Ya’ll..let me tell you. This session was SO.MUCH.FUN!! I loved it! One of the biggest blessings to me in this job is the ability to see return clients year after year and to see how they grow and change. I have been photographing Lacy since she was several months old and her sister since she was a baby as well. They always photograph beautifully, however, this session just seemed to top them all. I just love Lexi’s little pigtails. To me, they just make the picture! And Miss Lacy was so good on Friday and just did exactly what was asked and as a result we got some beautiful images. Take a look…

My personal favorite of the day is below. I just love everything about this one! 🙂

Don’t know why, but the below image just speaks to me. So lovely of her…

And, finally, the girls grandmother came along for the shoot as our helper for the day and so we ended up with a few “generational” shots. They weren’t planned ahead but I think they are coordinated and lovely! What a sweet, sweet family. Jennifer, thank you for sharing your family with me all these years. Hope you love these as much as I do! 🙂

Amber is a beautiful young lady, both inside and out! I was so honored to have some time with Amber and her mom this weekend to photograph her for her Senior Portraits! We met up at the Botanic Gardens and the beautiful day was a bit windy; however, Miss Amber rocked it and we ended up with some fabulous shots of her. Amber is planning on going into the mission field someday, specifically to work in orphanages in Guatemala. I love it! God has His hand on this young lady’s life and I am so excited to see where He leads her. Amber, you are so sweet and beautiful; and, it is such a joy to know you. I look forward to seeing all that you become! Congratulations!! 🙂

You’ve been asking and the info has arrived! How is a Mini Session different from a regular session? Well, it is only about 15-20 minutes and you receive approximately 10 fully edited custom proof images from which to choose. Why choose a Mini? So many reasons…here’s a few that come to mind. Mother’s Day! Do a session just with Mom & kids. What about Senior Portraits? Not everyone wants a full hour’s worth of photos, so why not take advantage and still end up with at least 10 shots from which to choose? How long has it been since you and your husband/wife had photos taken of just the two of you? What about a session with Grandparents and Grandchildren? Did your daughter just loose her front two teeth and she is so cute you can’t stand it? 🙂 The possibilities are endless. However, with the Mini Session you still get the time and talent and expertise of the photographer (that’s me!), an online proof gallery and a slide-show set to music, access to our full line of products, and the 1:17 customer service that we pride ourselves on!

I’m so excited to share with you the information for our Spring Mini Sessions for 2011. I tried to pick a couple of locations with completely different “looks” so that you have options in choosing. The locations are a Saturday evening in April at Memorial Park and a Friday evening in May at Arlington Town Square. The April session at Memorial Park is when the azaleas should be at their peak (hopefully-as this is based on the weather!). Combine this with the awesome textures of the bridges and rocks there and it is a beautiful setting. Arlington Town Square has become one of my favorites locations to shoot because it offers such a broad variety of backgrounds from which to choose in such close proximity. Both of these locations are customer favorites. I am posting example photos from both locations below.

See below for all the exciting details! Need to schedule your session time? Simply contact jodie@117photography.com with your desired date and she’ll be happy to help you complete the process. Again, these sessions are always a customer favorite so if you see an idea that sounds like something you’d like, don’t delay!

And now, to help inspire you, a few favorites from past sessions for each location. First some from Memorial Park, the location of our April Mini Session.

And, some from Arlington Town Square, the location of our May Mini Session! Hope to see you at a Mini this spring! 🙂

Well, maybe not sitting so much! Joey much preferred to stand and hold onto something more than sit! 🙂 Do you remember this sweet baby face from last year?

Joey is just adorable! That dark hair and those dark eyes that sparkle! Love him! Joey is another of our Little Gifts Newborn Club babies and this was the 2nd of his shoots with us this year. He was so happy, but really didn’t like the dirt and cold grass. It was so cute. He really just wanted to sit in my chair (which thankfully I brought along-whew!), or with his beautiful Mommy, or stand holding onto said chair. Too cute.

This first image really was supposed to be of just Joey sitting on the bridge. Abby, his momma, was close by to grab him if needed. (Safety first, always!) My intention was to crop her out of the photo, but I just adore the sweet joy on her face watching her baby boy get his pictures made. I just had to include her, too! 🙂 And the one of them together? Notice the swan that joined the photo, too. Love that little detail.

Joey, you are a sweetheart, just like your Mom and Dad! And, your little crinkle-nose you make when you smile melts my heart. I had such fun with you. Enjoy! 🙂

Another of our Little Gifts Newborn Club little ladies is growing up and learned to sit and smile since we last saw her looking like this:

Well, now look at this happy little girl! Poor baby had an ear infection and probably wasn’t feeling 100%. However, you’d never know it from looking at these images. Campbell was such a precious good girl at her session on Tuesday and we ended up with some gorgeous images for her session. I love her giggle and laugh and how it just lights up her whole face…right down to her curled up toes. 🙂

Now this is southern cuteness to its fullest. A bonnet, a smocked dress, monograms cherry trees, daffodils and tulips! Gotta love it!

