I have no words to describe this wonderful session with this beautiful girl...such a fun and awesome evening...and it never felt rushed or forced or uninspired...it was everything to the contrary.

I was beyond blessed to have met and worked with this sweet girl and her mama, and these are the kinds of sessions that make me regret not meeting people sooner! Love and blessings, Maegan...you will be FABulous in Oklahoma! (Even if it IS Oklahoma...hehe ;) )

See.  Yet another reason to love babies...the faces, the lip puckers, the finger nibbles, the chunky legs, and the CHEEKS!  Those precious, squishible, squeezable cheeks!  Who could resist!?  

*Definitely not I. :)*

Precious and happy and content...Luke.  And I'll say it again... If I could shoot little nuggets all day every day forever...I'd be in baby bliss.  I am simply in love with how simple and pure and humble they leave me.  So very blessed to be part of these little lives.  They change me...my heart, my spirit, my creativity...more than I realize.  Blessed.  <3

3 spots are now booked...1 spot remains for one awesome photographer!  Don't miss out on this fun, inspiring and affordable opportunity!  Email: tinstarphoto@yahoo.com to register!

It is virtually IMPOSSIBLE for me to pick a favorite from this session.

Because this boy is a favorite.

This beautiful field is a favorite.

This light is a favorite.

And this smile.  THIS smile. THIS dimple. THIS little grin from ear to ear.

It's all in my top 3 list of awesomeness. The. End. :)

Austin is quite the serious and focused young man, but not so serious enough to squeese out a smile or two.  And what a great smile it is!  *Plus, he reminds me of a very young and handsome Ray Liotta...doncha think?!*

So impressed with how calm and reserved my seniors are cause I think that about this time in my own senior year...I was a hot mess of nerves and anxiety and excitement.  All of these young people I've seen this year seem to take everything in stride and roll with it.... I think I could learn a thing or two.... :)

If I had to choose...If I was forced...If my arm was twisted...

I would shoot 6-9 month old babies all day, every day, forevah.

They are the squishiest, happiest, funnest, bestest little people.  

And when they leave...my heart is still smiling...:)

This lady.  She has inspired me for a few years, though she probably doesn't know that (till now).  A wonderful writer; An honest soul; A beautiful mama and bride; And a thoughtful and purposeful photographer.  Her life has taken her from sea to shining sea and wonderful photographs and people she has touched and photographed dot the journey along the way.... So proud to introduce you to Julie of Julie Rivera Photography...

Julie's Bio... 

 Isn't it funny how hard it is to answer “Who are you?” questions? It depends upon what I want to emphasize that day. If I focus on my culinary skills, I would say I am an astonishingly good chocolate chip cookie maker. And then I would stop talking because that is the only strength I have in the kitchen. If I focus on my past achievements, I would say I was an officer in the US Navy, managing budgets and toilet paper and other cool stuff. If I look at myself on the day to day, I would say I am a wife to an Army guy (I know, I had to overlook his choice of service), a mom to two girls and one boy, a tidy housekeeper who doesn't do deep cleanings but keeps the clutter at bay so it LOOKS clean, and a photographer who simply loves getting authentic, emotion filled images...whether for myself or for my clients. My portrait strength lies in seniors, children and families and I am one to play up my strengths and happily focus all my energies there. Oh, and the “Where you live” answer is a moving target. I live in Lexington, VA at the moment, but will move to Columbus, GA in June and then next summer? Who knows!

How did your life journey take you into photography?

When I graduated from college and entered the Navy, I set up a mutual fund to save some of that sweet moolah I was raking in. And my objective? A darkroom so I could do all my own developing and printing when I had my serious gig with National Geographic. (Yes, I totally dated myself there. It was all film at that time.) Throughout my 5 years in the Navy, I used my trusty Pentax K1000 (which I received for Christmas when I was 16) across the Mediterranean, learning the ins and outs of exposure and aperture on a fully manual film camera. Ten years later, I liquidated that mutual fund and set up my digital darkroom and jumped into business.

I can't say it was smooth sailing (oh, don't you like that nautical reference?), as I did quit my business after our most recent move from Texas to Virginia. I let the fears overwhelm me. The self doubt, the comparisons to others, the inadequacies. So I quit. I thought I had quit for good but I could not suppress the need I had to create. I continued to photograph the world around me, without the pressure of pleasing anyone. I slowly reassessed why I wanted to have a business in the first place and what I thought I brought to a session that was uniquely me. Eventually, I had to get out of my own way and embrace the potential for failure in order to embrace the very core of who I was as an artist.

