Happy, Happy, Happy Dance!!!

I just registered to attend the workshop I've been dreaming about that is in Feb., in San Francisco, where the speaker for the weekend is WORLD-RENOWNED ......... Jinky!

There are so many photo conferences to choose from, but when I found that this workshop was able to snag her (she lives in Australia)...I was done searching. This is like if you wanted to take cooking lessons, and a spot opened up to learn from Rachael Ray herself, with her favorite dishes... (or whomever you may esteem as a "guru" of their trade.)

Yep. Happy, happy, happiness jitters are at the other end of this note! I can't wait!
:)

To end with a picture, here is the gorgeous, 10-yr.-old, M. I photographed her and her sisters yesterday, but their blog is yet to come. I must get busy catching up with the others' first!

That Way

These cousins just might be giving their parents/grandparents the best Christmas gifts yet - a *surprise* set of portraits. They set this session up all their own and managed to get out of the house Thanksgiving weekend with their families all around and brought three different outfits/accessories and themselves without anyone the wiser!

R, (2nd from the left), said that her mom on the way out asked, "are you guys going shopping?", and she replied "uh....yeah..."

:)






A little fib doesn't hurt when...


...the results are worth it.... don't ya think?


And we had a fun time!!!

From Our House to Yours

I have sessions waiting, desperate to be granted their own blog, but being that it's the holiday season, I thought I'd share some personal pictures from this weekend, and continue my regular session-sharing blog tomorrow...

Thanksgiving with mi familia!
My mother (in red), invited a friend for dinner (left), along with my father, my "baby" brother, his wife, and Stuart is at the other end of the table not pictured. (sorry, hon!) I have an older brother too, but he and his wife are out of the country.

My mom said, "I'll just keep the dinner simple this year. I won't make too much". Well, you can see, the lover of entertaining that she is, "simple" has a different definition in her dictionary than most! Everything was delicious, and I love that she uses the fine china at this meal and Christmas. It is definitely a season worthy of the good stuff!

Stuart made his first pecan pie from scratch with the pecans from our own backyard and this recipe! The bottom is a layer of chocolate chips.... yeah, divine....

My handsome hubby.

(Why is it that after all these years, the high school homecoming dance pose is the natural stance for pictures?!!?! Just comes out, make me stop!)

Black Friday met its match! There are actually three bags I had already put away when I decided this much holiday craziness should be captured. I'm pretty much done Christmas shopping though! Just a couple things left on the list!

Whilst I was out on my spree, my sweet husband was donning the holiday cheer! This is our first year to actually put lights on the house. Before we've only draped them through the bushes and around the dark window on our porch, (which we still have left to do this year, but I was so excited about the lights on the house, I had to post now!)
It was funny - our neighbor said, "those are some big lights!", to which I replied, "we like it old school!" :)
We actually had Stuart's mother help us find some in her city last year because we could only find a couple strands at our stores.
Simple & timeless.

My favorite now is seeing them glow outside of my office window while I work.

It really makes it feel warmer than the gray skies lead on.




(Macy watching her momma out of the window.)


(Not that any activity would get past Pearl...)

Hunter & Gatherer

Last week I met G and his family for their holiday session! His momma is a new friend I am teaming with to offer custom bags with your photos on them!
I've been looking for a quality company for a while now who makes these so that I can offer them to my clients. I am so excited I found such a great vendor because these purses really do turn out like little pieces of art. I am so happy to finally be able to offer them! (I have a sample purse on display in my office for you to be able to touch and hold it in person!)

Can't you just see his lucky grandma doting on his gorgeous eyelashes from this image on her purse to her friends?

Too. Precious.

Little brother, R, was quite the ham for us!

He really enjoyed inspecting all the pecans on the ground. G would hunt them down for R to gather them! A great brotherly duo!

I love his little fingers clenching a fist around his prized find.


Only a little boy would think to line them up in a row - very mechanical. Maybe he's making a train, or pretending they're animals lined up at the circus? Nothing sweeter than capturing imagination in a picture.






Such an easy smiler!




Fun mommy!

Words of Affirmation

These are the gorgeous kiddos of a good friend I used to work with. I'm so happy we've kept in touch. She really played an inspirational role in encouraging me that my photography could become a full-time business. I honestly credit her with a majority of that hope in me because for the longest time I didn't think my shots held much worth, (I'd like to blame that on the "middle child/people-pleaser" syndrome. Definitely a pleaser, that's me!)
(This is sort of turning into a "Deep Thoughts by Julie Birdseye" moment....)

