Have you ever had one of those weeks where you say, “HOW ON EARTH is it Friday already?” I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love Fridays. I look forward especially to our family time reserved for Friday nights – pizza, games, movie watching all snuggled together on the couch…

What I mean is, does it feel like time is going faster than it used to? I remember school years lasting forrrrever. Days lasted forever – going outside with friends, building tree forts, darting from garden snakes with my best friend….I just don’t feel like it FEELS that way anymore, does that make sense? I feel like each day is packed with phrases like, “hurry up, we’re late!”, “stop dawdling…we have to GO!” and all of a sudden, I blink twice and all of a sudden the kids are tucked in bed once again.

I don’t like it.

So two major things have happened this week. #1. Since Allie is now 3, we decided to finally get rid of her crib. It’s going to it’s new owner in about an hour and a half. It’s all cleaned and shiny and I looked at it thinking about the new mom with her first baby…she’ll get that crib/changing table home, organize it with all the new pretty blankets and onesies, pack it full of anticipation and excitement. How does all of that anticipation (which again seems like an eternity when you’re pregnant) all of a sudden, it’s over?

Don’t get me wrong…there are no more babies for the Wilds family. I am excited and ready to move past the diapers and midnight feedings and high chair crumbs…but there’s a sadness to closing that chapter in my life and moving on. That sadness is multiplied as I look at my oldest, now eleven year old, gorgeous girl. She was a baby only a half a breath ago. She’s turning into the sweetest, most caring and loving young lady. She’s smart, a hard worker and really has a heart for other people (with the exception of her brother, of course). She’s got such a bright future ahead of her.

That brings me to event #2 that is making me cry. Yesterday, I took her to get a hair cut. Not just any hair cut. She wanted to cut in bangs and get layers….now since she was a baby, I’ve always just kept it long and straight – she’s really looked the same since she was a year old! Something nice and secure feeling about that. So of course we stopped at the studio to snap a few “before” pictures and then ran back to get some afters. I cannot believe how it changed her face. It hit me with the reality that my time is running short with her. Eleven…. She’s heading to middle school in the fall. She’s got seven short years with us before she’s off to college in pursuit of her own dreams. It’s killing me to think about it. HOW FAST does seven years go? It goes fast my friends! Too fast.

My goal in these next seven years is to really make them count. I want to be more purposeful in my days and with my precious time given to me to be with my kids. I don’t know what the answer is – the answer to all the rushing and hurrying and the fact that there are not enough hours in the day…I just wish I could grab her and stuff her into a genie bottle….But then again, I know I have to share her with the world. I just don’t want to!

Here’s some before and after images of my big girl…

And the aftermath..

Call Teresa today and allow me the honor of capturing the milestones in your child’s life. There is no better gift to your children (or yourself) than professional portraits to treasure for a lifetime. My studio specializes in baby and child portrait art and is located in the heart of St. Petersburg on 4th Street. I’d love to hear from you!
Teresa can be reached via email teresa@wildsugarphotography.com or call anytime at 727-366-5191.

Just in time for Mother’s Day! Take advantage of this incredible special for portraits with your little ones! Call soon as spots are quickly filling up!

Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater Newborn Photographer

Sharing a sweet image of a handsome little man…

Teresa has a newborn portrait studio located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida and serves all of the Tampa Bay area. She specializes in newborns and baby’s first year portraits. Please contact her today to discuss your portrait session! 727-366-5191.

Can you even stand the cuteness??

This is my second portrait session with this little sweetie pie and he’s only gotten more handsome, I had to share.

Thank you S family for trusting me with your sweet little guy’s portraits and I look forward to many more sessions!

Call Teresa today and allow me the honor of capturing your baby’s unique little faces and traits and smiles and dimples! My studio specializes in newborn and baby’s first year portraits and is located in the heart of St. Petersburg on 4th Street. I’d love to hear from you!
Teresa can be reached via email teresa@wildsugarphotography.com or call anytime at 727-366-5191.

Okay third time’s a charm, they say, right?? This is the third year I’ve tried to do a photography group where we post something at set times and link to each other and see everyone’s take on everything. Okay two years ago, I tried the whole “photo walk” thing – that lasted until February. Last year, I tried the weekly thing – that was just wayyyyy too much to post something every single Friday and I think I may have lasted about 5 weeks on that one.

