I beat myself up for not taking as many photos of my family as I used to, before I also used my camera for work. I truly believe that the best moments are the little ones, the ones we too often take for granted until they have passed. Most of the time, I see two ways to maximize these moments. One, is to catch it in my camera, on my computer, and on paper. This gives me the opportunity to let others see what I see, to share that with others now and in the future. The other is to be present. Put my camera, my phone, the mile-long to-do list in my head all down and savor what is in front of me right now. I constantly vacillate between which I think is the better choice. Last year, the idea of a 365-day photography project sounded exactly like what I should do. Capture the day to day. Print more. Blog more. I didn’t do that. It just became another thing on my to-do list I was not accomplishing. I continue to look for a balance.

With that in mind, here are my big girls in the backyard last Tuesday. Scavenging for treasures. Building their collections.

At three and one quarter, she is funny, and charming, and, well, funky. And I mean that as a high compliment. Her days are stream-of-consciousness musical theater. She is sweet and fiery, and you never know which you might get at any given moment. My VC. She’s one of a kind.

The Stanelle cousins, 2010.

I can’t wait to see a big beautiful print of this in the girls’ playroom.

ATLANTA DATES: I will be available for sessions in and around Atlanta from June 14 to 18, and again from July 5 to 11. Call or message me if you are interested in discussing or reserving a time slot!

MOTHER’S DAY is THIS Sunday. Do you have a present yet? Gift certificates are available in any denomination and can used towards session fees, or prints (for future or past sessions).

This grandmother called me a few weeks ago in anticipation of her daughter’s visit and her two grandchildren being together at her Ponte Vedra home. I’m always thrilled to get to photograph not just one, but several branches of a family’s tree. Lots of family means lots of pictures, here are a few of my favorites.

Lately I’ve been working mostly with families with boys. It’s made me realize that if I ever were to have a son, there would be whole new learning curve to endure, but also a lot of fun to be had. This guy was quite the charmer. Did not need a second to warm up. In fact, he was less than thrilled when Mom and Dad wanted to get in on his shots.

Love this father-son moment. I must say that it’s not uncommon for dads to be the most reluctant member of the family when it comes to picture time. It’s amazing how the kids relax when Dad lets his guard down. And I guarantee that Mom will be so happy to get this shot.

He took the old “watch closely and my big lens will wink at you” trick very seriously.

What a cutie.

This family with two little boys gave me a workout! Good thing it was a little cooler than usual on this Atlanta morning. I did work up a bit of a sweat, but this is what it’s all about for me. Kids being kids, and families doing their thing.

I was excited to hear that the boys’ grandparents would be in town for their session. I absolutely love it when I get to work with multiple generations of family.

If you are in Atlanta and missed me this time around, please join me on Facebook or check back here to see upcoming return trips. I will be posting travel dates in the next couple of weeks.

I’m not afraid to admit to you one of my deepest fears. If all goes well, it is bound to happen. It is my girls becoming ‘tweens and teens. I have fretted about how I will handle it since before they were born. Seriously.

Last week, I met an amazing 11 year old girl who gave me hope. Sweet, smart, talented, athletic, mature and self-confident. Wow. I was so impressed by how at ease she was with herself and how gracious she was with me. I wish I’d been that together at her age. I pray that my girls will be.

]]> http://www.jennifermendoza.com/2010/02/multi-talented/feed/ 1 http://www.jennifermendoza.com/2010/02/superhero/ http://www.jennifermendoza.com/2010/02/superhero/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:17:43 +0000 Jennifer Mendoza http://www.jennifermendoza.com/?p=2330

Here are highlights from a session I had with a  sweet tree-climbing, spiderman loving big brother and his spunky princess of a baby sister.

Big brothers rule. Thank goodness, K seems to use his power benevolently.

I often joke with CM that a princess’s life is pretty boring. I mean, what do they actually DO? Miss L informed me that they dance with princes all day. Then she showed me her moves.

May 2010 be a good year for all of us. May we cherish every good thing, especially the people, in our lives, and may the bad be bearable, short-lived, and meaningful in the long run.

Here is a sneak peek from my first session of 2010! I know since mom and dad are on my Facebook, that they are anxious to see them! You may remember this little guy from here.

This time, big brother joined us. And, oh my goodness, they were so sweet together! I swear I did not ask them to pose for any of these. I just plopped them on the grass…

Baby B is one very loved, and kissed, little boy.

This one with mom made me want to cry. I just know (and LOVE) that feeling.

Lastly, a couple of big brother. As a friend of mine says of her daughter, this look feels like a little preview of the teen years…look out!

And then just like that, he’s back to little boy.