Over the past few years our neighbors, the Turpin’s, have been by our sides through the happy times and the not-so-happy times. They are always there to lend a hand, an ear or say a prayer. They never pass judgement. They are a truly selfless family filled with kindness and love.

In all honesty, we could not have chosen a better family to live next door to. We have so much fun watching all our kids play together and make lifetime memories.

They recently asked me to shoot their family photos in Courtney’s parent’s neighborhood, Brookside, a Southern Living Magazine designed home site. There were so many gorgeous areas to have some fun and we made use of all of it.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Summer sessions with kids outside can be impossible. Living in one of the hottest and highest humidity climate isn’t great either. But I try to take that challenge and create a wonderful time for my clients. Most are not eager to get up and out by 8am, but the Crawford’s jumped at the chance. I’m not sure if they wanted to get it over with, or they knew that time would be best for their beautiful little girls. Either way, it worked.

We met in Hyde Park Village and had the whole place to our selves to explore. It was a great morning filled with giggles and tickles.

Here are a few of my favorite photos. Enjoy.

August has been such an busy month so far for me and my business and for lots of my friends.

Babies, babies, everywhere.

I am loving all these adorable newborn sessions.

I first meet Kristin at my annual Christmas cookie party at my house a couple of years ago. We quickly became friends and stay in touch through emails. Last December she and her husband, Tim asked me to shoot a Trash the Dress session on St. Pete Beach. We had such a fun time. While I was piling in all my gear and Kristin was changing out of her ocean water soaked gown, she told me her exciting news. That she was expecting their first baby. I was elated. She said that the shoot had been their babies first professional session. I blushed.

I can’t believe the months have flown by this fast and that baby Elizabeth is here. Or Elle as she has been nicknamed. She is perfect.

Here are a few of my favorite photos of the happy family.

Bug, my six-year-old, was asked to be in a Back-to-School Fashion show last week at Westfield-Citrus Park Shopping Mall. The event was free to the public and featured the hottest trends in school fashion. Cate was picked to model clothes from The Children’s Place , which we already love! So, we were stoked.

Thursday we went in for a fitting and Cate chose her adorable-uber-trendy outfit complete with winter boots. Not sure that we would ever use them in Florida, but it definitely made the ensemble. Friday morning we headed to my salon and she got her hair cut and styled. I have never seen it curl like it did. They did an awesome job.

Off to the mall where we threw on her clothes and lined her up with couple dozen other kids. They were all ages and sizes. It was then that she said she had butterflies in her tummy. I gave her a tight squeeze and a big kiss and said, You rock! You’re going to do great! She smiled and then motioned me on to go, she was fine.

We had practiced her strut down the catwalk all day and I knew she would do great once she saw all the other kids go. Her first time down and she zoomed so fast I don’t know if anyone even saw the clothes she was wearing. The second walk was perfect. She stopped and even struck a pose. She was loving it. I was beaming with pride. I had to leave before the third walk but Daddy was there cheering her on. In between the walks she had fun dancing and posing on the runway. Acting like my little girl.

I’m so proud of her. I’m not sure I would have had the guts at her age to get up in front of a crowd in a busy shopping mall like she did. She has such an air of confidence about her. It’s contagious to anyone around her.

So, here are a few of the photos. I hope you like them. I’m not sure if she has a future in modeling, but it’s one more thing to add to her memory book.

I have the best clients. There is nothing better than one of your clients turning into a friend. I’ve been fortunate to have this happen quite a few times.

Honestly all the paid advertising I have invested in hasn’t brought in a third of what word of mouth has done for my business. On the Fourth of July I went to a bbq with friends and walked away with a wedding. One of my Brides was at the party talking me up to an engaged couple and after a few plates of food, some drinks, corn hole and fireworks, I had a contract.

Sabrina and Mark are such a cute couple. I recently met them in Lakeland at Hollis Garden. It is a gorgeous location for an engagement shoot. We took some photos in the gardens and then walked around the surrounding area to have some fun. I had a great time getting to know them and I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in November.

Here are a few of my favorites.

The newest member of the Spalding family arrived five weeks ago and Lachlynn is one cute baby girl.

I first met Mary Patt and Stewart last fall when I was in Louisville for a mini session weekend. Their daughter Lillian stole my heart with her chocolate brown eyes, dark red ringlets and adorable grin. I knew before meeting The newest member she would be just as darling. And she is.

Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot at their house this weekend. I hope you enjoy them.