going to be a beauty.

I headed over on a Saturday morning and got to hang out with them and had fun telling their story as a family of four.

So why not start the week with these two little princesses?

Thanks guys for allowing me to spend the morning with you all.

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Really, it’s almost March, already? Unbelievable.

I feel like I just watched my kiddos open presents under the tree, and now’s it’s March? Whoa.

Ending last year with a fabulous wedding made me re-think my business model. 2011 was defining in so many ways and I really pushed the portrait side of my biz, but I still secretly LOVE shooting weddings.

I keep asking myself, can I do both?

Can I do both well?

See, I decided to get out of wedding photography because it wasn’t fun for me anymore. I felt it was too much business and not enough play. I didn’t like how competitive I would get with other photogs in my area. Or how down I would get if I didn’t land one I really wanted. But I want to do this. And do it with my new found approach on life, to not take on this sense of entitlement and really find the right fit with my clients.

So, I graciously reached out to some of my current clients and asked if they knew anyone who got engaged recently and wouldn’t mind introducing us. And this is how I got to meet, Kristine and Justin.

My clients Becky and Chris put us in touch and we met on a cool Sunday afternoon. The two got engaged at a fountain off Bayshore in Tampa and we thought that would be a great background for their e-session. They are ridiculously cute. You can see how much love they share for each other. Kristine brought a peacock feather that they will incorporate at their wedding.

So, here are a few of my favorites.

This year has been filled with so many wonderful things already that I sure hope it slows down so I can truly enjoy every second.

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With 2012 upon us it brings so much to look forward too. 12 new months to embrace and thank God. 365 days to continue my journey as the newly improved ME!

So, with all the new stuff ahead for me and my family, I decided to end this year, with embracing the new by showcasing the beautiful Laci and Kyle as they embark into parenthood this spring.

I’ve known Laci for a few years now and ever since I met her I knew she’d be an incredible mother. She is so sweet, selfless, and full of love. And then there is Kyle. The way he interacts with my kids shows me what a great father he will be to his baby girl.

Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot earlier this month at St. Leo University.

I wish them and all of you a healthy and happy New Year!

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Sometimes, just sometimes, you make that connection. You can laugh. There is trust. And when you say goodbye, you just can’t wait to see them. It’s just easy being around them. I feel so lucky to have that with Lindsey. It feels like we’ve been friends forever, even if we just met this past spring.

To be quite honest she is not only a good friend but she’s my ideal client as well. First off she loves her family. Second, she loves photography. And when you put those two together it makes me sooooo HAPPY!

Her boys are so adorable. They are so fun and funny together. I can tell they have a real love for each other and live a great life. They made my job so easy!

So, here are a few of my favorites from our shoot.

I know we don’t have a huge history together, Lindsey and I,  but I know we’ll be friends forever.

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