Miss McKenna

I have been lucky to photograph some beautiful people. This session was no different. McKenna is such a beautiful person on the inside and out. She has a little edge to her and I think it shows perfectly in these photos she begrudgingly let me take at her momma's request. I am so glad she let me!!

A New Perspective

I just realized that I haven't posted in almost a month. That is embarrassing and not my intent at all. I look around at all the projects I am working on and have completed and can't believe I haven't shared any of them. I will get the projects up, but today is about a new perspective. Something that I have changed and I am proud of.
I arrive early everywhere I go. Maybe that is an exaggeration, but I wish it was the truth. So the other day I arrived early to a photo shoot. While waiting on my client, I was listening to the radio. This song used to be my anthem not too long ago. There is a line in the song that say " I am not sure what I stand for anymore ". This line spoke to me. It was if the songwriter could hear see the words written on my heart. Listening to it today, I don't have the same pull at my heart strings. I do know what I stand for. I am no longer fighting to be me. I have found the place for myself where I can be who I am, flaws and all. I have a huge heart, I have respect for human rights and I live in gray areas. I have friends and family that love me for this. I have found peace with who I am instead of being forced to change or be someone else. There is a part of me that is upset about all of this... knowing that others are in this same situation. If you are constantly fighting to be you, you need to decide what is more important to change yourself or your surroundings. Change is scary, but it was the best thing I have ever done. And the best part about all of the fear, is that while I was in it, I found myself.

The Girl Who Hates Bows

Of course sweet Hadlee Paige is not the only baby who does like bows... or hats... or anything extra on their body (like shoes or socks) but she is the one in my life! She is not mine, she actually belongs to a sweet friend, but I get to love on her almost daily and I am claim her as my own! Her little rolls are so adorable and I love how her emotions are expressed through her hands. I was able to capture a few personality shots during our shoot... because really, who can pose a 9 month old and make them do what they want? Truly, I wanted Hadlee to be herself and I wanted to capture those moments and expressions for her sweet Momma and Daddy. To me, those are things worth remembering.

Miss Erika

The quiet girl in the front of the room who had all the answers (if I called on her). That is what I thought about Erika the first day she walked into my English classroom. Little did I know what a determined and talented girl she was! She became a cheerleader in high school and was asked to be a cheerleader at South Plains College. She is now graduating from there and moving on to a four year school. The little girl from small town Amherst has big plans. I am so proud of her.

Surfer Girl in West Texas

McKaylee is a star swimmer at her school, devout Christian, misplaced surfer girl (no waves in West Texas!) and she just had a lump removed from her side. No news yet on what/if the lump is something to worry about. She pushed through a season of swimming and made it all the way to the State championships just to have it removed the next week. We decided to photograph her in all her glory. She is strong, tender-hearted and a survivor. And very loved by her momma!

Here are a few from our session.