My sister came along in my life when I was almost 7 years old.  She kicked me out of the “baby” role & stole my spotlight with her brown curly hair & beautiful blue eyes.  And I LOVE her!  Maggie hates hates hates when I share her business with anyone, so I’ll be vague, but I have to share with you how proud I am of her & how much I just love her.  Now don’t get me wrong…she is annoying, steals my clothes, doesn’t return my phone calls, talks incessantly, and STOLE my role as the baby in the family.  Yet, she is my sister and she has been through some tough stuff in her short 22 years.  But lately, I have seen a fortitude & determination in her life that makes me smile.  She wants to be a good mother to her dear, sweet Leah.  She wants to work.  She wants to make her way in this world.  She wants to be self sufficient.  Wanting is one thing…doing is another, and lately, I have seen Maggie doing.  So, to honor her (& because I’m the worst gift-giver ever & all I know how to give is photographs), I stole her daughter today for a mini photo session.  Yes, it did benefit me to parade my niece around in tutu’s and feather boas and make her cry, but it is also my gift to Maggie.  Leah is her world, her constant, & her reason for trying to be better.  These photos of her little love were what I felt would speak to her the most…that, and an iPod.  And I’m really bad at secrets, and I’m not technically supposed to be giving Maggie this gift until Leah’s 1st birthday in November, but, like I said, I’m really bad at secrets & can’t wait!!!!  And MAJOR MAJOR props go out to my partners in secrecy Ashley (my sister-in law) & my mom, Susan.  Ashley made so many faces, did so many noises, dances, and other crazy things to get Leah looking at me.  And Mom, you were great watching the 4 other grand kids & helping with numerous outfit changes…oh yeah, and lying to Maggie about what we were doing!  Thank you both!  Here is Leah Beth…..

I don’t know about you, but for me, as a girl in high school, I definitely did NOT feel beautiful.  I struggled with wearing the right clothes, doing my make-up the correct way, staying thin (I still struggle here), and being friends with popular people.  What I’ve come to discover in my almost 29 years is that in the end, none of these things matter – they are like chasing after the wind…it cannot be caught.  Your clothes will go out of style, your physical beauty will fade, & the friends you crave just because they are popular are probably not your true friends at all.

What does last…and I know this sounds cliche…is inner beauty.  And that’s one of the reasons why I LOVE photographing people, & especially seniors.  It gives me the opportunity to find true, lasting beauty in every person I am blessed to capture, and to in turn, show them that beauty from my point of view.  I ADORE when clients…no, friends, tell me they feel their true personality was conveyed in the images I was able to give them.  It makes my day!  I love letting you see you how I see you!

These two senior girls below are nothing short of beautiful both inside & out!  Carly & Lauren are BFF’s (yeah, I did just use lingo that is way cooler than me) & were such a thrill to work with.  We met this past Sunday at Carroll Creek Promenade in Downtown Frederick to take their senior pictures.  It was a gorgeous day with some gorgeous girls & TONS of outfits & shoes!  There’s not much more I can say about these two that you can’t just see through their session.  They rocked!  And if you’re dying to see more, I’m doing something a little different and putting their entire sessions on photo albums on my Facebook Fan page.  So pop on over and see the absolute beauty I saw in them.  Here’s Carly & Lauren….

Stay with me on this one….

My husband’s cousin’s husband (or my “cousin” as I find easier to say) sent me an e-mail a bit ago asking me if I’d be willing to photograph his church’s worship band.  See, they are having a big worship event at their church in a few months that they want to invite local youth groups to & wanted to get some promotional materials out to advertise it.  Of course!  Yeah!  Like did you even have to ask???  I said yes and headed up to Faith Baptist Church on Thursday to photograph this diverse group of talented musicians.

It was probably my quickest photo session ever, but I am pleased with what we got.  Think album cover….

They got some good air!

Running…those lead singers always have to be first

This may have been a bit awkward for all involved

One with my “Lindsey” PS Action effect

My fave

The GQ model squat

Let me know if you’d be interested in attending Faith’s youth worship service.  Or you can contact my “cousin” Tim Byer directly.  I’m sure it’s gonna rock!

Now for those of you who read the title of this post and thought we might be teaching our children to shoot guns, that would probably be for my brother’s blog, not mine.  Although I was raised around guns in the wild state of Oklahoma, I don’t know how to shoot that kind of device…just a camera, and the occasional water gun.

I decided to take some photos for just the fun and love of it (thanks for the reminder Tasra) and decided my girls were good subjects.

When I was at Target (when am I ever NOT at Target) I saw these really cute Paul Frank rain coats & umbrellas.  Unfortunately they were only toddler size so they just fit Brooke.  Emma, in her short four years, has stretched up to the big girl’s size 5/6!  So we got the raincoat & umbrella for Brooke, but what kind of mother would I be if I left Emma out!  I scoured the Internet for raincoats with matching umbrellas for-ev-er!  Every thing was super cute, but super expensive! (for my taste)  I finally found the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Mollie & Bollie polka dot lady bug pattern.  It fit Emma perfectly – size & personality!  She loves walking around with her umbrella folded up like a “walking stick,” posing, tapping, and just looking cute.  Brooke isn’t quite as in to the fashion aspect of her ensemble, but it keeps her dry.

As I was taking photos of the girls, they asked to use the camera too.  So, I finally said, “Sure!”  And as you’ll see below, they did a pretty good job.  Enjoy my kids playing “rain” in their wet weather gear…and no, it wasn’t raining.  We were just practicing for a day like today.

Under her umbrella-ella-ella-ella

Brooke took this one of Emma.  Look at that bokeh!  She just needs better framing.

Emma took this one of Brooke!

I took this one!  Aren’t you equally as proud of me too?

Another Emma shot.  I see where she gets her inability to smile correctly…ugh!

Another Emma shot – looking good girl!

And our tree stump + timer took this one.  Not bad either!

Oh, and I purposely left of the “logo” so grandparents can swipe these, like they usually do.  You know who you are Amaw, Grandpa, Gigi, Pop Pop, Papa, & Nanny!

They were both told that they never smiled in photographs.  They could have fooled me!  Dan & Cindy could not STOP smiling almost our entire session.  And I even had to bring out my “kindergarten teacher” voice to get Dan to stop gazing at his future bride & give the camera a few glances.  These two kids could not have been more in love than what I witnessed this past Saturday.

Now I think all my couples are the greatest, and they are all madly in love with one another.  But I have to give Dan & Cindy the award for the most lovey dovey looks, most hands holding, most kisses, most spontaneous acts, and most energy!

Dan & Cindy I am honored to finally give you some photos of you both together.  And I cannot wait for all the surprises and acts of spontaneity that will no doubt occur during your wedding!  Enjoy your preview…