The Standridge Gang (Jefferson, GA Family Photography)

Weather wasn't our best friend for the Standridge's sessions but these guys are, "If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade" kind of people and it paid off!

For our first session, we decided to meet at the park because Annette thought it'd be cool to do some pictures of the kids in rain boots and just let them be themselves. I guess she figured that if Mother Nature thought it best to offer some rain, we were going to use it to it's fullest potential. It doesn't take very long of being around Annette to see that she doesn't get too bogged down in things. She has a sweet spirit and you immediately like her the minute that you start talking to her.

One of the reasons that I absolutely LOVE what we do is because we laugh until it hurts sometimes when we're doing these sessions. It drives me bonkers to get somewhere and find that the (well meaning!) parents have either threatened or bribed the kids to be well mannered. What a BORING way for a kid to spend a couple of hours!! Thankfully, Annette and Marty encourage their kids to have fun and it showed in their pictures!

I was pleasantly surprised when Marty tossed a big ole clump of mud over on Jay in her pretty little dress. It was easy to see that having fun came naturally to these guys because there wasn't a shred of shock on her face as the mud hit her and she immediately lobbed a big old clump back in retaliation!

There was no way that Ryan was missing out on this opportunity and IT WAS ON! Mud was flying, water was splashing, wrestling ensued and that was all within the first 30 minutes!
We listened to the laughter and giggles and found out that Jay had her own "special" alarm clock to wake Ryan when he was younger. We learned that the whole bunch of them have a special smile that they all flash whenever Baby Fallon is around! We learned that Marty and Annette completely adore their children and that their children adore them!

We saw that this big, muscular guy turned into the world's biggest softy when he looks at Annette or the children. You just see a whole change come over him and they seem to instantly know that he's going to take care of them.

They all just seemed to be at their best when they are together. Pretty cool thing to be able to say about a family.

Part 2 of the Standridge session was more reserved as far as not involving mud but it was equally as nice spending time with these guys. The kids are funny and they just have the sweetest, most loving dispositions that you could ever think of. If you can be around them and not adore them, more power to you.

A few weeks ago, I ran into Annette and the kids in the grocery store and I got two of the sweetest hugs from Ryan and Jay. They weren't pushed into giving an obligatory hug or bribed to be nice. It just comes natural to them because they are good, sweet, nice people. It kinda seems weird when you get paid for spending time with people this nice. You go away from it all realizing that you were the lucky ones to get to hang with them!

We hope that they enjoy these pictures as much as we enjoyed taking them. We think that these are pretty neat folks allllll the way around!
Thank you Annette, Marty, Jay, Ryan and Fallon! You guys are wonderful!    :o)

Can You Say "FUN"??? (Jefferson, GA Family photographer)

I make grand promises to myself. I really do. I don't know why I do it because deep down, I know that I'm most likely lying. That's especially true when my promise has anything at all to do with weight loss, saving money or going pro with my yodeling career. Now it seems that I'm going to have to add "keeping up with my blog postings" to my list of lies because I've gotten horribly behind on them. I'm honestly not trying to justify my laziness but I have to say that going back and looking through my pictures to do these posts has been a nice burst of happiness in my week. I'd remember little things about each session that would bring me an unexpected giggle and I appreciate that and I'm thankful for it.

Have you ever met a person that just EXUDES energy?? I mean, you step into their presence and you just start to feel a little hyper....you talk louder and faster....you find yourself laughing at goofy things?? I love people like that. If I could draw a picture of that person, it'd be CeCe. She truly makes me smile just by looking at her picture.

CeCe walks up and immediately starts talking to you like she's your best friend from high school. There's no uncomfortable struggle for conversation or silent prayers that you'll find some sort of common ground. She gets out of the car juggling her twin boys and talking about which pair of shoes will work best. She's offering you a gummy bear and telling you about how the boys already know how to ham it up for the camera while you're still unzipping the camera bag. She's kinda like a mini-tornado of happiness. She's a whirlwind of energy and laughter. If you can't talk to CeCe, hang it up.

