tornado (little rock, ar photographer)

 I am skipping over a few sneak peeks because I cannot wait to share about my session from yesterday. I have had this family on my calendar for a while and we had planned for yesterday hoping to get some fall color in late October. Instead we were met with one of the only days of rain in the last few months. This sweet mom and I both watch the weather all day hoping the rain would pass over or just not show up at all. At 4:45 we met up on the lawn of the Presidential Library and as we got out of our cars we began to see lightning in the distance. We decided to go on, watch the weather and hope for the best. The sky was unbelievably gorgeous and left us with AMAZING light. 20 minutes in we were surprised by the tornado siren.... I couldn't make this up if I tried.... apparently the tornado siren is also on the lawn of the library (LOUD) and so we headed to the Library. We found shelter in the basement with 2 security guards and a few other employees. We were there for 45 minutes and enjoyed a good laugh over our crazy time together. No real tornado...just crazy wind and lots of rain and lightning. It was an adventure to say the least. I am thankful for the 20 minutes (plus 45) I did have with this family and for the beautiful images we managed to get in our short time together.

And just because it was so wild.

balloons (central AR family photographer)

I am so crazy about these pictures! I love the spot, an old favorite that i haven't used in a while, and i love the clothes. This is the third year I have photographed this family and this mom is really great with the clothing choices...i think better every year. And to my delight she emails me a picture of what the kids are going to wear before the shoot...i LOVE that...and it helps me think about what to do and where to go. I love to be with people and want people to be who they are and comfortable, but clothes do matter and these clothes just work.

It doesn't hurt that these kiddos are adorable and had me cracking up.

And that I brought along some balloons for a little extra fun.

I can't even talk about this tutu.....i adore it!

so cute (central arkansas photographer)

 I really love a family picture where you can see a family reacting to each other. I know it is not what is typically the ideal, but it is ideal to me. I think the above pic is so sweet!

 These two cuties were so much fun and kept me on my toes. We had a great time running around and checking out the leaves, acorns and sticks. I might have even let them throw a bunch of leaves on top of their parents.

CUTIES!!!

in doors (nlr, ar family photographer)

 I've been looking for a while for a new set of doors to use for the Chino family. I am still so in love with the pictures we took two years ago in doors and thought it would be so fun to do again. I found these doors more than a year ago, but forgot about them until a few weeks ago. I think they worked perfectly and I was crazy about these yellow wild flowers that were all around.

 These are my people and I love them dearly so they would probably be cute to me know matter what they were doing, but come on! They are so cute!!!!

time flies (central arkansas family photographer)

Last week I got to catch up with this sweet family. When their oldest daughter and Wilson were just babies we were in a community group together and their boys were so little then. And the youngest was not even around yet, boy does time fly. We got to get together while their oldest son was in town from California (though in my mind he is still about 13). CRAZY!

Such a beautiful family with four precious kids.

growing up (north little pock, AR family photographer)

 I was so excited to meet up with this family on Saturday morning. I had not seen them in a while and the last time I photographed their little guy he was just two weeks old and now he is an adorable and busy one year old and their sweet little girl is so bright and great to be with. She also had some plans for a few pictures and I love that.

dani's day of bridals (little rock, AR bridal photographer)

Had the best time yesterday photographing a sweet friend's wedding. She was an absolutely gorgeous bride and I couldn't wait to share a few pics of her. I will share more from this super fun wedding soon.

camera talk (north little rock, ar family photographer)

On Sunday night I met up with the Kelton family. I was very excited for this session because Amy Kelton is not just a lovely mom and Kindergarten teacher she is also a local photographer. It is always exciting and intimidating to photograph a photographer, these guys were so great and comfortable in front of the camera. It was a pleasure to get to capture this family and I got to bring along my little camera collection to play around with.

what's for dinner.....Zuppa Toscana

The moment there is the slightest chill in the air I pull out this recipe. Alison introduced me to it a few years ago and it is one of my absolute FAVORITES! After falling in love with this soup I realized it is actually a recipe for a soup served at Olive Garden, I don't frequent Olive Garden.

You will need....
1 lb. spicy Italian Sausage (I use pork sausage, but have made it with turkey...not as much flavor)
1 qt. water
4 cups of chicken broth
2 large potatoes (i used 6 small golden potatoes and left the skin on)
2 cloves garlic
1 medium onion
2 cups kale (I use 1 bunch)
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Cube potatoes, garlic and onion and put them in a pot with water and chicken broth on medium heat. Cook until potatoes are soft, from room temperature mine cooked for about 30 minutes.

While that is cooking brown sausage and drain off fat. When potatoes are tender add the sausage and cook for 10 minutes. Then add kale and slowly add whipping cream. Cook until heated through.

SO GOOD! Enjoy.

I love food and wanted to share this recipe because it is "My Dinner Recipe in Pictures" week at I heart faces. Check out the other recipes for a little Fall food inspiration.