Sarah's senior pics...

Wow...this is probably the longest I've ever taken to post a sneak peek!! 
SO SORRY SARAH!!!

In my defense...I've had a CRAZY two weeks...which included an allergic reaction to shrimp that nearly put me in cardiac arrest...for real....plus spending the last few days getting ready for my baby brother's official engagement ceremony to his first and only love...with all of my favorite peeps in the world--my cousins!!

To be perfectly honest...I was not even sweating this photo session...at all...
I mean...this girl could be a model...she's absolutely lovely (inside and out)...
She's got beautiful teeth...and I would know...teeth are kinda my thing....
and her hair?  UGH...I want to steal every strand off her head and glue it onto mine! 

I already had experience with Sarah's older sister...and she had come along on that shoot two years ago to help...so she was totally prepared for her session...
And just like Stephanie's photo shoot...we had the help of my bestie...and their auntie...Jess!!

(This location is my new fave!  My future sister in law found this gem for me....thanks Geetha!!!)

Sarah...sorry for the wait! 

Happy senior year!!
Enjoy!!

Kelsea and Xander...

So I definitely broke my cardinal rule of "no shoots after Thanksgiving weekend"...with these two! But because there were so many rainy weekends...and then Xander being sick...and knowing that Kelsea has NEVER had proper photographs taken with her now 2 year old kid...my rule HAD to be broken....and we made it happen during this busiest season of all!

We came prepared with props...and to my everlasting shame...I even bribed with candy (clearly I was eager for this to go smoothly...and I was willing to break several of my cardinal rules to make it happen)....

In any case...Xander let us know he was "All done"...about 7 minutes into the shoot....yay!

Luckily for me...those eyes....:) 

And we were able to end the year on a high note!  

Thank you to ALL the families I was able to fit in this year....I loved our time spent together!! Everyone's orders are nearly DONE....I promise....but go ahead and pray for a Christmas miracle!  

I truly hope you treasure these photographs and these moments with your sweetest ones....for years to come!!

Smiles,

Shiny 

The Patels...

I finally got to meet Dylan after he turned a year old!  Reni and Ronak wanted to return to the same place we took their maternity pics....one year later....with their little guy! 

Basically us, and every other family in Houston was there to take their Christmas pictures...it was crowded!!  But we were on a mission...and we weren't letting anyone get in our way!!

But Dylan?  He was NOT having it....at all!  He was okay with me...until I put the camera up to my eyeball...and then the tears came!!  

He was the cutest little thing...and I was able to trick him into a few good shots....:)

Happy first birthday, sweet Baby Dylan!!!

Love,

Shinyaunty

Tobs, Joyce, and Luke...

We are literally the worst set of friends everrrrr....

Meeting for this photoshoot...was our ONLY hang out for the entire year of 2015....we don't even deserve to be called friends...:)

We used to hang out all the time, but then we got busy, they got busy....and we haven't shared a meal or a prayer in nearly 5 years!  

But this photo shoot changed all that!  We are rekindling our beautiful and sweet friendship...RIGHT NOW!  Our sons are kindred spirits who never hang out, but love each other (and were a sweaty mess after our shoot from playing football) because we prayed these boys into each other's wombs....

In fact...in order for them to get their photos, I'm thinking they'll have to come over and get them...at my house...after eating at my table....and laughing in my kitchen....:)

Love you guys!  Great hanging out with you for the first time in FOREVER!!!

Shiny

Aunt Jenn and Family....

Ok...she's not really my aunt...but she might as well be!  

We've worked together for the past few years...and she is the kind of person you NEED in your life!

She got the title of everyone's "aunt"...because she's knowledgeable about pretty much EVERYTHING....but totally not in a know-it-all kind of way...

More of a..."Oh dear...what do I do about this rash, Aunt Jenn?"  and she will have some sort of home remedy up her sleeve! 

She must have the secret to keeping your skin looking like porcelain....because her face is flawless...not a blemish or scar in sight!!   

And...can we say the sweetest little boys EVER?!  Her and Curt are raising such fine gentlemen!  I am taking notes! 

Enjoy your sneak peek!

See you at the morning meeting, Aunt Jenn!

Shiny 

  

They're ba-ack!

The Philip's so kindly picked me AGAIN to photograph their lovely family....