When she first contacted us about doing pictures, she scheduled a session for her boys and one for herself. I was thinking that it was a pretty bold move on her part because what if she hated the first ones and she was stuck doing another session that she dreaded? Then, she'd be forced to come up with some tactful way of saying that we stunk and she was skipping out on session # 2, most likely faking a case of tendonitis or tennis elbow. I'm not sure why she'd fake either of those two things but they just popped into my head as easily fakable illnesses. Thankfully, that didn't happen!

CeCe and Blaine drove up and we saw two little smiling faces grinning in the back seat. The door opens and out pop these perfectly ADORABLE faces that are smiling from ear-to-ear because they know without a doubt that they are going to totally wrap you around their tiny little fingers. I know that this confidence comes from a proven track record of winning hearts because you can't be around them and not fall totally and completely in love with them. I'm pretty sure that this could be scientifically proven but I never understand the logic behind that stuff so just trust me...you'd love them.

We chased these guys around and laughed uncontrollably when they'd stop and strike a pose for us. They were perfectly at home in front of the camera and made our "job" pretty easy! It wasn't any time at all before they were crawling up in our laps and offering to share their ice cream cones with us.

To say that we had fun with this family was an understatement. We made new friends this day.

When we came back to do CeCe's 2nd shoot, we found that she'd brought along the two little munchkins and I couldn't help but wonder if she was going to be able to focus on a shoot for herself and watch these guys at the same time.

I'm thoroughly convinced that CeCe could become the next superhero. It seemed so effortless for her to strike a gorgeous pose and flash a beautiful smile all while corralling these two bundles of energy that were going at warp speed. She would be leaning against a pole smiling and the next thing you know, she's doing a double ninja death spin in the air to block the boys from getting into the street. All this happens without her even breaking a sweat.

I'm always amazed at people who handle babies and when there are more than one, I'm just flat out scared. But, then there's people like CeCe who don't just "handle" their kids, they give them so much love and complete adoration that you can see the kids flourishing right before your eyes. She gives them guidance but she lets them play and be kids. The slightest boo-boo and they are running to her for kisses but then they are skipping off to do their thing and she just laughs and watches them go.

I'm thinking that Blaine has his hands full with this crew but he's the quiet kind of guy who just takes it all in stride. I think that he knows that it isn't every day that a CeCe comes along and they just seem to work...maybe in their own different kind of way but they do. I know that families all have different dynamics and what works for some may not work for others but these guys love each other.

I just know that I'm going to turn on the television one day and this family is going to be on some kind of reality TV show. When that happens, the whole world is going to get to experience the love between them like we did. I'm gonna have to keep this post to remind myself that I knew them back before they took over the world.

Thank guys for some really fun days with you!  We are happy to be able to call you friends!

Meet a Fun, Fun Family! (Jefferson, GA Family Photographer)

When Lindsey contacted us about doing some pictures, I was really happy about it because I'd never met her son, Cooper. I'd known Lindsey for a while and she was always one of those people that I just loved to pick on. Something about torturing her made me have joy in my heart. I giggle now as I think about it. 

As we got a little closer to picture time, Tanya tells me, "Oh, it's not just Lindsey and Cooper....it's Lindsey, Matt, Cooper, her sister and her family, and her brother". Tanya's not into details sometimes but that put a different spin on things. You see, when someone contacts us about doing pictures, I get this whole thing going in my head. I try to visualize how they'll look in different locations or scenarios and start from there. Knowing that there were more people whose personalities I didn't know kicked up my nervousness level quite a bit! I know Lindsey's personality but I know that family members can be VERY different sometimes so I was hoping that all would go well. I've got to tell you that I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I met the gang.

Lindsey was exactly as I'd always known her to be and Matt and Cooper were complete sweethearts!

