Meet Gabriella and her big sister, Alyssa!

You may remember a couple months ago meeting Ty on my blog. Well, she is stunning so I was not too surprised when I met her 2 daughters..also stunning! (go figure!! ha!) First there is big sis, Alyssa. Many first graders feel a bit awkard in front of the camera. Oh NO- not Alyssa. Look out Glamour! (She even taught me a few dance moves while we were in studio- which is a pretty difficult task! Trust me!) And then we have Gabriella. Believe it or not, newborn sessions can be a bit of a challenge (not for me, though I know that mommies worry- but don't!) So it was no surprise to me when this little cutie "shared her opinions" with us for the first hour. No problem. So we waited, and cuddled, and ate, and snuggled..and captured some beautiful images. So glad I finally got to meet the girls, Ty!

"My 3 Sons..."

"And my wife and mom." You first met my nephew,Noah, with his images from the hospital. Now here is the whole S. gang! Dad- Rick, Mom- Dina, Big Brothers- Ryan and Dylan, and Grandma- Andee (not pictured- Dogs- Scooby and Molly!) I really love these images. All 3 boys are so incredible! Amazing how fast kids grow. Love you guys! xoxox

Meet Becky....a Diamond Girl!

I had another incredible shoot today with another incredible woman...Becky! What an awesome girl. There is just no better way to describe her! First of all, she came to our shoot straight from the radiation oncologist's office, after having just been marked for radiation. (Where the size minus "A" cup nurse told her, "Don't worry about a bra, just wear a little camisol.") Ha! She laughed! These are some of the things that you don't think about when you are dealing with breast cancer, but they are a reality. As is losing your hair, your modesty, your taste, and sometimes your positive attitude. But you know what? That's OK! Yes, cancer sucks! And Becky has the most amazing attitude- as often as she can. The bracelette that she is holding in her hand in the first image was her mom's (who died of breast cancer several years ago). Becky, I hope you enjoyed our shoot today- I certaintly did.

Meet Carol...A Diamond Girl!

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Carol and Ed today...newlyweds of 1 month now! Carol is my second Diamond Girl..and an amazing woman (and I think Ed will agree!). As you can imagine, this type of photography could make someone feel very self conscious but as Carol pointed out, when you have been through what she has been through- this is easy...and fun! And Ed was excited to join in the fun (I could really feel the joy in their hearts!) Check out her necklace in the first image- it's perfect! Thanks Carol and Ed for joining me in this endeavour!

Sister Love...

I was never lucky enough to have a sister growing up (but I have a great sister-in-law now!) Jenny and Kimberly were among the first young ladies who I shot when I started my business..and wow, how they have grown! They are simply beautiful.....each so unique but...also so similar- and forever sisters! Thanks for playing with me girls. I had fun dancing and being silly! xoxo..

Sweet Jessie...

Meet little Miss Jessie and her mom, Sherri. I had the pleasure of shooting this mother-daughter team yesterday...so you know I had to post a couple "teaser" images. Jessie is just so sweet. For Halloween she is either going to be a witch or a princess......oh to be so young again when those were our most difficult decisions! Ha! It was great to work with you both!

All for the Gators...stand up and holler!

As you may have read in a previous post, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. My husband, Pete, and I are UF alumni and huge Gator fans! (That's us in the second image- a self portrait!) We volunteer for the Children's Cancer Center and are blessed to be able to work with an amazing group of kids and staff! Four years ago we took a group of teens from the Center to Gainesville for the Florida/Kentucky game. This year my sister-in-law and brother-in-law were able to get tickets donated from the Palm Beach Gator Club to the Florida/Troy game...so back to Gainesville we went for the second "Dream Teens" Gator game! Getting to go to a college game is so much fun and such a life changing experience for some of these kids. We actually met up with 3 Children's Cancer Center "alumni" who are now freshmen at UF (and cancer free!!!)- Evan, Jesee, and Matt! Evan and Jesse went with us to UF 4 years ago for the game and Jesse (third image from the top, orange shirt) told me, "It was at that game that I knew I wanted to be a Gator. This is where I wanted to come to school." My eyes welled up with tears- I was so proud! And knowing that UF is one of the hardest schools to get into made me even more proud!

Here are just a few snap shots from the game with my point and shoot- most of them taken by the kids...but very "blog worthy" if you ask me! GO GATORS!!!

Special thanks to "Heads and Tails" on Kennedy Blvd who donated shirts, hats, and tatooes to all of the kids!

The Diamond Girls!