For a photographer who is constantly worried about whether or not I have any right doing this job....it is truly reassuring to have REPEAT customers!  For real!

After taking nearly a YEAR off...it was nice to get back in the action with such a beautiful and fun family....

After dousing our bodies with Off bug spray...we were off!  Their neighborhood provides such a perfect backdrop for photos!  And luckily for me, our neighborhoods are neighbors...so I was home in  literally a minute!

Philip's...enjoy your sneak peek....and thanks AGAIN for the opportunity!!

Smiles, 

Shines

The Mathai Family

The Mathai's are a family that mean the absolute world to me!  Abey and I grew up in the same Sunday School class...but I never really talked to him, cause he was super quiet.

Once Relin moved to Houston, things changed...she brought out the best in him...and they are truly a dynamic couple!  They have such a genuine heart for our church...and work so hard to make it better for all of us...so grateful for them!

Just when I had recovered for my last toddler photo shoot....I was reminded all over again....it's tough working with toddlers!  I worked my absolute hardest to get both kiddo's attention...it's a good thing I had my sidekick with me....:) I made Sanjay do jumping jacks...push ups...sing ABC's....jump around with a teddy bear...he totally earned his oreo shake on the way home!! 

Thanks for letting me capture this precious time in your lives, sweet friends!  

Here's a sneak peak!!

 

New spot....same people!

Totally took pictures of this same family last year....and they came back for seconds! 
They might be a little difficult to recognize because Wulf decided to grow a full fledged beard (yay for Mindy!) for once in his life....which we captured for posterity's sake!   

They are easily the coolest family on my cul de sac....the kids are skateboarders, as is dad....and mom is an art teacher!  How awesome is that?  They ooze with coolness....

And...it was totally fun...and random.....hanging with my neighbors...somewhere other than our street!

Here's a sneak peek....

See you in the cul de sac!
Shiny

Baby Patel...coming soon!

How is it that there are people who look BETTER with age?!  My childhood friend Reni is one of those....she has mastered the art of beauty...her hair is to die for....and it used to not be...like...at all...:)

Her and her handsome man are expecting their first son in a few weeks...and she looks more ravishing than ever!  Their itty bitty one hit the gene pool jackpot, for sure...lucky little thing!

Thanks for choosing me to take your maternity photos...you are way too beautiful to not have captured this...(thanks for convincing her, Ro!)
Here's a little sneak peek!

Congrats!
Shiny

Tears from Thailand....:)

I've been known to shed a few tears.  I can't help it.....I am a total emotional basket case.  So naturally, I befriend people who are stoic, emotionless, and basically...robots in the flesh. Which is why Money and I are such great friends.  She's never been affectionate, or huggy or even weepy about moving away and being miles and miles away from me.

Since moving to Thailand though, she is FINALLY realizing what our friendship means!  In fact, this time....she shed tears before she went back.  

Big. Fat. Hot. Tears. 

And for that...she's getting the "tribute" on my blog that she's been bugging me for!

Money is the type of person that everyone instantly LOVES.  She literally doesn't have a care in the world, and makes you believe the same for yourself!  We've known each other forever...became great friends in high school.  Hated each other in college.  (I even UNASKED her to be a bridesmaid in my wedding...I do NOT play!)  Then rekindled our love for each other a short while later...and have been inseparable since!  

She's notoriously hateful.  But with a childlike smile....it doesn't seem so bad....

Spending time with her, is truly nostalgic.  I can't help but loosen up and be myself around her.  I love how carefree I am when I'm with her.  Things I worry about, are a distant memory when Money is next to me. 

This summer was no different.  Money came, and in her usual way, made her time here unforgettable.  We were able to hang out....kids got their quality time playing super heroes while we indulged on Mexican coke and white cheddar Cheetos.  

And she was irreplaceable in her contributions to our VBS.  Thailand has not changed that about Mon...she is still perfectly content being behind the scenes....I am so inspired by her selflessness.

And just like that, the story of this summer is over, and she is off to live her exciting life in Thailand.  But she assured me....that she misses home....she misses our church...and she misses us....

And while I ADORE my elephant harem pants from Thailand....absolutely nothing matches the proof of love that shed tears bring....

Mon...hurry home!  I miss you more than you know...and I miss the me that only you can bring out!