What's Next???

I have spent the last few weeks soul searching. Last January, I made a post about my goals for 2009. One of which was to learn more about photography. At the time, I didn't know that my photography hobby would suddenly become a part time job which happened to keep me very busy during the year. I didn't expect to build my clientele so fast without doing any advertising, but thanks to some wonderful sessions, word of mouth soon spread, and I stayed busy throughout the year. Now I have come to a point where I either need to take the plunge with this hobby-turned-business or back away from it. I don't like giving half an effort to anything in my life, but I really struggle with the fact that I have a full time job that I absolutely love, and a family that I don't like to be away from. It has been a little overwhelming and quite stressful at times. In my weeks of soul searching and trying to decide a good balance for me, I have looked back at a lot at my pictures from the year. I have said it a million times before, but what has been more rewarding than snapping pictures, is meeting so many wonderful families. Thank you to everyone who allowed me into their lives to capture a special moment in time. It has meant the world to me. While I continue my soul searching, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite images from 2009. Hopefully, by the end of the week, I will be able to share my plans with you.

A lot of my sudden success was due to my "watch me grow sessions". These were sessions that parents booked every couple of months to capture the milestones of their new babies. Those sessions all began with this little guy. It was so rewarding to watch Bear grow throughout the year. It still blows me away that he is one now. He was my first practice baby which prepared me for...

...the arrival of Miss Gracie. When I found out my best friend was having a baby girl was when I first thought about taking pictures of kids other than my own. I wanted to be available to capture every moment with little Gracie Rae. At her 1st birthday party a few weeks ago, we decorated the birthday table with pictures from her first year. It was so rewarding to know that I had captured all of those special times.

And who could forget this beauty? I call her my baby supermodel. She has her own blog following on this site. If I don't post new pictures of her every so often, I start hearing, "We need to see the beautiful Little Bit."

I am a little partial to chubby blue eyed babies. GTO and GiGi were both VERY chubby babies, so every time I get a call to shoot this baby, I get so excited to capture the adorable baby chubs! She melts me!

Another one of my favorite little girls. I call her my little bundle of joy. She is so petite, but always full of big grins. I think I have captured more smiles from her than any other baby. It is hard to believe that I took her one year old pictures last week. I will post more of those soon.

This is one of my favorite pictures from 2009. I love the tie with those big blue eyes. He is a charmer for sure!

Miss Grace gets my vote for the cutest dimples. She is beautiful! Another one that will soon be turning one.

This little guy will always be special. His family was my first blog customer. They found me by searching OKC baby photographers. Meeting his Mommy was awesome. I seriously felt like I had known her forever and loved getting to know the family of four throughout the year. Sadly, they moved to MO at the end of the year, but promised they will be traveling back for pictures. I sure miss them! Rachel, come back soon!

I got an e-mail from a blog reader one day that asked me where I found all these gorgeous blue eyed babies??? I am still wondering that myself.

Remember baby Luke? He is the Steelers baby. He turned one a couple of weeks ago too.

And below are two of my newer babies. I am so lucky to have a new crop of "watch me grow" clients.

Stay tuned for my favorite toddler images tomorrow!