Haleigh - Happy Senior Year!

This weekend I got to photograph the daughter of a dear friend of mine. She and I have daughters the same age. We got to know each other during a crazy busy school year when our daughters shared the job of Cheerleader Captain. Of course that means she and I were thrown together to do a job that we learned by trial and error. We laughed a lot and sometimes felt like crying. But I can't think of a more wonderful person to get to share that special time with.

And now her youngest has come to the same place in her life and is no less busy. She is captain of the high school country dance group and probably helping in many other areas at the school that I don't even know about. Her name is Haleigh, and though I'm sure she is very different in many ways from her sister - they both exude the same confidence, humility and beautiful presence.

I was so happy to get to spend time with both Haleigh and her mom! We had a great time out in the beautiful fall weather and got some beautiful shots.

Have a great time this year, Haleigh! I know it will fly by and you will wonder where it has gone by next May. But soak up as much as you can. Enjoy the relationships, don't miss the opportunity to make a memory you wont forget. Love your momma! Cause she will miss you next year.

Thank you for a wonderful time at our session!

Sandra

Charlie and the Sunflowers

Nothing much going on right now. Just thought I'd leave you with something beautiful and happy.

Sandra

Transition

Well, it's a transition time in my photography business. Since I take a lot of Senior Portraits - the summertime is not a busy time due to the hot Texas summers. But the season is ramping up for Fall pictures and I am looking forward to those I have already talked to and begun to set up.

It is also a transition time in our family with the kids going back to college next week. I am always surprised at how sad I get when they go back - even though I have gone through this many times now. We just get used to having them here and then it's time for them to go back.

Though transition is hard, I think we always learn and grow from it! I know I do.

And I get the tiniest little bit of excitement knowing that soon I can clean a room and it wont get messed up again in 5 minutes. Haha! I wont have to empty the dishwasher 3 times a day and I can finally take the time to organize and finish cleaning out my closet. I would always rather spend time with my kids instead of taking care of that sort of thing, and I usually do.

We lay out at the pool when I should be buying groceries because their days are coming to an end to be home for the summer. We stay up late with friends over, playing games and being crazy silly because there wont be time to sleep in when our schedules get back to normal in a few weeks. We sit and talk and laugh over a long dinner just to catch up and catch every minute that we can together before they are 2 hours away again.

Things are good! And they are as they should be. They will leave and we will go visit. We will enjoy the wonderful relationship we have with our grown and married daughter and son-in-law who live here in Dallas. We will pick up movie nights with our friends that we have put off since their kids and our kids have been home these past weeks. And we will look forward to a daughter graduating in December and seeing where her plans might take her. (Maybe home for a bit to save some money on rent. That would be fun!!))

I don't know how it will all go - but I know it is all in God's plan and I don't need to be sad for the change because He takes care of each of us whether our family is together or apart. And sometimes "apart" is the best way for us to grow. All of us, even me.

Thank goodness I have a great husband who isn't quiet as sentimental as I am and can help me through these transitions.

So I will look forward to the transition as much as possible. Maybe I will have LOTS of senior pictures to do to keep me busy. I hope so! I love meeting those fresh new faces full of excitement for the new school year.

Megan!

Can you believe those eyes? This girl has the most translucent blue eyes I have ever seen! They sure made for some beautiful shots. But really, it's Megan's whole personality that you see in these pictures that make you want to know her better.

Although I've chosen some of the more serious poses - those of you who know Megan know that her bubbly personality was always just below the surface waiting to burst through! Although I've known her mom and older sister for some time, I had not met Megan until the day we took her pictures. But from the short time we spent together I gathered that she must be a great friend! Someone who knows the healing aspects of laughter and shares it with her friends and family daily!

She recently sent me the sweetest note about her pictures. It gave me a smile to hear what our time together and the pictures meant to her. Not that I need a note from all of my clients - but every once in a while - it helps to know that the pictures we took meant something special to them.

And now that school is over and you are in the middle of that crazy summer before you leave for college, Megan, please know that your little gesture and thoughtfulness meant so much. Just like all the wonderful joy you bring to all your friends and family just by being you.

Enjoy everything these days have to offer! The fun times and the bittersweet times. They are all part of what makes us who we are! I know I will hear great things about you in the future!

Sandra

Beautiful girl!

This sweet girl and her mom were a pleasure to work with! First of all, she's beautiful! Second, they were as nice as they could be, easygoing and fun. It was a hard time of year to get the kind of shots outdoor that we wanted - but I just focused on that pretty face and let the backgrounds fight for the attention.

Lauren is another of the great dancers that I got to shoot from the local highschool dance team. I love to be able to help them get the pictures they need for their Spring Show book and slide show.

Lauren , I know you are looking forward to college now, and all it will bring. I am excited for you and wish you the best of everything. Your sweet spirit will surely attract many new friends and keep your old ones close by. Have a great time these next 4 years. Can't wait to hear what all it brings for you.

Sandra

Here's more!!!

Here's a few more senior pics. I'll get more up soon! Love these kids!

Where did the time go?

Oh my goodness! Senior picture season started and I had such high hopes of getting many of the sessions up on this blog. But everything got crazy - so many great kids, cool locations, editing sessions, deadlines, more kids! Well, you get the picture! (Haha, no pun intended!)

But I am so disappointed that I didn't get more sessions up over these last couple of months.

My goal now is to post some of the different kids on this post and then go back, as things slow down a bit, and tell you more about them.

So here are some of my favorites from the past sessions. I hope you can see the individualism of each young person. Each one has a unique gift to give the world and they are on the verge of getting out there and giving it in a big way. We had a lot of good laughs and fun as we spent afternoons together. I am lucky that I get to spend a bit of time hearing about their plans and hope for their future. They are always so excited and ready to go!

Congratulations Seniors of '09! "Life is one grand, sweet song! So start the music." (Ronald Reagan)

Nich

  Senior picture season is really getting underway as the weather warms up and the landscape "greens" up. I thought I would introduce you to a young man that I spent the afternoon with recently. His name is Nich. We went to Deep Ellum and found some great places to shoot his Senior Pictures. These are just a few of my favorites!

  Nich is an easy-going guy who was comfortable doing pictures with his great smile or with a more serious look. I always kind of lean towards the "no smile" look with guys. Not sure why, but Nich was great with any look.

  We have known his family for many years and have loved watching him and his brother and sister grow up. They are a great family!

  Nich, have a great time finishing out your senior year. I sincerely hope you enjoy and love every minute of it. I know I will hear great things about you in the future. Looking forward to it!

Sandra E.