This year, I’m doing 10 pictures on the 10th of the month – anything from a single day that floats my boat. I think I can handle *THIS* one…although I’m embarassed to say that it’s now 10:36 PM on the 9th. I shot my images ohhhh about 2 hours ago…but I think I’ll hit my deadline – and I’m so excited about the girls in my group and to see what they’ve all been up to this month. Please take the time to go through the links at the bottom of each post – there’s some awesome talent in this group!

Okay – on to the post at hand.

Since I waited until the very last day I decided to blog about what I’ve (dis)affectionately called “Midnight Soccer”. Emma is in her second year of soccer – girl is obsessed. BUT this year, she moved up to the next age group and I was horrified to learn that they practice from 7:30-9:00 PM (yes on school nights). I thought it had to be at typo…nope. Well, anyone that knows me, knows I’m NOT a night person. Even if I have editing/ordering to do, I *need* to be in my pjs and comfy by the time that sun goes down! I was not too happy about having to drag the two younger ones out that late to pick her up either…well, here we are at the end of the season and I’ve somehow managed to survive. Seems like each practice, my sister will call to see what’s up…”We’re headed to MIDNIGHT SOCCER” I’ll say – because that’s what it feels like when it’s dark at 6PM and we don’t head out the door until 7:30!

The upside to all of this is – Emma is just beside herself. She cannot get there fast enough. My sweet little night owl can’t-wake-up-in-the-mornings girl is at her peak at 9 PM. She’s so happy, so full of energy…I have to say it was nice to take my camera and really focus on how happy she is in all of this…guess we’re in for a LOT of years of midnight soccer….

Here are my 10 images on the 10th of February – soccer in the dark!

Seriously – Emma doesn’t smile like this very often! We get to see it often on the soccer field…makes it worth all my late nights still in clothes…

It’s funny – the girls crowded around me to see the images I took (got tons of fun stuff of all the kids) and this next image, one of the girls goes, “Ummmm that’s not really a picture of anything…” I had to laugh because I think it’s my favorite image! (well, with the exception of the one of Emma laughing…)

I’m so far behind and feeling sad/guilty/whatever about never making it over here to blog! I made a list (just the clients off the top of my head) that I hadn’t blogged and it was laughable. I can choose to feel bad about the non-blogging, non-facebooking self, or I can look at it this way – I’ve been so very blessed this year with the most amazing clients. That’s how I’m choosing to see it – not even half full – ALL the way full. Hopefully, I can do some blog blasts coming up very soon. BUT I’ll leave you with one little sweet face for the day…

Teresa has a newborn portrait studio located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida. She specializes in newborns and baby’s first year portraits. Please contact her today to discuss your portrait session! 727-366-5191.

I recently had the pleasure of photographing these gorgeous parents-to-be…You can feel the love between them and the excitement and anticipation for their new baby on the way! They decided to wait to find out the sex of the baby – something I would never have the self control to do!! Just last week, they were blessed with a healthy baby boy – who will soon be in the studio for his newborn session! I cannot wait to see you guys again and photograph your precious little one!

Check out this hot mama – seriously! I love this image..

Can you just feel the love between these two??

One more for fun…

Teresa owns Wildsugar Photography studio, located in the heart of St. Petersburg, in the Garden District – 2720 4th Street North. Teresa specializes in maternity portraits, newborn portraits and child and family photography. Contact Teresa today to schedule your maternity and newborn portrait sessions today! 727-366-5191.

There are days where it doesn’t seem like things are going to work out…you wake up, the forecast calls for thunderstorms, and there’s a maternity session scheduled on the beach! What to do what to do? I wondered all day how to handle this shoot. You never know here – it could rain for 5 minutes, it could be raining on one block and the sun shining on the next. When the shoot is scheduled for about 1/2 hour away, however, you just don’t know. I called my mom-to-be and she really seemed up for anything, despite her husband telling her it was “a monsoon” coming across the Bayside Bridge (this didn’t sound like it would turn out too well). So with THAT news, we decided, what the heck? Let’s go for it. I’m so thankful we did. Not only was I privileged to meet such a loving and fun couple, but we were blessed with the most amazing sky, with the most gorgeous light coming from the other direction….it was perfect!

