Archive for the ‘childrens photography’ Category

Bloom 52 week 9 “FRIENDSHIP” – {Tampa Children’s Photographer}

March 4th, 2011

I have been so blessed in my life, in all of its stages, to have wonderful friendships. Really, as far back as I can remember in my life, there have always been integral girls/women who have been there for me, encouraged and cheered me on and have really shaped the person that I am today. [...]

 

I have been so blessed in my life, in all of its stages, to have wonderful friendships. Really, as far back as I can remember in my life, there have always been integral girls/women who have been there for me, encouraged and cheered me on and have really shaped the person that I am today. I am so thankful for my friendships and all of these women.

However, as wonderful and a.m.a.z.i.n.g. as all of these friendships are, and how much I couldn’t live without them…when I think of the ultimate friendship, I think of my sisters. I am the oldest of three girls, so having sisters was all I knew. I can’t say I was the greatest of friends with them as children…in fact I remember some pretty good knock-down-drag-outs including sitting in the bathroom sink to keep Keri from being able to use it (yes – true story). Thankfully, we’ve all grown past that and our relationships have grown into something I am more thankful for than anything else beyond my own family. Unfortunately, I live about 1100 miles away from my two sisters…so my photograph this week is of MY girls -and the bond they are forming together. Not to leave Josh out and the relationship that HE will have with the girls – I hope it’s just as close….and I’m sure it will be. BUT there’s a bond between women – a way of communicating and loving and supporting. I’m watching that grow between Allie and Emma. Emma has to be the world’s greatest sister – she would do ANYTHING for her baby sister…and Allie chooses Emma over just about anyone (including me sometimes!!). So this week, I’m featuring a shot of my girls at the beach from last weekend….I love how Emma is looking down lovingly at her little sis…and Allie is walking along in complete faith and trust in her older sister (even though she’s still scared of the water touching her feet). I really hope and pray they have the kind of relationship through their lives that supports, encourages, loves and cheers the other on for their whole lives….After all, the friendship between sisters goes unmatched in life!!
WEB 0237 Bloom 52 week 9 “FRIENDSHIP” – {Tampa Children’s Photographer}

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the amazing posts on friendship, starting with Jennifer’s blog! Fort Wayne, IN- Jennifer Olivas

breaker

My baby is 10! St. Petersburg Children’s Photographer

January 4th, 2011

I remember before I was a mother and even as a mother of very young children – and I would see people with “older” kids and wonder what it was like. I always thought – wow I wonder how they know what to DO with those big kids?!?? Are they fun? Is it hard? What [...]

 

I remember before I was a mother and even as a mother of very young children – and I would see people with “older” kids and wonder what it was like. I always thought – wow I wonder how they know what to DO with those big kids?!?? Are they fun? Is it hard? What would it feel like to have big kids?? Well, I think I’ve officially passed into the category of having big kids. My little peanut, Emma, turned 10 yesterday. In so many ways, it’s SO HARD to believe that it’s been TEN full years…the time has flown so fast…Although I admit, in those days when she was a toddler, the days seemed to last forever. She wasn’t the easiest baby on earth…always had her own agenda! But I loved every moment. I wanted to share this photo of her that I found as I was scanning in old photographs of her from her life.

This photo was taken in February 2002 – she was about 13-14 months old, I believe. I was really into black and white film in those days and this is really my absolute favorite picture of her from these days. Forgive the quality as it’s from an “old fashioned” print!! HA HA HA

Tampa Childrens photographer My baby is 10!  St. Petersburg Childrens Photographer

In those days, it was extremely difficult to shoot her – as soon as I would pull out my camera, she would run for the hills – SCREAMING. I have lots of pictures of her screaming, tears running down…the whole bit. And in THOSE days, it was extra frustrating b/c I was spending $10 per roll of film – I wasted lots of $10 dollar rolls….at least I have this one image to hold on to!! icon smile My baby is 10!  St. Petersburg Childrens Photographer

Now it’s a different story. Last weekend, Emma asked if we could go out and have a session…WHOAH!!! Are you asking ME??? Of course!! Well, it was close to sunset – and there really WAS no sun to speak of – very overcast and dreary for our area…but we made the best of it and I got some images of her I will always cherish. 10 years….can’t believe it. This girl though is such a precious precious joy and I am incredibly thankful for every second of those ten years….

