Life As Lemonade Photography

On the move...

I am so sorry that I have been away, everyone!  Brian and I recently bought a house... and since closing on the house in late May, we have been scrambling to prepare for the move over the last month.  It has been sooo hectic and sooo exhausting.  I swore that if I ever move again, I am hiring movers!  :)  I am hoping things will calm down over the coming weeks so life can get back to normal... and I can catch up on all things photography!  Thanks for checking in.  I hope I can at least post some fun pictures soon.  Please drop by again soon.  :)

Making my job look easy. :)

When I first met this brother and sister, I was immediately impressed with how incredibly sociable and polite they were.  I don't know if I have ever met two siblings with such impeccable manners!  That is such a refreshing rarity these days.  :)  Sometimes I get those nervous jitters right before a shoot, but these two and their mom immediately put me at ease.  They were so easy to work with- I told their mom that they made my job incredibly easy.  They were such a pleasure to work with.  Enjoyed it, you guys- hope you enjoy your preview!

When I first got there, she was a little shy... but warmed up super fast.  This was one of my first shots- and I just loved her shy expression. 

And here's her big brother.  I LOVED his red hair- it is so unique and just awesome.  Such a sweet guy.

 

He made me laugh when I asked them if they get along and he said, "no."  They reminded me so much of me and my brother, Chuck.  We were about the same age difference and used to have our sibling moments... but have grown to be great friends.  I can see that in these guys' future too.  :)

Some moments with their mom.  Such a photogenic family!

One of my favorite shots of big brother.  Love his sweet expression.

She was a pro in front of the camera!

One of my favorite pictures of the two of them together.  Just reminds me of the protective older brother...just touched my heart.

 
   
Thanks so much, guys!  Good luck on July 20th.  :)
  

Two and six.

These two are always so much fun to photograph.  Outside of my own two nephews... there is no one I enjoy getting together with more.  Its so much fun to watch them grow.  I can't believe that its been just over 2 years since I photographed my first newborn... and here she is 2 years later.  Boy, how time flies. 

I just love the sweet way he is looking at her in this picture.  Such a good big brother.

Love her little Spring dress.  Adorable.
 
 

It was a windy, cold day but they were such good sports.

Loved this little outfit she changed into.  Check out those cowboy (or should I say cowgirl) boots.  :)

Picking flowers...love her little pigtails!

 

One of my favorite shots from the day...trying to blow out the dandelions.

And another sweet moment with brother after a walk in the woods.

  
 

Family

During life's challenges, it is so important to have family to rally around you and get you through.  I really felt that connection with this sweet family.  Paula and I went to high school together.  She has married a wonderful guy and had 2 beautiful children.  Her youngest has been through so much in her first year of life- what a strong little one she is!  And did I mention gorgeous?  This family's devotion to her and to each other was so evident and so touching.  I felt so honored to spend this time with them.  I had so many favorite pictures from this session- this is going to be quite a long post!

Look at this little heartbreaker!  He struck this pose for me- so cute.

A sweet moment with his little sis.

This little angel has the most beautiful facial features.  I snapped this one while she was sleeping.  Those beautiful eyelashes are to die for!

I don't know that there are any pictures that move me more than those that show that connection between a mother and daughter.  I was very close to my own mother so it is something that really touches my heart.  I loved this one of Paula and her little one.  (And isn't Paula's hair beautiful?)

 

She was giving me such great eye contact while daddy was holding her.  I love that she is holding onto his finger in this one.

This little guy has the most beautiful blue eyes!

 

I think its very evident how loved this little girl is.

These little ones just love their grandparents and it was obvious that the feeling was mutual.

I just couldn't get over what a doll she is.  Just beautiful.  Loved her little dress.

 

A beautiful family and a pleasure to photograph.
 

 

Growing up fast.

Awww- it'd been way too long since I'd photographed these gorgeous two!  They were both so sweet and content through the whole photo session.  And I love that they have such contrasting features.

Bonnie had told me that this little guy was always just full of smiles when she'd take him out to stores and other places.  Sure enough, from the moment I first saw him, he was just full of smiles.

Look at those eyes.  He is such a cutie!

 

This was just a funny little outtake from the day.
 

One of my favorite shots from the day.  I love the way he looks like he is about to tell me something.

Love that inquisitive expression.

Best of all, I love that these little guys will always have each other.


 
 
 

A high school reunion.

Tracey and I were friends in high school.  It has probably been 15 years since we've seen each other...but from the time I walked in her house and met her sweet little guys, I felt like no time had passed.  I had such a fun time catching up on where life has taken both of us.  And her little guys were just the sweetest!  And just like most boys their age- they were full of energy, so I had fun trying to catch those little moments with them.

This little guy was a natural in front of the camera.  He told me that his grandmother likes to take pictures too, so I could tell how comfortable he was.

This little guy was so friendly to me, but wasn't sure how he felt about having his picture taken so I just let him set the pace.  Such beautiful eyes!

There is nothing better than capturing those natural moments of laughter.

I thought these two little guys were so sweet with each other.  Its so sweet that they will always have each other.

I love the action shots!

I hope you enjoy your picture preview, Tracey!  I had such a fun time hanging out with you guys.  :)

 
 

Wedding

The weekend before last, I had the awesome opportunity to co-shoot a wedding for the very first time with the fabulous, Christine Hall of Savannah. I was so grateful to her for letting me tag along... and for all her words of advice and willingness to share. It was a fantastic learning experience.

A bridesmaid.

The dress.

Bridesmaid waiting.

The beautiful bride.

The mother of the bride beaming.

With some of the girls.

Seeing his bride for the first time...

The gorgeous location on Jekyll Island.

Kissing the bride...

Chrissy doing what she does best!  She is fabulous!

The couple at sunset.

See the magical images Christine created from the wedding here:

http://christinehallphotography.com/blog/st-simons-wedding-photographer-jekyll-island-club/
  

 

Boy, have you grown! :)

I haven't seen this little guy since he was just a few days old:  http://melanieakin.typepad.com/life_as_lemonade_photogra/2009/07/a-new-addition.html

I couldn't get over how much he is grown!  He has the sweetest spirit.  He had just woken up from a nap before our session, but he was in the sweetest mood.  (I on the other hand probably would've been in a foul one-lol!)  He started out giving me shy little expressions like this one...

 

And before long, with mommy and daddy's help, we were getting expressions like this:

 

and this...
 

I think we might have us a new model for baby gap!

 

 
And a sweet picture of the whole adorable family.

 
 Hope you enjoy the preview, Michelle!  Next time, we'll get together much sooner.  I don't want my next pictures of him to be his senior portraits!  :)
 
  
 

They grow so fast!

I can't believe she is 5 months already!  She has the sweetest disposition.  From the time mommy and daddy put her in front of the camera, she made the best eye contact and was full of smiles.  She is such a happy little one!  She was so patient through an hour-and-a-half of pictures and different outfit changes.  She was the perfect little model.

 

Look at that eye contact!

A moment with daddy.

And a moment with mommy.

 

Such a beautiful family.

A little tummy time.
 
  
 

We are family.

My best friend, Sherri, has had a tough year full of challenges.  Despite all that... she has come through the situation with flying colors.  I am so proud of her and her strength!  Her little guys are so sweet- thanks to what a great mom she is.  I am confident that 2010 will be a new start for this photogenic trio.

 

 

Sherri and her sweet sister, Donna.  They both look so young, don't they?

 

The family all together.