Another sweet newborn girl has joined our world! Meet little Hayleigh! She was born at a few days after 40 weeks old! Wow. Don’t hear of that often much anymore. She has the most beautiful hair color with just a tint of red…gorgeous! And her features and just so tiny and dainty, too. We enjoyed meeting you and spending time with you, Hayleigh. Congratulations, Amy and Jon on your beautiful new addition. So happy for ya’ll!! 🙂

Remember this handsome little fellow?

Well…look at this big boy now! What a precious little boy this is.  He is so very loved by his Mommy and Daddy. This was one of the first of my fun spring sessions coming up over the next few months. I love the fun and bright, happy colors that show through and compliment the love this family has for each other. These images speak for themselves. I know you will enjoy!!

I love this time of year! Spring is coming so soon and I can hardly wait! I spent a VERY cold morning earlier this week with some precious little kiddos and we all kept thinking WARM thoughts! Doing the shoot each Spring and Fall for The Happy Heart in Arlington has become one of my favorite things to do each season. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, this place is a must-see if you are searching for a special outfit for your little ones. Their new spring lines are beyond fabulous, ya’ll! Really! 🙂 I love that they also have so many great choices for little boys, too! Those of us with boys understand this difficulty!

One of the things I love, among many, is that this store has incredible choices of clothing for photo shoots. Looking for something that coordinates for your children? Look no further. They are wonderful with “pulling it all together” and helping you coordinate the outfits and complete them with accessories that will make the look!

Please take a moment to look through these photos and see just a glimpse of what Happy Heart has to offer this spring. There is SO much more in the store! So, look and then get on over there and get some for yourself! 🙂

Want to see the entire set of images? I’d love to share the slideshow with you! Follow this link and enter the password, “Spring2011”! You’ll love it! And these just scratch the surface of what they have to offer there! Enjoy!

The world just got a little sweeter with the arrival of little Emmi! Emmi is the latest in a string of little newborn girls I have photographed recently. And her cuteness and world full of pink is no exception to the beauty that has preceded her! It was such a joy to be asked to photograph Emmi’s newborn portraits. Only 7 days old at the time of her session, she decided that Monday afternoon was not the time that she was in the mood to be sleepy! 🙂 You should’ve seen us. There were four women at the session, all of us mothers, and each one of us tried different things to get Miss Emmi to be calm for her moment in front of the camera. At one point we had her mom at her head, her aunt at her feet, her grandmother at her back and me trying to be as quick as I could be behind the lens! I’d count out loud 1-2-3 and they’d let go of her, pull out the paci and I’d click away! It was such fun! The persistence paid off, and Emmi has some precious photos to show for it! Ashley and Paul, many congratulations to you on your precious Gift from God!

Jesus taught us to “Love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 13:34). I do believe I will spend the remaining days of my life learning to do as He has commanded us. Wow, what an awesome privilege to love each other and lift one another up in times of need.

As many of you know, I have been asking for prayers for Lucy Krull, a precious little girl from Covington, TN and also a customer of mine. My family and I have prayed for Lucy daily and will continue to do so in the days to come as I believe that praying for each other is a part of this commandment to love. Yesterday was Miss Lucy’s 5th birthday and thanks to some awesome neighbors with hearts full of love for this little girl, we came together yesterday for a fun event in honor of Lucy’s birthday. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t much; but, it was such a joy to do something tangible for Lucy and her family that they will have as a keepsake in the years to come. Thanks to the creative efforts of many of the mothers in my neighborhood, we came together after school and gathered together for Lucy in our pink and purple (and blue for those boys!). It was quite an experience to see all these little children sing their hearts out for Lucy. I could see that they are all genuinely touched by her story and were happy to help in some way.

What touched my heart the most was reading all their little notes on the banner. These children don’t know Lucy personally, but in their eyes she is their “best friend” and they “love her”. Wow! If only we as adults could learn to love like they do. No wonder Jesus said to “let the little children come to me.” Their genuine hearts full of love are the best! Enjoy a little peek into our afternoon in photos followed by the amazing video footage put together by my friend, Carrie Douglas. I am so honored to live in a place where these families love others and love our God! Happy Birthday, sweet Lucy! We continue to pray for you daily and believe that you will be healed!

The words to the song “Healing is in Your Hands” by Christy Nockels have resonated in my heart as I pray for Lucy and their family each day. I am going to share the words here with you but encourage you to find a place to listen to this song for yourself and let these words encourage your heart. No matter where we are, healing is in His Hands and NOTHING can keep us from his love! Wow!!

No mountain, no valley, no gain or loss we know
could keep us from Your love
No sickness, no secret, no chain is strong enough
to keep us from Your love
to keep us from Your love

How high, how wide
No matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong,
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands

Our present, our future, our past is in Your hands
We’re covered by Your blood
We’re covered by Your blood

How high, How wide
no matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands

In all things, we know that.
We are more than conquerors.
You keep us by your love.
You keep us by your love.

And my favorite part…not sure if you can read their little notes to Lucy, but I hope you can. They are too sweet!

And, now, the video! It’s guaranteed to make you laugh and cry! Click on the link below that says, “Happy Birthday, Lucy”. Enjoy! 🙂

Happy Birthday, Lucy!