Anyways, well, she is definitely wonderful friend to have, and I could never repay her for her words of affirmation.
( Love Languages ..... anyone? I just finished a Bible study group on that book last week and it is interesting to watch people's interactions and guess how they give and receive love. So important in relationships! )

Yeah....


.... gorgeous....


.....kiddos.....

*One of my favorite images of the session because the kids did this all their own. For blocks the younger siblings were on the older siblings' backs hitchin' a ride, (even up stairs! - strong older siblings!), and then I look back and they've come together for a group-hug-in-motion!
Love it.

Love YOU, M!

Toddler Independence

These girls just saw me not too long ago, but this time we got to play with their mommy & daddy, too!


Big sister M tried to hold L's hand to guide her around the rocks, but as her mommy says L's favorite saying is right now: "I do it myself!"


M started Kindergarten this year. From what I hear, she is a smart cookie!

Look at this personality! Her little expressions had me giggling the whole time.

Look mom, we got a sweet one of your girls together!

(Though you'll just have to forget that .38 seconds after this was shot, L pushed M away and ran to see the fishies.... or don't forget that part for that matter.... that's your L's cute, toddler personality right now!)

(I love when I get to capture families just interacting and it turns into a natural family portrait!)

**The hubby is prying me away from editing to have a date night tonight! Since I have sessions all day on Saturdays and spend my Sundays editing (among the other five days remaining in the week), a Monday night has now turned into our "weekend." We're going to go see either this or this. But I'm leaning towards this - it just looks like an Oscar nominated-esque movie. I like to see those so that during the awards shows, I know which movie they're talking about! (I'm the cliche female that enjoys some Hollywood event watching!)
I love celebrity news and babies, so when I discovered this website... it was like I just made a new, very dear friend.

:)

Daddy's Princess

Another Chickadee Planner has hatched!

Baby E is two weeks old today and couldn't be more beautiful, (and well-behaved! She did not fuss once - such an easy session!)

Big brother E just kept loving on his sister the whole time. Well, it would go: love, love, run around, love, wrestle with Daddy, milk break, love, love, squish sister, love...

:)

**Yeah, drooling over her to-die-for nursery like I did? Don't be jealous, her mommy is a designer. When it just comes naturally like it does to her, that's the reason you call someone like her if you'd like to have your baby's nursery look as magazine-worthy as this one!

It was a lot of fun to get to play with her girlie, princess decor. She is my first baby girl newborn in three months - it's been all boys!

I think they might have a Daddy's Girl on their hands. Not only does she look like her daddy, but she is so happy in his arms.

Here to Play

This dear family braved the chilly winds with me yesterday morning! I'm shivering now just remembering... but look at these bright, happy faces. The girls did such a great job!

I was warned that Miss K is a toddler always on the go, (true!), but that's when I just try to keep up and and make sure she knows I'm here to play!

Big sister M was ever helpful. She is the big 0-4 and dressed as Dorothy for Halloween because she "loves" that movie! (K was Minnie Mouse!)

The girls' Nana & Papaw came, too!






Nothin' like a you-did-a-good-job-taking-pictures lolli reward!
You deserved it, K!

Lil' Buckaroo

Baby R turned two weeks old yesterday! (The perfect age for newborn pictures. See how "curly" he still is. That precious fetal position that fades so fast.)

His mom lovingly called this his "old man face".
(adorable!)

His birthday is on Halloween, so his childhood birthday memories will be spent collecting candy from everyone he meets. How many kids' dream is that?

His Lil' Buckaroo nursery is so cute! His mom & dad painted this dresser and put the little star knobs on the drawers, (you may have to squint in this picture.)

Yeah, this is R's backyard that he'll grow up playing in. (sigh...) Roaming plains, cows grazing on that back hill with the sun setting in more brilliant colors than I was able to capture...

Breathtaking? Just a little bit.

Done! Finito! No mas!

CHRISTMAS 2007 SESSIONS ARE ALL BOOKED!

Unfortunately, I have *NO* more availability to get any new sessions done in time for Christmas! It's just an overwhelming/wonderful feeling.