St. Petersburg Clearwater childrens photographer My baby is 10!  St. Petersburg Childrens Photographer

I have to say, being a mom of “older kids” is better than I could have known. I love having an ever-ready shopping buddy, who has real stories to tell, soccer games, sleepovers…all this stuff is why we all become moms. Sure we all love the baby stage (well, at least most of us do – I DID). But it only gets better….more fun…more enriched. Thank you Emma for all you’ve given me. I love you with all of my heart…

St. petersburg child photographer My baby is 10!  St. Petersburg Childrens Photographer

Teresa is a children’s portrait photographer, serving Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater and surrounding areas.

breaker

Been thinking…. {Tampa Bay Family Photographer}

October 1st, 2010

When I thought about posting the pictures from this shoot, I was going to talk all about how this great photographer chose *ME* to do her portraits with her son, Aidan. I am still going to touch on that because I am always honored to be chosen to do someone’s portraits…but when another photographer who’s [...]

 

When I thought about posting the pictures from this shoot, I was going to talk all about how this great photographer chose *ME* to do her portraits with her son, Aidan. I am still going to touch on that because I am always honored to be chosen to do someone’s portraits…but when another photographer who’s work I really respect chooses me – it’s a great feeling. The wonderful Carrie Small from Fayetville, North Carolina – seriously a WONDERFUL newborn photographer was in the area and chose me to do portraits of her with her son and her grandmother. She had never had portraits done of her with her 3-year-old little boy and I had the honor of doing the first set of professional photos of the two of them together!

Once I did the session and started editing them, I started thinking about it….3 years of her little guy’s life and no pictures with him? I started to think about it…I really don’t either. I’m always the one behind the camera!! I started sifting through our photographs over these past few years – I’m in well, pretty much NONE of them. I’ve been feeling really sad about that. I mean, my kids have the most gorgeous photos of them – they are going to grow up with some spectactular portraits of themselves – not only the posed ones, but the every day ones – they will remember our home, our favorite places we went, their rooms, our backyard…our favorite beaches…

But….

What makes me sad is they won’t look back on our family portraits and see ME with them…what are your favorite portraits when you look through your ablums?? I LOVE seeing pictures of my mom and I…here’s one I love from an old family slide….check out my abs!! HA HA HA…

WEBMOMAND ME Been thinking....         {Tampa Bay Family Photographer}

I’m unfortunately not giving that same gift to my own kids… I’m thankful to Carrie for choosing me to be her photographer, but I’m even MORE thankful that the experience I had shooting her and her sweet little boy has opened my eyes to the need to be photographed with my own children. And it also makes me MUCH more aware of the need to get my moms ( and wonderful clients) into portraits with your little ones!! Don’t be afraid moms – our kids don’t care what we look like!! Moms of newborns – stop worrying that you look like you just had a baby – YOU DID!!! It’s incredible what our bodies go through to have these beautiful children – we should stop hating them and give our kids the best gifts ever – ones they’ll never get rid of – portraits with us!!!

With that, here are Carrie and Aidan’s new family pictures….
Tampa childrens photographer Been thinking....         {Tampa Bay Family Photographer}
childrens photographer st. petersburg Been thinking....         {Tampa Bay Family Photographer}
childrens photographer tampa Been thinking....         {Tampa Bay Family Photographer}
Baby Photographer st. Petersburg Been thinking....         {Tampa Bay Family Photographer}

Isn’t he just the CUTEST???
Childrens photography clearwater Been thinking....         {Tampa Bay Family Photographer}
C’mon moms!! Don’t put it off any longer!Call me and we will capture these precious days together! icon smile Been thinking....         {Tampa Bay Family Photographer}

breaker

End of an era…St. Petersburg Children’s Dance Photography

September 8th, 2010

My Emma started dancing when she was 4. It’s been a very major part of our lives ever since. She absolutely loved it – breathed it – talked about it all the time….She would turn off the TV every day, find some music and just dance in the living room….kind of lost in her own [...]

