Ericka Moore Photography

Matraca..... all grown up! - {Childress, Texas Portrait Photographer}

2012-01-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Here are few pictures I took of Matraca while she was home with us during the holidays. Matraca is my husband's daughter and I've had the privilege of watching her grow up from a little girl to a mature, sweet and amazing young woman. She is beautiful inside and out.

Matraca has been living in Tauranga, New Zealand for the past 1 1/2 years doing mission work through Adventures in Missions (AIM). After a three-month stay with us in the United States, she has returned this week to Tauranga, New Zealand to attend South Pacific Bible College to further her training for full-time ministry. The South Pacific Bible college is the largest Bible college in the South Pacific and has students attend from all over the world.

Matraca will return home in April to marry her fiance, Marcelo Toro from Chile. Marcelo is also a student at the Bible college. Matraca wanted to have some pictures taken for Marcelo before she left. There were too many good ones not to share them all. I can't wait to see what God has in store for Matraca and Marcelo. I think they are going to make a great team in ministry.

Matraca is currently raising financial support while she attends Bible college. If you are interested in making a donation or would like to send her a note of encouragement, you can e-mail her at matracamoore_2009@hotmail.com.

Best Friends! - {Childress, Texas Portrait Photographer}

2012-01-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Here are (top picture, l to r) Erin Wakefield, Matraca Moore and Savanna Keys, all lifelong best friends from Childress, Texas. Erin and Savanna attend West Texas A&M in Canyon and Matraca is getting ready to move back to New Zealand to start South Pacific Bible College to be a missionary. We did this photo shoot on New Year's Eve and we had a lot of fun taking pictures all over downtown. It's been fun to watch these ladies grow from little girls to amazing young women. These are some of my favorite pictures I've taken.

Mike and Kailey - Part 2 - {Childress, Texas Engagement Photographer}

2011-11-30T19:19:00.001-08:00

Mike & Kailey - {Childress, Texas Engagement Photographer}

2011-11-29T12:53:00.001-08:00

I had a blast taking engagement pictures for Kailey Proctor and Mike Delavan this past weekend. It was cold outside, but thankfully the wind wasn't blowing too hard. They were such a fun couple to photograph. They just smiled, hugged and kissed and I captured it. I'll post a few more pictures when I'm done editing them.

Jenkins Families - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2011-11-28T12:41:00.001-08:00

Here are the Jenkins families - Ronnie and Dawn Jenkins with their boys, Drew and Kade, along with Richard and Charla Jenkins and their twins, Reese and Truett. I really enjoyed working on this session. They had all of my favorites..... twins and little cowboys!

My Brother & Family - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2011-11-21T05:43:00.001-08:00

Here is a preview from my session with my brother and his sweet family..... Joseph, Emma, Maycin and Camryn. They are all beautiful inside and out!

The Entire Teague Clan - {Childress, Texas Family & Child Photographer}

2011-11-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

Introducing the entire Teague clan....... Here are my favorite pictures (44 pictures to be exact!) from my recent session with the Teague family - Ben and Peggy Teague with their kids and grandkids - Jay and Melissa Teague and their children, Jett and Kodi; and Lawrence and Ginger Long with a few of their furry friends. This is one of the sweetest families in Childress and I feel so blessed to have been able to work with them. Enjoy!

Trick or Treat!

2011-11-01T19:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween from Ariel and Jessie!

The Timmons Family - {Childress, Texas Family and Child Photographer}

2011-10-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the Timmons family - Casey, Cricket, Caler, Cyler and Piper Jo. This is the third time I have photographed this family. I've been amazed to see how much the kids have grown and matured since the last time I took their pictures, just a little over a year ago.

I've always been intrigued by twins, so I've enjoyed watching this family grow. I scheduled four sessions this month and three of those sessions include twins! Seems like there are so many families with twins these days!

Photography Update! - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2011-10-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

I finally decided to start taking a few photography appointments for the fall and had to share a preview of my first session from this past weekend!

I've always dreamed of being a photographer and it feels good to be in a place where I can do what I love and get paid for it! Since taking a break from doing photography for the public, I have learned a lot about the business side of photography. I have also upgraded my camera, editing software and computer. All of these changes should make my life easier, my photography better and help me to return the finished product to my customers faster! Yay!

In an effort to keep my life in balance, I am only going to be taking a few appointments here and there. I have four sessions booked for this fall and won't be taking anymore unless I am caught up and the weather is nice after Thanksgiving. I hope to be able to do what I enjoy while making sure I am not neglecting my family or myself.

