Roland Family: Anytime

I've expressed this before, but the significance of family photos is impressing itself on me more and more often. It's making me realize how few photos Andrew and I have. We dont have a wedding album or a photo album of any kind on our coffee table...the photos in our picture frames are about three years old. The more I shoot families and receive their emails thanking me for the memories and treasures I captured for them, the more I realize that this is something I need to be sure to start changing this year.

Over the holidays I was presented with multiple opportunities to capture the essence of families in their various parts of their journey. Christi and her sweet little girl were one of them. I'm beginning to really enjoy seeing the different types of kiddos that are in front of my camera. They're all so different! Prancing around in her little Madeline jacket trying her hardest not to complain about the cold...I laughed at how direct she was in what she wanted. She told me when she'd had enough of the cookies, when she didnt want the candy canes any more and when she'd had her fill of the Santa hat. And oddly enough, she even told me when it was time for me to go! But regardless of when she decided it was time to stop being messy and coated in sugar, she was adorable in her toothy little grin and engaging little inquisitive eyes.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Jocelyn and Ceci: Kiddos

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

Andrew is the middle child. That right there answers a lot about his personality; he has one older sister and one younger brother. During some of those awkward moments in our dating life and early married bliss, he would say "it's okay, I have a sister" like that set the world rotating in the right direction again. The closest thing that I've ever had to a sister was Megan. So when Andrew and I got married, it was incredibly strange to me to think that I have a sister. Brother's I understood, I have one of those, but sister? That was an entirely different matter.

So, when Andrew's sister came back into town to visit for a bit and she asked for some pictures, I figured it would be not only a good way to do something that I do well for her, but also a good way to answer that question that I kept asking myself. The more I asked it, the more complicated it became. But as I was shooting my nieces, the answer became super simple: do it until you dont. I know, kinda riddle-me-this-Batman-like huh? But seriously, it seems like such a no-brainer answer to me now. Just shoot. If one day I like it and the next day I dont, then I'm no worse for wear.

Oh, and it's giveaway time! For anyone who, on their honor, can tell me who said the quote mentioned above, without searching on Google or through books gets a free iTunes gift card! Post your answer in the comments with your mailing address and the first person to get it right wins the musical goodness!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Hope's 1 Year

I posted a few days ago a sneak peak of a recent shoot. You know, the shoot that made me rethink my existence? Okay, will not my existence but at least whether or not I want to shoot babies. Yeah, that one.

Well, prepare for the cuteness! And cupcakes...I'm still having crazy crazy craving for cupcakes. Now, usually I'd have a cute little story about watching Hope squish, stomp, and throw the sugary goodness. Usually I'd describe how much I laughed as she kept trying to get the sticky pink and green off of her hands only to discover that it actually tastes good! But instead, instead of my cute little story, I'm going to just post the highlights. Because if I'm being completely honest, I still dont know what to do about this...

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Reynolds Kiddos

I cant imagine having a twin. I honestly cant even imagine having a sister. I remember growing up, I always wanted an older brother, but I never did want a sister. Instead, I clung to my bosom friend. You know, "--a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul." {And yes, that was an Anne of Green Gables reference for those of you who noticed} But when those friends werent prevalent in my life, I was pretty much an imaginative loner. But every time I hear people talk about their sisters, their twins, or watching movies such as Pride and Prejudice, I wonder what life would be like if there was another me...or rather, someone else who looked like me. Knowing myself as I do, I would probably go to the polar opposite extreme. I wouldnt want to look a thing like her; I'd go out of my way to be different, unique, to stand apart from her.

Why am I talking about twins in such depth? Two answers to that. One, it's nearly midnight, and I get super thoughtful and often irritatingly chatty after 10pm. Two, I had the privileged of shooting a group of children whos mother is in fact, a twin!

You may recall from a blog post a long time ago, Jessica Thorne from WPSM radio. We had the awesome chance to go out to Baytown Wharf and take family pictures for her. In turn, we wound up with a pretty sweet radio spot that up until a few months ago, I hadnt even heard. I would always get phone calls like "Hey Cassie! I just heard your radio ad!" or the ever popular "That girl on the radio is talking about you guys again!" But yes, back to twins. Jessica is a twin! As if there could not be enough gorgeousness once, there are two of them! Jessica and Jennifer are by far two of the most stunning people I have ever met. A lot of the times, as most of us learn in highschool, those drop dead beautiful people sometimes are not always so nice. But I have to genuinely say that both Jessica and Jennifer are extremely beautiful, bright, joyful people. I found myself drawn to their warmth, their laughter, and their honest happiness towards life.

Jennifer contacted me about a month ago and couldnt stop raving about her sisters family photos. So, a long trip from Kentucky later and there we were taking photos of another set of happy kiddos. I didnt learn this until after the fact, but one of Jennifer's little girls is in love with the Wizard of Oz! I knew there was a reason I liked this kid!! I felt a little guilty after the fact because when I was getting dressed for the shoot, I decided not to wear my ruby red slippers...I know, shocking right?

So, as I realize that I am rambling and creating a book out of an intended short post, I give you the Reynolds kiddos!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Reynolds Kiddos: The Sneak

Decorating a home is tough stuff! I used to think I was this great decorator...but now that I have a ton of space to decorate, I'm seriously overwhelmed! Oh sure, if I wanted to spend $3,000 per room, I could have exactly what I want...but there's that frightening little three accompanied by a whole lot of zeros that's holding me back.

So, editing has been my escape. Andrew comes home from work and I'm knee deep in editing with a frustrated look on my face. "Havent found what you want yet?" "Nope...but I've got tons of editing done." "Oh, well...that's good. Are we just never going to have furniture?" "Yup." "Okay, sweet."

Lucky for me, I have amazing clients to edit. I mean, take a peak of a recent family turned kiddos shoot that we had. I'll have more to come soon but just look at this sweet little girl!!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie