Shane - Class of 2012 {Portland Waterfront}

I met up with Shane on a bright sunny afternoon on the Portland Waterfront near OMSI. The first thing I noticed about Shane was his pretty hazel eyes. The sun was really bright by the time we began our shoot, and Shane mentioned that he was practically a vampire, spending much time gaming. The sun was really bothering those hazel eyes! For that reason, we moved away from the water and spent most of our session in a nearby shaded alley way with railroad tracks and a colorful mural. Shane was really taken with the mural, and I as thrilled to photograph him in front of it.

Thanks Shane, for such a fun session! I hope you love your photos!

Tyler & Sawyer - Apples of Mommy's Eye {Heritage Farms, Hillsboro, OR}

Loved, loved, loved my session in Heritage Farms Apple Orchard with one of my favorite families, The Merlocks. Ms. Tyler is so photogenic, and loves to ham for the camera. Oh, and I did bribe her for smiles with lots of sugar free watermelon gum (Sorry, Steph and Ty!). Sweet Sawyer is smiley and so content in her Mommy or Daddy's arms.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful girls with me, Stephanie and Ty. I just adore them!

Fiona - Brown Eyed Girl {Peninsula Park, Portland, OR}

Ms. Fiona and her parents met me at Peninsula Park for portraits on a recent Saturday morning. There is such a sweetness and loveliness to this family! Little Fiona has beautiful, soulful brown eyes that, for the first half of our session, communicated a strong message of "I'm watching you Lady, stay away from me!" Gradually she warmed up and the more playful Fiona emerged, fun and goofy, successfully reenacting the "Triple Dog Dare You" telephone pole scene from A Christmas Story (yes, she licked a tree) and even more impressive, getting her parents to do the same thing. I loved observing and capturing their interactions!

Thank you Brian and Bethany! It was so much fun!

Owen & Nora - On the Run {Peninsula Park, Portland, OR}

Owen and Nora are two adorable, lollipop-loving, on-the-run kids. I had a fabulous time trying to keep ahead of them! We had a lucky late October evening of dry weather at Peninsula Park (rare!), and along with their parents, Tim and Jill, these two enjoyed some leaf fights, a few games of chase, and lots of rounds of "stick my tongue out and see if the photographer notices"(okay, that was just big brother Owen!).

Thanks so much,Tim and Jill, for letting me photograph your beautiful children!

Oliver & Zaeda {Alberta Park, Portland, OR}

After having to reschedule not once, but twice due to rain, I was finally able to meet up with Oliver and Zaeda, and their parents. I have never photographed a set of siblings who love each other so much. Really, these kids are remarkable. Zaeda did not want to sit by herself and pose, but if Oliver was with her, she was playful and smiling. I was awed by the love between these two! I don't know what kind of parenting mojo Keith and Jenny have worked, but they should write a book. I will buy it. Family shots and sibling shots (usually the toughest!) were a breeze with this family. And while little Zaeda wasn't into individual photos, I managed to get a few anyway.

Thanks, Jenny and Keith, for bearing with all the rescheduling. I'm so glad we made it work!

Lucky - Miles, Papa & Whelah

I have always felt that my children royally lucked out having not one, but two active, involved sets of grandparents. My kids love them each so much, and ask for them when we go too many weeks without getting to see them. Here's Miles with his Papa, and then Papa and Whelah together. Aren't they adorable?

Preston - Totally Boyish, Infectiously Good-Natured {Farragut Park, Portland, OR}

Once upon a time, when I was the mommy of a little 9 month old girl, I went to tour a new daycare facility. I was skeptical, uncertain. The place we had originally picked out to care for our child had not lived up to our expectations, and I wanted to be certain we weren't fooled twice.

With my critical gaze set, I entered the baby room. I took it in, from one corner to the other, and found it clean and colorful, yet peaceful. Still, I needed more assurance. And in the far corner of the room, I found him: in one of the small bassinets, laying on his tummy, bum in the air, was a gorgeous baby boy sleeping soundly. He looked to be resting easily, seemed so content. No cares, no strife.

This was a good place, I could tell.

We signed my daughter up. She and this baby, Preston, became fast friends, and have remained close. I totally adore this kid to my core. He is so lovably goofy, so totally boyish, so infectiously good-natured.

Though we don't see him often enough, when we do, its as if no time has passed. And then I look at pictures like these, and I'm reminded of how quickly its actually going.

You're 5 now, Master P, do me a favor and stay there for a while! And, keep Karter Lily with you! We both love you lots!