Lovely Louisiana, and Some Ohio, Too!

When we moved to Ohio in April, Chris and I agreed that I would not advertise my photography for business up here. We thought it would be better for me to stay with the girls while he worked and then spend time together on the weekends. Coming from working as a nurse two or three 12 hour shifts a week, and having photo shoots when I was off was exhausting (for me and the girls- and especially my amazing mom who watched them for us). So when we got here I dove head first into being a full time stay at home mom. And I got back to my photography roots. Where it all started. Taking pictures of my girls. I have been chasing them around with my camera since we got here. And I have enjoyed it so much.
We knew early on that we would be going back to Louisiana for two weeks in November, right before Thanksgiving. As it got closer and closer to the day we would leave, I began a countdown on my facebook page. Much to my surprise (and absolute delight!) I had several of my previous clients contact me to ask if I'd be available to do their pictures while I was in town. After discussing it with Chris, and getting the blessing from my mom for the girls to spend the whole day with her, I booked one whole Saturday. I did a total of 5 shoots that day, and 1 more the following week.

Every. Single. Session. Was. Amazing.

(Even the sessions with just me and the beautiful bayou)





The S Family
I started the day out at around 830am with the S family, who you might remember from a while back. Mrs. S. saw something in me in the very beginning of this business, and put her faith in me to get some good shots of her family within my very first weeks. Her little ones were hilarious then, posing and rawring at the camera and we got some really cute shots. Fast forward about a year and a half. The family is still absolutely, side splitting hilarious and gorgeous as ever. They stepped out, dressed in beautiful, coordinating outfits. We had the most beautiful, glowing light, and got some incredible shots right away. S and C were posing for the camera, just as they had the last time. I even talked to Mom and Dad S about what great parents they are, laid back and funny with such precious kids with such big personalities. I did my best to capture as much of that as I could. Couldn't have had a better time, S family! Can't wait to do it again!








The W Family
I have known Mrs. W since grade school. I still have a ton of notes we passed in class with our names in block letters, colored in with markers, and folded in the most complicated, oragami fold you have ever seen. Now, she's mom to three of the sweetest, most polite and adorable children. The oldest is such a good big sister, so concerned about the other two. They were so funny! And of course my heart melted at the sight of their matching LSU sweatshirts. They did a great job, and it was so fun to catch up with an old friend. She's still as sweet as ever!
GEAUX TIGERS!










The M Family
One of the greatest rewards of being a children's photographer is getting to watch the children grow into young adults. I've had the pleasure of seeing these two go from little girls to young ladies in such a short period of time. They've both grown so much, I can't believe high school is in their very near future! They are as polite and funny as ever, and I really enjoyed our session so much. They are so graceful and elegant already! And they are so close to each other, every time I'm around them, I find myself hoping that my own girls will be like that when they're older.

It was lovely, as always, girls!












The B Family
Mrs. B is one of the sweetest, most creative people I have ever met. She is such an inspiration to me because she has 6 kids, a career, AND still manages to pump out some of the most incredible crafts I have ever seen! I'm totally loving my Saints and LSU wreaths up here in Browns/Lions/Buckeye country! This is also the second time I've taken pictures of their family, and it was a near perfect shoot! Her children are so beautiful and polite, we had a blast during their session. We climbed trees and had snacks! Really felt like a playdate more than anything :)

Thank you for being as amazing as ever!












The R Family
Another family that I have been blessed to watch grow, the R family just keeps getting sweeter. Big Brothers who are such partners in crime, but will slow down to give Baby Sister a kiss on the forehead. They are such a great family with so much personality! I can honestly say that this sessions out takes were as adorable as the perfect "posed" pictures. They are hilarious and these boys never cease to make me work for their pictures. They'll smile for me, but not until I'm out of breath and sweating from chasing them down. But I'd run 10 miles to get pictures like these. Momma and Daddy R are so fun and so easy going, they make each session a blast!
I can't wait to see your gorgeous family again!!












The D Family
The D family never fails to make me laugh! Usually I'm laughing so hard, I forget to take pictures. Momma D has a way with her boys and knows just what to say to make them laugh! Since Momma D and I are such good friends, and the boys are getting older, our shoot mostly consisted of us catching up on things, with pauses in gossip to get some shots of the boys. They delivered, as usual! They are still some of the sweetest, funniest boys I have ever met. They are growing up into such nice young men! Love these boys and LOVE this family! They can make me smile just by looking at some of their pictures!

It was a blast, as usual!








The S Family
My first few months living in Ohio I didn't know a soul. I found myself missing friends and family so much, it was really starting to get to me. So I did something completely out of character, and I joined a local mom's group. I've met some super nice moms and some adorable kiddos! Its certainly made my time here go by faster, and we have so much to look forward to with play dates and all. Momma S is a mom that I met that also does photography. So we decided to make a trade and take each other's pictures. They have the most stinkin' precious little boy, who I absolutely adore. He's got the sweetest little smile and an infectious laugh! They are a great family and we always have so much fun together!