Here’s a taste of our evening…

My new favorite….it’s currently being framed for the studio

Is this not the most gorgeous mom-to-be???

What made this shoot so special, however, was working with a couple so obviously in love with each other. We all laughed the entire shoot. I really am blessed with the greatest clients. I can’t wait to see their new little girl due any day now! Keep an eye out…she’s one lucky little girl!

Please keep Teresa and Wildsugar Photography in mind if you are looking for maternity, newborn and baby photography. These are my areas of expertise and passion and I would really love to work with your family to create heirloom art pieces for your family to enjoy! Call Teresa at 727-366-5191 to discuss maternity/newborn photography plans as well as baby’s first year session plans.

Have you ever been so far behind that you don’t know where to begin?? I am THERE. I realized (once again) that my blog has gotten the shaft in my to-do list. I really do have good intentions…but for some reason, it’s the poor little stepchild ignored in the corner of my life!

One thing I don’t want to ignore are the gorgeous little babies like this one that have graced my studio in the past few months! This little guy was only 5 months old. Typically, this is kind of a difficult age to photograph…they can’t quiiiiiittte sit up yet. But the lovely thing about this age is how happy they are! They laugh at just about anything…This little guy was no exception. And he is one of the cutest little chubby-cheeked, dimple faced babies ever!!

He had such an infectious smile – my face hurt by the end of this session:

But he also had a very serious side:

And a silly side:

I call this the helicopter pose – looks like he’s about to take off in flight with those little arms in the air – I love this!!

Call Teresa today and allow me the honor of capturing your baby’s unique little faces and traits and smiles and dimples! My studio specializes in newborn and baby’s first year portraits and is located in the heart of St. Petersburg on 4th Street. I’d love to hear from you!
Teresa can be reached via email teresa@wildsugarphotography.com or call anytime at 727-366-5191.

It has been a crazy summer here at Wildsugar Studio – I’m so far behind on blogging that I don’t even know where to begin! I have been extremely blessed this summer with many wonderful families, sweet newborn babies and Tampa bay’s most beautiful kids! Mix that with a whirlwind trip to the midwest for 2 weeks to welcome my sweet new niece to the world, many trips to the beach with my own kids, playdates, swimming, cookouts with friends…it’s been a great summer. I’m pretty bummed it’s already almost over! I cannot believe in less than 2 weeks, the kids will be back in school!

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for announcements for fall mini sessions – final plans are in the works! I will leave you with this precious little bundle from earlier in the summer….she was only 5 lbs, but don’t let that fool you! She was very interested in how this newborn session was going to go – very curious and also very, very sweet. and beautiful. and yummy…she was hard to hand back to her mama!! Meet little Isabella.

Teresa is a newborn photographer serving Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas. Her studio is located in St. Petersburg where she has all she needs to capture newborns in the first few days of life! Call before your due date to secure a date for your newborn portraits. Her calendar fills up quickly – especially in the fall months!

I loved my newborn session with this sweet little man. He was absolute perfection in the studio and just so darn handsome! Photographing these little tiny ones makes my heart sing….can you see why??

Teresa has a newborn portrait studio located in St. Petersburg, Florida. She specializes in newborn and baby photography in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

I hear all the time that we’re not supposed to write about our personal lives on a professional blog…but I guess I’ve never been one to completely follow the rules. My mom would tell you that as a child, I would always go up to the line and put my toe over – gotta test those waters. I think there shouldn’t really be 100% RULE you canNOT write about your life or your kids on your professional blog – people don’t take you seriously – or whatever the reason may be. I’ve chosen to completely break that rule today – and to whoever created that dumb rule – well….I’ll be nice.

