{Photog} G-R-O-W

Love this sweet family! Remember Joshua? I can't believe how much he's grown just in the past 6 months. This is a great reminder of why it's so important to take pictures so frequently. I can't stand the thought of not being able to remember a single detail about my kids being little.

My business has also been growing, and I'll be making some huge changes in the month of Decmeber. I'm so thankful for all my clients who have helped me along the way. BIG props coming your way. :) It's not too late to get in on the digs!
I'm offering a great deal if you plan for next year. Book your Winter/Spring 2012 session by December 31st, and recieve 2011 rates! This offer is good for all types of full sessions- baby milestones, senior portraits, yearly portraits, etc. Prices will be changing January 1st. E-mail me for details. LauraVeno@sbcglobal.net

Enjoy your preview, sweet P family! It was so good to photograph you again. :)

{Photog} & {Parties} Look Whoo's Having a Boy

This "Woodland Friends" themed baby shower couldn't have turned out better for my little sister. Remember the invitations that went out? I'm in love with the details, from the owl cupcakes and milk bottles, to the monogram tree stump, and the special chalboard messages from loved ones. Baby Grayson was showered with loads of fun little boy gifts and eager and expectant wishes and words of wisdom. The party was put together by myself, our older (smarter and more mature, but so much fun) sister, and a fabulous and talented friend. Enjoy your preview, everyone, and keep watch for the "tasty" maternity session that followed!

{Photog} Birthdays are for Celebrating

There's not much more I love than a good birthday celebration. It's the one day of the year that belongs to you, and you deserve a party! So, when my uber-creative and oh-so craft saavy friend asked me to come to her grandfather's 80th birthday party and take pictures, of course I said yes! I knew this would be a great shin-dig, and her family did not disappoint. These are the kind of people you want at your wedding reception. They know how to have a good time, and- good for me- they were all smiles. A photo-booth, family portraits in the courtyard, and some quick snaps of the party in action... Thanks so much for letting me be apart of such a special day. Enjoy your preview!

{Photog} The Most Wonderful Time of the Year... Christmas Mini's!

2011 Christmas Mini-Sessions are here! My favorite thing to do is give gifts, so let this be your first of the season! You may never see a deal this amazing again...

Mini-sessions are a 20 minute on-location session for you and your immediate family members. With all the checklists, to-do lists, and gift lists, I know how busy the holidays can be, so this is a great option for this time of year!

Included with your session:
*3 high-res downloadable images from your online gallery (a $150 value).
*25 boutique style Christmas cards (a $60 value). Choose from 4 options.
And, because Christmas is the best gift of all, I'm also including a $25 gift certificate for you to give a friend.

...All for $120.

There are 3 different session days to choose from, each a different style. Contact me for more details and to book your session. TheBirdandTheBee@sbcglobal.net

*Session fees must be paid in full to hold your spot. Since these sessions are time sensitive and stylized, there will be no refunds and no rescheduling for canceled sessions. Please do not be late for your session, as it will only cut our 20 minutes short, and not into another sessions time.
*Giftee's name will be printed on the gift certificate and kept in our records.

{Photog} All That is Good and Gorgeous

Meet Reese. I got to spend a precious Sunday morning with this sweet bundle of everything that is good and gorgeous. Laid back and beautiful like her momma (remember her stunning maternity pics?), this little one was a joy to photograph. Enjoy your preview sweet M family!

{Photog} Preview of a Preview for a Precious One

I couldn't resist... I'm completely not done with these edits, but just did these and couldn't keep them to myself. How selfish would that be?!?!? They just fill my heart with happiness... (Sigh)... I hope they make your Tuesday a little brighter (or Monday evening, for all you night owls, like me). More previews, and the story on this precious one to come!

{Photog} The Apple and the Tree, Jenny & Bree

When I was young (er, 'cause I still see a 21 year old when I look in the mirror), my mom would often say, "That apple doesn't fall far from the tree," about me, when I did awesome (not always) things just like herself or my dad.
This is my dear (and gorgeous and skinny-in-an-awesome way) friend, Jenny, and her equally dear (and gorgeous and skinny-in-a-future-super-model way) daughter, Bree. And, well, that apple doesn't fall far from the tree (but only cause of the awesomeness, unlike me). I took this fun gal and her mini-me downtown for a unique momma, daughter mini session, and here is what happened...

{Photog} Baby Boy Blue

Meet Cooper. So snuggly and sweet. And his family is just as. Well, I didn't snuggle them, too, but definitely sweet. Thanks for letting me relish in the toes and fingers and cheeks and chunkiness. I had so many favorites in this one. I can't wait to watch this handsome boy grow!

{Decor} Little Cabin

While I didn't hand stitch all of these decorations, I did find each piece all over creation and bring them together to create this ruggishly handsome cabin themed boys room, perfect for any young outdoors"boy". Originally designed for my own little woodsboy, now available for yours. Check it out in our Etsy shop!