Well, "The Diamond Girls" project is taking off...and in many directions! One of my best friends from college, who is also a photographer in Jacksonville- Kelly Hite (khitephotography.com), has decied to join me in my quest to celebrate breast cancer survivors! She is helping me to brand my idea and came up with this logo today for the project. She is going to do the same thing in Jacksonville! I am honored and thrilled! So what do you think of the logo? I would love to hear your feedback! Keep spreading the word...I have a really good feeling about this!

p.s. Just an FYI- my mom, who is my model above, had another surgery today and did great! Thanks for your prayers!

My Clients ROCK!

No teaser pics to post..just words of thanks! I posted this idea about my "Diamond Girls" for breast cancer survivors late last night and my phone has not stopped ringing, and my emails are flooded! Many of you have friends and loved one in other states who you want to participate, or just sent me encouraging words of appreciation. I have already booked 4 "survivor sessions"- one with a client from California who will be in Tampa in October! I am honored. Today alone I heard such amazing stories- and even shed some tears with women I have never met. I have tons of ideas swirling around in my head of how WE can make this such a successful undertaking. PLEASE share this with your loved ones who have struggled with breast cancer- this is a chance for them to really shine and feel beautiful!

Also, please remember that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. The Children's Cancer Center is here in Tampa- and is an AMAZING organization. (see the post below)

Meet the Survivors!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month- and this is a cause that I am very passionate about. I am proud and excited to say that my mom is a survivor, as is my sister in law, and several other women I know. In fact, my mom is having surgery tomorrow morning...so your prayers are very appreciated. I want to celebrate the stories, battles, scars, and triumps that these women have experienced with an artistic project I am calling "Diamond Girls". I am still ironing out all of the details, but this is what I have so far:
I would like to give these survivors a complimentary private "survivor session" where she has the opportunity to show her brave "battle wounds", physically and emotionally, in an artistic, tasteful, beautiful, and empowering manner. I want these women's stories to encourage other women going through similar experiences. Each woman will have access to a web gallery to view her images. At the end of the month, I plan on hosting a party to showcase the images we created together while raising funds for Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation (www.komen.org). I am anticipating alot of interest in this endeavor, so if you have a friend or family member who you think might be interested, please have her contact me ASAP as space will be limited. Thanks in advance for your interest and support!

Twins are Twice as Much Fun!

Meet Bronson and Mason...two of the cutest 5 year old twins! If I only had half as much energy as these boys, I could drink half as much coffee! ha! (OK, I actually don't drink coffee but you see where I am going with this!) I have so many incredible images of these two- some together, some individual...but you will have to check my website in a couple weeks to see more--this is just your sneak peek! You know I love my "teaser" pics!

Best Friends....A Boy and His Dog

There is something so sweet about a boy and his dog- especially if that boy is my son, Ethan, and that dog is our dog, Max. Max takes so much abuse from Ethan...pulling his tail, riding him like a pony, stretching open his jowls. But it all comes with a sweet reward- kisses like crazy, tons of ball throwing, and the most important...all of Ethan's crumbs kindly handed to Max after (or during!) meal time! I would say the benefits far outway the costs for Max, wouldn't you?? Ha!

YIPPEE! I'm so excited!

And I just can't hide it...I'm about to lose control...well.....you get the point! I entered this image into the monthly print competition tonight at TAPPA (Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association), and I won 3rd place in the portrait category! There were about 125 members at the meeting and the competition is judged by my peers. I was so thrilled when my name was called out to accept my award! Thanks Angel for helping me to create such an award winning image! Yeah!

Bag Buzz!

I know that my clients always carry their children in their hearts...that's a given! So what better way to share that feeling than by putting your favorite images on a purse! All of my purses and bags are custom designed and crafted with your choice of leathers and fabrics. Check out some of the other designs on my website, under Galleries, Bags and Purses. Remember, the holidays are just around the corner! (Hint to your spouses....these take 4-6 weeks.)

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

For those of you who know me, you know that my background is in child development/therapeutic reaction as the Child Life Coordinator at Shriners Hospitals for Children, and prior to that at University Community Hospital. Working with children with cancer has always been near and dear to my heart. My husband and I are fortunate enough to be able to volunteer with some amazing kids (and staff) at the Children's Cancer Center here in Tampa. The purpose of this month is to bring attention to childhood cancer and survivorship issues across the continent. Thirty years ago, few children with cancer lived, but now almost 75% are cured of their disease- however this cure comes at a high cost. If you are interested in donating to the Children's Cancer Center, their website is http://www.childrenscancercenter.org/.

We spotted Bambi!

We actually spotted a few "Bambi's"! I was not prepared for a nature shoot today so I got as close as I could with the lens I had so I did not scare off the wildlife. We spent a fun family day in Tarpon Springs, and took a detour on the way home through some of the beautiful parks in Pinellas county so I could scout out some new "on-location" hot spots. What a rare treat to find these deer grazing the wilderness! I hope you enjoyed your Labor Day as much as I did!