We shot these images in Midway, a sweet little town not far from Lexington. Had it not been about 1,000 degrees outside that day, I daresay we would have walked around and played for hours – but because we are all sweating profusely, we got the job done in less than an hour. Not bad, if I do say so myself!

I miss this precious family more than I can say. Thankfully, though, one of the beautiful things about lifelong friendships is that you always pick up right where you left off the last time you were together. That’s what we have, and I am so grateful for that.

Jenni, I love you and your boys so much. Thanks for being patient with me as I worked on these images for you. I hope you love them and can see youselves the way I do – You are magic!

Oh, and in case you missed it, there are a few more of Jenni and Phillip from this session that I posted here. Enjoy!

I absolutely, positively and completely adore this family. Being with them feels like being with my own family, so it’s always laid back and fun. Lots and lots of laughter and smiles this time around - and more laughter, and more laughter … so much laughter, in fact, I am shocked that they didn’t shoo us right out of the library! But seriously – once you see the expressions and poses we were getting out of Miss Sophie Brown, I am willing to bet you’ll be smiling and laughing, too!

At one point during our time together, Matt & Emily put on quite the puppet show. Sophie was completely engrossed in their antics, just as they are both completely engrossed in her. What a delight to watch! And thanks to that puppet show, we got my very favorite shot of the day – the 4th image below. Are you kidding me?

Now let’s discuss these next two images, shall we? Emily brought along this precious (and oh, so appropriate!) book that was a gift from a good friend. It was hilarious watching Sophie try and hold it up since it’s nearly as big as she is! And that expression on the right? Totally Sophie – I do believe I had tears streaming down my face at that point, I was laughing so hard!

Oh my, what fun can be had at the library! Of course, this sweet family would be fun standing in a cardboard box! And if you can’t get enough of sweet Sophie and her parents, you can see more of them here – when Sophie was still a bun in the oven, a newborn and three months old. It’s almost too much sweetness to take in! BUT – just in case it’s not enough for you – you really, really, really must check out Emily’s website, little e studio! Sophie’s mom is a gifted artist  and her mixed-media paintings are incredible. Each piece she creates is so full of love and passion – So please be sure and check her out. And treat yourself to a painting by a local artist!!

Emily, as always, I was honored to photograph Sophie for you. I hope you enjoy this little sneak peek and I’ll have the rest ready for you soon!

Be sure you head on over to i heart faces to see all the other great entries this week!

Oh, the sweetness! Can you take it? One of the things I love most about this family is that not only does every room in their stunning home flow seamlessly together, they somehow manage to always coordinate themselves to their environment. This is bliss for me, being the visual weirdo that I am. I am sure there is a support group out there for people like me, but until I find one, I’ll just keep taking pictures. And now, for some sweet little pieces parts :

Sophie loves, loves, loves to look at herself in the mirror. Between outfit changes, we would head to the mirror. Anytime she would get tired of me being all up in her business, we would head to the mirror. Just for fun, we would head to the mirror. And Miss Thang never disappointed!

Mmmmmm. Oh, Sophie, why do you have to be so wonderful? Why must you disturb my normally quiet ovaries?

Why must you be so delightful?

Why, oh WHY must you go and do this to me? I said all these sweet things about you and then you do THIS? I am so happy with my only child and then there’s THIS. But I love you anyway, sweet girl. You can’t help it if you’re perfect!

Matt & Emily – Again, it was wonderful being with you. I’ll be in touch as soon as I am done with the rest – if I survive! : )

You will likely remember Matt & Emily from their super-fun maternity session. Their joy over Sophie was so apparent then, and it has only multiplied since she was born. I was so struck during my time with them how naturally they both filled the role of parent and how calm and serene their home felt. {I did not feel the slightest bit serene as a new mom, so I am always in awe when I encounter this phenomenon!} As I said in my first post about them, Matt & Emily are so connected. You just can’t help but feel it when you are with them. And now, with the addition of Sophie, it just feels like she’s always been there.

