The Finneys

Last night was so fun! Fourseasons OBGYN, hosted a very cool little party at their office. I did headshots in one of the exam rooms, and wonderful Neely worked her booty off doing botox injections and make-overs. They have a very comprehensive cosmetics department, and they are really fun to work with. Plus any doctor who turns their reception desk into an after-hours bar, is the doctor for me.

Speaking of which, meet Dr. Nancy Finney and her husband Robb. She is the other half of the Fourseasons practice, (with Dr. Feinstein). I did their family portraits a couple of weeks ago. Everyone was so laid back. It made for good shots and a good time.

What struck me most about their family is how each child has such a unique personality. Dr. Finney had them all choose their own outfits, which they felt represented them. Very cool.

Here is Clark The Future Heartbreaker. Um...I see many phones ringing off the hook in the near future. 

Miss Caroline who melts you with her honesty. When I first got there, she was the one to answer the door. I asked her if she was ready to take pictures, and she answered that she was "a little nervous". It was so impressed by her candor, and with her ability to articulate what she was feeling. Plus it had NEVER occurred to me in all these years that children get nervous about taking photos too. I was really  grateful for that insight. Then 5 minutes into it, she was completely over it. She can tell you stories about anything, and is just a delight. The rat on the other hand, freaked me out. Yep, I know I'm a wimp.

And Mr. Cole. We made a special trip over to this tree so he could show me his "art", not to be mistaken for string wrapped around branches. I love kids. They know what's up.

Thank you Robb and Nancy for a fun shoot! Your family is amazing.

Dove Release Moment of the Week.

Okay, I know I'm a professional photographer and all. And I know that is supposed to inherently make me into a techie and a gadget-lover. But the truth is that I am your Granny. The one who doesn't use the automatic can opener because the old rusty hand-held works just fine. Once I get used to something, God help you if you try to tell me about the latest and greatest tool of the century. You will be so excited about this feature and that feature. And then you will notice my expressionless face. And you'll talk a little louder. But your words will be bouncing off my glazed-over eyes. And you will get so frustrated that your head will start spinning and smoke will fill the room and you will explode into pieces. For instance, up until now (please don't be a hater) I was doing all of my work on my laptop. I've had this Turbo Mega Giga Moosehead Monster Memory RAM-anater computer upstairs for oh, a year. And Jason (Mr. Automation-tron) would always BEG me to go upstairs and "use it" "use it" "use it". He would go on and on about the joys and wonders of the Upstairs Computer. How much he loved it, and wanted to marry it. And as soon as he was done with his love song, I would commence to complaining about how much my wrist hurt. UNTIL. He showed me THIS LITTLE FEATURE. Look really closely at the top right of the screen. Yes people. That would be a mini TV screen. And yes, look a little closer. THAT would be (don't hate) The Housewives of Orange County. That I'm watching. WHILE I'm working. While I'm watching. While I'm working. SEE Jason? You just need to learn how to speak my language. 

And I'm sure I will never go downstairs again.

So glad you were born.

My little sister is 31 today. I don't think she will mind me telling you because she still looks 21. This is my favorite photo of her. I was too lazy to take it out of the frame, so it's a photo of a framed photo. I think my mom took it one day when they were at the coast. And I love it because it's completely her. She has an easy way of being that calms the frantic bits in you. And where I've always been prone to chaos, she is the complete opposite. Everything about her is peaceful. The last time I visited her in CA, it was like a spa retreat. I envy the way she trusts herself. She doesn't question her reactions to things or people. And she always puts her family first. She has a way of editing life down to the parts that really matter. So she doesn't spend lots of time whirling around in needless details (like I have a tendency to do). I just love how she walks through her life. And I couldn't imagine walking through mine, withouth her. Happy Birthday Kelly Belly! Even though you had the nerve to go birthday wine tasting WITHOUT me!! If you want to bring her a cupcake and wishes, go visit her HERE.

Other than that, it was SLOW-going this morning. The Turkey Overdose made me forget all about things like school and work and time. But we're back on the train today. And BRING ON the Christmas!

More from the Ortiz-Wilsons

Remember their cute maternity shots? Well, here is the sequel. Meet The Mr. Reid. He's brand new, and really cute.

I love these of Mia getting her photo on.

I love this one. I think we all need a tree trunk to sit on when we feel this way.

They posted a couple shots of me taking these photos on their cute family blog right here. Thanks Jackie and Ryan for yet another fun shoot. Congratulations on your newest addition! You have a truly sweet family!

The Friesenhahns

You know how sometimes you meet a person and instantly feel like you've known them for years? That's how it was when I met Carrie. She has an ease about her that made me feel like I fit comfortably into her world. To the point that I got in the car after the shoot and realized it had almost been 3 HOURS! That's about 2 hours more than it usually takes. But it just flew by. (pardon the pun)

Another shadow shot, which cracks me up because dad is the same size as brother. But I still kinda like The Sand Family.

Thank you for such a fun day Carrie! Your family is beautiful, inside and out.