The Family Portrait is the most essential piece any family should have in their home. (In my opinion)  Lots of parents want to just photograph the kids etc. but when the kids are grown, the portraits of you together will be what they treasure. There are a million ways you can do a family portrait.... It doesn't matter what style you choose, just choose one. I suggest every other year for a family portrait. I know I do absolutely treasure the family portraits of my family and wish my parents had something of our family when I was younger besides the obligatory Olan Mills 8x10 that features my sister crying and me biting my upper lip, but we don't. My kids will.  Make sure yours do too.

Photographing newborns is probably my favorite thing to do. To be able to capture every wrinkle in their little feet and every hair on their back, and to see them sleeping no matter what position you put them in is amazing. My favorite time to photograph these little ones are between 3-7 days old, but at leasy by 10 days old.  After that they are more alert and some of the new born nuances wear off. I suggest mom and dad both be there to serve as 'props'. This is something I did not do with my children. I always thought, well I'll wait til they can sit up and smile before I get their "picture made" I was WRONG... don't make the same mistake!

This is the area that I feel is most neglected and needs to be stressed. I don't see a lot of school age children come through the doors for pictures. Most parents are satisfied with school and/or sports pictures. I've done school pictures and sports pictures myself and I'm telling you that you shouldn't be. There is not much chance of capturing your child's personality in 20 seconds and that's about what school photographers have. They are fine to have, but every couple of years you need something special. Something that freezes time and preserves who they are, other than saying "cheese".

These are just that FUN....shots that were either an accident, or behind the scenes, or just amazing expressions that are funny to me still. This is what it's all about. :)