Rylee's Newborn session

It is such an honor to get to photograph another baby in this family. First her momma's senior photos, then cousins, now Rylee.

Lily Pad?

Oh how I love the Enchanted  Fairies set in February! I love it so much that I have my own fairy costume. But I do like to share so when Lily's mommy teased that she was jealous that I had a fairy costume and I didn't, I had to take it off and make  her put it on. All with the encouragement of Lily!  We had a great time, and Lily loved flying like a fairy and kissing  her frog.

Kyra - 4 months

 Kyra is in the "Baby Steps" program at Hardgrave Photography.

 Her 4 month session was so easy, I almost felt guilty for not taking more photos. She just was in the best mood and very willing to pose, laugh, smile, and talk with me.

 That is why I like to photograph 4 months instead of 3 months. That one month gives them strength to hold up their heads and body on their tummies. They also begin focusing farther away.

 I feel so lucky to be able to photography this sweet baby and work with her sweet parents for 3 more baby sessions.

Kara the Fairy

This little fairy is so very special to me. She started out in the Baby Steps program almost 5 years ago. I have seen her go through physical therapy, surgeries, pain, and still always has a happy face. Not to mention she gives the best hugs. She has over come so many things that they thought she might not be able to do.
 I love visiting with her sweet momma. We could sit and talk way longer than it takes to take photos or order photos. This is a special family, and she makes a perfect fairy.

Jenny Jenny

Jenny is a great dane mix, but pure in heart. Her coloring is called brindle.

"Brindle is a coat coloring pattern in animals, particularly dogs, cattle, guinea pigs, and, rarely, horses. It is sometimes described as "tiger-striped", although the brindle pattern is more subtle than that of a tiger's coat. The streaks of color are irregular and usually darker than the base color of the coat, although very dark markings can be seen on a coat that is only slightly lighter." 
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brindle

Jenny is waiting for that family that really want a sweet, active, big dog. She is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Daisy Dog

Daisy lived at Needy Paws Animal Shelter. Luckily, through the efforts of staff and volunteers, she has gone to a lucky family that can love  her for years and  years to come.
For years, I was on the board of a humane society. Talk about hard work, emotions, and rewards - that was it.  There are always more dogs that need a home than there are homes available. Needy Paws has made such great strides in adoptions since I left the board. But the need to spread the word to consider adopting from a shelter, spaying an neutering your pet, look for housing that is pet friendly, don't get a pet unless you have a place for it and time to care for it.  All these things will help reduce the amount of pets that are abandoned in the streets and at the shelter.

Shannon and Robby

 It was time for this family to finally add a human child to the pack.

 For the last few years, they have brought their family of dogs to Needy Paws Animal Shelter for the annual fundraiser. But for the human baby, they are ready for the Baby Steps program.

 And of course, Shannon has the perfect little baby bump. That baby bump has accompanied her through several marathons since she became pregnant - she had one after her maternity session.

 I think one of the baby sessions will need to include the running stroller already in place.

Brooks Baby

I have been visiting with Ashley for months about her maternity session. We are both huge animal lovers. Have both been involved with the local animal shelter. Spent a weekend volunteering for a fundraising event for the shelter.

I had photographed her and Cody's engagement session - which was so fun.  I had photographed Cody for his senior portraits.

So we set a date for the maternity session. Then a day or two before, Cody called me and let me know that they wouldn't be coming to the maternity session.

Baby Brooks decided to come on into this world a little early. I watched as updates came in through social media. I was so excited the day they were allowed to bring him home. A few days later, he became the perfect baby model.

Hammy - NOT for Adoption

Before I could get this Blog post finished - Hammy found his permanent home!  Being a pet  care specialist at Needy Paws Animal Shelter, it is easy to be tempted to take home many of the animals. But as a professional, you also know that you can't.  This time though, Hammy just kept working his way into the heart of the Specialist that brought him in for photos. 

Keep a lookout - there will be a future post featuring Hammy with his new family.

The Weavers

I love this family! And Beverly - the momma - loves me too!  We had the photo session right before I left for a mission trip to Guatemala, so we had to wait to do the order.

Then there were delays due to weather, this and that. But everytime I talked to Beverly, we had the best conversations.  At the end of one message - I heard her say "love you", and I laughed thinking she had said it out of habit, like I do to my kids and family. But no, when I talked to her and started to tease her she said she meant it. WOW - that made me feel so good.

This woman knows the value of health, family, and time. You can just tell from the images that she values her family greatly. And they adore her. I talked to her daughter from another state and she made sure and ask me how her mom looked since she had been sick for a couple of weeks.

I joked something about "becoming our mothers" and she told me that she could only hope to be as good as her mom.

Hug your family today - not because something is wrong - just because they are precious. Tell someone you love them that may not expect it. Don't forget that you don't have to have a tragedy or health scare to become more grateful, more loving, and more forgiving.

Adalyn P

I just LOVE little baby girls, well baby boys too. And when I have a connection with the family, it is even better.  I was Adalyn's momma's senior photographer.

Then, I find out her great grandparents were great friends of my grandparents.

AND I photograph Adalyn's cousins!!! Small town, small world - and I wouldn't have it anyother way!

Need some Green?

 Well I needed a "green" post for St.Patricks day so I have Kinlee and Karsyn Green and their green frog prince!

 Both of these girls have been through the Baby Steps program at the studio. I photograph their cousins on both sides of the family. I have photographed their aunts and uncles.

 They are precious to me. Kinlee is a talker and loves to play games with me.

 Karsyn's flower crown was a little crooked - but it was on....well most of the time.

 Karysn was all into kissing the frog!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

Ruby and Bandit

Bandit (above) wanted a noble profile portrait for his chance to entice a family to take him home and make him their's forever.  He is temporarily living at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Ruby went for a softer, sweeter look to show off her desire for a family that has a cuddling couch. She has obviously  had puppies in the past, but now that all her kids are gone, she is ready to settle down and be treated like a baby herself.  She visited the studio while living at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.