Future Miss America :)

First of all, can you believe this beauty is 12? She has the poise and class of someone much older...and she is just such a natural beauty!

I met up with her and her amazing mom for a super quick "head shoot/portfolio" type shoot. I did a similar shoot for another young lady who was competing for Miss Missouri about 2 years ago. So it was really fun to do something like this again. This young beauty has a very bright future! Good luck in your pageant next month....I know you'll do great!

Introducing Fred....and Five Very Cute Cousins!

I was looking forward to meeting all of these cute kiddos. Usually when I have groups of extended families, I see them for whole family shoots, and don't get to see the kids interact too much with each other. So to have just some cousins hanging out and having fun was a nice change of pace. I have to tell you...these kids were SOOOOO well behaved- total sweet hearts! They came out dressed in such great bright colors (I am all about the colors) and I love how the color pops in these pictures.

Giving their little brother some sugar :)

LOVE her eyes! So pretty!

Workin' the camera like a pro!

I was on my toes chasing this little guy around, but as you will see in a few photos down, I had a secret weapon!

Such a little beauty....and I love love love the pink!

*Sigh* baby eyelashes....

One of my favorites of the day! :)

And now my secret weapon will be revealed.....meet Fred the Chicken :)  Fred goes with me on any shoot where I am working with kids. He makes the most annoying squawking noise but kids big and small LOVE it. They usually end up being more interested in Fred than in taking pictures and sometimes I have to put them in a headlock to get Fred back (kidding...sort of...ha ha). I'm so excited that I got my first official Fred photo....this is going up on the wall in my office!

Such cuties!! And seriously, look at that color. Awesome!!

We did these at the end and this little guy was done for the day, but I LOVE this one. The way big sis has her arms wrapped around her sweet baby brother is so precious and I love how his little hands are clasped together. So sweet.

Thank you moms soooo much for dressing your darling kids so beautifully and for getting up extra early on a weekend! I had a great time with them :)

I know you wanna.......

......see more of the adorable Kate & Chris's engagement session.

....or beautiful Jess's "Bridal Shoot"...which was a first for us :)

So, be sure to hop on over to our wedding blog.
http://www.kellyandlisaweddingphotogs.blogspot.com/

You'll be glad you did :)

Giving Back

This darling family of three came to me through my friend Kelly (the amazing Kelly of Kelly's Cakes & Cupcakes http://www.kellyscakesandcupcakes.com/) Kelly's Dad was very very sick and spent a lot of time in the Hospital, there were points when they weren't sure he would make it. Kelly and her two brothers came together and set up a fund raiser to help their Dad with the mounds of medical bills (awesome kids..huh!). When I heard they were setting up a silent auction, I was MORE than happy to donate a session to the cause.

And that brought me to this awesome family who won my Gift Certificate. Angie (mom) happens to be Kelly's Aunt...and I was really really excited to learn it went to a family member of Kelly's....awesome people in that family :)

We met up on a pretty (although windy) morning. I have to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE shooting families of three. They are just so fun and it is usually laid back and easy going kind of session...just like this one.

Love these next few in this set.....

Ha ha...LOVE it. Squished with love :)

GORGEOUS! A favorite of the day!

Such a doll!!

I am so glad I got the chance to work with you guys...it was a wonderful morning! Enjoy your summer and hope to see you again :)
Hugs!
Lisa

Cousins Make The Best Friends

I met up with this adorable family the night that Tornado's ripped through St. Louis. They were by far the bright spot in what was a pretty bad day. But look at these cuties...how could they not brighten your day.

We had a goal of getting some pictures of the cousins for a Mother's Day gift for Grandma. One the cutie on the left has been in front of my camera before...adore her. And I was equally excited to meet her cousins and to see they are just as adorable and so fun!

We got some family shots too and we lucked out with a great back up location to stay out of the rain. I love Ameristar :) 

I adore this one!

The whole family :)

I love the perspective in this one. And the expression on that cute lil' pumpkins face....too cute!

These two cousins are just days apart in age. They are so lucky to have this "best friend" as they grow up. I thought it was adorable that they referred to each other as my "sister". 

Thank you guys for braving the weather. I am so glad everyone made it home ok.

Happy Mother's Day!!