Evelyn Laws.

Slideshow Sweetness!!!

A video for the Sanders!

Yes, I know it's been a whole MONTH since I've blogged....but I'm waiting on the new one to be designed!  All new colors that will be gloriously simple, clean, and modern! I will be changing names to combine both my individual portrait and joint weddings businesses so that everything will be housed in one place.  SIMPLIFY  is the work of the year for me!  I will be busy the rest of the year with two more weddings and the Christmas season portrait frenzy but mostly with restructuring, branding, and getting organized for 2010!

For today though, as I sit at this computer for the umteenth hour, I thought I would share this adorable video of my session with the precious Sanders Family back in November of last year.  This precious family isleaving Pensacola for the great city (well, I wouldn't know but am itching to find out!) of Nashville! I know so many people are so sad to see them go.  We wish you all the best in your new life in Tennessee and hope to have you return sooner than later!  It has been such a pleasure knowing you guys and am especially thankful to Dr. Sanders for his complete dedication to our Autism Community.  His soft spoken nature coupled with his dedicated passion that this man has to help our children is truly amazing.....and completely heartwarming to someone like me, who lives with this disorder every day.  I wish nothing but the best to Abby, Kevin, Eliza, and Alex on your new journey.  I hope to capture more wonderful moments of your family in the years to come. Nashville or not!  Enjoy the slideshow....

e.

Wedding, Dane Sanders, Graduation, Wedding.

 YUP.....you read right!  I have the pleasure of shooting the wedding of Doctors Michael Caluda and Shannon Scheuffler this weeekend at Christ Church in Pensacola with the Reception being held at the Pensacola Country Club. 

The rehearsal dinner was last night at the fabulous Jackson's Restaurant in Downtown and I just had to post a few sneek peeks!  I don't have time to post many now and haven't gone through most of them but just had to grab a few to show.
The church does not allow photography during the wedding, so I got some fun shots of them rehearsing and they are adorable!

  I just LOVE this one of Colin below.  When everyone bowed their heads to pray before Father Hill started the rehearsal, he sat in the back alone and I just thought this image was priceless.

So, I'm on a wedding, workshop whirlwind and until JUNE 1, I am above and beyond what the word busy embodies. Seriously.   After the wedding today, I'll be flying out to Houston to participate in Dane Sanders' Fast Track Workshop and then will fly back to attend my baby boy's PRE-K Graduation!!!  After which time I will drive back to New Orleans to shoot Mrs. Caluda's adorable sister's wedding!  WHEW.........More on on that later.....

Shannon and Michael,

The most sincere and best wishes to you now and always!  THANK YOU for allowing me to capture what I know will be one of the best days of your entire lives.  You have an obvious love for each other that I know will last forever.......through it all, you have found one another and will get to share this love with your children, family, and friends for a lifetime.  I look forward to this afternoon....it's going to be FABULOUS!!! 

BABY G........life.style.art.

For some reason, I just had to post these very "LIFESTYLE" portraits that were done THIS MORNING (yes, i know...can you even believe it?  me either) because I was so fascinated and humored by big sister's expression in photograph #2.........see, big sis really wanted nothing to do with little sis or being in front of the camera. I was afraid that with her lack of interest (rubbing off on the little one, might i add!) that we might not get a really good family shot with her in it. But, much to my surprise........

VOILA!  The perfect family photograph that is nothing short of adorable and timeless and HYSTERICAL.  Absolutely NOT your typical, stiff portrait......but this is the essence of what I do.  These photographs totally characterize my style.  They are validating and uplifting. And that makes me HAPPY.

I am still very much struggling with my branding and colors (Fast Track Photographer Workshop...here I come!) and the like, but the more that time goes on, the more I really enjoy my little slogan.........because I really feel like my images are full of life, graced with style (some of mine, and most of my clients), and it is my art.  That becomes yours.  To share with the rest of the world.  Moments are created every day. Time can never be relived. Moments happen that will never be again.  Photographs truly are a gift.  A prized possession that gives you back memories of a time that can never be experienced again. But the photograph.....will let you visit for a short while. It will jog your memory of what was.  Of what was a part of you.  Your family.