Pure sweetness!! Matt & Emily, you are so blessed! Sophie is so delightful and it was such an honor to photograph her for you. I can not wait to see you this weekend for Sophie’s three month shots. I can hardly believe it’s time. xoxo!

Before she moved away, Alicia and I used to work together at a little company here in Nashville called Aegis Marketing Group. I often credit my time as an employee there with giving me some of the sweetest friends I have ever had, and I count Alicia among those. We were cubicle buddies while I was pregnant with Jack. She was on the front lines of listening to me complain about being hot, and dizzy, and hungry. It’s quite possible that she talked me down from a panic attack or two, but I didn’t say that out loud. She helped to throw me one of the nicest baby showers any mommy-to-be could ever hope to have. Until these photos were taken, I hadn’t seen her in nearly 5 years. When she emailed to set up a session for her family, there was NO WAY I was going to miss the chance to see her and her handsome hubby Gabe – and meet their two beautiful boys, Colin and Eli!

And oh yeah – Here’s some of that lovey cuddly goodness I mentioned earlier.

And here are reasons number one and two why nice, pretty people should reproduce:

I just love these next two. They just scream F A M I L Y – Who doesn’t cart their kids around this way? Love it. I have always thought that Alicia and Gabe looked like they were tailor-made for each other. And I still hold that opinion! Alicia has a mega-watt, movie-star smile that totally lights up a room. I remember when she first interviewed at Aegis – I wanted to hire her for her smile before I ever even heard her speak!

Big props to anyone who can spot my Jack in the photo below … Sometimes when you hire me, you get a package deal!

Oh, Alicia, it was absolutely delightful being with you and your boys! I will be posting this link on Gabe’s Facebook page, so this would be a wonderful time for you to cave and get your own profile as well. {Alicia is a Facebook holder-outer, y’all, so lets all give her a little encouragement to sign up, shall we?} I hope you love these as much as I do and that your blog debut was painless! I’ll be in touch soon, sweet friend …

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I met Tamara {although she’ll always be Tammy to me!} in the fall of 1993 when we both arrived in Suite 302 of Fanning Hall on the capus of Lipscomb University. Being a Nashville native, you would think that I would have known someone else starting Lipscomb that same year, but I didn’t. So – I went total potluck in the roommate department – and hit the jackpot!  Tammy had come to Lipscomb – from CANADA! –  with her good friend Judy {Hey, Jude!} and praise the Lord, they were both assigned the room across from me and my roommate, Laura. And so began friendships that I cherish to this day. Oh, I can remember the midnight pizza parties, taking naps every afternoon and waiting anxiously for Jude & Tam to get their next care package from home. Such fun and sweet times!

It’s hard to admit, but until we met to shoot, I  hadn’t seen Tammy since our college graduation. Once again, thru the miracle of Facebook, we have been able to re-connect. She was always beautiful, but holy cow hot momma!! I would say that Dave, Tam’s college sweetheart, hit the jackpot, too!

It was an absolute joy to reconnect with Tammy for so many reasons, two of which are named Ethan and Zach. Oh my goodness – they are the most delightful little boys!! Sweet, funny, gorgeous and oh, so charming. This little doll-baby is Zach, who Tammy calls her Rogue. Perfect. Oh, what personality!

And this little heartbreaker is Ethan. Such a sweet and funny boy – with a smile that just lights up his whole self {and hello dimples!} You can tell that he really loves being a big brother – and that his baby brother thinks he hung the moon.

I have to say, these are some of my most favorite images ever. Such a beautiful example of F A M I L Y! The morning we met to shoot was absolutely FA-REE-ZEENG. As in Mary Alice couldn’t keep the camera still because her teeth were chattering so badly. But the smiles, the love, the connection … the warm clothes, rosy cheeks and snuggles … No way the cold could compete with all that warmth!

Tammy & Dave, you have such an incredible family! I don’t even have words for how honored I am that you chose me to capture such a precious time for you! I am completely in love with your boys and can’t wait for next time. I love you dearly and am dying to show you the rest of your images – I am almost done!!