 

My Emma started dancing when she was 4. It’s been a very major part of our lives ever since. She absolutely loved it – breathed it – talked about it all the time….She would turn off the TV every day, find some music and just dance in the living room….kind of lost in her own little ballet creations.  I danced ONE year and I never quite got the bug…oh I loved my friend’s beautiful costumes they got each year, but never liked going to class….I never have been the most graceful person on the earth!!  So when I had this very VERY girly little girl who loved ballet, it was kind of foreign to me….but it didn’t make me love it any less. I loved EVERY minute of watching her dance…seeing her do what she loved…and we’ve sat through 10 different recitals (including Christmas shows) and I cried at EVERY ONE…not just a tear down the cheek – no – serious sobbing going on in the stands….good thing I always had a giant camera in front of my face to disguise my weapiness!!           

Here are a few of my favorite snapshots over the years….the one in the top left corner is before her very first dance class – age 4…and the photo in the middle is from her last recital this past June.

Tampa Childrens photographer Dance 1 End of an era...St. Petersburg Childrens Dance Photography

Leading up to her final recital, she began talking of wanting a break from dance…I figured, it had been a long year and I’m sure a break over the summer and she’ll be ready to go back.  Then she started mentioning soccer and wanting to be an “athlete”…I thought = ok here’s my kid who can’t open her eyes in the sun, doesn’t like to get sweaty outside…and she wants to play soccer?? Ok – I thought to myself…we’ll see how serious she is. I signed her up for a 1 week soccer camp – 9-5 OUTSIDE in July in FLORIDA…that’ll see if she’s serious… To my COMPLETE surprise, she came home happy, excited and absolutely loving soccer…I guess we’ll go with it then…I kept bringing it up over the summer to make sure she was comfortable with her decision…she never waivered for one second.

Tonight we went to the studio to pick up her things from last spring and to say goodbye.  It was strange walking out of there, knowing it won’t be a huge part of our lives for the first time in 5 years….why am I so weepy about it? Why is it making me sad???  I decided I would deal with my emotions about the whole thing by what else??? Taking pictures!! I took Emma out in her last dance costume (wahhhh) and did a shoot to remember these years by. I am SO in love with these images of my big girl…I can’t believe how far she’s come from that goofy little 4-year-old to a beautiful young lady. I’m so proud of her.  Even though I’m sad to say goodbye to these years of dance, I’m so in awe of her confidence and drive, her ability to make tough decisions and to follow her dreams. She’s artistic, she’s smart, she has a very kind and nurturing heart. I’m so blessed that she’s mine!!  Here’s some of my favorites from our session together….

clearwater childrens dance photographer End of an era...St. Petersburg Childrens Dance Photography

tampa childrens photographer dance photography End of an era...St. Petersburg Childrens Dance Photography

st. petersburg dance photography childrens photographer tampa End of an era...St. Petersburg Childrens Dance Photography

clearwater childrens photography End of an era...St. Petersburg Childrens Dance Photography

Tampa dance photography End of an era...St. Petersburg Childrens Dance Photography

St. Petersburg Childrens photographer1 End of an era...St. Petersburg Childrens Dance Photography

Tampa childrens photographer1 End of an era...St. Petersburg Childrens Dance Photography

breaker

My little Allie bean – Tampa Children’s Photographer

August 19th, 2010

mI haven’t posted any images of Allison in QUITE a while. There’s a very good reason for that – she’s 18 months old now!! LOL. I know all of you moms out there know exactly what I mean without even describing it. But trying to get images of a child once they’re walking is like [...]

