Kids I love

Can I just say that I love these next kids like they are my own. It's because their momma's(yes I said momma's. I'm from Arkansas and have a slight slang.) are basically sisters to me. We kinda grew up together and I would do anything for them. Their kids are amazing and I feel privileged to get to see them grow up. I can't wait to take more pictures of them in the future. Live Greatly, Love Softly

Sophie McKinney~1 year photos

Sophie was my first "cake smash" session and I loved every second of it.  The first part of the session wasn't the actual cake smashing part.  First we got some clean, cute photos and then the cake smashing started.  She wasn't to sure of it at first.  The cake was cold and I don't think she like the temperature very much.  But then she realized that it was cake icing and it was very sweet, so she was more excited to dig in.

Live Greatly, Love Softly

Kinley Franco

Kinley is a mess!  And not in a bad way, but in a funny, comical way.  She did really well with our photo shoot.  Her mom wanted photos of her just it had been a while since some were taken.  And I think she's very pretty and very photogenic.





I recently got to take photos of her baby sister, Annslee. Those are coming later.


Live Greatly, Love Softly

Shoot for Haute Mess Online Fashion Magazine

I have seen a few fashion shoots on TV on shows such as "Scouted" on E! and I decided I had to dabble in that.  I love it!  And when I first got into photography, I didn't really think that at all.  Things change I guess.
I was really excited when I was asked to take some shots of some models wearing clothes from the Haute Mess.  For my first fashion shoot, I don't think I did to bad.  Of course there's always room for improvement.







 




Hopefully there will be many more fashion shoots in the future.  It's definitely something I want tod o more.


Live Greatly, Love Softly

As the day draws closer...

So it's getting closer and closer to that day.  The day that was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life.  The happiness that was so shockingly stolen from my life.  My original due date for Oliver.  October 20th is getting closer.  It seems that it looms over me like a bad shadow.

A few days ago I received a care package from Erin and Darryl Phillips.  They founded and run Ayden's Foundation of Hope out of Slidell, LA.  Their 3.75 year old son, Ayden, fell into a pool and didn't survive. They took their grief and pain and turned it into something great.  A foundation for people like me who have lost children.  In the box was a plethora of books on grief and what it is to lose a child and also Steven Curtis Chapman's album Beauty Will Rise.  A whole CD on the loss of his and  his wife's child Maria.  I listened to the whole CD today and the tears have flowed.  And I'm at work too.  I've been praying that I don't get any knocks while my face is all red and puffy.

Basically the CD talks about grief and how horrible it is to lose a child, no matter what age.  And then something amazing happens.  In each song, it goes into how much greater God is than the grief that you are going through.  I so needed that today.  I haven't had a bad day in a long time and I don't want to consider today a bad day.  Just a few bad moments.

There isn't a single day that goes by that I don't think of my baby boy.  I try to imagine what he is doing right now.  I can imagine that he is running around with other babies that didn't make it here on earth.  I imagine that he is playing with Ayden and doing little boy things.  I like to think that there is dirt in Heaven and if there is he is elbow deep in a puddle of mud, mixed with dirt and water from the Sea of Forgetfulness.  I can imagine he's asking the Angels why he can't fly and to please teach him.  I can imagine that Martin is sort of his care taker if that sort of thing exists in Heaven.  I imagine his getting acquainted with all the animals that we have lost in the past, including our dog Neal that we lost last month.  I imagine that he is walking around with his brother and sister that have gone before him.  And then comes the greatest picture of all.  My imagination goes to the day when I get to see him face to face again and his features have matured and he looks like  the little Poole baby that he is.  Round little face.  Blonde hair that's almost white and little hands.  Little hands that he uses to put on each side of my face so that when he does, we are staring at each other eye to little blue eye.  He has a serious look that breaks into a smile and sweetly ask me, "What took you so long mom?"  I joyfully look back at him and take in that amazing face and I say, "I was just waiting on Jesus, Baby."
And then we walk off together, myself, Ben, Ty, Carter and Maci and the other two babies that I have never met and they never leave my side.

So as it gets closer to my due date, I also have to remember that the day gets closer that Jesus will come back and get us all. 


Live Greatly, Love Softly

Gardner Family

I've known Marissa for about seven months.  I met her for the first time when I opened the studio.  Probably about 3 months after, she asked me to do some family photos.  Great family!








Live Greatly, Love Softly

Ferrell Family

I've known the Ferrell family for a while, but had never been to their house or spent any real time with them.  Carter, who is the same age as Rhonda and Scotty's son, Grant, has spent time with Grant.  But besides that, it was just a passing hi or a wave.  I was happy that their daughter, Shelby, asked me to come and do their family photos along with Zane's, (her older brother), senior photos. 

I really didn't take all that many of the family.  They just wanted a group shot and a shot of the 3 kids.  So Basically that's what we did.  But I thought they turned out well.  I even got a smile out of Grant, which I was told normally doesn't happen.


Live Greatly, Love Softly

Adam and Cindy: Brother and Sister shoot

I met Cindy and Adam when I was shooting her Cindy's boyfriend's senior shoot.  Both are great looking kids.  And I think their personalities match.  Adam didn't really get into what he wants to do when he graduates from high school, but Cindy let me know that modeling is what she wants to get into.  I may not know much about the modeling world, but I think she could make it.  She was at ease in front of the camera and one of the easiest shoots I've had.  I really didn't have to give her any direction at all.  She was a natural.














Live Greatly, Love Softly

Vacation 2012 Part 4: Train Ride, Bear Country U.S.A. and Sturgis, SD

For as long as I can remember my middle son, Carter, has had a huge thing for trains.  He loved Thomas for a long time and is just now growing out of it.  But regardless he loved the opportunity to ride a real steam locomotive.  He could not wait for it to get going.

I asked him to show me his "excited riding a train face".  Boy did he ever.


Things we saw out of the window,





The next stop on our way was Bear Country U.S.A.  I LOVE this place!!!  All the adult bears you can handle, (and a few other animals), and then they have this place called Babyland.  It's ridiculous how cute Baby Bears are. 



BABIES!!!

Baby bears suck on each other's ears for pacifiers.


This is the same bear.  Not two different bears beside one another.


And my husband's favorite part of the whole trip:

We had just missed the rally by a week and I have to say I am quite glad.  It was quiet and calm and a nice walk.  The town is dead when the rally isn't going on.


On the way back to the campsite we took a scenic byway home.  It was through Spearfish Canyon.
If you've ever been that way, you know exactly what I'm talking about when I say the whole thing looks like a Thomas Kincaid painting.


Well that's the last of the photos from Vacation 2012.  I have to say, if you get a chance to go, do not fly.  If you don't have time to drive, don't go.  It's a beautiful drive and it shouldn't be replaced by flight.  Make sure you have lots of time because there is so much scenic stuff to see.  We ran out of time.  We didn't even get to see Devil's Tower or the highway where the wild burrows are or even Crazy Horse.  I hope you enjoyed all the photos.  Next post:  Cindy and Adam, Brother and sister shoot.


Live Greatly, Love Softly