{Photog} Bucket Rides and Other Shenanigans

Another one of my favorite families... Mostly because they're fun and kind and caring and SO cute, but also because it's my sister, brother-in-law, and niece and nephew. I kind of LOVE them. :) So, of course this was a super fun session. My sister trusts me enough to try my ideas (and there was no way H-man was not going to sit in the bucket after I told him that was the plan... "My mom's going to carry me in a bucket!?!?"-mouth hanging open), and I have to say, I think it paid off.

{Print} Woodland Friends Invite

My precious little sister is having her second baby, and we're celebrating in true outdoor boy style. With the baby room set in a Woodland Friends theme, a shower in any other just wouldn't do.
This invitation is fit for any party in your neck of the woods. These handmade cards are inked and pressed with an owl and branches, framing a simple print. The brown envelopes are lined with coordinating trees, deer, and other woodland friends. Check it out in our Etsy shop!
Pictures from the party are coming soon!

{Photog} All Smiles

Meet Miss E, and her precious mom and dad. She was all smiles this late Saturday morning at the gardens. There's nothing warmer than a baby's giggle and smile... Well, maybe this Texas heat, but that's a different kind of sticky warm. Back to the nice warm... ahhh, baby giggles and smiles. And though, the sweetness was all over her face, she had quite a different agenda. She was going to walk! No sitting in buckets or kneeling on the ground for this one (at least not after she figured out she wanted to stand). I have no doubt that this one will be up for a game of chase very soon. Thanks for a great session, mom and dad. The love you have for your little one warms my heart (and forced my own little ones into a snuggly arm lock they had to wiggle out of when I got home). Love the love that inspires one to love. You can quote me on that... or maybe use it as a tongue twister.

{Photog} Twice the "Higs" and Kisses

Oh, how I love twins! And these two were no exception. Twice the lips and fingers and toes and chunky little thighs! Nice work, mom and dad. These perfect little angels did great for their debut, and were so cuddly and sweet and huggable. The best part is, they're my neighbors, so I get to hold them anytime I want. :)

{Wear} Infinity Scarves for Little Ones

I constantly find myself wishing they made the accessories I love for myself in my daughter's size. And so, being true to myself, if I can't find it, I'll just make it!
Checkout our new Infinity Scarves for little ones. The perfect accessory for fall...Made in the softest knit, the scarf makes a complete circle, no beginning and no end. Perfect for active little ones who surrender anything not attached (ie scarves, headbands, hats, etc) as they run wild and free.
Ready to ship in the navy floral print and burgandy/white stripe. Don't see the color scheme you want? Let me know and I can make it for you. E-mail me at TheBirdandTheBee@sbcglobal.net for details, or visit our our Etsy shop to purchase!

{Wear} Kindergarten Rocks!

There's nothing like your child's first year of school... loads of new friends, fun new school supplies in their spider man or hello kitty back pack, a yummy lunch packed by their momma (probably with a note about how much she loves them and is so proud of them). Let everyone know that your student is there to rock kindergarten with our Kindergarten Rocks! tee. Their teacher will appreciate their enthusiasm, and their friends will be reassured of all the fun that lies ahead. Available for all the other grades, as well. E-mail me at TheBirdandTheBee@sbcglobal.net for details, or visit our our Etsy shop to purchase!

{Photog} A Girl Who's Going Places

This is Abby. While still young and not having thought much about life-in-the-long-run, this is a girl who's going some where. Obviously, that's why we chose air and water for our portraits- how else is she going to get there? (eye roll, sigh) Duh. (and the fact that I've always wanted to shoot at an airfield- How exciting!, and my Anthropologie catalog shot in Taiwan totally inspired me to find a dock) Between her grand ideas and her mother's creativity, I'm sure she will cure cancer one day, in an oh-did-I-do-that sort of way, an "I wear flats, not heels" kind of way, a "let's go lay in the sun and think about how to cure cancer" kind of way. Until then, you keep wearing those aviators and lookin' all tall and super modelish. (This blog post was totally inspired by the teenage girl within us all.)

{Photog} The Girl Club

This sweet family, we've known since our fond days at Crockett Jr. High (long before they were a family), just had their 5th girl! And, of course, she's no less precious than the rest. Being in a room with that much girl power makes you want to break out into the chorus of Put Your Records On (you thought I was going to say Natural Woman, didn't you, but that might make me old), let your hair down, and giggle about a boy. I grew up with 2 sisters and a mom, but I can't imagine having 2 more in the club! Oh the benefits! Back to the beautiful new one... Look at those toes! And those lips! Clint, I'm sure you've heard it before, but you'd better start polishing your guns now. Or maybe get a really big stick. Or maybe get that car from Back to the Future, but go into the future and work this all out for yourself and your girls. Girls, be sweet to your highly out-numbered daddy. Anyhow, welcome to the world, sweet little one. Enjoy your girl club and all its girly benefits!

{Print} A Party That's Good to the Bitter End

For a bloody good time, guests will be sure to enjoy this invitation on the way to your Halloween bash. E-mail me at TheBirdandTheBee@sbcglobal.net for details, or visit our our Etsy shop to purchase!