Real living and sweet giggles . . . what you get when you mix 2 little boys and a handful of puppies.

I could not pass up the chance to photograph these sweet pups, and I was delighted that we got a grandson and his buddy to come play, too!

If there is anything more magical than the sweet interactions between these little creatures, I'm not sure what it is!

I love these smiles.

I love these sneaky faces!

And I adore the ways these young ones know how to close out the rest of the world and focus on this moment.  I wish you could hear them laughing!

I love taking photos like these and hoping that pressing pause on these moments will help their memories stay fresh.

I like imagining these little guys as old men, showing these images to their grandsons - and laughing a bit at the remembrance.

Might do us all a little good to dig deep and harness a bit of the playful spirit that must be inside us somewhere.

Maybe we should romp around with a new puppy or roll in the grass on a sunny day or laugh and laugh and laugh with an old friend.  

Maybe we just need to find the puppy or notice the green grass or pick up the phone and call the friend.  

We may not be as good at it as these guys . . . but we can do it.

Throw some worry away today.

Look into the eyes of something good today.

Forget about the grown up stuff, 

even if only for a moment. 

Ahhhhhh.

You can view the whole session at: http://deanagrahamphotography.com/p302842769

Feeling the love . . .

You know I love what I do, and shooting photos of people who are enjoying life is the best.  I adored photographing this awesome duo and their sweet dog, Phoebe, as they prepare for the blessings on the way - a little boy AND a little girl.

Phoebe was a rockstar and these two were game for anything, as we worked on illustrating their story.

Clearly, this trio will be ready and able to shower those lucky twins with all of the love they need!

Photography is fun when people are natural and comfortable in their own skin, and these guys were amazing.  

You can feel the love when you see these images . . . I dig that.  Great smiles and happy hearts.

Cheers to you!  I can't wait to meet the kids!

You can see the whole session at Robin, Paul and Phoebe

A sunny day, a train track and two precious boys!

I adore capturing real life moments with fun people, so this shoot was a blast!  I was excited when this awesome gang chose the railroad tracks.  Railroads are fun settings for neat images; but, more importantly, these guys love everything railroad!  Authentic spots are the best, and it was a joy to follow along as these two fellows investigated, played and daydreamed.

They played and I chased those beautiful blue eyes - perfect day!

I love the way they are relaxed and enjoying themselves, and I love to wonder about the days in the future when they'll share these photos with their little ones.  Good stuff.

 Again, the eyes . . . oh, the eyes.

Thanks, friends, for allowing me to tag along on the fun!

Fantastic Firefighter and Best Ballerina Awards . . .

I love kids!  I love their zest for life, their inhibitions and the way they know to live in each moment!

These are two of my favorites, and it was special to be with them in their home, doing what they do best - play their way through learning and life.  How awesome it is to get the call to capture the every day in the lives of little folks - I'm a lucky one.

That great Cathedral space which was childhood. 

Virginia Woolf 

Blessed be childhood, which brings down something of heaven into the midst of our rough earthliness. 
Henri Frederic Amiel 

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.  ~Elizabeth Lawrence

I'd give all wealth that years have piled,
The slow result of Life's decay,
To be once more a little child
For one bright summer day.
~Lewis Carroll

Truly wonderful the mind of a child is.

YODA, Star Wars Episode II

Isn't it fun to look into the eyes of these precious ones and wonder . . . 

about what they'll do and be?

Sweet Baby Bea . . .

It doesn't get any better than photographing the newest folks in the world - but photographing the new little ones of those you love is even more special!  I loved being with Baby Beatrice and her Mama on a quiet day, just after Bea was born.  She is precious; just like her big brother, Charlie!  (Here are photos we shot of the family of three before little Beatrice was born - http://deana-pressingpause.blogspot.com/2012/01/perfect-compliment.html),

I'm funny about the use of props in photos.  I never want to use props at the expense of losing the emphasis on the person or the moment.  This bowl, though, was the perfect prop, and I loved it.  This is the wooden bowl that Bea's great grandmother used to make biscuits in - I love the significance of that and I adore thinking about Bea being held by her great grandmother.  This was a 'real' prop and I loved it!

Bea already has her 'jazz hands' working!  Love this drama!

Is there anything more beautiful than a peacefully sleeping baby?

Here's to a wonderful life, sweet Bea!

Loving Arms and Sweet Smiles . . .

Special families are a delight to photograph, and this one was no exception.  I am late in getting many sessions on the blog, but I want you to see these awesome smiles.  You know it was a good 'shoot' when I can hear the laughter each time I see these photos!  When you put together a wonderful brother/sister team, add their sweet families, throw in a sunny day and a lake background . . . you're bound to capture sweet, sweet memories.  

It was an honor to record this time and place with them, and I hope these images serve as living reminders of 'the way it was' on a spring day in 2012.  Your love for each other is palpable!

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” 

― Mother Teresa

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  ~Desmond Tutu

“When your mother asks, "Do you want a piece of advice?" it's a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway.” 

― Erma Bombeck

A family in harmony will prosper in everything.

Chinese Proverb

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.  ~George Eliot

The family is one of nature's masterpieces.  ~George Santayana, The Life of Reason

Are we not like two volumes of one book?  ~Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

God couldn't be everywhere, so he created mothers.

Jewish proverb

"Family is the most important thing in the world."

Diana, Princess of Wales

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs,and returns home to find it."

~George Moore ~