A fun family, willing to brave the fierce ants of Fort Pickens with me for some pictures. The ants weren’t the only creatures hanging around, we saw severals (3) friendly (by that I mean, they weren’t the least bit frightened by our presence) mice. It was also nesting season in our National Park, and a variety of birds were circling the skies. After the Fort’s relentless ants, the children asked if we could stop by the beach. I hadn’t been since the whole BP disaster, have been avoiding news reports, and wasn’t sure what to expect. I can only report what our naked eyes could see: our world famous beautiful white sand beaches, as beautiful as ever, no tar balls in sight. As everyone on the Gulf Coast, I’m devastated and appalled by the horrid negligence of the big money making gas company. It is clear to all that the wild life is and will be terribly affected by the spill. Sadly, local businesses are also already suffering from the spotlight of the media. It’s a shame we can’t be delivered honest news, instead it seems to be a fight for the most sensational story, at the expense of our communities. Our Gulf Coast communities, who have been repeatedly hit by ravaging hurricanes (Ivan, Katrina, Dennis..), who proudly pick up and rebuild, who like the rest of the world try to overcome the “bad economy”, are now hit as badly by the spill as by sensational reporting! Seriously, don’t abandon us now, we live off tourism.
Well, I certainly got carried away and lost track of introducing this nice family. Theresa came with her 4 children and her niece.

Carson and Cecelia have the best sibling relationship I’ve ever witnessed,

Known as the Q crew (from left to right), Cecilia, Jake, Matthew and Carson.

And here is Cooper, their cousin, but they’re all so close, she may as well be a sister (I love tight families),

The best group jump picture ever: everyone getting some air (way to go Carson!) and all faces are clear of arms,

Before I move on to a new session, I had to post of few of this wonderful family together. Now, it’s obvious to all, the good looks run in the gene pool.

We are now in France. Paris was all white, and when we drove home from the Marseille airport, snow was falling steadily. We woke up to a delightful scenery, overnight enough snow had collected to make a thin white blanket everywhere around us. My parents’ house is mildly decorated by american standards, but is still in a very festive mood with the huge family gathering we are having. It’s warm inside by the fireplace (the real thing, wood burning giving a true winter smell and feel). It’s …heaven. I will try to post some pictures of our outings. While I would be content rooting all day in the house enjoying my family (we can talk for hours), Henry much prefers taking day trips, with some cultural flavor. More about that soon. In the mean time, I wanted to share some images from an awesome family. The weather wasn’t much cooperating on our first try, but the second time around, it was ideal.

Beth Ann,

Walker and Peyton,

Matthew,

Some sibling love,

Walker has the good looks. Seriously, everyone in this family does, they’re all stunning. I predict lots of worries for the parents when these gorgeous children all reach their teens…

Rocky and Brett, a really cool team. Parenthood to 4 kids definitely requires a great deal of involvement from the parents. I’ve heard Rocky describe herself as a taxi driver to 4 busy children. Her commitment is paying off, they are all 4 very accomplish in all domains, sports and academics alike.

and we board the plane. They’re expecting snow this weekend in my dear Provence, wow, the kids are going to be besides themselves!
Again, a beautiful family to share. I know I always say that, but beautiful is what they are. I’ve been photographing little Emma since she was a newborn and she just gets lovelier every time I see her. Brian, her big brother, is a sweet handsome little guy too, I love the pictures with his mom Julie. Greg (dad) is totally wrapped around Emma’s little finger, their pictures together melt my heart. Emma was telling me how Greg is “my daddy”.

It’s a busy time of the year, with decorations galore, the roads crowded with shoppers on a mission. Sitting in front of my computer, I’m editing pictures of beautiful families getting their yearly portraits for Christmas cards. Christmas used to be one of my favorite holidays in France, because it was always a huge family gathering. It has taken a whole new dimension in the US, the decorations and the outdoors lights are spectacular here, but I’ve missed my family and french traditions. This year will be the first for me to go back home (happy happy Arielle!!!) since I’ve been engaged (15 years ago on Christmas eve). Henry has been teasing the kids that our french tree will be more like a Charlie Brown branch, but they will love the 13 deserts, the house filled for 2 weeks with 30 relatives (my mother is super women without the flashy suit), maybe some snow… Oh, I just can’t wait! It’s been forever that I’ve had a Christmas in Aix-en-Provence, I’m pretty sure I was in high school last time. This holiday season will be very special indeed, just like my childhood favorite memories. In the mean time one lovely local family,

David, with his radiant smile. Flora and Yana,

I love Anthony’s spider man suit, it is totally him, and the colors are stunning on the canvas I had made of this image

Lucy’s family is beautiful inside and out, they all gave me the most genuine smiles, wholeheartedly. There was no coercing, I could have photograph them forever, if it hadn’t been for the fierce mosquitoes that day on the west side of town… As a mom, I so much loved watching their family dynamics, the conviviality between them. I’m also envious of Lucy’s gentle temper (I’m cursed with the mediterranean quick temper).

Lovely Kailey,

Little Zach, so so cute!!!

And handsome Hunter, so easy going

The wonderful parents, Lucy and Bruce behind these great kids

Meet 5 year old Aiden. His mom, An, has a great sense of style and fashion. She was very well prepared for the shoot, and I LOVE all the clothes she chose for Aiden. This little guy was so cool to photograph. He’s a rocker, came with his guitar, loves to draw, and seems to have a passion for dinosaurs. An had even thought of bringing his wooden scooter, you can tell he’s in heaven riding it.
We finished the session with a little family shot at An and Ashton’s house. It is the coolest house ever! Go check out their website by clicking on the blue link, the pictures are beautiful. It’s a very avant garde home, with a modern design, very trendy, but timeless, and a perfect layout.

Zoom, zoom…

On the front of the house are those cool lights, in a row. Their arrangement means “home” in Morse code. Great attention to details is carried through out the house.

Don’t they make a beautiful family?

This family and the Langhornes have been friends for many generations now. Our children are playmates and their grand mothers grew up best friends. That’s one of the many things I like about Pensacola, where some might view this as a small town, I love long lasting friendships.
Jane wanted some family portraits, and some individual pictures of her 3 beautiful children. Before Ivan came to our coast and ripped apart the road leading to Fort Pickens, I use to love photographing there. There is much textures, nooks and beautiful light. Jane suggested our session take place on this famous local historical structure. We were both willing to pack everyone on a boat and have the place to ourselves, but exactly a week before the road became available to the public. I must admit, it was much easier driving than our original plan.
Thank you for being so patient with me.

From the left to the right: Claire, Allen and Jill,

I have struggled with this post! Sam is the sweetest little boy, most adorable in all pictures. I had to restrain myself and try to select just a few favorite images. You’ve got to admit it’s a hard task with such a cute little model. His parents are new to Pensacola (they haven’t endured a summer yet…) Jake is going to flight school, and Holly is staying very busy with little mister Sam.

I love his hat, I’m a big fan of hats on babies and children,

All smiles..

Lovely family,

Classic! It was snack time, he dumped all the cheerios on the floor, and then proceeded to stuff his little cheeks without pausing or time for chewing. I loove the middle picture,

Playing drum on dad’s head…

Hello wonderful Cyber space world!
What a great weekend we had here in Pensacola. 2 hot dates with my hubby and friends. I’m not a difficult girl to please on a date, I just LOVE going to the movies, and right now the theaters have plenty of great selections. Friday night was Taken, which takes place in France (right there I’m on board), packed with action, Liam Neeson is a kick-ass dad. Thankfully the horror of the kidnapping isn’t so much the focus in the movie, it’s mostly all about Liam’s active search for his daughter. Then on Saturday, we saw “slumdog millionaire”, I LOVED it. The critics have it right this time, it is absolutely an amazing movie, so moving. It sure reminds us how fortunate we are. It’s beautifully conducted and filmed, showing us the sad reality of poverty in India, yet telling us a beautiful story, managing in the end to be such a “feel good movie” despite the sorrowfulness it depicts so honestly.
I’m now also hocked on the music.
On with this beautiful family. Jessica is a very talented photographer in the Destin area. She contacted me a little before Christmas, but weather and conflicting schedules wouldn’t allow us to meet until just last week. I had so much fun taking these, her little girl Madelyn is a doll, so sweet and very used to having a camera looking her way. Jessica came well prepared with many different outfits for her angel to change into.

Precious little shoes,

That smile, she’s totally adorable!

I had these little finger puppets in my camera bag, and we tried to see if the princess could give the frog a magic kiss and turn it into a prince charming.. didn’t work this time.

Singing “itsy-bitsy spider”

Some pictures for Jessica to have on her website,

I love her princess Lea hair do,