Women Mini Session: Valerie (my mom!)

Meet Valerie

aka my mom

aka my best friend

aka the funniest person ever.

That's right people - this is my mom! I'm just a little bit proud ;) Some you may also know her as my assistant! haha Yeah - we like to keep everything in the family around here lol. My mom is seriously one of the most amazing women you will ever meet. I could not even begin to tell you all of the sacrifices she has made for me and our family my entire life.  My mom and I have the same sense of humor - we laugh at the most ridiculous times - something the rest of the family has a hard time understanding. For example, when I asked my mom why she wanted to do this session she replied "I'm going to need good pics for my obituary some day" - I honestly do not know what I would do without her.

I promise you my mom didn't have me when she was 10 years old - she is just that amazingly beautiful - that and I look older than what I really am haha. I was so excited when my mom said she wanted to do the mini session - one because she totally deserves a little bit of pampering and two because I knew I would cherish these pictures of her forever.When I asked her what her greatest achievement was she answered "my children" - thanks mom ;)

My mom works for the Methodist Children's Home - she basically takes care of kids all day that need a little extra attention. Yeah, I don't have that kind of patience, but my mom is so selfless and loving - she is so great with those kids.

Mom - thanks for being the best ever, I love you!

xo

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Women Mini Session: Shanna

Meet Shanna

Ok let me just start out by saying - holy cowabunga to that picture! Shanna you are BEAUTIFUL! I honestly don't think I could ever meet a person who does not LOVE Shanna - she has one of the most amazing personalities - she lights up a room when she is in it and she knows how to make anyone feel special. I had met Shanna a few times before her session, but this was the first time I really got to hang out with her. She is so much fun! 

Shanna and her hubby live in Arlington where that woman has a green thumb! She enjoys landscaping and spending time with her friends. 

When I asked her what achievement in her life has made her the most proud she said getting her Masters Degree in Social Work and working with homeless military veterans. When I read that my mouth flew open - you know I LOVE our military - wow to that Shanna. You just scored even more "I adore you" points!

Shanna actually did a BFF day with her bestie from high school, Johnna - I think its so cool when you still have your friends from high school. They are definitely each others biggest fans ;)

Shanna - it was so great getting to know you. Don't you ever question your value to this world cause we need people like you - you are beautiful both inside and out!

x0

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Women Mini Session: Melissa

Meet Melissa

This was my first time meeting Melissa, but she is actually my neighbor! ha 

Melissa wanted to do this session because she is turning 40 this month, so she wanted some great pics to remember this milestone and to be glamed up for the day! Melissa you are gorgeous!

Melissa thinks her best feature are her eyes - I would have to agree - she has these really beautiful ice blue eyes.

Melissa has three wonderful boys - one which is a Marine. During her shoot whenever I would ask her about her boys or husband, Mark, she would just light up. You can tell her "boys" are the love of her life and that she would do anything for them. ;)  

Melissa also has a in home day care - so basically she has the patience of a saint! haha

Oh and by the way - I lovveee the last pic of you - so beautiful!

xo

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Women Mini Session: Shelley

Meet Shelley

Shelley and I actually go wayyyy back - we went to church together growing up and were pretty close. Sadly, after graduation, we went our separate ways and it had been several years since I had seen her. So I was thrilled when her sister, Shannan, scheduled a session for her and Shelley! I was really excited to get to see her and catch up! 

So let me just tell you - Shelley is this AMAZING opera singer - she is currently at Baylor, but is about to graduate. I recently went to Baylor to take pictures of her lead role as Susanna in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." Let me just say I was BLOWN away - Shelley sang pretty much non stop in this almost 4 hour performance and she sang it all in Italian! Umm hello - I cant even count to ten in Spanish! 

Oh and did I mention she may be going to Europe to sing before to long?!?!? 

And you know I just had to throw one in of her and her sister, Shannan! We were laughing non stop this entire shoot ;) I just adore these girls!

I really love this last picture - I love the old feel to it - it just reminds me of like 1940's glam or something. Yep I love it!

Shelley - it was SO great to see you again and catch up - lets not wait another 5+ years to see each other again! I love seeing you follow your passion and your true gifting - I cant wait to see just how far you go!

x0

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Women Mini Session: Mary

Meet Mary

This was my first time to ever meet Mary, but I instantly liked her - she is SO easy to talk to! When I started editing her photos I was absolutely blown away by how photogenic she is...oh and her eyes - have mercy - her eyes are gorgeous!

Marys sweet boyfriend actually bought her this session for her Valentines Day gift - big brownie points for Elias!

OK I literally LOVED every single picture from her session - I seriously could not pick a favorite, but this one is perfect in my opinion ;)

Mary is the proud momma of TWIN one year old boys! Holy smokes can y'all believe that?!? I can not imagine what her day to day life must be like! ha She was really excited about the session because she said their birth she hadn't had much time to do anything for herself. She actually told me she almost didn't come that morning because one of the boys was sick - but she knew she needed this and decided it was ok to let Dad take care of him ;) 

Mary actually has a cosmetology license and is totally addicted to makeup! She was tons of fun and I REALLY enjoyed getting to know her! I seriously hope to see her again soon!

Mary - you are amazing - and absolutely beautiful!

x0

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Women Mini Session: Melanie

Meet Melanie

This picture was actually my very favorite from the session - I just think she looks plain gorgeous here :)

Melanie came to the shoot for a girls day (with Jennifer & Kaci) and to get some photos for her hubby. I had only met Mel once before and it was brief so I was actually real excited to get to spend some time with her and getting to know her! She is such a fun person and was down for anything - which you know I loved! ha

In her free time Melanie likes to bake & design cakes from scratch and she loves to dance!

 

Melanie is actually from South Carolina and recently moved to the Dallas area - when I asked her what achievement in her life has made her most proud she said that while in SC she was the regional outreach coordinator for Federations of Families. She would help children/families understand,cope and overcome emotional and mental illness. Melanie also worked with the SC Board of Education on helping them meet the needs of children that suffer with emotional and mental illness. Wow to that - I'm sure that was extremely difficult and rewarding all rolled into one!

Melanie's life moto is this: "Be who you are, say what you feel...because those that matter don't mind, those that mind don't matter"

Yeah, I'm liking that ;)  Melanie you rock!

x0
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Women Mini Session: Jennifer

Meet Jennifer

  Today is actually extra special because today is Jennifer's birthday! yay!

This was my first time meeting Jen - she had come to the session with some of her girlfriends, but I instantly liked her - she is so very sincere. 

She actually just moved here from South Carolina so she is having to get use to us crazy Texans and our insane weather ;)

 Jennifer thinks her best physical feature are her eyes - and after looking at these last two photos I would totally agree - her eyes say so much - they say the eyes are a window to your soul and when I look at this picture I can sense her inner strength ;)

Jen - it was so nice to meet you! Thank you for allowing me to capture this new adventure in your life! Remember- you are gorgeous!

xo

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