"Candyland or Bust"

Candyland is the game every little kid grows up playing and wishing they could visit. For Sadie and Macie, their make believe world became reality in our fun, made for kids, downtown shoot. There was candy galore, giant lollipops, cupcakes, and all the smiles you could imagine. A perfect way to spend a nice hot summer morning.

I haven't seen Sadie or Macie for like a year and a half and they both have grown up so much. I can't believe Sadie is already going to be 5 years old. I think I met her when she was only 18 months old. She has always been one of my absolute favorite little girls to photograph because she has the most beautiful big brown eyes I have ever seen and the prettiest smile that will melt your heart. Her little sister Macie is definitely taking after her big sis with the same gorgeous looks. I always laugh because their mom is like they better behave for pictures, like they are going to be bad or something, and every single time it is one of my favorite shoots! They both keep me on my toes and have the biggest personalities.

Macie is on her way to Candyland in her new pink car!

I had to throw this picture in because Macie is such a little ham! I couldn't get her to smile for me so I kept telling her to make funny faces and stuff and this was too cute not to share.

Happy 5th Birthday Sadie! I wish you the best birthday ever!

"Trudi's Preeminent Sunshine"

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy, when skies are grey.
You'll never know dears, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away!

Summer is all about bright, bold, happy, fun, and this family definitely brought sunshine to my day. I met Trudi, Ricky, Belle, Jacob, and Audrey at a fun little site for a few posed pictures to start us out. I quickly learned that this family needed some action to really bring them to life. Nothing a little bubbles, silly string, and a new relaxed location can't fix. The family instantly came to life and created some of my most memorable moments on a session.

Ricky is at the age where he thinks he is too cool to be having fun, perfect victim for my constant harassment. Ricky was very quiet during the entire session, but his constant ring of text messaging definitely lead me to believe differently about him. I think he might text even more than I do, and that is a lot! I really enjoyed giving him a hard time trying to loosen him up.

Belle also came off a little more on the reserved side, but I would say she has a competitive heart. When I came up with the idea for a little challenge on who could give me there best poses, I definitely would have to say Belle brought out her "A" game. When it came to her turn she had her plan of attack already in motion. She takes the most beautiful candid shots.

And then there is Jacob, ohh little Jacob. I have so much to say about him! From the moment he stepped out of the car I knew he was the personality of the family. I love when I get kids as full of life as he is. They are always a blast because they keep me on my toes laughing the entire time. He definitely is the goofball of the group and keeps the entire family's life very interesting I am sure.

Last, but certainly not least, is America's Next Top Model Winner Audrey. She may only be four years old, but this little girl knows how to work the camera. I swear I just had to point the camera in her direction and she would start her posing debut off full force. She was absolutely adorable. I wish I had room to post every pose she gave me because she was so stinking cute.

I usually am teary eyed my entire shoot from my allergies when I am shooting in a field, but this session I cried the whole time because the family was hysterical. Any chance they got to play a joke on each other they took. I feel so fortunate to have such fun people come to me to capture their moments. I don't even feel like I am working, it is an immeasurable sensation for me. I definitely walked away from our appointment knowing that these four kids are Trudi's preeminent sunshine!