What is your favorite (most recent) photograph?

My favorite image of late is one from a session a couple of weeks ago. My daughter's best friend's family. I was about to load up my car and leave them alone. Then I saw the light. That light! And I dragged them into the field next to their home. And then they just fell into their own normal. And the moment happened. In all its late evening beauty.

What inspires your photography?

Light and music.

As I drive around town, I look down alleys, I look at building faces, I see light filtering through trees. I just see light everywhere. And I want to find someone and stick them in that light and take their picture. (This is why having children is so handy... “Hey girls? Wanna help Mommy with some pictures? Oh, sure, there will be ice cream afterwards...”)

And while I am doing this driving, I have the radio on. My Pandora stations are singers and songwriters, Counting Crows, Matchbox Twenty. I like those lines that make you feel. Those bars of music that rise and fall and take your heart with them. Music moves me from an artistic standpoint. (From a dancing standpoint? To steal William H. Macy's line in Wild Hogs, “Music moves me. It just moves me ugly.”)

Favorite quote?

From Kurt Vonnegut in A Man Without a Country, “The arts are not a way of making a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”

What in your bag?

I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark iii and my 24-70mm/2.8L and 70-200mm/2.8L are my most used lenses. I also have a Nifty Fifty, the 50mm/1.4, and an 85mm/1.8.

What is your favorite type of session/shoot/subject?

 I love photographing young children. In their element. Doing their thing. I am not looking for a perfect picture, I really just want emotion, a moment, a memory. I don't use props and don't do stylized shoots because it is too fussy for my personality. I am so impressed with the creativity I see from other photographers when they do stylized shoots...but isn't that the beauty of art? One size doesn't have to fit all!

Where would you like to see yourself or your business in 5 years?

Hmmm, in 5 years my husband MIGHT be out of the Army. Which means my business might be in a permanent location! (Back to Texas, perhaps?) Where I could build a clientele and enjoy photographing families more than once. I would love to be able to grow with families, to see the toddlers graduate high school! I know I will be in a different season of life, with both of my girls in school, the teenager out in the world, and more time on my hands to really focus n my business and make it the best experience I can for each and every client. I would like to have a session a week, with a few breaks here and there to coincide with family holidays and such. That would be my ideal.

What do you love to do in your free time...if any?

I have a hard time with free time. If I do have down time, I am restless and feel I must be productive. (If productivity can be an idol, she is mine.) During commercials, I jump up to sweep or do dishes. During nap time, I edit images or blog. I have a hard time relaxing! But, I do enjoy reading, I enjoy a few select shows on TV, I like watching Yankees baseball with my husband, and I like taking pictures for myself.

3 people/or photogs who inspire you!

I am blown away by Natalie Norton's ability to convey emotion in her images. I find Dana Pugh, a fabulous family photographer out of Canada, fills her images with warmth, life and fun. And finally, I love Susan Keller's storytelling with her images.

How do people connect with you?

Website: www.julieriveraphotography.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JulieRiveraPhotography

Twitter: @JulieRivera1

Instagram: JulieHRivera

If you haven't connected with Julie...do it...you won't regret a single moment of internet stalking...;) She will brighten your day with beautiful stories from those she photographs and stories from her own life.

Thank you Julie, for continuing to share and inspire and reflect openness and honesty.  Texas misses you and can't wait for your return one day...and I think our girls need a meet and sweet date when you do!

Another Baby Plan baby...done.

Another photographer...cries.

Another mama...is still in shock that the 1st year flew so quickly.

I love these sessions with all of my heart.  And these babies.  I say it all the time, but I hope they (my babies and mamas) know how much it is true.  How much I love seeing them grow.  How much joy I feel knowing I'll get to see them again...still.

Happy Birthday...Avery in Wonderland! :)

More of an experience than a workshop.

More learning than you could ever imagine.

More fun than you know.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn how to document your life FABulously, creatively and honestly!  Know how to push your camera to it's fullest potential, and make life-long connections along the way. Email today...just a few spots left...payout plan available!  tinstarphoto@yahoo.com