Sister sister...and brother

What an honor to be asked to take photos...of a professional photographer. No pressure, of course!
My sweet friend, Courtney and her siblings (including her sister Ashley who is a photographer in S. Carolina) were in town for their dad's 50th birthday party. And to mark this momentous occasion...his children presented him with photos of his lasting legacy....THEM!
Again, no pressure!
It turned out to be a beautiful, windy day....and these three were naturals in front of the camera! It was a blast to hang out with three grown siblings who love their dad...and each other!

(click to enlarge)

A thin slice of Paradise....

This entry is coming to you straight from Cancun, Mexico...with love, laughter and sand between our toes.....
We've been busy doing a whole lot of nothing...we've decided that we're just going to have to live here..
no really...
we're staying.

We even taught Sanjay to say...."Hotel, sweet hotel"...in lieu of "Home, sweet home"!!

We are having the most amazing time...together....with no work...no dishes....no laundry....and no worries...

We love this hotel...the Live Aqua...it's a spa...
and everything about it is like a spa...the aromatherapy...the soaps, lotions...the foot massages in your cabana...
and the actual spa....incredible...:)

wish you were here....

todo mi amor,
Shiny


(click images to enlarge)

I'm your gal!

Family group shots, senior pictures, baptism, maternity, or event photography.

Please contact me via email...Shinystyle@hotmail.com
or give me a call: 713.817.9812

Here is my current price list:

1 hour session (at your chosen destination*)
+1 CD with 15 enhanced digital prints
=Call for info!! 

*additional $15 for destinations greater than 20 miles from my home

Shiny

Camera Hospital

It was inevitable. I was waiting for it to happen actually. My camera had an accident...and had to be taken to the "camera hospital". It was really traumatic for me. I didn't realize how much my camera meant to me, until I had to part with it for over a week to be diagnosed and fixed at the shop. You can imagine my relief when they called to say my camera was fine....just needed a new lens. Phew!
Shibu has made me cross my heart and hope to die, stick a dirty needle in my eye.... that I will take better care of his gift to me.

It's official...I'm no longer a hygienist at Precise Dental of Houston. I have FINALLY started working for my dear friends at Your Perfect Smile Dentistry in Kemah. After a six year love affair, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I LOVE my new job...my new coworkers...my new scenic drive...and most of all...my new and improved schedule. I am so blessed to be able to balance work with mommyhood. I love the flexibility of my career. And look forward to all the quality time me and Sanjay will get to share....while daddy works to "bring home the bacon"! (kinda sad when Sanjay thinks Shibu is LITERALLY going to bring home some bacon...and gets disappointed when I tell him it's just a saying...and that we won't be getting bacon for dinner tonight)

and also...I finally understand what people mean when they say you "lose inches...not pounds".
I used to think that was a load of garbage. Until I started being a gym rat...and have lost about 3 pounds in 3 weeks. Oh really, Body? This is how you're going to treat me for years of feeding you delicious sweets and mouth watering Kerala food? Thanks for nothing.
But I think I look a little different...:)
my bathing suit doesn't look too bad...

that's right, folks...I will be sporting a bathing suit for our week long vacation to Cancun in March!! Our evenings lately have been planning and dreaming about our trip....even Sanjay is hype about it....:)

okay...the end...
except for a few cute pics....of course! This is my photography site after all!

Our very own Baby Einstein...

A pleasure to meet you, 2011!

Another year is upon us...and there are TONS of things that I am looking forward to.
True I am probably the most optimistic person I know....and why shouldn't I be?! 2010 was a fabulous year for me for so many reasons, and while I'm content exactly where I'm at...I just KNOW there's some awesome things just waiting to be had!!
So here are the things I've decided to do differently, better, or in a more fun way in 2011....:)

First off, I've GOT to lose the weight....and when I say i've GOT to...I mean it...
It's the doctors order....:)
You see...my sweet, kindhearted of a man, fertility specialist of mine...has been telling me, begging me, pleading with me to lose weight...:)
Oh you know, only for the last 4 years.....
So this year, my waging war with my weight...is full on!
This will be done with the help of Shaq (since he owns the Pearland 24 Hour Fitness) and Jack (my new personal trainer)...
And so with LOTS of praying and believing....I am doing this!!!