I’ve recently had my absolute dream come true. Teaming up with Tanya and opening Wildsugar Photography in a real live storefront has been such a blessing and such a dream come true for me – it’s hard to put into words. I’ve enjoyed meeting a ton of new people in the past few months, networking and all the other “stuff” that goes in to running a successful photography studio. It takes time. A LOT of time. Even before the studio came to be, my focus over these past couple of years has really been my #1 my husband, #2 my kids and #3 my photography business that I love. I think what’s happened in the midst of all of this bus-y-ness is I’ve kind of lost ME. Four short years ago, I ran St. Anthony’s Triathlon. It was the culmination of years of work – competing in half marathons, smaller triathlons and other races. But it’s not just the race. It’s the TRAINING that I love. It’s being out on the road and dripping sweat all over it….getting into my trance and just going for it. The best part though is coming home…all of a sudden all the things I stress about and worry about just don’t seem as mountainous anymore. It’s my release – my time where I’m just Teresa – a girl running on the road. Not a mom, not scrambling to figure out dinner or carpooling or coordinating practice times…not wiping a nose or working on homework or sitting at the computer editing or answering facebook/phone/twitter/email/updating the blog….I’m just a girl running. And I love it. I miss it.

Most people that know me know I suffered a major injury to my leg which stopped me from running for over a year. When it was finally looking to be healed, I learned we were expecting Allison. Here we are 4 years since the injury and 2 years since giving birth and I still haven’t found my way back. I came close last fall and then something happened. Funny how life is. My last run was on Thanksgiving morning. I decided I should go for a nice 5 mile run to make up for the damage I was going to do to the chocolate pie later in the day….It was the first time I was able to complete the 5 miles without stopping (since my injury) – at a good strong pace – and came home feeling energized and empowered. Then I never ran again. I still question why I would do that to myself? I had finally overcome a leg injury that lasted for a couple of YEARS – ran my best run in over 3 years’ time…and then stopped. I don’t want to blame it on the photography or my kids or anything else in my life. It’s like anything else – it’s a CHOICE to get up and run – or not. It’s a CHOICE to eat those M&M’s your husband constantly brings in the house that always seem to be in the house – or not.

Over the past few months, it’s been coming to a head for me though. I’ve noticed how MUCH I’ve missed it but really haven’t been able to get myself started again. I would say to myself day after day – it’s something YOU LOVE – why are you choosing a nap or Housewives of New York a stupid TV show to relax instead of getting out and doing what you LOVE?? I don’t know what that mental block has been…I guess we all get there – in that rut where you just feel like the world needs to stop spinning for a bit so you can catch your balance again. I’ve been feeling that way a lot lately – just spinning….

I finally said yesterday that ENOUGH is enough. I grabbed my running shoes – I put on my brand-new running pants that Dave gave me for Christmas (they still had the tags on them – thankfully they still fit after all those M&M’s). I grabbed Josh’s bike and we headed out the door together. I was thinking my 6-year-old would be a nice distraction from the pain I was about to feel…I was really worried about how heavy I was going to feel on the road. Afterall, I haven’t ran since last fall. (Let’s not kid ourselves – the real reason I brought my 6-year-old was to blame it on him if I couldn’t finish and needed to just go home…) He was my escape hatch.

We took off from the house and Josh asked me when I was going to start running. I said – I really don’t think I’m going to be running today – let’s just enjoy the evening and see how it goes – I’m sorry if I’m slow, but I need to break myself in again! I really thought I was going to feel heavy and slow–again, it’s what I’m TELLING myself that is always getting in my way. As we got going – about .35 miles in I started to feel the urge to just pick up the pace – and I DID. I ran for the next .75 miles. I honestly felt like I could go on forever. We got to the lake just down the road when all of a sudden, a shot rang out. I had no idea what happened – just that all the birds and ducks flew AWAY from us as fast as they could! Then I realized…Josh’s tire blew out. And then there were tears….literal tears from him – and tears inSIDE of me. Really? We pushed the sad little spider man bike all the way home – Josh crying most of the way about how he’ll NEVER get to ride his bike again for his whole entire life (gotta love the drama)…but I didn’t let it stop me. I handed him off to Dave and took off again – determined to finish strong. I immediately ran out the front door and ran a solid mile. I’m not going to pretend I ran in any record times. In fact, one time I checked my GPS and my pace was a 16.35 minute mile (pathetic). Other times I looked down and I was in the 13 minute range. Still pretty sad – but hey – I was out there. I was PART of it. I surprised myself with how easy it actually was – my body just fell right into it’s old rhythms and patterns…I hit both of my favorite lakes….especially the one where all the Russians like to walk. It’s kind of soothing to me – all their chatter. I have no idea what they’re all talking about, but it’s always been such a part of my routine to run through there – so it was comforting to hear them again. I just hope they weren’t talking about how fat I looked squeezed into my size M running pants. Then there’s the guy who always dresses in all black for his runs – there’s the girl with the long blonde braid that I call “tri-chick”…then there’s dude-with-the-leg-brace – and the Chinese couple. And the Chinese man with the limp who’s always walking around the rec center along with the lady that pushes her Maltese in a stroller. All of these people used to be regulars in my runs – part of the rhythm of it all…comforting in their own ways.