Cooper was a heartbreaker from the get go! He got out of the car ready to go full steam ahead! He humored us for about 7.38 seconds to get a few posed, break-the-ice kind of shots and he was off like a rocket! He had plenty of room to run and he was not a man to miss a good opportunity when it presents itself!

Following close behind was Lacey, Danny and baby Preston. Again with the whole heartbreaker thing....We got one look at little Preston and the "oohhhhs and ahhhhhs" started. You couldn't help yourself. I tried to do a quick glance around to make sure that no total strangers could overhear my mindless babble when I was talking to Preston but I'd soon forget that we were in a public place and go right back to the goo goo's. He would shoot you this PRECIOUS smile that would wrap you totally around those little baby fingers!

Lacey and Danny were as nice and as sweet as they come. They were both quick with a smile and instantly made you feel like you'd known them forever! They remind you of the friends that you would call whenever you wanted to have fun or if you were moving to a new apartment and needed help. They are just genuinely nice people.

Helping lug all of the baby gear and just being an overall good brother was Lance! Turns out Lance's participation in the photo project blew the surprise for Lindsey's mom. He was off turkey hunting and Lindsey finally had to let the cat out of the bag about why she was being so insistent on spending time with her little brother. (They kept it quiet for quite a while, mom!) But, he made it there so that's what really counted! He was as sweet as his sisters but there's no doubt in my mind that he has a mischievous streak a mile wide! Just look at that big smile and you'll see what I mean!

Lance was great at helping Cooper discover some hidden treasures and you could tell that Cooper thinks that Uncle Lance is a pretty cool member of the family! I have a feeling that baby Preston is going to have the same impression of him when he gets a bit older, too.

I wish that I could explain to you how it feels to see a feeling when you look through the lens. You see parents looking down at this little person and its the complete definition of love. It's the kind of thing that you can't describe with words because they are so grossly inadequate to describe what those looks convey. You watch the laughter between brothers and sisters and you're so jealous for a second because they share the inside jokes that only family understands. There's just something about a family that makes your heart feel so incredibly full and so happy to know them. You instantly start rooting for them and feel happier just because you know them. If you've never felt that way around any families, spend some time around these guys and you'll know exactly what I mean.

Thank you Lindsey, Matt, Cooper, Lacey, Danny, Preston and Lance. You guys made our day fun!

We hope that you like your pictures. 

Meet Hayden, Jake & Lynleigh

There's SO much to be said about the love of your family. We've all met those families that you can feel the sense of fun when you're around them. They're quick with a laugh and there's a loving, welcoming feeling that you get just from being in their presence. Speaking of, here's one of those families now.....

We spent last Saturday afternoon with Hayden, Jake, Lynleigh and their mom, Joyce. In the course of a couple of hours, we trekked ALL over the big city of Jefferson taking pictures. It started off as most shoots do with everyone being very mannerly and polite and it soon became painfully obvious that Joyce had bribed them to behave---NO kids are that good without massive doses of tranquilizers or the threat of incarceration! I was dumbfounded! Who has EVERRRR heard of kids being well behaved when there's another option available to them??? If I'm not mistaken, it was the promise of pizza and spending time with some fun family members that got these guys right on in line. But, pizza or no pizza, it was my mission to put this good behavior stuff behind us and have some fun!

Jake has such a beautiful, easy smile. He's that kid that just makes you want to smile when you see him. You're reasonably sure that there are some mischievous thoughts going through his mind but he does a dang good job of restraining himself from acting on them. Even when he was a little apprehensive about what we were asking him to do, he'd immediately fall into place and then that beautiful smile would seem like it just

popped out of nowhere!

Lynleigh and our youngest daughter are in the same grade at school so I remember her from way back. She was always that sweet little girl with the beautiful eyes that I'd see when we'd go to school functions and she just oozes sweetness. She really does. She has a bit of a shy laugh but I have a feeling that she can really let loose when she's at home. She's the kind of kid that you want your own kid to hang around and be friends with because you can just see the niceness in her. Now before you get to thinking that she's all angelic, I can tell you that the biggest smiles came when I asked her to think about mean things that she could do to her brothers. In fact, I think that I may have heard a giggle or two when those thoughts crossed her mind. I like that in a kid.