I also have to admit, Ohio definitely delivered when it came to back drops. Seriously breathtaking scenery, and these were taken in the middle of Fall!






NEW!!!!
A few months ago, a ridiculously considerate and super sweet friend of mine told me about a business that's only on facebook, for smocked and handmade clothes for kids called SMOCKED STEAL OF THE DAY. She said they made a post about looking for a new model/photographer. HELLO! Dream come TRUE! So I sent my information in, with a few pictures of my girls, and crossed my fingers. About a week later, I woke up and checked my phone for my email as usual. I was used to the regular 7 or 8 advertisement emails, but this day I had 9 emails waiting for me. Still laying in bed, watching cartoons with the girls, I read an email from Smocked Steal saying they would love to have my girls as models! I couldn't believe it! We get so excited with every package that comes-- my girls are SO into clothes lately, Maggie would change 50 times a day if I let her. So check out facebook.com/smockedstealoftheday for some fabulous deals and some adorable models! :)








A few Christmas pictures of the stinkers as well!




The snow in Ohio deserves its own post. I'm hoping to get that one up within the next couple of weeks.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season! I wish all of the best for every one of you, and I pray God continues to bless you all in your lives!

Happy Fall Y'all!

My last post showed so much about spring and summer. Sprinklers, ice cream, and sweltering heat were the norm for a few months. At the end of August, at the peak of warmth, we celebrated the anniversary of the day my first baby took her first breath. Three years have gone by since that night, when so much changed. Not only did we have a baby, but our lives were jolted into a brand new life. We became more than Katy and Chris. We became Mommy and Daddy.




And this sweet, energetic, unique little being has been busy becoming her own person. She is rambunctious, creative, and so very smart.




I remember a teacher of mine in high school talking about his little girl, and the many things he has learned from her. And he said that his biggest lesson for us was this: If you want to have children to make little versions of yourself, you are having children for the wrong reasons. You will see that as soon as your children begin to grow, they are nothing like you. Because, they AREN'T you.

My little girl is a princess, who needs a break during dance class because she's "sweating and thirsty." She's dainty, girly, and delicate.



And I was a little tom boy. And that is more than okay, because through her strong will and stubborn personality, she teaches me. She teaches me patience, strength, and humility. She's lovely, and I adore her little soul.



And then, there's this.

The surprise of finding out I was pregnant with our second baby when our first was only 8 months old brought so many emotions. I was excited, nervous, eager. But I also had some guilt. Was I taking away Maggie's one chance to be a baby? How would I handle being 9 months pregnant and chasing a toddler? Well..... I'll let you see for yourself.



I can say, without a doubt in my mind, I gave Maggie the greatest gift of all. I gave her a playmate, a best friend, a buddy. And, a partner in crime. I'm paying for the gift everyday with the shenanigans they pull on me, and trust me, they are relentless.

..................................

Bowling Green, Ohio is also known as the "Black Swamp." Who knew, right? I come from the Swamp of all swamps, and move clear across the country to another swamp. Awesome.




There was a lot of this:



And this:



And some of this:






And apparently the Kettle Corn is good. Although, we didn't brave the lines for it. But it smelled amazing!



It was a fabulous arts and crafts festival, with lots of tents showcasing the talent of the local artists. It was a huge event for the town!!

.................................

In completely unrelated news, is this not the most precious pony tail ever?!



..................................

Coming from Louisiana, I never have ever REALLY experienced Fall. Well, I believe its been love at first site.



But wait, there's more:



Its been incredible. Gorgeous weather, windows open, pumpkin pie candles. APPLES, OHHH the apples. Apple turnovers, apple pie, apple butter. Its been a delicious smelling past few weeks.

First experience apple picking was picture perfect. Early morning fog, chilly weather, hot coffee and warm donuts. And the most picturesque apple orchard I had ever seen.




There was so much learning, connecting the dots and complete awe from the girls. You could almost see what they were thinking... "Apple slices = whole apples = apples from the grocery = apples from...here?!"






And as for this picture, no, I did not put make up on my children. Their cheeks were flush from the chill in the air, and what with us being darn near transparent, every little blush shows. But aren't they gorgeous?!



Little blessings:



I can't wait to see what my first winter is going to be like. I'm scared, I'm not gonna lie. But I am so blown away by the beauty of a true Autumn, that I'm a little excited too.

And, for some reason I feel the need to include this: Although the pictures I post are full of happy faces, smiles, and sweetness, that is not to give off the impression that we don't have our bad days. Its just that, well, who wants to read a photography blog about someone having a craptastic time trying to get their three year old to listen? So, just know that I'm in no way trying to portray my life as a seamless transition from family and friends and familiarity to a new life clear across the country. We've had great times and some rough times. I'm terribly homesick, but I've made some great friends and I'm learning and experiencing new things every day. I'm blessed in every aspect of my life, and I try to remind myself of that whenever I feel down. This blog is intended to make the people who read it smile and think of the good times they've had and the ones they love. Hope you've smiled.


HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!