Have I mentioned lately how I have the best job....ever?
I absolutely love what I do and I am so blessed that God has granted me this gift. That's what it is, a gift. To get to craft a skill that is fun, allows me to meet new faces everyday, travel to different places, play with BABIES!!!, and freeze time for mommies & daddies to hold forever.
I get emotional just thinking about the whole morphing process of "photography = hobby" to "photography = career". Amazing. Just amazing.

I had a blast this past Saturday at the Cross Timbers Holidaze market!

My Mom was my partner for the day, and let me tell ya, ain't no body gonna make you shine like your own Momma! She is such a people-person and was so wonderful to help me that day. And fun! We had a great time meeting several "Birdseye" fans, and also making some new friends, all while getting to spend time together.

Here is my booth:

I'm the eternal fan of all things pink & green!!!!
(Isn't Mom pretty?)
:)


It was quite the hoppin' joint! I love crafty, cutesy things! It gets my creative juices flowing!

*Look for my ad in the Denton Connection in December for one of my best deals yet: 50% off your session fee when you book for 2008! (Fitting for all you expecting mommies - Baby Bundle '08 requires planning ahead!)
I know, it's like I can't rest. Once the new year hits, and Christmas Bonanza 2007 is but a memory, I know my shutter finger is going to be itching!

:)

* F * A * L * L *

(I shot at this location about two weeks ago and it did not have this Autumn, calendar-worthy, blanket of leaves at all! Gorgeous!!!)

I love generational pictures! These moments truly are heirlooms to pass down through the family. How neat is it going to be for these kids to be able to look back on this beautiful, family day and show their grandchildren memories made with their grandparents?! (was that confusing?)

Sigh... none-the-less, I just enjoy getting to watch families interact.
Uncles teasing nieces, cousins running in the leaves, Grandma doling out kisses...
*Great* day!

And productive!

Here is a run-down of the shots to give you an idea:
* 3 different set-ups of whole group photo
* 2 different set-ups of each separate family
* 2 different set-ups of grandchildren all together
* 1 set-up of siblings together
* 1 set-up of mom/dad couples together
* 1 set-up of each individual child

Think of the Christmas gifts done! Poof! In less than 2 hours!
:)

Goodness gracious... missing two front teeth.... who can deny this once-in-a-lifetime cuteness???

Certainly not her Mommy & Daddy...

The proud, oldest cousin loves to watch over the baby of the bunch!
I mean, sorry G, the youngest big girl of the bunch!

What a big girl she is! (Stinkin' cute, too! - but she doesn't know that, does she?)

The poor boys. They tried, really they did. But when there are so many leaves to run around and jump in, who wants to sit and smile?

HAPPY FALL!!!!

Brain Malfunction

You know it's Christmas portrait season and you've been a slave to your computer when after a client leaves, you walk towards the Summer Sorbet scented candle, (my favorite scent - though currently not seasonal) burning in your living room, and you say out loud with out thinking, "I need to delete this." (aka: blow it out)

(and yes, I'm home alone and I'm talking to myself....)


*I've got a couple sessions to post this evening, but right now, I'm out the door to photograph a new baby bundle!
:)

Big Sky

You may recognize this girlie girl from a previous family shoot, but her Momma wanted me to visit again for some holiday pictures of just her girls.

:)

This sweet family lives out in the country.
Though, myself living in Denton, to my Dallas friends, that seems "country" too!

Though I've never been lucky enough, like E, to own a personal-sized tractor before!

(It's so cute. You pedal, like a bike, and then there is a handle to move the crane up and down - which you can see she has utilized to carry her cowgirl hat. Fun!)

And A loves her Pygmy Goats! She chased them all over their pin, just like playing fetch with a dog, but instead just a different four-legged, furry friend!

The air just felt fresher out there...


Yep. Little girls with kittens. Irresistible.

And oh, the affection. That Big Sky air makes sweet little girls even sweeter. (...if that's possible.)

Thank you for inviting me to your gorgeous home to capture your gorgeous family.

Until next time...

My Tapping Toes

My favorite song of the month.... it makes me want to dance.
You may recognize it from a certain Apple commercial.

Gobble, Gobble

I wanted to share the outtakes from the Nov. cover shoot, but since we had one angle in mind, they all look like the picture above, (adorable!).
So instead, I'm going to share what took place after we got "the shot."

