Life.Beautiful.

Paisley Skye is Turning 1

tawnyahood — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:36:09 +0000

So, once again, the blog has been negleted due to the phenomenon of Facebook. It is just so much easier to post a quick little something over there and be done with it. Well, today I thought about a little post on the blog. On March 2, Paisley will be turning 1. And as a tradition in our family, we always host a big birthday bash for their first birthday. I can still remember Kalei’s 8 years ago. Or is it 7? Either way, life was a tad bit more simple and my mind was not ALWAYS on such a creative overload. Thus, her party was a bit more simple, more laid back. Then Brighton came along not too far after her, and we did a super fun and rather elaborate “Under The Big Top” party. The kids LOVED it and had a blast although mine were probably too young to remember. We had games, popcorn, tickets, etc….. it was so much fun. Even if an unexpected COLD front moved thru Arizona that weekend. It was like 40 degrees out or something. Then once again the 1st Birthday Bash Bug struck again when Reesie turned one. We had a “polka dot” party for her. And the most time consuming task for that event was the Topsy Turvey Cake I made and my friend Lou helped me roll out the fondant for the top of all the layers. Let me tell ya, the years of pie making has surely helped her rolling skills.

Well, now sweet P is turning 1 and originally we were going to do a Luau theme, but after some thought, I decided that since she shares her birthday with her big brother, why not host another “Under the Big Top” party? But this time, my plan is to do it with a little more flair and forgo the tradition circus colors and do more of a vintage circus theme- French circus- Cirque Du Paisley!

Of course my mind is going CRAZY with ideas and thoughts. But I am keeping to a tight budget and I am trying to do things with what I have. I am spending some money and loving how my thoughts are finally coming together!!!!!

Here are a few things of inspiration:

First found on etsy ( a digital download) by Itkupilli. There are two of their that I like, I have to decide which on to purchase.

And some FUN fabrics that I will be making a pennant flag from.

There is so much more, but I just wanted to give a little sneak peak!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nate {Age 8} Freestone Skate Park, Gilbert AZ

tawnyahood — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:27:25 +0000

Nater S8er turns 8. Wow. Does Time FLY. I always have a great time with this family. They know just what I like…..photographing kids in their element, environment, doing what they LOVE! Nate even got to miss a little over an hour of school on Tuesday morning so we could head to the skate park while no one was there. That was our hope and we were alone for a little while until two older “boys” showed up. They were great, gave Nate a few pointers and tried to watch their mouths. I did hear one of them slip and the other was quick to correct him. Nate had a great time and I was loving how he just rolled with the shoot and skated away. Toward the end of our shoot, he suddenly had the idea that Sponge Bob on the bottom of his board was not so cool, and he started ripping it off. Gotta love an 8 year old boy, who is still exploring who he is and discovering all the thrills life has to offer. Nothing like it.

Thanks Nate for a fun morning.

Katey & Stephen Spach

tawnyahood — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:18:58 +0000

She is a lover of horses, a rider since age 5. He is a lover of sports, a pro ball player. Together they are a gorgeous couple who are so genuine and sweet. As I watched Katey care for the horses, and as I chatted with her, it seemed as we had known each other for years- that is how down to earth she was and how easy going she was. When Stephen showed up, and I started chatting with him, I felt as though I was looking at an old friend (he looks a lot like his sister- who is an old friend of mine). He too, was just as sweet as Katey- down to earth and easy to get along with. Katey had recently got a new horse, Chaz, he is a 3 year old Oldenburg gelding. Chaz is massive and an absolutely GORGEOUS horse. Because he was new, Katey wanted to be sure to get some images of him with her. So we did, along with her other horse Valentina and their horse of a dog, Baxter. Baxter was such a good boy and secretly I wanted to take him home with me. At first Chaz was not happy having Baxter around, but we took sometime to introduce them slowly and after a few minutes, Chaz had found a new best friend. It was so sweet. I had such a fun time, and I have decided that I am just destined to photography horses, dogs and other animals with their people.

Thanks Katey and Stephen, here are a few of my favorites. There were so many awesome ones, I had a hard time choosing.

The WHOLE Smith Family

tawnyahood — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:53:28 +0000

The final family from the Pinetop weekend. And what an awesome family to end with. Once again, this session proved to be full of fun and laughter. From giving Luke a new nickname “Mr. Titleman” ( he is the mayor and vice principal), to digging into Rachel’s eye to get part of a cattail out- this family knows how to make memories. I did take pictures of the small surgery Kristen and Josh performed, but I just can’t stand to look at them (because they are of the eye) so, I am not going to post them here. The whole thing had me crying. But honestly, I had so much fun and the whole family is such a beautiful family- thanks for having me be your family photographer.

Smith Family~ Pinetop, AZ

tawnyahood — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:21:24 +0000

This fourth family from the weekend- actually had two parts: the immediate Smith Family that is below and then the extended Smith Family- who is up next! I had so much fun as I was going thru these images. These boys are such good friends and have such a fun time when they are together. The laughs and smiles were making me laugh out loud as I was editing away. Especially the “joy ” picture. If you notice the first joy picture- the boys joy is so obvious on there faces (or not)! LOL. Anyway, we had a fun time and I just love the images. Here are a few of my favorite.

