{ the benzie family }

Ay caramba, sometimes my job is tough. But, sometimes it's not only easy, but ridiculously fun. Here's a prime example:

Last Friday I had the pleasure of teaming up with little Gavin again (you may remember him from The Hope Chest photo shoot) for some more photos in Old Towne. He made me laugh throughout the whole shoot and surprised me when he turned into a bundle full of smiling energy from the shy, tired little guy I saw when we first met up. His mom and dad were pretty amazing, too and I really can't wait to meet the family's new edition next year.... newborn photos, Erica??? :-)

Here are a few of my favorites from the day:

I love me some group hugs...

Haha, this one makes me smile... check out that death grip Gavin has on his mom's neck... and yet she smiles beautifully :-)

So serious...

{ the wagner family }

Meet one of my very first clients, the Wagner family. I photographed them a couple years ago when I was brand spakin' new to the digital SLR world.... I'm so glad they stuck by me! LOL.

We met at one of my favorite photo locations, the Orange Circle last weekend and I was thrilled to find that the kids had their smiles locked and loaded, and were not only willing to take family portraits, but actually excited about it. Whoohoo!

Here are some of my favorites of the day:

Just love Nolan's eyes...

The 'what is your boyfriend's name again?' trick never fails...

These kids hit the gene-pool jackpot for gorgeous eyes.

I love Logan's expression in this one... it makes me laugh a little.

To be honest, Avalon would have loved it if I gave her her own space for a moment, but I had to snap this shot first...

{ the hope chest - downtown orange }

When Christina called me she was buzzing with excitement- I could actually tell she was smiling over the phone. Super curious and excited by her energy I listened to her speech: After years of running a successful ebay store she and an old friend decided to open a brick and mortar children's boutique at the Orange Circle... and she wanted me to shoot the art for the walls and be the store's exclusive photographer... what?! Of course!

I've known Christina since I was a little, little girl... she was the cool older kid a few doors down from my house. Our moms and brothers were best friends so she was basically stuck with the chubby, red headed, freckled neighbor following her around all day. I LOVED it... despite the haunted house stories, and embarrassing parts in homemade plays :-)

Now we're all grown up and I am so honored that Christina and Colleen have asked me to be their photographer. I had a ridiculously fun time working with Christina's 3 kids and Colleen's gang of gorgeous blondie nieces and nephews. Check out how cute these clothes are, and keep an eye out for the store's grand opening soon... they're working like crazy to get it open before the street fair in September. I'll keep you posted!

Oh! And by-the-way this is a long one... I wanted to be sure to show off all my models and their awesome outfits...

Just look at all these blue eyes...

I love all the colors in these clothes... they went so well with all the colors and textures of downtown Orange.

Seriously? They are so cute!

You go Sophie!

Luka's coat was so cool... I'd wear it if it came in my size *sigh*

Little fairy princess dress... I'd have LOVED this when I was a kid!

These boots are the best! What little girl wouldn't beg to wear these every day?

All I did was ask them what their boyfriend's name was...

Part sweater, part dress, part tutu? Doesn't get any better...

These blue eyes are the real thing- I swear I didn't even touch them in photoshop.

Luka was loving this moment. LOL

Awe, Ethan- I've photographed him since he was just a baby. He's so big now...

She did not want me near her with my camera at first... needless to say, she warmed up.

I want my husband to wear these kinds of shirts every day... I LOVE them.

And last, but not least...