 

mI haven’t posted any images of Allison in QUITE a while. There’s a very good reason for that – she’s 18 months old now!! LOL. I know all of you moms out there know exactly what I mean without even describing it. But trying to get images of a child once they’re walking is like scraping cheese off the moon. (wow I’m not sure where THAT analogy came from – but whatever!)  A little backstory:  when I found out we were expecting another little girl – I was just elated. I was so excited to go through the princesses again, to buy little bows and ruffles and pink toys…I love it all – LOVE it. Well, one of the things I bought was the PERFECT outfit for her 18 month pictures. Why 18 months you say? WELL – I knew she’d be standing by then and the dress wouldn’t get all bunched up of course!!! So I bought the dress -now almost 2 years ago- and have taken it out periodically to think about the perfectly posed portraits I would make of her in that beautiful little dress.  (OK insert screeching record against a needle sound here and fast forward to realityville). I started attempting Allison’s 18 month pictures A MONTH ago (2 weeks before the mark). We’ve been to the beach, we’ve been to the park, we’ve been to the duck pond, we’ve tried putting her in a CHAIR in the park. I’m telling you there is NO getting pictures of her. It was like she thought a canon would fire out of my camera if she looked my way and her life depended on her running away from me and keeping her eyes on her feet. Whatever. Pictures aren’t going to happen.   I fold – I have no more cards left.   

Then last night happened. Funny thing though – she had messy, braided, bed-head, sweaty hair. She was wearing just a regular everyday Carter’s outfit and she had red ant bites all over her legs from the attempt at her pictures the night before and getting  set in a pile of red ants while mommy was 30 feet away drying desperately to get her picture in the weeds at the beach….So perfect conditions, right? OH and the sun was going down in about 1/2 hour. BUT on the other hand, she was very happy and acting silly. I thought – what the heck. I feel like playing with the camera, let’s take the baby out into the middle of the street and PLAY. Can’t HURT anything!!  Well what happened was nothing short of MAGIC. I have to admit that these are my favorite pictures of her  – bar none. THIS is my baby’s personality…messy braids, bug bite legs, nail polish on her shoes, dancing in the street in front of our house. Emma and I rocked out the Laurie Berkner Band songs – especially “ALLISON HAS  A COW ON HER HEAD” – (c’mon moms – sing along with me) and “Let’s go swimming let’s go swimming”…she rocked out and smiled and laughed…magic I tell you.  Here are some of the results…my heart be still…..

WEB 0408 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

WEB 0375 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

These little thighs….what can I say??!?

WEB 0426 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

WEB 0441edit3 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

The next little series here has very special meaning to my heart.  If you  know Allie, you know she’s a very nurturing little soul. She LOVES her loveys, she loves anthing with a kitty on it, really. Emma has even drawn stick figure pictures of kitties on paper and she’ll hug it, rock it, pat it on it’s little paper back – it’s very sweet. When she RRRRRRRRRREAAAAAAAAAAALLY loves something, she’ll go through her routine of rocking and patting and then start kissing it and FALL on it -just total love there. She can’t love it enough, so she must SMOOSH it with her entire body. I’ve always wanted to capture this in a series – I just never pictured that I’d capture it in the ROAD in the front of my house!!!  Nevertheless, here’s my little Allison loving her little “Beries” lovey….These are the steps to properly showing affection to your trusty bear. 

Step one:  hug bear around the neck really, really tight. Pat him a little and rock back and forth:  WEB 0417 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

Step 2: Whisper sweet love in his pink furry ears…WEB 0418 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

Step 3: I’m not sure about this, but I’m suspicious that he whispers back because all of a sudden there’s a flood of emotion…

WEB 0419 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

Step 4: Fall on bear in full-on bear lovin’ love…

WEB 04201 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

Lastly:  FACE PLANT (make sure you remember that it doesn’t matter where you are, even in the middle of the road in between cars – this last step is CRUCIAL to showing your bear your love…)

WEB 0421 My little Allie bean     Tampa Childrens Photographer

Well, that’s it. I have triumphed over not only photographing the ever-elusive 18-month-old, but 18-month-old photographer’s kid. I’ll be back to conquer another day. You can count on it.    :)