About a month ago, I received an invite to Star Trek themed birthday party at the drive-in from a fellow photographer.  I was on a session and unfortunately couldn't make it.  So when Stef and I got an invite from some friends last week, we decided to saddle up the kids and check it out.

I didn't really consider what time of year it was and forgot it has to be um.. dark for the movie to start, so showtime wasn't until 9pm...about an hour after our girls normally go to bed.  Well, they made it (I almost didn't) and I had plenty of time before hand to go and explore this interesting place.

Well, our Ladies Night Out event was a smash hit.  Over 40 beautiful women attended the event and enjoyed great food & wine, and got pampered with hair & makeup thanks to the wonderful peeps at Article Salon in the Fountains.  Stef and I had an awesome time watching everyone turn into a fashion model for the evening.  Here are a few from the event, you can see much more on our Facebook page HERE.

Thank you to all who came, we can't wait to do this again!

Meet beautiful baby B, the gorgeous little girl we started photographing when she was still in mama's tummy (see the Zander maternity post).  She was just shy of 2 weeks when we photographed her, and she was still so teeny tiny!  We love getting newborns this small, because we're able to do things we wouldn't be able to do when they're bigger and awake! The first image here is a prime example--I've been dying to photograph a baby on our column, but they're usually too long and squirmy.  I was determined to get her on that column, and so glad we did (she proceeded to pee all over it 2 seconds after this was taken!).  Mom and Dad liked this image so much it was used on her birth announcement as well as a framed print for her nursery.  Just a beautiful baby girl (and mom and dad aren't too shabby either!)...can't wait to see her for her next Bebe session in the fall!

-Stefani

Teagan decided last winter that she wanted to quit gymnastics for a while and try out tap and ballet dancing.  After almost 6 months in her new class, she just had her first official recital this week.  I will be totally honest--she was not what one would call passionate about this hobby.  I would hear the other moms talk about how their little girls would go home from class and want to tap everywhere, all the time.  Well, Teagan came home and never once did a dance move....not one!  As her performance drew closer, I had my concerns about what she would do during her performance, if anything.  I just had to hope that putting on her poodle skirt costume and being with all the other girls would excite her at least a little.  Thankfully she loved her costume when she put it on, so there was at least that if nothing else.  I dropped her off at the side door ready to go, her hair done to my best abilities for how short it is.  I apologized to her teacher for not getting it into a bun as instructed; she said "don't worry, I'll fix it right now."  So I think to myself, "knock yourself out!"  

Fast forward to us sitting front row and her whole group entering the stage and beginning their dance.  We had no idea where Teagan was.  I was so distraught I was almost in tears.  I just knew she had either chickened out at the last minute and refused to come out, or that she was so exhausted that she had fallen asleep in the "holding room" and they didn't wake her up.  I couldn't believe that we went through all of this for her not to appear in the show.  I continued scanning the girls and about halfway through the routine, finally discovered Teagan in the line-up.  Her teacher had made sure all of their hair was completely slicked back, including bangs. I had never seen T without bangs, so none of us recognized her!  I was relieved she was there and bummed I had missed seeing half of her dance!  Truth be told, I don't think I missed much.  She tried, but was clearly nervous and not too sure of what came next.  Who cared at that point?  At least we found her, and I was quickly reminded of why she has bangs!   Here are a few snaps James took after the performance--she was super excited because we were taking her to Big Spoon to celebrate.  Dance class is now over...back to gymnastics with big sis next week!

I love it when clients suggest an interesting location I haven't been to before, it's always an adventure.  Alexa wanted her senior portraits taken at the bluffs in Fair Oaks, a fantastic spot full of trees, amber grass, greenery...and attack moths.

Stef and I had such a wonderful time on this session.  Alexa did a fantastic job of matching her look/style with the environment, a perfect combo.  She brought her mom & sister along who were in charge of the portable clothes changing station (a brown bed sheet!), and moral support.

We are so fortunate to meet so many great people doing what we do.  Thank you Alexa for introducing us to you and your family, and for being such an inspiring subject.

I could fill two pages with my favorites from the day, but here are a few.