Nolan & His First Christmas
We’re pretty low key about Christmas around our house (especially because Janet and Andrew could not be with us this year), so really enjoyed going to Chris and Karlyn’s to help celebrate Nolan’s very first Christmas. Before we got there, though, I had them drop by Christmas Eve so I could experiment with my new studio lights. Nolan is such a happy, photogenic baby that I couldn’t just take photos of fruit to test out the new lights! And on Christmas morning we learned that he liked eating the wrapping paper and the gifts better than anything. Merry Christmas to all of you and may 2011 be the best year yet.
Sydney & Julie & Gabe in Stapleton
I’m starting my entry with this shot of darling Sydney because it captures so well how calm and adorable and sweet she was during this entire photo shoot. And I left her home in awe of the love Julie and Gabe have for her. I think we all had fun trying different poses and even venturing to the local park, although the wind had whipped up so much that I was doubly impressed that Gabe and Julie went out without coats! I am so glad I got to meet this wonderful couple and their sweet baby. Merry Christmas!
And my favorite shot came at the end of the shoot, with nine year old Brody protecting Sydney by the Christmas tree.
Kenzy, Tim & Maggie in Stapleton
When I met Maggie and Tim, I knew I was in for a treat. Both are delightful, friendly people who clearly enjoy the holiday season. But I wasn’t prepared for darling Kenzie. She stole my heart and has kept me smiling all week as I think about this adorable two and a half year old. From sharing her favorite toys for me to photograph to helping wrap her parents in Christmas lights to dazzling me with her smile, I was smitten throughout the photo shoot. Take a look at her and you’ll see why. Thanks, Maggie and Tim, for letting me photograph you all! Merry Christmas!
Brooklyn & Skylar in Stapleton
I had a blast photographing twin five month olds yesterday and ended up with way too many adorable photos to choose from. Take a look at Brooklyn and her brother Skylar (and parents Amanda and Shannon) and you will see why. I am so thankful (especially this week of Thanksgiving) for opportunities such as this one, as I realize again how blessed Amanda and Shannon are with these two darling kiddos and how lucky I am that I don’t have to chase after them! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, as I head to DC to spend the week with Janet and Andrew.
Neither of them could see the other as they practiced tummy time, but the resemblance was just too cute!
And I just had to snap these photos of Brooklyn reaching for Skylar’s hand, which she did in the group shot above and while they were lying near each other below. Just too sweet.
Jane & Lowell & Family in Ken Caryl Ranch
When we first moved to Colorado a long, long time ago, I got a teaching job that January at Overland High School. It was a unique situation, to say the least, but the absolute best part of the experience was getting to know the sophomores on the yearbook staff as they helped me learn the ropes and grow the program into an award winning publication in the next few years. And Christina was one of those special sophomores. When we had a chance to reconnect recently (thank you, Kurt!!), I realized once again why Christina has always held a special place in my heart. She is now married to Rob and has two adorable daughters. And when she asked me to photograph her family (including parents and sister Sabrina and John and their kids), I was thrilled. The entire family is delightful and all were willing to play with the setting (especially Sabrina, who climbed the rock face despite having a broken leg!) as we fought against the dying of the light (first day of standard time). Thank you, all, for a great experience.
I’ve been having a lot of fun asking my subjects to pose with this simple, white picture frame. Following are some with the background in black and white, some normal, and one that was too cute not to post!
I had already put my camera away when the kids found the most adorable puppy walking with his nice owner near the tennis courts. So I HAD to take it out again to snap the next two shots. I’m so glad I did!!
Angelina & Julianna Ready for Christmas!
I think Marie earns the award for the best prepared mom at a photo session ever. Not only did she put together the cutest “set” for Angelina’s themed pink photos, but she also gift wrapped a huge box and decorated the entire area for Christmas. The entire shoot was fun, but the photos of the kids were amazing, thanks to Marie! Enjoy!
The girls were so cute together, with Julianna not exactly sure what to do with her little cousin.
This was the first day of “standard” time, so the light outside was beautiful, the leaves plentiful, and Julianna adorable!
Matthew, Lauren & Kate in Aurora
When Debbie contacted me about taking photos of her five year old son and three and a half year old twin daughters, I was thrilled for several reasons. I had the privilege of teaching Debbie many years ago and so looked forward to reconnecting. And meeting her husband Brian and her adorable three kids was the highlight of my day. She is just as wonderful as I remembered and her family, well, just take a look to see how beautiful they are!
Nothing like a ladybug to capture the attention of the models!
Nolan at Five Months Part Two
I meant to get these up on Monday night but was far too tired after traveling to DC to try to Restore Sanity on the Mall with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
While I was off in DC, he learned to sit up and made a new friend!
And the post would not be complete without his “Incredible” Halloween costume!
Nolan is Five Months (part one)
Okay, seriously, I think I have taken well over 2,000 photos of Nolan in the last five months. And I’ve deleted most of them. Okay, a lot of them. But SOME of them are just too good not to share. So here are a few of my favorites of the last month. And, by the way, Karlyn had this great idea when Nolan was a newborn to shoot him every month in the blue bathrobe you will see below. At the end of the year, I’ll post all 12 photos. We have NO IDEA what he will be doing with that bathrobe by 12 months, as he clearly won’t be wearing it!
I am off to see Janet and attend the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Keep Fear Alive! So the rest of the photos will have to wait until Monday night!
Newborn Emerson in Denver
I couldn’t wait to meet little Emerson, the newborn son of Karen and Ben. He loves nothing more than snuggling in his parents’ arms, although as the session went on, he grew more and more comfortable on the sheepskin and in his new Bronco outfit. (Although after the game today, he may want to rethink that choice!) What a beautiful baby! Thanks for letting me photograph him. 