Take photographs of your family.  Enjoy the tears, the smiles, the growth, the triumphs, the milestones, the wrinkles, the imperfections, and the laughter.  This family below was the best. So calm. So true. So gracious. They are moving from Pensacola in ONE WEEK.  They had this precious new bundle ONE WEEK AGO. But still.......in the middle of what should be complete chaos......took the time to capture this moment.  These moments.  They made photographs that will last a lifetime a priority smack dab in the middle of the mayhem that we call life. Mom described this time as , "Moments we can't ever get back!"

Pretty Amazing.

Thank you Strickland family.  You were wonderful.

E.

Beautiful baby J

Pure. D. Cuteness.  What can I say???  I just wanted to stop in for a bit to say hello and to post some photographs of the beautiful and miracle baby J.  I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting this family who is related to a best friend of mine that lives in Pensacola.  This family just returned to Cajun Country from California (how's THAT for change? heehee.) and called me up to do some photographs of their precious new angel.

 

Apparently the first three months for the wee little princess were a bit rough, and coming up for air is hard to do sometimes.  I know, I did it.  Sometimes you get a fussy/colicky baby and sometimes not.  When you do......well.........I'll leave it at that.  The session went great and mom and dad are OOOOOOZing with love for little miss.  Truly one of the most precious and sincere families that I have had a chance to photograph.  Thank you, Thank you for allowing me to capture such a precious time in your child's life.  It was an honor.

Cajuns Return to Pensacola.......

 Fat. Stuffed. And Happy.

 

And ready for a routine!  Spring Break was a wonderful time spent shooting a wedding on an amazing plantation, another bride, babies, and more cajun babies........and of course, eating crawfish and chocolate around the clock with my wonderful and adorable family. I miss them so much it hurts sometimes.  The autism hurt a lot this time too.

 

 It doesn't always, but this time it did.  The 5th birthday is fast approaching and it's got me twisted. Things aren't clicking for him now, but I know soon we'll break through again and will feel more triumphant than I did before.  The outburst and tantrums are driving me in the ground. For now, I'm exhausted with a list I'll never finish and a grand plan to FIX my baby.  To help him enjoy all of the things that everyone else gets to enjoy. Organically.

 I wanted to share some of my edited fotos from my family time and have many more to show from Josh and Robin's wedding and from my sessions with little Miss Julia (3 months).  Here are some of our Chauvin babies and of course, our newest little Chauvin.......Noah. (also 3 months, who is without a doubt....NOT LITTLE. the rolls are endless.)  who I just cannot resist posting about tonight.  The cuteness of his little face just wears me slap out. TRULY.  I think he just reminds me so much of Lily when she was a baby.....I don't know......but someone help me out!!!

 

And here's one more of my baby JohnDavid "wrastling" with my Lawsy boy.  This photograph is not only one of my all time favorite but is a memory and a moment that is so profound. So simple. So mundane. But SO profound. This moment is a glimpse of normalcy for Laws. For me. For us. 

A photograph like this could never have a pricetag in my book. Never.  Up until now, Laws has been afraid of JohnDavid. He winces and puts his skinny little arms up at the rambunctious, vivacious, and tough little 2 year old cousin who tries to enter his personal space much to much for his liking.  He has started to actually enjoy it and we are teaching him to really fight back and stand up to that little 2 year old cajun who has stolen the heart of everyone around him. 

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Hickman-Hebert Wedding Sneak Peek below.........Nite Nite!!

BOO!

 

Scared you didn't I?  And it's not even Halloween! (much to the dismay of my little Rain Man of a son who becomes regularly OBSESSED with pumpkins every November. And for the next 6-8 months afteward. Only to do it all over again the next November.)

