The Gulf beach is calling my name. My sweet, calming, peace-bringing friend. We shall meet again soon, I promise.
off and running
Ya know, when I signed up for this photographer gig, no one told me I had to also assume the role of IT Tech as well. ;) I've just spent the last week-and-a-half performing diagnostics, trouble-shooting and repairing my poor overworked Mac, so that I can get the images off my hard drive and onto my blog! Oh my Photoshop ~ it pains me! I guess it's a small price to pay for being able to do what I love every day ~ photographing the most amazing families in Tampa Bay. I get to meet and cuddle with the sweetest babies, laugh with the funniest kids, and hang out with the most adoring parents in the entire world. And then when our playtime is over, I get to give them a piece of art that encapsulates how much FUN their family has just being together... how beautiful and fresh their babies are at one week old... how perfect their first-grader's smile is even with that missing front tooth... how utterly precious their children's lives are at that very moment. I get to give them a piece of their history to pass down through the generations. Honestly, how lucky am I?! Thankfully, I'm full-force again as of this evening. Whew! Just in time to post a sneak-peek for a very patient Mama and Daddy....
Nicholas was just shy of his first birthday at our photo session. And let me tell you ~ that boy was MOBILE! Not only was he walking (and very well, I might add) on his own... but he was also RUNNING. Barefoot. Down the streets (well, okay, the sidewalks) of downtown Clearwater Beach. He was so much fun to play peekaboo with, and I had a wonderful time with his parents, who came ready to play!
I love that he "missed" his eyes during peekaboo. :) Hey, cheeks are close enough!
Sweet mercy... could you not just eat him up?? Those squishy rosy cheeks, those gorgeous warm brown eyes, the soft wispy hair?
And, in what is quickly becoming a Stacey Woods Photography "beach session tradition" ~ we stopped for ice cream cones! (Oh how I wish I could juggle a cone and two cameras at the same time.) ;)
I told ya... that boy's a runner! :)
Thank you so much, P. family, for a gorgeous evening by the Gulf of Mexico. Your session was a dream, and I can't wait to see you again soon! And Happy Birthday, Nicholas!! :)
like mama, like daughter
You know I had to keep that title Southern. LOL! Nicole contacted me recently and shared the news that her Mom was going to be in town from Arizona for a visit, and that she'd love to have me photograph their relationship together, as mother and daughter. And for me, it was an honor. Let me just tell you... I had an absolute blast with these gals tromping all over Clearwater Beach. Thankfully, they trusted in my vision for the session, and let me have at it. Even when, during our wandering, I stopped quickly and instructed that they sit down here, yes right here, in the middle of the sidewalk! :) I love it when clients "get" my style and just go with the flow. We have such a good time, and hopefully, the results speak for themselves. I'll let y'all be the judges...
I looooove this combo. Love how relaxed and beautiful they both look here....
We had the most gorgeous light to work with! I loooove the golden hour. :)
We even stopped for ice cream at one of my favorite little hideaways. :)
Now. Don't these just make you want to call your Mama?? :) Remember that this Sunday, May 10, is Mother's Day! SWP is offering Gift Certificates to give the sweetest ladies in your life. Show them how much you adore them by giving them the priceless gift of custom photography... either a session to celebrate themselves or one to capture memories with the kiddos. Inquire for details!
Y'all STAY TUNED to the blog for the next few days. I have TONS of sneak peeks and sessions to showcase here, plus lots of personal "stuff" to share too. Bear with me as I catch up from this crazy week! :)
sweet girl!
Okay, before I begin, I have to tell how much FUN Baby Loves Disco was last weekend! It was an amazing success, and it sold out within its first HOUR! Yes, by noon, the Blue Martini was at max capacity, and parents and kiddos were waiting in line halfway around the patio area. So many wonderful families, so many fun things to do, and such a great place to hang out for the afternoon! I even had my husband to bring my crew so they could party! I can't wait to show you the images I've captured from the day. (Well, ahem, on the NEXT POST!! I promise.) I have been meaning to share this sweet family for about a week or so. This is one of my Baby Plan Graduates, and it's always a pleasure to play with her and see her adorable grin! We started out at their home, playing in Rainey's room.....
Mr. Bear was a fantastic conversationalist, let me tell you.
I have always loved the soft light in her room. It makes for such dramatic black and whites... right up my alley, you know!!! ;)
Then we headed to Fort DeSoto....
And a few pinecones and leaves later, we wandered out to the beach....
Such a fun way to end the day. Although their Baby Plan has ended, I hope I get to photograph this little gal and her adoring parents for years to come.
NEXT POST = BABY LOVES DISCO. Pinky swear. :)
Shhh, don't tell Daddy....
TOP SECRET STUFF HERE. :) If you know Captain Daniel Long of Otherside Charters, then shhhh, don't tell him you saw this post!!! This session is a sweet surprise for his birthday, from his beautiful wife and two adorable daughters. I thought it was a fantastic idea! His wife, Janet, is the owner of Kookie Krums, a yummy coffee shop/boutique in downtown Dunedin. (Make sure you pop in soon, because I did some commercial work for her this year, and she's ordered a whole slew of my canvases to decorate her boutique!) Anyhow, back to the surprise.... The gals and I headed up to Honeymoon Island to play. (All of you with young kids know... that I sometimes call our sessions "playdates" and that I always make a point to play with the kids, make it fun, and let them loose to just RUN at some point in the session (well, some sessions have lots more running than others, I must admit! Especially with the toddler crowd. ;)) Well, there was so much to do on this particular playdate. Like hiding in the sea grapes.... um, do y'all see a little blond-haired girl anywhere?! Where did she go??? ;)
I must add that I love her nail polish. LOL! And after hide-and-seek was over, we made sea-shell castles. (If any of you have ever been to Honeymoon Island, you'll understand why. There are more shells on that beach than there are grains of sand!)
Then, there were strolls to take and waves to "kick" of course....
How I *adore* my wide-angle lens at the beach. :) This next shot is one of my favorites!!
And of course, there is always time for cuddling and snuggling with Mama. It just wouldn't be a playdate without a little bit of snuggle-time!
I'm in love with this next shot. Such adoration from Mama, and that sweet soft backlight gets me every time. So summery and relaxed.
I loved the graininess, and the soft movement of Janet's hair in this one.... and don't tell me that you CAN'T hear the littlest one laughing! :) Love that.
Do you think Daddy will be pleased? :) Remember, no spoiling the surprise!
By the way, I refuse to apologize for showing so many images at a time nowadays! I'm thrilled that my blog finally shows my photographs nice and HUGE, so I get on a roll sometimes and can't stop adding. LOL! Have a great night, everyone!!