Laurel is gonna graduate!

Laurel is a high school senior this year! During her session, we talked about family and how she plans to go away for college. I am certain that her two younger sisters will miss their big sister more than she knows. In fact, I am not even certain that Laurel knows how incredibly stunning she is inside and out.... which makes her that much more beautiful!

Purple+ green+ Lauren= spring!

What celebrity does Laurel remind you of???? I have someone in mind. :o)

Gorgeous.

Laurel, Thank you for a wonderful evening session and not being discouraged by the wind! It gave you true model hair that we could have never created on our own. :o) I look forward to capturing you and your younger sisters in a girls only session!! Sarah

Tanner Campbell is gonna graduate!

Tanner Campbell walks into my studio and the first thing I notice about him is his six and a half foot tall stature quickly followed by his perfectly white teeth. Later I found out that he has never even worn braces! Tanner has many loves of his life.... one of which is his car (and possibly driving his car to the Melting Pot with Sam, his girlfriend....?) There was this 'all American' feel about Tanner. I learned about his camping trips with his dad, I witnessed the way he treats his mom with respect. He talked of his friends with a smile drawn across his face and Tanner stands tall claiming all six and a half feet of himself and the man he is becoming. As he should!


Look at those perfect teeth!!
Model material right here.

I love this shot of Tanner!


Too cool.

To Tanner's parents: Roxanne and Gaylord, between Juliette and Tanner (and even little Dottie and Paradise) you have every right to be proud of your outstanding parenting. Now that Tanner is going off to college your house may be more quiet, the meals a little spicier but the entire time you can burst with pride knowing that somewhere in this world are two amazing human beings because of you. Oh and Tanner, HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY!

Opal is gonna graduate!

Now that Opal is getting ready to graduate I can't help but think of the time we were playing in my bedroom with our freshly painted fingernails. She was 6 years old and we started playing with my tape recorder, which I often used to record myself singing to. (I can't believe I just admitted that!) As I pressed record and placed the recorder up to Opals mouth, her impromptu song flowed from her lips, 'Hey pretty lady don't you ever stop just go, go, go.... hey hey pretty lady don't you ever stop just go, go, go....... you can't be stopped.' (I will have to find the tape for you one day so you can hear it for yourself!)

Opal was a miracle angel from the moment she arrived on earth. She was born premature and I remember my mom describing baby Opal as the tiniest baby she had ever seen. My mom told me that Opal's head was no bigger than a small tangerine and that her hands were as tiny as a porcelain doll and even smaller were her itsy bitsy fingernails, like a delicate speck of paint. I remember mom searching through my Cabbage Patch Dolls clothing just so Opal could be properly dressed until she left the hospital. Opal's mother, Lucyann, was born with her own challenges. Lucyann was born with muscular dystrophy and at only the age of one and a half she developed rheumatic fever. Opal has closely watched her mother go through two open heart surgeries and countless trips to the ER. Something a child should never have to see her own mother go through.... the constant worry of her own mother's life always on Opal's mind. When Opal was ten years old, I remember her asking me how old she had to be to get a job so she could help her mom 'get money'. It was what she most looked forward to doing. Most ten years old girls look forward to rollerskating and slumber parties and wanting cute hair ties. Opal looked forward to helping her family survive. And she did just that.

She has a perfect laugh.

When I saw this stop sign laying on the ground... it made me think of her song and I got goosebumps all over.
Lovin' the hair!
Stunning lady.
I love love LOVE this image of Opal. She is beautiful inside and out!
My sweet cousin Opal, you were born as an angel and placed straight into 'the real world' for a reason. Together you and your mom are true survivors and I am bursting with pride and feel so privileged to say that you are my family.Congratulations on your graduation!
Hey hey there world, there is a pretty lady named Opal and she can't be stopped...

.....just go, go, go..

.....you can't be stopped.

Rachelle's portrait session!

One of my awesome photogs, Guadalupe, had a session with Rachelle this week. Here are some interesting facts about Rachelle. She llloooves to ball room dance! She started ballroom dance a little over a year ago with Bill Zimmerman at Enchanted Ballroom and after only 5 months of training she was lucky enough to receive top scores in her age division!! Her dancing feet have taken her to places like Phoenix, Vegas and local competitions. She attends UNM where she is studying many languages.... Spanish, French, (ASL) Sign language, Latin and Japanese!! Oh, one last little thing: She is beautiful!

Look at those eyes!

Lovin' her attitude!

Sassy.

Rachelle and her gorgeous and powerful dancing legs.

We wish Rachelle much success in her goal to become a teacher!

Courtney + Niquel = sisters

My customers are fun. there is no denying this. However, I have to admit Courtney and Niquel are SUPER extra DOOPER FUN! These gals have shared a wonderful balance of friendship, encouragement, love and even shared the truck with each other. My hope is that the sharing bond they have never ever ends. You both are so incredibly LUCKY to have that special sister bond.

I was totally tickled when I saw this backdrop for you gals..... lucky LUCKY you!

Courtney has a contagious smile. She smiles and we all smile.

How cute are they!?

Niquel has eyelashes all the ladies magically wish for...

Sassy.
I love this shot!


'The truck.'

This shot makes me think of all the pinkie promises that sisters always keep.

Thank you Courtney. Thank you Niquel. When I was on my way home from your photo session I felt like I was a teen again. It was the same kinda feeling like when my mom would pick me up from a slumber party too early and I really didn't wanna go home yet. I was giggling most of the way home. It was the best ab workout I had all week!

Matt Esparza High School Senior!

I had only known Matt for 5 minutes when he began telling me the drama stories in the day of the life in high school. I found Matt to be mature beyond his age when he spoke of civil rights and I could clearly see that he is the type of person who stands up for himself with great confidence. He is also open minded and didn't think twice when I asked him to climb the side of a building- exactly my kind of customer! Many times during Matt's photo session, I found myself laughing so much that I had to stop to breathe normally for a few moments. Matt is a witty character who easily shares his life stories without hesitation of being judged.

lookin' cool here

Matt reminds me of a Hollister model in this one- minus the cologne. (Inside joke...heehee)I LOVE this shot- one of my most favorites EVER!!
lovin' the texture of this wall

His soccer ball matched the wall... who knew?

A huge thank you goes out to The Duus Family for referring Matt to me!! Thank you!!! Also, I want to personally thank Matt- thanks for being you. By the way, I am still chuckling when I think about your 'bowl-cut' comment.... you are too funny!