Overdue Update

I promised that this post would be images from Miracle Book sessions. In retrospect, I should have said that I wouldn't be back until the Miracle Book is unveiled, which won't be until next month. I certainly don't want to spoil the anticipation by showing those images here. However, I also mentioned a few posts back that I would show the "pool jump shot" from one of the sessions. So here it is! I have to say again, these eight cousins were wonderful subjects. Such beautiful and well-behaved children.

Sweet Baby Boy

I lied. I said in my previous post that my next post would be Miracle Book images. Well.......I was going through my image archives, enjoying the beautiful children and babies whom I've had the privilege to photograph over the years, and I came across Baby S from a couple of years ago. I remember he was a bit fussy at first and then fell asleep (as we'd hoped!). I think he looks like an angel in this shot. Next post: Miracle Book shots! I promise!

Big Brother and Little Sister

Greetings! It's been awhile since my last post. I have been incredibly busy with Miracle Book photo sessions...and loving it! A big thank you to two friends who have something to do with this...you know who you are. ;0) The two photos accompanying this post have nothing to do with the Miracle Book....they are some very good friends that I was visiting and happened to get some cute shots. Next post will be Miracle Book images. Until then, I am sending good vibes to all of you out there.......

First Ad in Parent:Wise Austin!

I am very excited to inform my blog readers that my first print ad can be found on page 17 of Parent:Wise Austin! I love this publication and never miss an issue. Editor Kim Pleticha always provides such well-written commentary, and the articles are relevant to parents of children of a range of ages. I am running ads exclusively in Parent:Wise for several months so you will see more of these! Let me know what you think! For those of you who prefer to read online, you can get the latest on the Parent:Wise Austin website at www.parentwiseaustin.com. Enjoy!

Eight Siblings / Cousins

These images are from a recent Miracle Book 2010 session. When I first heard that I would be photographing EIGHT children in a wide range of ages, I have to admit I was a bit nervous. That is a lot of kiddos to orchestrate! Would they be willing and cooperative? As it turned out, the answer was......YES. Oh.My.Gosh. They were SOOOO good. And FUN. Not to mention, gorgeous. All of them. They are all related to each other, either siblings or cousins. At the end of the session, we decided it would be a great idea for them to jump into the pool with their jeans and shirts on, which, of course, they loved. This is the shot of the aftermath...I should probably post "the shot" of them jumping in, too, huh...check back later for that!

Dell Children's Medical Center Miracle Book

Time once again to mention the Dell Children's Medical Center Miracle Book, as we are in the home stretch for the discount. Everyone who purchases their page and schedules their complimentary session by September 1 will receive 10% off the regular price of $500 for a page. For more information, please visit the Miracle Book home page at http://www.childrensaustin.org/?nd=themiracle&und=152. PLEASE NOTE: in order for me to submit everything by the deadline for actual printing, I need to wrap all sessions up by mid-September, and image choices must be made by September 30. 100% of the proceeds benefit DCMC. Please contact me with any questions!

Three Sibs from Last Fall

This storyboard resulted from a silent auction win at Cattle Baron's Ball (which raises funds for the American Cancer Society). I photographed the whole family and they just laughed and had a great time together...which made the session fun for me, too! Very happy people. This is a sneak peek of an item that they ordered. Incidentally, I added the frame to separate the image from the white background...it's not part of the final print. Enjoy!

When Life Gives You Lemons...

When it rains, it pours. This is great for the grass but not so great when you are a natural light photographer who shoots primarily outdoors. Just as I was arriving at a session this morning, down came the rain, accompanied by substantial bolts of lightning. So there we were, trying to decide whether it would blow over, and I thought it would be worth a try to set up a white background next to a large window in the house. M and D were wearing white and light blue, and the precious 4-week-old puppies that served as live "props" are mostly white, so it seemed like a no-brainer. Not today...the sky was just too dark this morning. So what do you do when you've spent time moving furniture, setting up equipment, and directing two kids and five teeny puppies (and then photographing them, of course)? You find at least one usable shot and do something with it. This one was the winner. B&W should not be about rescuing images, but sometimes it really does bring out the best in a particular composition. For this shot there was no question about it. Even so, the plan was to shoot in the back yard, so we are going to try again tomorrow. Dare I hope that the rain cools things down, at least for a day or two? Thank you to this family for the privilege of photographing these gorgeous kids and sweet puppies. I am excited to see what we get next with an outdoor setting and cooperative weather!

Miss E's Birthday

I do not normally photograph birthday parties, but I will do it on occasion if I can. Today I was honored to capture the 4th birthday of this precious little girl. Need I say that I am thrilled to have been there? The party was at this very cool, old-timey candy shop in SoCo...every child's idea of heaven! I gave the first photo an antiquey feel to match the era of the candy shop. The second one is probably my favorite from the day; just look at those gorgeous eyes! A big thank you to her mom & dad for asking me to do this for them!

Happy Father's Day!

To my dad, my husband, and all the other wonderful fathers out there: I hope you have a fantastic Father's Day. A special note from my boys to their Papou and their Beebah: Happy Father's Day and we love you!Some may own castles on the banks of the Rhine and hire an orchestra each evening at nine, but richer than I they will never be...I had a dad who spent time with me. ~unknown

Guess Which One Is Mad At Mom?

Yesterday was Western Day at camp, and all the kids were encouraged to don their "best bib and tucker." Did these two think they would escape without a photo? One of them was willing to give me his "tough cowboy" look and the other was just pi$$ed...guess which one doled out the sass on the way to camp? Earlier in the day as I was taking my morning walk, I was graced by the beauty of a blue sky scattered with lots of white, cottony clouds...when I witness natural beauty of this magnitude, it just further affirms my faith in a Loving Creator. Being outside as the sun peeks over the horizon, listening to the birdies sing to each other, enjoying the vim of a new day -- it's a gift. I hope y'all enjoy many gifts on this day. Nature is the art of God. ~Dante

Happy Mother's Day!

It's not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted.

~Mary OConnor

To all of my mommy friends and loved ones...

It's no secret that I love bees. I love their cute little yellow and black striped bodies and transparent wings, but even more, I love them for what they do for us...particularly because they enable us to have flowers and honey. It seems fitting to tie the above quote into the busiest (and hardest) but most rewarding job ever: motherhood. All of you mommies our there, I love you for all the beauty and sweetness you inspire. I know you often feel like the mosquito, but you are all bees in my book.

Happy Mother's Day to you all with lots and lots of love.

Holy cow! It has been a long time since I have posted! I have been very busy with my kiddos, but also with some exciting things photography-related. First, I am in process of building my new, official, professional website. FINALLY. Second, I am happy to announce that I have been chosen as one of the official photographers for the Dell Children's 2010 Miracle Book! I have already conducted my first session for this important fund raiser...once we narrow it down I will be sure to post some shots of the beautiful kids from that day.

The most recent excitement for the Sarantakes family was our spring break in Steamboat. We had both boys skiing down everything except black runs...for those of you who know Steamboat, you know that it is a huge mountain with tons of different terrain, much of it quite challenging for those of us who only ski one week each year. Especially this year when half the mountain was icy in the morning and then slushy in the afternoon. The weather was gorgeous though, and we had a blast. These are some shots of us having fun while we were there.

Gotta go...off to ride my bike before I get the boys from school!

Love to all of you reading this, and special birthday wishes to my friend Melissa in Laguna Beach!