And, dear blog readers,  now that you see how incredibly lovely wintertime shots can be, I’d love to set up a fun & unique session with you and your family! To help streamline things as far as scheduling, I have added a new feature here on the site. In the menu bar above you will see a link called “Book a Session”. This link will take you to my calendar where you can browse my available session times and then book and pay half the session fee {to hold your spot} completely online! SO COOL! Once you reserve your spot, I will then get in touch with you about planning the details of your custom session. Any questions, just shoot me an email at madphotoinfo@comcast.net!

So, what are you waiting for? Your walls are calling – Let’s go make some pretty stuff!

I just adore little boys. Everything about them is so full of sweetness and wonder … and mischief & mayhem all at the same time!

I don’t normally make public recommendations,  but Lisa – if you have a mantel, this next one needs to hang over it!! Be still my heart!

And, hello! Just look at that love! Baird and Lisa both just exude kindness. And Lisa’s mega-watt smile could light up a room all by itself! She is one of those people who, when she smiles, you know you are seeing her soul. 

And I just adore this next black & white. Nothing sweeter than a momma surrounded by her boys!

Before we met to shoot, Lisa had told me that Brooks was her little Linus – always carrying around his blue blankie and sucking his thumb. She was hoping that I might be able to catch him doing just that, but he was not having any of it as long as he could run around having fun with his brothers! BUT  - just as we were wrapping up, standing around talking and catching up as best we could, that sweet baby just gave it up. And I, for one, am so thankful that he did. I’m so glad that we absolutely wore him out! When I got home and saw this image, I literally sat down at the computer and cried because I knew it was just what Lisa was hoping for! And as a mommy to a little boy, I am all to aware of how quickly moments like this pass. So Lisa – This one, especially, is for you … From one sentimental mommy to another!

Oh, how I love you guys!! Your family is beautiful and it was such a joy to be with all of you. Let’s not wait so long for next time, OK? I’ll be in touch about the rest of your images soon!

On a completely un-related note, this may be the last sneak peek I am able to show BEFORE Thanksgiving! I am working  feverishly to get everyone’s final cut wrapped up before Wednesday of next week, because I will be out of town visiting family and then on to Disney World for a week! I want to make sure that everyone has what they need from me for Christmas card purposes, so more sneak peeks will likely have to wait until early December. That doesn’t mean that there will be nothing new posted here. I am planning on launching my 2010 pricing schedule as well as my revised policy statement here in the next few days. There are a few other announcements coming along as well, so do check back. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone … I am gratful for you, whether I know you personally or not. Your support and encouragement mean the world to me. May you and yours be richly blessed!

Mr. Jackson turned F O U R back in September and his {absolutely gorgeous, and equally as sweet} Mommy, Kelley, asked me to photograph his Superhero Birthday Bash!!! I was beyond thrilled for the opportunity. Kelley and her husband Lee certainly did not disappoint in the party department! It was such a special and fun time, not only for Jackson but for everyone invited – kids and adults alike!

No detail was overlooked, whether in the food and decorations …

… or the guests!! 

The kids had so much fun with the zip line, the Super Jump and the rock climbing wall. It really was every little boy’s (and girl’s) dream party. I’m thinking I might enlist Kelley to plan my 35th birthday party next month!

All the kids got to make their own masks and received a shirt and cape from Jackson to wear for the day. Is that awesome, or what??

And wouldn’t you know it? Spiderman and Batman just happened to show up and get in on all the fun!!

Wow. Wow, wow, WOW!  That is the closest word I can find to describe how wonderfully delightful this party was for everyone who attended, myself included! This sneak peek doesn’t even come close to capturing all the fun that was had that day. Kelley & Lee, you guys are simply amazing. Thank you so much for your kind spirits.  I know that Jackson and all of his friends will never forget how much fun they had that day. And thank you for your patience with me, as I do my best to create a memento for your family  that will in some way capture the feeling of the day. I have some fun surprises up my sleeve for you … and I will be in touch very soon!!