I did it though. I walk/ran another mile home – jubilant. I was so excited for me – so excited that I pushed through that START. It wasn’t my best run – it wasn’t fast – it wasn’t pretty – but I did it. I got out there and I’m going again tonight. I’m looking forward to finding that girl from a few years ago who didn’t let anything stop her….I know she’s still in there somewhere!!

So after all of THAT…I’m going to tell the “world” that I’m going to do the Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon right here in St. Petersburg on February 12th. I am DETERMINED to be ready to run the 1/2 by then. Gives me 9 months which is plenty of time. Anyone else in??? So excited. I’m already starting to feel more like myself again….

Here’s a shot of me after completing St. Anthony’s in 2007….seems like yesterday but at the same time, when I look at this picture, it feels like a completely different person…

I had to add a couple more of this sweetie pie…These are probably my favorite two images from our newborn session together – so peaceful….

Simplicity…

Teresa specializes in newborn and baby photography in her portrait studio in St. Petersburg, Florida. Wildsugar Photography is located in the Garden District – 2720 4th Street North. I’d love to meet with you and discuss your newborn photography session today!

Little miss “K” was such an angel baby – I could have photographed her all day! What a beautiful little face, don’t you think?

Teresa specializes in newborn and infant photography in her studio in St. Petersburg, Florida. Wildsugar Photography is located in the Garden District – 2720 4th Street North. I’d love to meet with you and discuss your newborn photography session today!

Just had to share this dreamy little guy. He had such sweet little puffy cheeks and kissable lips!

More newborn portraits in the coming days!! Keep a look out!

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This little guy was such a handsome little man!   Check out his little frowny face though – isn’t he precious!?? 

He was just BARELY sleeping in most of these images. This was one tough cookie to photograph…

This was his favorite moment of the day – all wrapped up for this image. This little baby LOVED to be snuggly and warm!!

More babies in the coming days!! I’ve got a sweet little pink one in the studio tomorrow – can’t WAIT!!

I had the joy of photographing this sweet little angel this week – isn’t she the prettiest?? There is much more to come from this little sleepyhead!!

Teresa photographs newborn babies in her studio in the Garden District, on 4th Street in St. Petersburg, Florida. She specializes in newborn and baby portraits and serves the entire Tampa Bay area including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Palm Harbor.

I have so much to share it’s ridiculous!! I’m in my new studio – for a couple of weeks now. It’s SUCH a dream come true and I have TONS to share about that (along with pictures). I’ve got little newbie babies to share and so much more! It’s been a whirlwind around here. I had to drop out of my Bloom 52 project. ONCE AGAIN I didn’t commit to my yearly blog project, so I’m disappointed with myself. But something had to give!! New studio, charity event 4th Street Dreams, busy with spring sessions, Emma’s soccer has drug out a couple of extra months, tee ball has me 3 days a week – and Allison is getting her 2-year molars (which is all SORTS of fun). We’ve had another bout with the flu over spring break – we were all SO SICK that week!! Emma hasn’t been sick for more than a day since she was in preschool – so this was such a new experience for her – coughing, achiness, headaches – she really hasn’t HAD any of that in *years*. So she’s been asking for a do-over on her spring break! LOL

So…for now, I just wanted to add a picture to my poor neglected little blog – just to say I’ve posted something! I shot these PRECIOUS little guys this past week and I just had to share their sweet little faces. MUCH MUCH more to come in the next few days so keep a lookout!!

There’s SO MUCH to share about 4th Street Dreams – please if you’re in the St. Pete area and can attend on April 28th, we are putting on this event AT the studio for a sweet little girl in St. Petersburg. 100% of the proceeds go to support her Make-A-Wish! I will be posting more about this in the days to come…
Till later!

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!!

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