holden michael james, 2 year old little man

Though Sunday was determined to prove the groundhog wrong (and present us with technical difficulties...need I remind you about why I am in awe of the sun again?) , we were still able to capture some adorable images of my nephew (yes, I am biased) for his official two year old shoot....
I think he loves his auntie m. or maybe it was the jellybeans.... or the Easter bunny.....
or his cousin, audrey...hmmm.
Being the sister of a photographer has its benefits but it also means every image displayed here for ordering purposes (for you don't get ALL the perks as a relative....)
hope you love them, roberts clan, because I sure do have a few favorites, particularly this first image taken out of order.
I love it. (hint, hint....)






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holden's new do has him looking way too much like a little heartbreaker...where has the time gone?







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I think this image is a glimpse of what's to come....you better be ready.....love it.


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not so infamous....

I am so honored and humbled to have a few of my favorite images hanging in one of the best restaurants in downtown Grand Haven....
The Pavilion Wharf on Washington Avenue. If you are in town this spring and summer (and by all accounts you definitely should be at some point...) stop in, have a sandwich, and if you feel so inclined, take a look at my images and let me know what you think!
The first ten people to email me with a comment after seeing my work at the Pavilion will receive a discount on their spring/summer photography portraits!















Thank you Brenda and Melissa for such a great opportunity to have my work seen! And you have some seriously awesome burgers....food and photography, my kind of life.

THE pinewood derby race, defined in pictures

let the scrolling of firsts begin....
My first pinewood derby race but it has apparently been around for decades (I learned a lot of interesting information, including mottos and some quite hilarious jokes, the morning of the race...)
My first "pro-bono" event(can I even use that term or is it strictly reserved for lawyers and those who find themselves singing karaoke to "I got you babe on multiple occasions?) well you get the idea....
My first delicious lunch from Lucy's Deli, my new favorite sandwich eatery (thank you Mrs. Bac! again, free food? I love it.)
My very first mL photography stand with framed images, business cards, and a rolling cart (you never know when you need to suddenly be on the move...think cotton candy vendors...)
and lastly, my first give away- a free family session for summer 2009 that went to a lovely family of five (can't wait to work with you!!) for a raffle that raised over $400 for the boy scouts! (not to mention did the free family session winners receive a sweet telescope...what more perfect prize to accompany it? really.)

firsts can be a very good thing....



the contestants...




the hopeful creators...

the measurement of success...

the shiny awards waiting in anticipation....

we are the champions, my friend....




an "outlaw" running down a dream....





the weigh-in....(drilling and additions were often necessary..)






proud...






the competition (for me, that is...)

even the youngest viewers were captivated...

THE blanket...

THE give-away...




THE bac-mobile (this baby reached speeds just shy of 300mph....where does he GET those wonderful toys....)

the bac-mobile creater had many admirers...




one of my favorite creations of the day....



perhaps it brought back memories of my first pink and yellow skateboard at age 11 with the word "shattered" splattered across it over a broken glass image...yes I rocked that thing, until I fell....once.
sometimes firsts can also be a little intimidating.....

all in a day's work...

just your average museum dinosaur visit, carousel riding, favorite blankie that is attached to the hip, snack eating, I love when my daddy comes home from work week.

Princess Ella and Princess Olivia

Driving home in the warm sun wearing my favorite 80's inspired shades, I realized many a things after my super girly shoot with these two brown eyed beauties.
I love taking pictures of kids. Love it. I love the interaction that takes place not only with what you see in front of the camera but what transpires behind the scenes that only myself and my model superstar get to share. I love when I capture a moment that just exudes their personalities and I squeal when I get home and discover my camera did indeed catch it.
And let me tell you, this shoot was not lacking in the personality department. Little Ella with her beautiful, naturally highlighted hair and bouncy soft curls, complete with an adorable baby face and big brown eyes, was full of it. She made the hours fly by. Baby Olivia had eyes full of wonder and even allowed us to see her vivacious smile every once in a while, but also wasn't afraid to let us know that princesses require breaks. Many of them. And that's another thing I love about kids. They aren't afraid to be themselves around you. No matter what might come out.

I also realized how much I appreciate the sun (the sun is a star that keeps us warm! the mantra I repeatedly tell my son for reasons unknown...) My pale white skin and ghastly legs have always tried to hide behind black fabrics and SPF 50 sunscreen but really, I love it. I do, mom. It makes me smile without even noticing. Oh, and it makes for some pretty amazing images, too.

Enough with my revelations and on to the good stuff. And in case you didn't know, m&m's are a princess' best friend.....



my favorite three, in no particular order....











not only do I love this image but I finally realized what I could not place before....ella is undeniably a mini kyra sedgwick.....the resemblance is uncanny.....you know I love when I discover the celebrity in someone....


























































and our shoot would not be complete without including ducky in one of our shots.....I guess ducks, too, can be a princess' best friend.