Top 12 of 2012

I have a confession to make: sometimes I am a bit of a follower :)  This morning I have seen lots of "top 12" posts and have decided to join in.  They are right, though - picking just 12 favorite shots was not easy!!  Anyways - here it goes:

I hope all of you, my lovely followers (or those visiting for the first time!!), have a wonderful, safe New Years.  Please continue to follow me both here, and once a month at A Beautiful Day. 

See ya on the flip side!!

It must be the Christmas season!

Merry Christmas Eve, my blogger family!  You know it's Christmas time when the annual family portrait session comes around!  In the last 6 weeks or so, I have shot 8 photo shoots!  I have been absolutely thrilled with the opportunities and the added experience.  It has kept me busy and I have been trying to get the families their pictures as soon as possible - but finally I have a chance to share with all of you!

The following are just a few of my favorites from these recent sessions.  I would love to get any feedback or suggestions you may have.  What are some of your favorite poses (I am always looking for new ideas!) or favorite "tones" to use?  Personally - if I could shoot in only black and white, I would!

 

 

I have to brag just a little bit - the last set are of my sister-in-law's family and aren't my nieces just adorable?!  Love those girls..


I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and has a wonderful Christmas.  Make sure to take time to enjoy the people around you and make those moments together matter.

Merry Christmas!

A little bit of Christmas joy

What a week: while I sat at work last Tuesday, hundreds of terrified shoppers fled a mall just one county over.  And across the country 27 families lost family members on what should have been an ordinary school day.  It is hard to understand sometimes why things like this happen - especially when it happens to those we love.  This weekend as I finished decorating our Christmas tree, I couldn't help but think about all of children who will not be celebrating Christmas this year, all of the families who will likely struggle for many Christmas's to come as they remember this tragedy.

If this last week hasn't been a reminder of how precious life is, I don't know what is.  We HAVE to take advantage of the moments we have with those that we love because you never know when those moments may slip away.

On a lighter note, I want to share some pictures of our Christmas decorations this year.  I joke that Christmas tends to "explode" at our house because just about every surface that can be gets decorated.  I can't help it!  I LOVE Christmas.

I am excited to spend the next week or so with family and friends.  Now - to finish wrapping presents and my baking!!!