So, sweet H family, I sincerely thank you for your generous support of our local community and i hope you love your images!!!!

And now i’ll sort of promise to be back AGAIN this week.  See you then!

{lara}

Its probably easier for me to just SAY i had a super crazy fun session with a family on their farm with a WHOLE lotta animals!   Can you tell i had fun with these guys?  Well, i assure you, you would have too!  Here is a peek into their session — and first…my new favorite family shot….

So, there you have an official E-i-e-i-OH sneak peak!  And a big thank you to this beautiful family — and your slideshow is almost ready!

{ lara }

I dropped off the first set of prints, and pulled into the driveway for my morning session.  Made sure my teeth were sparkly.  Made sure  my pants weren’t creased (if any of you know me, stop laughing.  and no, i don’t iron ANYTHING).  Ready to impress my new clients.

*knock knock knock*

The door opens.

The mom of a girl who attends the same preschool with my youngest opened the door  (D’OH!!!  No impressing her — she already knows me…   she’s seen me a BILLION times as i rushed late into preschool, looking… umm… LESS than professional, lol…) .  The mom of a girl whom my daughter thinks is a goddess.  Seriously — my Miss S has ‘tagged’ 2 kids on the periphery of her life and elevated them to superstar status.  And there was her mom,  standing elegantly in the doorway, and it was a FABULOUS surprise.  Because, on a personal level, I got to photograph a superstar to my daughter.  and thats COOL.  i love this little small town we call home.

So here are a couple of shots from their session i wanted to share.  And i’m silly excited to share them.  i LOVE this session.  Without further ado… my i present a superstar in my home and her big sister (who plays a cool sport with her dad!):

Have a happy Tuesday… and see you soon!

{ lara }

Cindy and Makenzie found me through an organization i’m proud to be a part of called the Littlest Hero’s Project.  Its an organization that provides photography services to kids with with severe disabilities or serious illnesses.   But shhhh, don’t tell Makenzie that she falls into one of these categories.  Well, sure — she has to endure her illness, but let me tell you — it does not define this little spunky girl.  She was such an inspiration.

Makenzie’s story is phenomenal.  I could tell you she’s spent a major chunk of her 7 year old life in the hospital.  And that she was diagnosed with Hirschspurg’s Disease.  And that she has had a small bowel transplant.  But you should have her mom tell you about their Journey to today, and that link will take you to Makenzie’s story.

I got to celebrate the today and the now with them.    I hope their story inspires you (in your life and to learn more about organ donation), and i sincerely hope that the images i captured show you who Makenzie is…

(and btw — you better stand back when Mak’s up to bat…)

and my favorite so far…..

If you didn’t click it above, take the time to read Makenzie’s story.  She and her mom are amazing…  And remember to check out the Littlest Hero’s Project too

{ lara }

Anyhooo — here she is today.  She’s a year and a week old… but she never got to have her birthday this year.  She only gets an “official” birthday every 4 years… as she was born on February 29th last year.  HELLLOOOO big ole party every 4 years!!!!!!!  Shes such a little doll, and was a complete trooper for our session.    Thanks so much to her lovely parents for coming to Blacksburg again!

AND these shots were taken less than a week ago.  March weather is SO whacky, huh?

{ lara }

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And now for a Sneak Peek… and a look back.  Miss A was two, one year ago.   And she was hysterical.  And expressive.  And beautiful.  Combine those things, and you have a wonderful little girl to photograph.  Here are a couple of my favorites from her session… one little year ago, in all her two-ness.

Well, she has now just turned 3.  Still hysterical, still beautiful, still expressive.  But she got to add another adjective.  She’s now beautiful, hysterical, expressive, Big Sister A.  And, looks like she’s got some competition in the house now, with a little sister who matches her beauty, and will — i’m sure — rival her funny and expressive spirit.  So here are a couple of images to share from last week… of Miss A in all her 3-ness glory, and her gorgeous baby sister, also Miss A.

I wish everyone a wonderful week, and i’ll be seeing many of you when i deliver your holiday orders this week!

{lara}

well, after meeting this family of 5, my theory of chaos due to being outnumbered simply doesn’t hold true! seriously — the 2 older brothers were so insanely polite & patient of me, their little sister, each other… the Y Family had a calmness and togetherness that puts my family of 4 to shame!!!!  it was a pleasure spending time with them last Sunday afternoon and here are a few of my favorites from their session!

I love the candid and quiet nature of this family portrait…

sweet brothers and the setting sun!

and beautiful Miss M!  she had a touch of a cold, but was SUCH a trooper!!

Thank you for allowing me to share these pictures — and more sneak peaks coming soon!  I had a busy week shooting, and will have lots to share!  Up next will be a yummy newborn!!!

{lara}

Here are a few shots from our time together, i hope you all enjoy them!

and this last one KILLS me!  the caption should reah “hey lady, what do you want me to do next???”

{ lara }

its my last year with S before she goes to school.  and with C being 2 years older, i have an understanding of what that means… so many changes come with starting school.  so i’m trying hard to drink up my time with S home.  But last monday, i worked a bit on the only weekday that S has off of school.  She decided that she’d play with chalk on our side patio while i worked.  When i saw what she created, it almost made me cry.  reminded me to ‘step away from the computer’ and go have a drink of her .  So i asked if i could take a picture of her creation.   Here it is….

after i snapped a couple of her with the patio, i asked her to take a couple of face shots.  she said no.  i bribed her with Pirate Booty.  asked if i could take 3 shots.  and this shot was one of them….. gaaaahhhh i love her.

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Later last week, i had the pleasure of working with the G family!  We played hard and got silly, and our session really reflects that!  But in the spirit of the title of this post {appreciate} i wanted to share a couple of ‘moments’ from their session.  those everyday moments, that carry so much beauty.  first is of their son simply walking on a path… buy you can almost hear him talking to himself.. making plans as to what he, and his stick will conquer next…

and then of his little sister.  simply eating a banana sitting on the kitchen table.  but she is so beautiful in this moment, i just had to share.  banana and all

{ lara }

Baby I turned one 12 days before our session and sooo very sweet.  She was a busy little girl, keeping her parents on the move during our shoot!  She had the sweetest disposition, and it was a treat to spend time with her!  So, mom and dad — here are a couple of shots from last weekend — i hope you enjoy!

c’est magnifique! ( i think that says “that’s beautiful”,   i couldn’t figure out how to translate She’s Beautiful.  Mom and Dad (and her grandmother) will know why i tried french on this shot!

I love pictures of tots in hats.  but, one day, i will realize, tot’s don’t usually like hats on themselves!

{ lara }