I love getting a great portrait.  I love when children connect squarely with the camera.  And of course, I am proud when I can get a family photo with everyone looking my way.  Those are images that we frame and keep in albums for generations.

But what I love most are relational moments.  I love when people connect to each other in an unfettered way.  When I can capture that, when I can make that special moment still and silent in a photo, I get giddy.  I love that.

Today I think I got both.  You might recognize this sweet family from my gallery section.  They were my first clients outside of family and friends.  I first met them when their little man was days old; now he is months old.

Thanks, guys, for a wonderful morning.  This session was just as great as the first!

There are many simple ways to help you take better photos.  Here are a few.

1.  Practice.  I got a new camera last week, and I’m reading my manual, learning the controls, and practicing.  Every camera is different.  The better you know it, the better you will be.

Here’s Eloise being my practice subject.  Such a sweet practice subject she is!

2.  Step in front of a window, or better yet, a door.  Have your child right inside looking out at you.  This way you get a even light without the harsh light or shadows.

3.  Talk to your subject.  One dad recently laughed saying “awkward” as I pointed the camera at him.  It can be a little funny, especially for adults.  So talk about sports, the weather, political scandals.  Be a little silly and your subject will lighten up for you.  Or talk to you, too, like this one of Eloise.  And that’s great.  Just toss the talking photo and keep the smile of her after she tells her punch line.

4.  Oblige your subject.  If she wants to do a ballet pose, let her.  If she wants to show you her new stickers, let her.  If she wants to take your photo and you’re crazy enough to give her the camera, do it, with caution.  Give her something first and I bet she’ll cooperate with you later.

5.  Photograph them doing things they like.  Happy children make for memorable and good photos.  Like eating.  Who won’t smile when eating a muffin.

6.  Play pee-a-boo with your camera.  Get’s the 1 year olds every time.  It sometimes works on the dads too.  Nothing like making a fool out of yourself to get someone to relax, laugh, and give you a real smile.  Not the stiff fake stuff.

7.  And, like I said before, let them take a photo of you.  I had a big brother once who was not very interested in the photo session.  He was also tired of wrangling the younger siblings.  So I told him I needed him to take some photos of me after the session and he lit up.  Of course it was a risk to hand over my camera, but the risk was small and well worth the smile he gave me.

Take lots of photos of your children.  They are precious!

What do you think this sweet baby boy is dreaming about?

What a sweetheart!  I enjoyed every minute with this sweet family today.  Congratulations and blessings on your newest addition!

It’s been months since I’ve posted an I Heart Faces contest.  Each week I check out the themes, entries, and winners but I keep missing the boat when it comes to posting.  I couldn’t pass this one up, though.  I took this picture of this splendid guy last night.  What vivd and bright personality he has!

I know this family from preschool.  Their little one and my big one attend the same school and share the same playground.  Preschoolers are so cute.  And I think you’ll agree with me that these big kids are pretty cute too.

I hadn’t met the whole crew before tonight.  They were the big winners at our preschool’s silent auction.  They won my time, my camera, and some awesome images.  I won too, though.  Check out these awesome photos that I get to add to my growing portfolio.  Thanks guys!

Our session tonight was at Glen Echo Park.  A whimsical place to explore, play, and enjoy a cool evening together as a family.  It was a splendid time.  Thanks to you all for a beautiful session.  Enjoy!

This little guy is 1 year old and a happy!  He is also the son of our dear friends whom we love dearly.  They are also very happy.

This was a mini-session in that we just took 45 minutes to focus on Paul.  We spent some time outside, hung out in his nursery, and then his mama had the greatest idea.  Let’s do some bath shots, she said.  Awesome!  Let’s do it right now, I said.

And I think you’ll agree with me that the bath, the snuggle in the towel, and the clean-up resulted in some beautiful shots.  I love recording Sarah as a mom and Paul as her son.  Thanks, y’all (Texans can say that to Southerners)  :-) for a fun morning!

This is real life for us.  We love to decorate for any occasion, especially birthdays.  And it’s these real moments that I love to capture.  Perfect smiles, pretty hair, and cute dresses are beautiful and lovely to shoot, but the real moments of our ordinary life get me most excited!

Happy Belated Birthday to my husband.  We love you, Alex!

Meet my sweet daughter Cordelia.  There’s nothing more peaceful as a Mom than watching your baby sleep.  They are perfectly serene and you can be too.  It’s true with babies, it’s true with toddlers, and I know it’ll be especially true when they are teenagers.

As a mom, these are the moments I want to remember.  Her long eye lashes resting on her cheek, her favorite heart outfit, her crib, her nursery, her scar, and her quiet breathing.  It’s sweet, it’s a moment in a time and a place, and honestly, it’s quiet!  (-:  Life is not often quiet with children, is it?

So go take some photos of your children while they are sleeping.  It’s sweet, easy, and definitely one you’ll want for your memory book.  (Also, while I’m telling you what to do, go learn how to use your self timer and use it.  Often.)

I knew I was going to like this family when the Mom’s email said they were big sports fans.  Being from Dallas with a sports crazy dad and 2 older brothers, I was destined to love sports.  And I do love sports!  I really liked that this Dad and I could bond on our distaste for Lebron James.  (He plays for the Heat.  They are in the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericks.  Go Mavs!)

And I was right!  What a fun family to be with this afternoon. They have such a sweet 3 month old who was perfectly perfect.  And, they have a fun loving Dylan who loved being in the family shots.  He is spunky, full of life, and licks this little baby girl all over.  Super sweet.

Meeting great people is a real perk to this job.  Enjoy!