DFW Newborn Photographer

I got to meet a beautiful new family this past weekend.  The Dave family came to my studio for a newborn session.  I adore shooting newborns, and I especially enjoy first time parents.  It is such a joyous (even if a little sleep deprived) time.

Kavita and Tejas welcomed their first baby, a precious girl named Vidhi, last month.

Little Vidhi did not appreciate being knocked off of her routine, and let us have it for a good portion of the session, but as always, we managed to get some good stuff anyway.  You definitely have to be prepared to bend to a newborns needs, as a parent, AND as a photographer! In both cases, it's totally worth it.

Here's a little something you may not know if you have never done a newborn session with me.  In order to get beautiful "naked baby" images, it can get a little messy!  In almost every instance, someone is going to be the victim of a little accident.  In this session, it was all of us!  Clients are sometimes surprised when I expect them to look and smile anyways.  Hey, if the baby is happy, anything for the shot.

The good news is, in todays technological world, I can use photoshop to disguise anything unsavory that may occur during a newborn session.  Witness above the before image.  Not super obvious, but I had to remove a little "tinkle" off of Dads tummy.  Also what new parents learn quickly...parenthood is glamorous stuff!!

...but again, totally worth it.

Love the expression on baby's face in this one.  I have some shots that are more natural looking, but I think this one is hilarious.  Lot's of personality coming out.

Look at this perfect swirl of a belly button.  Absolutely perfect, just like it's owner.

My thanks to the Dave family for sharing their precious little family with me for an afternoon.  It was a pleasure meeting you guys.

National Family Photographer

I got to have a family session in the country this past weekend.  East Texas makes for a great backdrop, and kids in boots are irresistible.  I had a fantastic time.  It's not every sitting that I get driven to the next location by a 12 year old on a 4 wheeler!  That's my idea of a great Sunday in East Texas.  Here are some of my favorite shots from a family photography session that I'll call Pure Country.  

My thanks to the Pierce family for having me out on their beautiful property and spending their Sunday afternoon with me.  Getting 7 children to "look & smile" may be a bit like herding cats or trying to rope a tornado, but I treasure being a part of helping families capture memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.

National Event Photographer

 I had the distinguished pleasure of flying out to Los Angeles last weekend to capture a multi media art extravaganza produced by the beautiful and talented Jamie Sims Coakley.  It was a massive project called Intersecting(LA) that she has been slaving over for the past three years.  

Jamie studied the different subcultures that have developed in L.A. by  picking different intersections and observing life as it happens there.  The exhibit was a collision of Fine Art, Video, and Music.

The project was three years in the making, but the last 6 weeks leading up to the event were not stop i(LA) work.  Breath deep Jamie, you're almost there.

This is the beautiful venue during set up, kindly provided by SESO/HUX, whose company occupies the space.

Jamie's nephew Stan flew in from Arkansas to play the Banjo with the band.  

Rock n Roll Banjo!  Go Stan!

Sound check the day before the show.

The amazing Miss Dena Joy. <3

Jamie and Dena and I all celebrated our birthdays within 3 days of each other right before the Event, so there was a little Leo Love fest happening.

Jamie's assistant and friend Michelle, undoubtedly reminding Jamie that this is Fun.

Believe it or not the Razor played an important part in comic relief before the show, and as a dolly after!

The dynamic duo...The Coakley's, playing the first of two sets during the Show.

Danny Walker

Stan Soultaire

There was an Air Stream (pictured in the shadows on the left) dividing the room between most of the art and the Band.

Here is the side of the Venue where most of the art work was displayed.  All shot and oil painted by Jamie Sims Coakley.  Printed on Gallery Wrapped Canvases.  For sale at Intersectingla.com starting in mid September.

Crazy diversity on display from intersection to intersection in Los Angeles.  It is a real anthropological-artistic display of humanity.

Mrs. Coakley

Mr. Brian Coakley

The whole amazing band, withholding a few cameo appearances.  The entire set list written specifically for each unique intersection.  from Left: Mike Derricotti, Brian Coakley, James Grissom, Jamie Coakley, Marcus Irvin, Danny Walker.

This is the video segment of the exhibit where guests could view projected footage of each individual intersection.

The footage was very "colorful,"  as in lots of distinct personality.

Jamie with her nephew, Stan Soultaire, featured on Banjo, and also the talented graphic artist who designed the Intersecting(LA) logo.

And finish line.  Utterly exhausted by the culmination of three hard years of work, and yet still a beauty.  My thanks to the Coakley's for allowing me to be a part of such a monumental creation.  I think you should pitch the plan to NatGeo, and recreate it all over the world.  (too soon?)

DFW Baby Photographer

Last weekend I got to share my birthday weekend with Blake Willard.  He turned One on August 10th...my birthday too.  I've just celebrated it a few more times than Blake!

Here is his big brother Logan.  Ready for a pool party.  I love that he will wear his sunglasses at all times.  My twelve year old still wont wear sunglasses regularly, much less my two year old.  I think it is awesome!

I would title this one "Peace!"

I love getting to be there when babies eat cake for the first time.  They get this look like "Seriously?  What have you been feeding me for the last year, and where has THIS been???"

Cake makes me happy too.

Mom, Sinead, with the birthday boy.  Sweet stuff.

Dad, Wes, and Logan.  

Logan was really tickled about shooting himself and everyone else with his squirt gun.  

This was the first time I've ever encouraged anyone to squirt me while I was holding my camera.  Don't tell MY kids.  They don't need any ideas!

"I'm so confused about what's happening right now.  Mind. Blown!"

The whole family.

Daddy's boys.

The Willard's live on a great property out on the lake.  I love that we got to do the cake shots outside.  Something about it looks kind of timeless to me.  This looks like a Hallmark card.

I love First Birthday Photography Sessions.  Weather it is "Smash Cake" in the studio, or getting to be a part of the first birthday party.  Happy Happy Joy Joy!  Thanks to the Willard family for letting me share the happy day.