I just love this time of year as I look back at the blog and see all the fabulous bellies, new babies and families that I had the opportunity to photograph this past year. I adore what I do and feel so lucky that so many people decide that I am the photographer they want to hire to capture these precious moments in their lives.

So I leave you with this slideshow of all the portraits featured on the blog from 2009. I have a lot of exciting things planned for 2010 and can’t wait to share them with you!

I really have to admit that my new favorite location to shoot casual, fun family sessions is Saguaro Ranch Park in Glendale. Every time I am there I find new, fun areas to explore and LOVE to watch the kids chase after the chickens when the shoot is all done.

Andy, Matt and Grace (and their Mom & Dad) were such a joy to work with! Here are a few from their session.

It was a tough decision to make – shoot at beautiful Anthem Park north of town or explore Scottsdale Civic Plaza. I knew I had two gorgeous girls to work with and either location would be fantastic, but the lure of ice cream and arcade games won out as soon as their mom mentioned that they LOVE the Sugar Bowl in Old Town Scottsdale. There is not much of a better treat for after a wonderful portrait session, so we were Civic Plaza bound…

… us and HUNDREDS of white tents. I neglected to check the Civic Plaza calendar to realize that there was a HUGE artfest being held on the Plaza grounds.

Thankfully, after we finally found each other (thank goodness for cell phones!) we had a fabulous session! Still plenty of prime locations for shooting and looking at the final images you’d never guess there were a see of white tents all over the place. Huge thanks to E & L’s parents for having to gorgeous girls who more than deserved their post-session visit to the Sugar Bowl!

I had the pleasure of photographing Mr. Hudson a couple weeks ago. Such a cutie at 6 months of age! While he was born in AZ, I think he’s a TX boy at heart since both his mom and his dad are from the Lone Star State.  I predict cowboy boots, a Stetson and Wranglers in his future… but throw in some wrap around Ray-Bans for an AZ touch.  Give him 16 years or so and he will be making the girls giggle and sigh with a simple wink.

But for now, he’s a little munchkin who likes to cuddle with Mom & Dad and loves his stuffed lion doll…

Did I mention the gorgeous eyes?

I have to start off by saying that  I’ve been a neglectful photographer and haven’t scoped out new locations for a LONG time and thus have missed a GEM of a location on the west side of town. Saguaro Ranch Park in Glendale is truly a delightful place to visit even when you are not having portraits taken! For those who are unfamiliar with the venue, it’s a historic farm and still boasts many of the old buildings, tractors and other rustic accessories that were required to operate a farm during the late 1800s into the early 1900s.

Such a location was the perfect spot for Jackson & Owen – two delightful boys who knew exactly how to charm this photographer. I wanted to pack them both into my car after the session and haul them home with me.  I’ve decided that my Sarah should marry little Owen and that Jackson & my Kevin would delight in bucket after bucket of Legos.

Here are a few from J & Os session.

There are various chickens running around the farm area of the park. If you EVER need to find a way for your young children to burn off loads of energy, I guarantee you that chasing chickens will lead to tired children.

You definitley will recognize these two beauties – Maddie & Melanie were featured on the blog a few months ago when they came in for a studio session to capture Melanie at age two.  Dad, however, couldn’t make the session, so Mom decided that we’d follow up once the weather cooled off for a family session outdoors. And BOY has it cooled off!  With temps in the low to mid-50s, it was a bit chilly for our morning session at DC Ranch Market Street, but the results were worth it. Huge thanks to Mrs. G for the chance again to photograph her gorgeous girls and to Mr. G who just smiled and went along with it all!

Miss Brittan has a birthday this weekend, so I REALLY want to share this sneak peek now so all her family and friends can see what an adorable gal she is.  Big thanks to her Mom and Dad for the privilege to photograph their little girl.

Hunter turned 9 months and to keep in line with the portraits we took for his older brother Carter, we captured some ADORABLE portraits of him in his monkey Halloween costume.  We even prop’d it up a bit with a banana!

What a difference a few months make! In May, for Andrew’s 7 month session, his big ’sis Avery didn’t want much to do with him (must have been that 3-year old “diva” stage!) But she was happy as a clam sitting with her little brother this time around (maybe he was drooling less?) As you can see, hugs and kisses (and smiles!) were abundant as we had a fabulous time up at DC Ranch Market Street.

Miss Avery with Pongo.

When R emailed me earlier this summer and said her parents and brother would be in town Labor Day weekend and could we schedule a session, I couldn’t say no! Siblings Abby, Drew and Ben are such a fun set of kids to photograph and I really enjoyed meeting Grandma & Grandpa who were visiting from Vegas and Uncle B who was over from California! We met up early in the AM for a session at DC Ranch Market Street.

Here are some favorites…

Three generations!

The crew with Uncle B!

Drew just started Kindergarten this fall – he LOVES it!

Abby is in 2nd grade!

LOVE this picture of Ben toddling through the grass.

A smile that his hard to resist!