Showered with Kisses

I am editing photos for a Williamson County Humane Society future Hero and I just had to share this picture.  What a great expression... and her ear!  Stay tuned for more photos and this dogs story later this year!

The Children's Hour

Between the dark and the daylight,

When the night is beginning to lower,

Comes a pause in the day's occupations,

That is known as the Children's Hour.

From The Children's Hour by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Humane Society of Williamson County :: Blue and The Slover Family

The 2nd Quarter 2012 Hero is Blue and The Slover Family.  I immediately fell in love with Blue because I think Darcy probably looked just like her as a puppy.  And who doesn't love the puppy form of their favorite dog?

In fact, who doesn't love puppies?

Here is Blue's adoption story from the HSWC website:

After adopting our Bull Mastiff from a rescue group about a year ago, our 4 year old kept saying he really wanted a dog that would fit on his lap so he could hold it.  So we decided to look at the Humane Society of Williamson County.  We made many many laps around the shelter trying to decide on the perfect puppy for us.  After careful consideration by my 4 year old, we ended up with Blue.  She was the quietest one of the litter and I was definitely okay with that.  On our ride home, both of our boys had the biggest smiles on their faces.  Blue had been with us for about two weeks when she decided to really come out of her shell.  Needless to say, she fits right into our wild and crazy family and we wouldn’t trade her for the world. 


Here are a few more photos from their session.  Enjoy!

Humane Society of Williamson County Hero :: Mama, Marie, & Laura

The Humane Society of Williamson County updated its website last month and I think the new site looks really great.  Now, instead of one photo on the home page you can see five from a session!  I love how the pictures display how loved adopted animals are.

The 1st Quarter 2012 Hero was Mama, Marie, & Laura.  Here is their story from the HSWC site:

Our caravan of vehicles started the route to Temple on an early September morning. We were off to rescue kenneled pure bred dogs from a puppy mill that had been in operation for years. I was both nervous and excited to be a part of ending their journey as dogs whose sole purpose was only to produce for profit. We approached the property with local law enforcement, just to keep the peace. I saw pen after pen of poodles, chihuahuas, Boston terriers and min-pins. We rescued approximately 77 dogs, with some of them being newborns. I volunteered to foster #22, an apricot poodle with a huge belly, ready to give birth. On October 1st, Mama gave birth to a little apricot boy and a black and white little girl. I raised them to 8 weeks of age, and then it was time to return them all to the Humane Society of Williamson County to find their forever homes. The little boy was adopted by a friend and I was tickled because I knew I could follow his life growing up. Well, I can follow Mama and her daughter Marie’s life also. They were adopted by…ME! They just spent their first Christmas surrounded by family, cuddles and warmth…and lots of toys! This fostering experience gives me peace and satisfaction to know that Mama did not have to give birth in the soil this time and not be all alone. She will never have to give birth again and gets to live out her years playing and nurturing her baby girl. This is the first time a puppy has not been ripped away from her. Mama is 8 years old and has had a hard life, but her remaining years will be filled with happiness, love, hugs and her little girl, Marie.

And here are a few more photos from their session.  Enjoy!

Siblings

The first day of 8th grade was a big day.  It was my first day of school in Texas and the day I met the mother of these two kiddos (obviously the kiddos were not yet in the picture).  She was from California and I was from New York, we knew no one, and she asked me if I wanted to sit next to her at lunch.  We discussed important things like how we really didn't like living in Texas and if the 49er's were going to the Super Bowl... and a friendship was born.   

Sounds like a country song, huh?  

She lives in Houston now but when we get together it's kind of like the day she taught me how to drive a standard... we just can't stop laughing.  Enjoy!

A Texas Girl in Nebraska

My good friend and fellow photographer, Megan, drove to Texas from Nebraska in January and I photographed her family one beautiful, pleasant morning in Cedar Park.  Megan and I have known each other since college, although we did not go to the same college... we just clicked based on common interests (and her wicked sense of humor).  We remain friends despite moves, miles, and everything in between.

She and I have attempted to schedule a family photo shoot for a year or two but timing, sick kiddos, and a busy travel schedule made it difficult.  However, everything came together this year and it was a wonderful morning.  Thank you for your friendship and support Megan... Enjoy!

Megan prepared for this photo by finding the lacy backdrop and bringing the book.  Love how it turned out.

Megan's sister and parents visited our location towards the end of the session so we could get an extended family photo.  Love that they coordinated colors!

Journey

I am so close!  My grad school journey is almost complete and although I am rather busy this week because of a comprehensive final, the rest of my coursework will be complete by the end of this month. It feels good to be close to the end and I am excited to spend more time with photography, this blog, and the garden in the near future.

I realize I have published very few blog posts this year, although I have had several photo shoots.  I will remedy my lack of blog posts starting this week by posting sessions I did not blog.  Here are a few photos from a session with my niece.  She turned 10 in January and is becoming a beautiful young lady... a journey in itself.  Enjoy!