The poor. Wretched. little. Neglected. BLOG.  Let me just say a few words without any more explanations that no one will believe anyway....(insert chuckle)

1. I'm "working" on new branding.

2. And two new blog (s).  Yes, two of them. Working is sort of a relative term at this point. But working, nonetheless. Wink.

3. I'm going to be published.

4. I've traveled to DC twice in 3 weeks. Being published is associated with said traveling. Modern Portrait Workshop is also associated with said traveling. 

5. I've traveled TWICE since my kids were born.

6. Not really. That was a sarcastic joke. But you get the point. ;)

7. Being published took me by surprise.  And I love it. More to come.....on that front. Soon. 

8. I'm booking weddings left and right. 

9. I think I'm going to LOVE shooting weddings. A year ago, I said you couldn't pay me enough money to shoot them. Go figure.

10. I have a pet mouse. 

11.  Ok. So that was a joke too. He lives in my office. I think he may have friends. I'm reconsidering the office/studio. ;)

12. And not reconsidering the dog. Franklin. Still love the dog. Very much a miracle, I tell you.

12. Still haven't found a suitable Kindergarten for my Kindergarten age son. He doesn't fit in. Anywhere.  Too autistic to be typical. Too typical to be obviously autistic. Well, sometimes anway.

13. The Modern Portrait Workshop in DC rocked. I can't wait to implement ALL of what Justine and Diana taught. The journey is just simply....so much fun. :) 

14. I am sick of taxes.  DC was a reminder.

15. I love watching my children roll around in the bed together. Happy. Happy. Happy.

16. I will post photographs below.  Random favorites from recent.  Aside from the amazing bridals at Houmas House in Baton Rouge. More on those once the wedding is over. This next weekend!

17. I feel like a real photographer. Finally. Now only if I would also feel like a business woman......wonder when THAT will happen?

18.  I love other people's babies. Infants, I mean. Well, you know what I MEAN!!  They are just so dang soft and squishy and fragile and precious and for someone ELSE! One of my BFF's had her darling and ever so beautiful daughter on St. Patrick's Day. We welcome you Miss Rice!

19. They named her Eleanor. Here she is.....

 

Makes me grit my teeth. Hard.

 

 

20. Speaking of gritting my teeth.....have you ever in your life seen a cuter or fatter 4 month old. EVER?  I received this photo from my brother a few days ago and I have not stopped chuckling since. Well, more like......laughing until I choke. But that's beside the point.

 

We love you Noah Man....we are coming to squeeze your guts out soon. Very soon.  We will hurt you, I'm afraid!!  So get ready, my little cajun Chauvin bebe!

e.

Slideshow Awesomeness!!

Just to say...I'm here!

Thought this little fun video would be a nice, simple little hello to all of you.  First time creating one of these and didn't turn out quite like I had anticipated, but for now it's good! It's all GOOD.

More to come from my travels as of late and some exciting news to mention.....can't wait to share......with all of you.  So many amazing photos to post and thoughts to spread around!  It's after midnight. I'm going down.....NITE!

Morette Family Shoot, More Vegas, and Loving my Kids, and the LIST and....

 

What a fun bunch this was....... the adorable Morette Family, who I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing this past weekend!

 
I have to say too, that while I've shot tons of people, places, and things I'm not sure I've ever tackled the task of SIX adults for a family shoot. I think for the most part all of my families have had children in there somewhere, but not this time. Well.....except for the bebe on the way in about 5 more months for one of the precious couples you see below!

 I hope you guys are enjoying the photos as much as I enjoyed doing them for you.  So many more than I can show here but had to get some up for all to see. 

 Not to mention I'm all hyped up on diet coke and can't sleep....when I got a whopping 5 hours last night.  I wonder how many nights in a row I can go with less than my necessary 8 hours?  hmmmm......and speaking of not getting any sleep let's see some more photos of VEGAS shall we? 

I'll be editing this Neon Boneyard shoot for months, I imagine.  So many fun colors and poses and facial expressions.....with so many possibilities!  I've decided I'll do them slowly so that when I'm tired of doing taxes, working on marketing/branding, or doing laundry and need a fun little break I'll just pull these up and work on a few here and there.

