Okay seriously, you'd think we had fallen off the face of the Earth!  We have fallen so ridiculously behind on blogging it's embarrassing!  Sadly, with our crazy work load and family lives combined with the design and building of new web sites and studios, its been far to easy to let this one slide.  But, for those of you who have been sticking with us, here's a little treat! 

One of my super special families called me recently in anticipation of baby number 2.  To my delight, they were insistent on getting in for a session with me as soon as they were allowed out of the hospital.  So, at just 4 days old, I got to play with beautiful little Baby girl "S."  To add to the fun, I had been asked by another beloved client, to help her build her new Etsy business portfolio so, we had TONS of amazing hand made props to work with thanks to Renee at Bumble Bee-Knees. 

So really, how cute is this baby?  And this hat!  I want one for my self, seriously! 

We absolutely loved working with this cute little sock monkey hat and diaper cover too! 

And my favorite, because it's SUPER soft and snuggly, and because it's purple (yes, I'm a sucker for purple), and because she just looks so sweet and content. 

So, a special thanks to Renee for delivering far to many props for me to get my hands on in not one, but two days of shooting!  They are all so awesome and adorable!  You all have GOT to check her out on Esty.com to stock up for your next shoot, or, just for fashions sake.  And, an even greater thanks to the "A" family for bring their darling little baby girl in to see me when she was just 4 days old.  I know how tough it is to make it out in those first few days with a new little nugget under your arm, but, that delicate stage in life is so incredibly fleeting.  And, the images we catch in those first few moments of life, will amaze us for a life time.  Thank you so much for entrusting me to capture these special moments for you and your family. 

XO    Stephanie 

The azaleas are in full bloom and the weather couldn't be more beautiful!  Stephanie and Carolyn have both been packing their crazy schedules with all kinds of fun spring portrait sessions.  But, it occurred to us that time might be running out for so many of you that had wanted a spring slot!  Hurry, before that thick blanket of summer heat falls upon us!  Availability is limited, so book your spring portrait session now!
 
To add to the fun, send a new client to either of us and receive a $50.00 product credit to spend how you choose!
 
To schedule with Stephanie call 336.831.7200 or email Stephanie.Shotz@gmail.com
 
To schedule with Carolyn call 336.918.8646 or email carolynalbrightphotos@gmail.com
  

So, you know I can't post without a picture and, It's been SO LONG since either one of us has entered a post into this poor sleep blog.  And, though you can't tell by the likes of this page, we've been busy busy busy around here!  Once again, I'm short on time so, I am throwing in a few images from a session I did with a favorite long time family of ours that I shot last week.  More on these later!  S~

I had so much fun photographing Carolyn this past December.  Now that the crazy Christmas rush is over and done,  I am finally posting her pictures.  We hopped all over downtown Winston for the photoshoot.

The wind started blowing perfectly.  I couldn't decide if I liked the winter filter or the black and white filter.

 I just love this pictures with Julie's anitque New Orlean's sofa in the Smith's backyard, and with those black hose.  Look out!

We ended up at my favorite sixties funk concrete wall.

Carolyn, you are a beautiful young lady with some serious style and killer smile.  Thank you for letting me photograph you!

Okay, now this girls needs a comp card!  Can't you just see her in a Jcrew Kids or a Gap ad campaign? Sweet little Emma. 

And though this little guy isn't exactly thrilled to be in front of any camera, when I could manage to sneak a shot without notice, he absolutely shined!

I love these two shots of Emma's crazier side

A tough nut to crack, but a nut none the less :)

In past years this is how we would have to piece together holiday cards.  Individual images placed side by side.  Jack does NOT like sweet Emma hugs (boy wont he be sorry in years to come). 

But this time, something magical happened...

Surprise Meredith!  We finally got 'em!!  Jcrew kids I tell you.  I love these shots!

Perhaps I just can't look at them objectively.  It's true, I feel a particular bond for these two cutie pies.  I have known them for most of their little lives.  I used to teach Emma, and observed Jack from across the hall at a time when I was working at one of the best little pre schools on the planet!  And though I no longer teach, I so love seeing those precious little people, whose lives I once touched, no matter how briefly, as they touched my life for a time too.  

Thanks so much for a beautiful afternoon with your amazing children Meredith!  As always, I had a wonderful time.  S~

Meet Sydney and Sean.  These are two very special little people that have overcome more in their short 8 months of life than many go through in an entire life time.  

I think we can all agree, all babies are increadibly special gifts.  Birth, all by itself, is a miracle.  But, when something goes wrong... there just aren't words to describe the range of emotions a family experiences.

Sean and Sydney were born at only 28 weeks gestation.  Little Sydney weighed just 1 pound 11 ounces, with her brother packing it in at a whopping 2lbs 12oz.  As tiny as that is, he must have looked big next to his sister.

You'd never know by looking at him now, that this little guy spend the first 60 days of life in the NICU. 

 What a little bruiser he is now!

Even more amazing is that this is Sydney now!  From only 1lb 11oz to this, apparently thriving, 8 month old, beautiful, baby girl. 

As one might expect due to her extremely fragile fetal age and birth weight, Sydney has struggled a bit more than her now wonderfully chuncky brother.  Because of the complications she was experiencing, Sydney spent a long 97 days in the NICU.  With her lungs not yet fully developed at birth, she has had to be helped along with oxygen tubes, and is only now beginning to be weened off of it.  In fact, it was for the photo shoot that she first experimented with being off of it for any length of time.  You can bet I was more than a bit nervous.    

I love this shot.  It speaks volumes of the relationship these two have with one another.  Whenever they are within reach of each other, they must always be touching.  One is not complete without the other.

I can't help but to think of the emotions this beautiful family felt on Thanksgiving day when it was time to reflect on all the things they were thankful for this year.  Or even on this very day, to watch as their two little miracles were being photographed and played with, just like any other normal healthy babies would be.  And now, as they prepare for Sean and Sydney's first Christmas of many, I wonder if they will even consider the option of being praticle, or will they throw caution to the wind and choose to spoil these beautiful little angels rotten, as they so deserve to be.  I know what I would do :)

I was so touched by this session that I just couldn't help myself.  We recently began carrying a new line of beautiful hand painted frames and I just wanted to play a bit and see how these might look.  I think I may have some ideas for when we update our samples :)  How cute would these be?

Thank you so much Maura, for letting me in to your world, and allowing me to document a moment in Sean and Sydney's lives.  I so look forward to watching them grow and develop through the years.  They truly are a special gift.