Our publisher is so sweet. She brought all the yummies for an apple pie and child-sized pans and aprons for the girls to play with. So M got to make a real pie, just for herself!

M's little sister, L, wasn't too keen at first on my lens hanging out in her face... but when she saw how much fun her big sister was having in the kitchen....

.... like here ... and ...

.... here ....

.... L soon forgot all about me and my big 'ole camera and got right to work baking her own pie...though hers was imaginary.

:)


A giant, heaping mouthful of your own pretend-baked goodness. mmmmm

M & L were great little models.

We did several shots with just M & her "Granna", (since you never know the outcome with a 2 & 1/2 yr. old!), but I'm so happy the final cut was a shot of all three girls.

Here they are!

*PERFECT!*

I can't believe that this shot is season-appropriate & it's already time to get the Thanksgiving recipes dusted off! Where has this year gone???
Though that makes me think, for me, getting my dream off the ground, with my husband, family, & friends' support, it's surely been one of the best yet.

Lights, Camera....Cuteness

I remembered I didn't blog the outtakes from the Denton Connection October cover shoot, (it was shot back in August)! Of course the November cover has also come and gone, so I'll blog November's tomorrow.

I like to show the outtakes because there are so many to choose from, and while my favorite was definitely the one that made the cover, this cutie gave us so many adorable images!

CUTE old man face, like he lost his teeth! (or more-so, he doesn't even have that many!)

I thought that face would look adorable in black & white...

What do you think? Do you have a preference?
(b/w vs. color)

Now this sweet baby face I just KNEW had to be in black/white...

YEP! Definitely prefer the b/w here... *too* sweet.... little baby lips.


And now.....the COVER..........

Adorable! Like he's giving a "thumbs up".
:)

Scooter!

Birthday boy A turns 1 in just a couple days!

(This picture cracks me up!!!)

I think the face captured here is a mixture of "Fun!" & "Help!"
:)

I can't tell who is having more fun, A or his Daddy?

A favorite toy is a great assistant for a photographer to help keep a little one's attention!
A loves his "moooooo" toy, (the one where you tip it upside down and it says "moooooo"). I remember having one of those when I was little!

(I loved this couch! Can you see the polka-dotted pillow?.....love me some polka dots!)

Watching his Mommy act silly for him....

:)

It was *SO* adorable to see A's eyes light up when he saw Daddy wheel his car in. It was towards the end of the session, (because his smart Mommy knew that it might be a bit difficult to pry him from it if we let him play with it any sooner), and so A was starting to get a little sleepy, (been going strong for awhile!), but BAM! When that car rolled in, A's world was an instant wonderland.

He's a pro at standing, (with a little hand from Mommy & Daddy), but walking is just around the corner. (And if it's 1/2 as fast as he can crawl, then his folks might be investing in some baby bumpers because this little man can scoot!)

See ya, bud! I hope you have the best 1st birthday a little guy could ask for.

Count down to '08 continued...

7 ... *SEVEN* sessions left available for the year 2007!

Watch HGTV?

Today I had a fun, impromptu session! A friend of mine had a request a la Designed to Sell.

Her son is putting his house on the market, so to stage it to make it look more "homey," she wanted some photos of her daughter & her son's girlfriend.
FUN!

These girls had some cute ideas!

This is definitely a business avenue I had not thought of before.
Need to stage your home? Update your photo collection Birdseye style!

(A cute expression! Laughing at her mom...)

I hope these help the house sell. Good luck!

Home Sweet Home

Smiley baby?....I think so.
K was so easy going and the cutest little 4-mo.-old chunk!

Sister L loves her baby brother, and it's so sweet to see his affection towards her.

This princess dressed up as Jasmine last night for Halloween. Fitting for her beautiful, princess bedroom! (Though you'll just have to use your imagination for that: purple walls with flowers and a mural painted on them!)

I love photographing my clients in their homes. It's like a fun, little mission for me when I walk in to scope their place out for photo nooks. Everyone is always so comfortable, and from what I've been told, it is much easier than loading up the kids/clothing changes/diaper bags/snacks/etc. & heading off to a cold studio. Look at how they are just glowing in this picture. An adorable family, for sure.

If you'd like to see a few more of this happy family, check out the galleries on my site!

:)