Gosh, aren't these just the funnest little bits of eye candy.....and I love that I can just play around with different color levels and textures and actions.....without anyone to please but me. Well....and you guys too of course.  Wink, wink.  This creative process that I am experiencing and evolving with is such a gift.  Such an outlet.  Such fun. Not just the photography that seems to be such a passion within itself, but the thoughts and words that I most often think about (or rather think about nonstop) and too often don't put down on paper.   I wonder when I'll ever just accept what is in front of me and run with all of the goodness and never look back.  I find lately that most of what holds me (and a lot of other folks too. ;)) back from truly finding happiness and success and contentment is....themselves. ME.  Or my mind, rather.  The back and forth, like a tennis match, of self soothing or self destructive (depending on the moment. heehee.) conversations which plague my existence and which stop me in my tracks on most days.  I wonder sometimes if I will ever just say what's on my mind.  And in my heart. And just.....what I need to say.  (insert chorus in head.....by Jon Mayer...."Say whatcha Need to SAY......say watcha need to say.....")

It's like there's so much swarming around in my head....little golden nuggets of advice or tidbits of info that might shed light on other intangible parts of my life.  Of the world.  Of me. 

 

 Ewwww...digresssion, Evelyn.  Is there a twelve step process for this.  A group home maybe?  Ahhhhh.....the artist's heart taking over the idiot's brain.  I think I'm just in discovery mode and I think it's gonna last many years.  I feel like my photographs have a long way to go and I'm being stopped by so many things that are also miracles. Children. Necessities. Autism. Dogs.

Not stopped, just S-L-O-W-E-D down. A lot. And I want my images to SPEAK.  But I want to SPEAK too.  I want to take photographs.  But I also want to WRITE.  It's almost like my brain feels too practical for such impracticalities.  Especially with two children. Especially with Autism.  Like I should be dedicating my life to them. To it.  To the dog. Just kidding. HeeHee.  I was amazed to see so many folks. So many MOMS.  Enjoying their PLANNED week in Vegas attending class after class and networking in between workshops, classes, seminars, and parties........and I wondered.  Do they feel guilty like me for leaving. But I only allowed myself 48 hours there.  And most stayed the whole week!  I think my rate of ability and my unwavering desire to learn about my art is being slowed down by my level of dedication to my motherly obligations. I hardly spoke the whole time I was there. It was so weird.  But then again, I was ON DRAMAMINE.  Not talking is so ODD for me. As most of you know. It makes the opportunity cost higher than I am comfortable with at this point in time. Because really, they are only small once.  And even though I dream of writing a book filled with my images alongside my words and dream of actually learning photoshop and dream of figuring out the most economical and financially sound way to run a business and just dream of sleep and freedom and success and recognition..............my children are without a doubt the most important things in my life.  And if it means it'll take me 3 or 5 or  10 more years to get where some of my colleages are getting in 1, then......I get to go slow.  And learn to enjoy the ride.  And the dog. And the sunglasses. And the tie.

See.  This little boy, and my soon to be 8 year old baby girl have given me so much more than I give them.  And in the process of feeling creatively and academically thwarted and frustrated by having to fulfill all of the roles it takes to be a mother.........I grow. And appreciate.  And learn.  And learn some more.  About them. About me.  And fairness.  And Saturn.  And Miley Cyrus.  And so many more things that I would have never learned had I not been their mom.  I mean....look at this kid from the lens of my iPhone G3......even though the lens is a little fuzzy and the photos a little blurry, i can CLEARLY see what I so often times just stay put for.  Just fall behind the pack for.  And GOD are they worth it!

 

DANG...gotta get to that LIST.   There's that artist again.  Hello attention deficit, how are you again?  I'm going to bed. After I take out the dog. And give Lily cough medicine.  Tomorrow's gonna be FUN.

e.