Atlanta, Ga.-Most who know our family know how much we LOVE all things Pixar.  Clint was a fan before we were even married.  He recruited me when we started talking about having kids.  He informed me that our animation movie collection needed to start growing, for the sake of the kids that is! ;)

Once our first child came, he started watching them, and fell in LOVE with all things Pixar.  My husband was so happy that he and Jackson could sit on the sofa and watch these great movies together.  Before Toy Story 3 was even a rumor, we found a Buzz Lightyear and Woody at a local flea market.  We snatched those up for Jackson, and he’s been growing his collection ever since.

Here’s the toy that started it all, along with some of the most recent toys he’s added to his collection:

Atlanta, Ga.-When I titled this post “Baby Doll,”  I meant it.  This baby girl looks like a porcelain doll.  Although she started off a little timid, she quickly came out of her shell . . . and boy did she shine!

Her mom and I were a little worried that she might not last long because of the heat, but Baby C was a trooper.  We had a great time, and I’m so glad I got to work with this sweet family.

I was in love with so many of the shots from this session, but I had to narrow it down just a tad.  Here are some of the shots that made my faves list:

At first she was a bit nervous to leave the comforts of mommy’s lap.

I mean really, could she be more precious?!

She’s starting to come out of her shell!

“Look mommy, I found an apple!”

“Oh apple, how I love thee!”

“Uh oh, I dropped my apple.”

She had begun to lose patience here, and even then, she was still BEAUTIFUL!

Even though she was over the session, she decided to pose for one more shot.  I just LOVED this shot.

Atlanta, Ga.-Awhile back I met Sted via FB.  He’s a local actor that has done quite a bit of extra work for Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.  Since his career is starting to flourish, he was in need of some updated head shots.

If you are familiar with Atlanta, you know that at the first sight of rain, people forget how to drive.  Our session was cut super short thanks to traffic and inclement weather, thankfully we were still able to get a few good shots in though so no worries.

Sted, you are hilarious, and I know that you’re going to go far in the world of showbiz!!

Atlanta, Ga.-As you probably know, I recently entered a new decade of my life . . . my (gasp) 30s!!!!  I know a lot of people hype up this big change, but it wasn’t too bad.  My husband made sure that it was the best birthday yet.  While I was in Destin, he was working his butt off trying to line everything up for my surprise.  I knew that he was planning something, but the only details I had were:  that it was just going to be the two of us celebrating, and that I had to come home from Destin a day early, for my birthday surprise.

The night started out with dinner at the Atlanta Fish Market.  We’ve been wanting to go there since we moved to Atlanta, but just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.  Dinner was amazing and relaxing without the little ones.  After dinner, we got in the car and I was instructed to put a tie around my eyes (I was “tiefolded”).  Apparently he drove to our destination in a very roundabout way, so that I would be disoriented.  When we arrived, I was told to keep the “tiefold” on.  I could hear people talking as we walked up and to be honest, I was freaking out.  Clint counted to 3 and told me it was okay to look now.  I removed the tie and opened my eyes to see a Chikadeez Photography Gallery Exhibit.

I WAS AMAZED!!!!  He had rented out a space at the Forum Shopping Center, raided my hard drive, printed and mounted 55 of my images, invited family and friends, and created this AMAZING space just for me.  That night was so amazing and I wish it could’ve gone on forever.  I’ll never forget the astonished feeling I had when my surprise was revealed.  I truly have the most loving husband a girl woman could ask for.

Babe, thank you so much for planning all of that out and completely shocking me.  I love you so much!!!!!

Before we had to leave for the night, I grabbed my camera and got a few shots of the set up.  The next day when we came back for clean up, I got one of the Chikadeez Photography sign hanging up, and a shot of my son after he discovered the leftover birthday cake. :)

Atlanta, Ga.-While we were visiting family and friends, I realized that this would probably be our last trip to Destin with oil free beaches.  I was determined to get some pics of the kiddos on the beach, so my parents and I took them out there for a mini session.

I was a little worried because in years past, my kids HATED the sand.  I had decided that they were going to get in the sand no matter what!  Much to my surprise, they didn’t complain once.  They actually LOVED playing in the sand.

I was so happy that we were able to capture those memories, especially since the oil recently reached those beautiful beaches.  I know that I will cherish these images forever!

Atlanta, Ga.-As you know, I recently took a trip down to Destin.  While I was there, I met up with an old friend and her baby girl.  Although it was (as my dad would say) “hotter than the hinges of Hell,” we still had a great time running around Alys Beach dodging security.

Baby A is the perfect mixture of her mommy and daddy.  She’s a sweet little girl and very spunky.  I swear she has 101 expressions, each one cuter than the last!

Her mommy made the cute dress that Baby A is wearing in these images.  She makes all sorts of cute outfits and sells them at Ava’s Attic in Destin, so if you’re ever out that way, be sure to check their store out.

Here are some of my fave images from the day: