I remember our first year to do bluebonnet pictures & special mess #2 was not even sitting up & her sister was only two. Then the next year, she was barely standing . . . I found those pictures here. Last year we didn’t do any bluebonnet pictures because it was a scary age as far as behavior goes for us AND there were no bluebonnets!! But this happened! anyway!

And, now . . . at 3 and 5 years old . . . it wasn’t so bad – they didn’t do a single thing I wanted them to, but we came out ok don’t ya think?! I’m so happy to have these. Wildflower pictures are a special tradition if you grow up in Texas. I can remember my dad hauling us out to the side of the road & taking pictures . . . the best part of below . . . was when my 5 year old said as we left, “Mommy, that was a fun surprise! You are the best mommy ever!” I’m putting that here because I almost didn’t even remember our day trip that I linked above until I saw that slideshow! The whole day came flooding back to my foggy brain. Even though I remember being annoyed they wouldn’t do what I wanted them to that day either – I cried and smiled and watch every single image fade by. Now, I love them & can’t believe I never printed any of those!! For shame. I’m on it.

Pictures are important because memories of your childhood are important. Make it a special day with your kiddo & come out & see me this week!!

It’s a beautiful drive & this would be a fabulous Mother’s Day gift;o)

I would imagine it’s tough being the little sister. And, yes . . . her big sister is sitting on her head & enjoying every second while her mom stands there & takes a picture. This is how you get the super-star parent of the year award.

I’m  SOOOOOO happy we have wildflowers this year in Texas and sooooo HAPPY WE HAVE LAND TO do bluebonnet sessions on this year!!!!! yippee!!

Here’s the deal – the light is tricky & once it’s gone – well, it’s gone. So there is a small window each day we can shoot. Because of that – there will only be 2 family sessions & they are already booked. They have been reserved for 2 years in fact! no lie! There is only 1 30 minute window each day that is suitable for families & I won’t be taking my couch this year & I’m not sitting families on the ground. There are still plenty of spots for kids & babies & mommies! Keep reading . . .

We will plan to do these THIS WEEK!! Friday & Saturday (weather permitting). Here’s what I have & I expect it will be booked in the next 24 hours if not sooner – so don’t wait if you want to do this. I am not calling these mini-sessions because there is nothing mini about the way I approach them. These are full sessions & I will shoot that way. We will just have limited time.

- 6 sessions for babies (sitting up to barely walking)

- 3 sessions for kids any age (walking & following some directions but under

- 2 sessions for maternity  - this would be super awesome!!

- 2 sessions for mommy & me – DO IT!!

- I’d love to do 1 1st birthday session with my aqua high chair & balloons if that works out well for anyone?!??

Cost: $200 for a 30 minute session, full digital collections will be offered following sessions & will start at $350 (full digital collections generally start at $1295)

Time: I will assign times based on the age/light/etc – but you will need to be available Friday from 3:00-7:30, Saturday from 8:00am-10:30 or Saturday from 4:00-7:30. Our location is at FM 1488 & 290 on private property. This is 45 minutes from The Woodlands. A very easy straight shot down FM 1488.

How to book: email me now with your name, (allison@feather-nest.com), include the ages of kids and who you would like to have in the session. This will be first come, first serve (with existing clients getting first dibs). I’ll start a waiting list once these spots are filled because there were last minute cancellations last time we did this. I will get back to everyone by Wednesday at the latest with the schedule and more details.

What to expect: you can expect 15-30 images as seen here. The bed will be available for girls & a variety of chairs & a small boat will be available for boys. 40-50% off a la carte art books will be offered as add-ons to digital collections.

See you soon!!!

All caught up for now! Sad that I’ve fallen off the cmpro wagon at least twice & it isn’t even the 3rd month of the year yet. I will keep trying! Because they are the most important subjects to me.

p.s., I threw in the dancing pics from our special Super Bowl half time show because I had missed them before. So, yes, technically I’m a failure & a cheater!! whatever.

One foot in front of the other.

These pictures were all taken two weeks ago. Considering I got overwhelmed last year because I was over a year behind with my personal images, only being two weeks behind really shouldn’t be something to get upset about. But, for some reason I don’t handle “a lot” as well as I used to. Maybe it’s adding two kids to the mix to divide my attention among. (probably)

I find these things help me when I get overwhelmed though. It helps me to make note of them & force myself to just do!

1. clean!! anywhere.

2. take a shower or at least get dressed & put on make up.

3. don’t waste time getting ready for the project by organizing & categorizing & arranging. Just start pecking away at the actual project. One foot in front of the other. Being busy doesn’t mean you are making progress!! Super important for me to remember. I tend to be “busy” a lot. It’s not necessarily good busy.

4. breathe.

5. breathe.

6. breathe.

7. Crank up the music.

February 13-17 (cmpro daily project pictures that never got posted – I’m doing my time here to catch myself up)

p.s., I had super cute Valentines pictures ideas for my kids. They had other ideas. sigh. I can’t wait until their ideas are something I can work with;o) Oh well. They had fun. I mean why wouldn’t standing backward in the middle of a circle of hearts make me happy??! It’s obviously my problem.

p.p.s., the hand above. my life story right now.

 Just a FEW from our Holiday card session. This was the first time ever I attempted taking pictures of my kids all by myself. Sounds silly I know. But, you have no idea. They know when I want something out of them – they have me right where they want me. And, they generally act like fools. BUT they are still alive to enjoy Christmas! They are growing up & they did a pretty fantastic job for me. I love them so very, very, very much. And,  our book card  . . .

Yes, this is how we dress in the Fall in Houston. so?

and, excuse the hotspots. We were testing light for another special shoot here (that I can’t wait to share!!) – good thing we did!

Obviously one of these kids is easier to photograph right now than the other. BUT, I get less & less of the shots I want of her & more & more of her posing in some awkward position.

Oh well, parenting is definitely not about me. Neither is photographing my kids apparently. This isn’t AT ALL what I had picked out for them to wear. They “helped” me set this room up a few months ago for a maternity session (yes, I’m just now getting to my own pictures – [incredibly annoyed eyeroll here]). They really wanted to play in it – so of course I tried to multi-task like any good mother. Back to “not at all what I picked out” . . . Thus the ballet shoes. AGAIN. Then of course, little sister has to follow suit. Whatever gets the job done (I guess).

It’s been a few months . . . they are about due for a real shoot. (preferably not wearing ballet shoes)

Anyone have any ideas?? Please share – seriously. I’m exhausted thinking about taking their pictures. Anyone want to come help wrangle??

p.s., I just realized this today. I have pictures of me & my family ON MY OWN COTTON-PICKIN’ COUCH in this field,  from this day. AND THEY’VE NEVER BEEN EDITED!!!!! That’s just ridiculous & I should be fired.

p.p.s., For the record . . . Those pictures weren’t taken in May 2011 . . . They are from Spring 2010. Seeing as how we may not see bluebonnets for the next 3 years, I will probably be really glad I have those, considering they ever get out of their RAW state of course.