Keeps things interesting.

Hayden TRIED to be shy. He really did. In fact, he gave it the best effort of anyone that I've seen in a while but I just knew that we could get past that. The very mention of a certain name could bring about a beaming smile like nobody's business! I will not disclose that name because what happens at our sessions, stays at our sessions. I'm not selling him out like that. As a slight disclaimer, I do have to say that I got the same beaming smile when his mom mentioned pizza as when we mentioned a certain someone so I'd say he's right on track of where a good looking guy his age should be!

I found out that the kids don't like wasps or dried squirrel carcasses. Don't ask me how I know that....just trust me.

I found out that kids do love teasing each other and they love it when they've been told that the last picture has been shot!

I also found out that these are some of THE sweetest kids that you'll ever have the pleasure to meet! They are smart, funny, polite, loving, chatty, giggly, and loved beyond measure. Every now and then, I'd look around and catch a glimpse of Joyce watching them while Tanya was shooting and she'd look like it wasn't possible to smile any bigger or be more proud of these three little people who are destined to change the world for the better. If you ever want to see what love looks like, take a look at Joyce when she's watching her children. It's all over her face. All of that goodness in them has a purpose and I can't wait to see what comes of it in time. As we watched their van driving away when we were done, there was no doubt in mind that we'd spent time in the presence of people who are loved.

Thank you Hayden, Jake, Lynleigh and Joyce for a very fun afternoon. You guys are wonderful and we hope that you like your pictures as much as we like y'all!

Good night Everybody!

Meet Casey.......(Jefferson, GA Photography)

Have you ever met one of those people that you just flat out like right off the bat? I mean, it's not like you sit back and question if they are really as nice as they appear to be because you just sense the genuineness that they exude. Well, that's Casey.

I met her years ago through a mutual friend and the first things that I noticed about her were her big smile, her beautiful eyes and her heavy southern drawl. At that time, she had her hair pretty close to what I'd consider being shaved and I marveled at how she truly lit up a room when she walked into it. She didn't know me from Adam's house cat but she start talking to me like I was her childhood best friend.

You can't be around her for very long without hearing a big ole' "LORRRRRDDDDD", "SHUUUUT UPPP", "GIRRRRRLLL"----or whatever her exclamation of the day happens to be! She is quick with a smile and she never seems to meet a stranger. She's got a way of making everyone feel like they are the most important person in the room when she's talking to them.

A long time has passed since I met her that first time but she's one of those people who only seems to get prettier with time. The shaved hair grew...a lot...and occasionally boasts a few extensions here and there. You just never know what the style of the day is going to be! What doesn't change is the sweet heart of the person who is wearing it.

Casey has had her share of personal trials but she always comes out smiling. And, there are more than a few people who can thank her for the helping hand that she's willingly extended to them. Her help always comes with a "no strings attached" offer. She truly does things out of the goodness of her heart. She's the first in line to support any new endeavor for anyone and she's the cheerleader in everyone's corner with no selfish motivation on her part. There are very few Caseys in this world and that's a dang shame because we could use more of them!

There's no denying that she's beautiful but when you really get to know the person that she is, she gets even prettier.

She's funny, smart, a loyal friend and a talented stylist. She has her own fashion sense and she's not afraid to break bad and throw on the jewels (or hair...whatever the occasion may warrant!). You can hear her laugh for miles around and there's no way to hear it without joining her in it!

She's been a blessing to my family and taking her pictures was absolutely our pleasure. Being able to call her a friend is an honor!

Thank you, Casey, for a fun afternoon and for suffering through the drive-by whistles and stares to take these pictures. I know they were really meant for me but you believe whatever gets you through the day!

Happy Day Everybody!   :o)