Landrey Family ~ Pinetop, AZ

tawnyahood — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:36:40 +0000

Family number 3 from the weekend shoot, happens to be my sister-in-law and her super cute family. My nieces and nephews- all so cute and Emily- the oldest was loving the camera. She couldn’t pose enough for me, she is a beautiful girl, they all are and they are such beautiful friends to all of my children too. They wanted to update the big family picture that hangs in their living room, so they wore red and black and white. The red to match some of their walls, the black to batch their couch and other furniture and white- to break it up a bit. What a perfect idea. Here are a few of my favorites!

Giannetti Family ~Pinetop, AZ

tawnyahood — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:37:04 +0000

Family number 2 from the weekend was the Giannetti family. So cute- so sweet. You may recognize both the little cuties, Aaron and Carter, from sessions in the past few months or so. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Hemmings Family~ Pinetop, AZ

tawnyahood — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:26:10 +0000

This past weekend, I got the pleasure of driving up north to photograph 5 family sessions. I was so excited and ready for some nice cold weather- secretly wishing and hoping for snow. Maybe I missed a candle on my last birthday cake, because there was no snow and no COLD weather awaiting me in the beautiful north country. Instead a warm 75 degrees is what my car thermometer read Friday afternoon when I arrived. Nonetheless, I was excited to photograph a family that has been coming to be year after year for 3 years now. And Sonya, the domestic diva, has become a friend of mine as time has passed. I just LOVE watching her children grow and develop and document them in these little steps in life. All of Shawn and Sonya’s children are very well behaved and full of life and energy. Anytime, I get to work with more than one child- there is always some bit of a challenge. The funny thing was, as I went thru the images, there would be images that all of the children were either smiling laughing or looking at me, and I would think Ah-ha! Perfect! Then I would see either Shawn or Sonya had their eyes closed. But I must be honest and say, I do not blame them or find fault, we had some pretty harsh lighting to deal with and when it comes to photography- harsh light is not our friend. Even with the harsh lighting, two parents that wouldn’t keep their eyes open (totally kidding here), and 4 energetic kids, I am pretty pleased with the results we got. Thank you Hemmings family for letting me hang out with you for the afternoon!

Maggi {age 2}

tawnyahood — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:52:38 +0000

Wow! I cannot believe how time has flown by. It only seems like yesterday when I met Traci at Babies ‘r Us and baby Maggi was growing inside her. Before my eyes- I have watched this beautiful belly transform into a beautiful baby and now into a beautiful little girl. This year, as I visited the family, it was my 4th time photographing them in the past 3 years. Each year, I anxiously await and anticipate the email that Traci sends me. She has been saving and planning for a year and is ready for me to come out to their home once again. I just LOVE it and get so excited every time I get to go out there. not only do I get to se Steve, Traci and Maggi- I also get to see all there animals. I think they are up to 3 dogs now ,Rayna (-sp??) the little chihuahua still gets so antsy when I show up. One of these days she will be happy to see me like the other two. They still have the llama, two cats, a bunch of fish, a handful of horses and one of the newest additions, is Miss Buttercup better known as “bahhboo” with the cutest puckering of lips as Maggi says it. She is Mags’ pony.

What a fun day we had. We started out with a tea party with Bear and George- it was fabulous. Then quick change of wardrobe to the cow girl boots, wranglers and cow girl hat. And we were off to explore the world of a little cow girl in the wild west. As I followed Maggi around, I could sense the joy and freedom she felt from living in her own little paradise( and if I can be honest here- my paradise). What more could a girl want? Space to roam, animals to lead and ride, fish to gaze at and flowers a plenty for picking- and that is just what she did.

Maggi, you have the best facial expressions, the sweetest smile, the cutest laugh, the greatest love for your pony friend- buttercup, and THE MOST PERFECT LITTLE HEART LIPS EVER!!!!! I could have stayed with you for a week. You did such an awesome job- and never had a terrible moment, the whole 3 hours I was there. I cannot wait to see you again next year…..and the next….and the next!

Here are a handful of favorites. (There were so many I loved!)

Kristyn & Brandon {get to know you}

tawnyahood — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:46:06 +0000

Well, if I can be honest- this couple was one of the hottest I have ever photographed. They are both so darned cute together and separately they are just as adorable! Can I also say that this is the first time I have ever left an e-session feeling like a total DORK. I thought that I was being funny and chatty- but I have a feeling these two thought otherwise. Now, do not take me wrong, both Kristyn and Brandon are super sweet people. However, I think my conversation skills were totally off the chart in a backwards sort of way that evening. They were both so soft spoken and didn’t have a whole lot to say. And for those of you that know me- I talk about everything and anything. Nonetheless, I had a great time and I can only hope that they did too. My favorite part of the shoot was when they would get a little silly and start laughing with each other. I did get to learn that she is a nurse and he is a firefighter. Let me tell you when I found that out, my imagination went crazy. I kept envisioning a whole different session with uniforms and props. HA! I think I really am a dork. Or maybe these two are just so darned cute and HOT- that I can’t keep up. Thanks you two for hanging out with me and letting me get to know you a little better.

I cannot wait until your March wedding- I am sure it will be absolutely BEAUTIFUL and I am so THRILLED it is at one of my favorite venues: The Desert Botanical Gardens.

I really love this little series.