Next....we're doing an awesome family vacation....just the three of us!! We haven't decided where, when or what....but I'll be a scantily clad woman in the photos....so consider yourselves warned...:)

And...I'm hoping and praying this side business of mine will have some major opportunities!! In fact, I have a few sessions already scheduled/planned for this year! And I was so nervous after the holidays that I'd be out of business!!
And don't worry....I am committing to post WAY more often than I have in the past few months....I know, I know....you want more....

Keep visiting me here!! I get SO encouraged when I see my blog views number going up!!!

And here's a few of me and my little buddy cooking for New Years 2011....
that's another one of the changes I'm making...lots more experimenting in the kitchen...:)
ok, seriously....I already love the new me!!

Marinating the chicken

Stirring the chicken tikka masala

a little bubbly for the new year...(of course it's just apple cranberry sparkling juice)

The Archer Family Preview

What happens when two really good looking people get married and have kids? Check out the offspring of Darren and Traci...they are gorgeous!
But what did you expect?
Me and Traci have known each other since high school, when her mom and I were in charge of the front desk at Dr. Tregre's office. And now we've got families and kids of our own!

Here's a quick preview! Click the images to see it larger!

Nikhil and Vishal Sneak Peek

Hotter than Hades today in Houston.....but I had to fit in a photo shoot of two of the cutest kids I know. Seeing these two brothers play, makes me super sad that Sanjay doesn't have any siblings. But when they irritated each other and both started screaming....I felt content with my only child :)

These two have personalities as different as their hair...and I would volunteer to squeeze them into my schedule any day!

And add a sweet cousin with his mom and grandma to the bunch....and it couldn't get any cuter!!

Here's a sneak peek....

So grateful am I....

This year I have so very much to be thankful for....
My cup truly runneth over...

I am in a really great place in my life. There have been times in my life when I've really struggled with who I am...and where I am.
But I can sincerely say that I am now content...
I feel loved by my Maker each and every day....and I cherish that feeling...

I am also thankful that I am roommates with my very best friend in this life. Shibu is the most sweet hearted person I have ever known. He fills my life with joy and laughter and love....ten years together and I still run red lights to get home to him...

And the one born of my womb....how that little boy blesses me....
My entire life...I only wanted to be a mother....and the journey that led me there was far from simple.....but worth every single struggle and heartache...
I love every possible thing about Sanjay....what an incredible honor to think that of all the women in the world....God chose me to be his mother...

And my life is filled with an awesome family, precious friends, a great work atmosphere....and even getting to do my hobby as my dream job!!!
Every morning I wake up with my good health I just praise God...He is so good to me.

Wishing all my dear ones a Happy Thanksgiving....hoping you all have much to be grateful for!!

Reg and Jess Sneak Peak

I love this family! They're one of my favorites. I think in my whole life, the person I have talked to the MOST in terms of time is Jessie. She and I spent YEARS of our lives on the phone. She is the perfect soprano to my alto...:) and believe me...we spent much of our time on the phone singing...in parts...oh yah...we were cool...

Jess....I KNOW you're going nuts for a preview from yesterday's photo shoot...cause I'm going nuts to show you one...:)

Thanks for the opportunity!!!

How precious is that pouty lip?!

Hope you enjoy these!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Friends! The crisp air outside can mean only one thing.....it's almost Christmas!!!!! How I absolutely ADORE everything about this time of year!!! And this is proving to be my busiest time as a photographer! I am booking up photo sessions fast and furiously for ya'll to be able to get your Christmas cards printed and in the mail before too long!!!
Can't wait to do your family pictures....and receive cards from each of you with pictures I've taken...that's the rule...if I take your picture for your card...you are REQUIRED to send me one!!!

Be sure to contact me PRONTO if you're interested in setting up your session!
Remember...I have an awesome holiday season rate!!

Here are a few photos from my office holiday Bollywood Party!

Appachan

On September 8, 2010, my dear uncle left us on earth to go to his heavenly home. We are deeply saddened as a family, as Appachan was the pillar of the Koodathinalil Family.

Upon Appachan's death, we started digging through old photographs to make a slideshow, it was both therapeutic and heart breaking for me.

It occurred to me that these photographs would be the only way I would see Appachan's face here on earth again. These photographs would tell the stories of our lives with him.

What makes me most sad, is that Sanjay will only know him through these photographs. He won't remember how he loved Appachan's lap, and walking around with his cane, and praying every night for Appachan to be healed.

I look forward to the day when I see Appachan face to face again.
In the meantime, I suppose pictures will have to do.