I have raised my prices. You can find more information about my prices in the "Investment" section of my blog. If you are wondering why is she charging so much more, then please take time to read this article on custom photography. Custom photography (or lifestyle photography) is my favorite style of photography. I don't like for my pictures to be posed and awkward. I want to capture families as they truly are when they spend time together. It normally takes me about 8 hours to complete a photo session - from taking the pictures to handing the CD or prints to the customer.

I will continue to offer digital files on CD for a small fee. I am excited to also offer my services of selling prints from a professional lab to you at an affordable rate. You can also see these prices in the Investment section of my blog.

If the weather continues to be mild after Christmas, I may take a few appointments this winter. If it's another cold winter, I will take more appointments this spring when the weather starts getting warmer. I'm excited about the future of my photography business, and can't wait to share a few picture from my upcoming sessions!

I will be posting pictures from my first session in a few days! I can't wait to share them!!

Fun at the Estelline River

2011-10-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

New Zealand 2011

2011-09-26T13:48:00.001-07:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

We Love the Pool!

2011-08-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Both of my kids were born to swim. We've been to the pool nearly every day this year and we will be sad when the pool closes next week! It's been fun to watch Bella learn to swim this year. She loves swimming in the big pool with no floaties and can swim underwater. I have taken my camera to the pool a couple of times this week - the first time all summer!

School girl.....

2011-08-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

Can't believe this girl will be starting preschool tomorrow!!

Time flies.....

2011-08-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd upload a couple of updated pics to my blog just to see if I remembered how. I can't seem to find much time these days to post anything on this blog. At least I didn't forget how!

These two kiddos are just growing up way too fast!

All Smiles! - Easter 2011

2011-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted anything on the ol' blog lately. Here is a picture of Nick and Bella from Easter Sunday. It's the first time I've gotten a picture of both of them smiling and looking at the camera. It just took 3 years to get this picture!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

2011-02-14T13:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T19:19:00.001-08:00

Moore Family Portraits 2010

2010-12-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to Emma for taking our family pictures during the Thanksgiving holiday. I think they turned out great! The only thing that is missing is Matraca. Too bad she couldn't fly in from New Zealand to join us for pictures!

Joseph, Emma, Maycin & Camryn 2010 - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2010-12-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from my session with my brother and his family. Emma and I took pictures for each other during the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm still not doing photography for the public, but it sure felt good to use my camera again! I think their pictures turned out really good! My brother has a beautiful family! He sure is a lucky guy!

Here are Joseph, Emma, Maycin & Camryn.......

Bella's Room Redo

2010-11-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

Since I have taken a break from photography, I have enjoyed doing things I haven't had time for like converting Bella's room into a big girl room. I love the new trend of decorating with trees, owls and anything that flies. We changed from a soft "baby" pink and brown damask and cherry blossom nursery to woodland creatures and brighter colors. I am obsessed with turquoise right now and love mixing it with bright pink!

The good thing about having a little girl with two older sisters is there are plenty of unused girly decorations just asking to be used again! I used a lot of Matraca's old decorations, a few of Brittany's and even a few of my old decorations from when I was a little girl. I spray painted the two pink butterflies that hung in my room when I was a little girl! It's great to be able to reuse things and update them with a little spray paint and save money!

I love Bella's cute little toddler bed that we ordered online from Wal-Mart a couple months ago! It fits so well in her small room! Maybe she will still fit in it when she is in high school!?! ha! Her bedding came from Target! Love that store! I ordered the tree decals from Toys R Us. I think the tree is perfect on the turquoise wall.

When my brother and I were little, we each had one of these little rocking chairs. When my niece, Camryn, was born, my mom painted one pink and gave it to her. And then did the same thing for Bella. The dragonflies and butterflies hanging on the ceiling were Matraca's! I bought Bella's little "night stand" at an antique store in Muenster, Texas for $10!

Bought this cute door sign from an Etsy shop!

We bought the adorable white table and chairs for Bella at Ikea a few weeks ago in Austin. It was very affordable and just what I was looking for. The little brown chair goes with the little table I am using for a night stand.

My parents made the beautiful metal wall hanging and I love it!

I also bought the four cute wall hangings from an Etsy shop and the owls were my great-grandmothers! Little girl rooms are so much fun! I love to decorate, redo and rearrange rooms and decor! Thankfully, Kevin is kind and patient enough to let me. : )

Mr. C

2010-11-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

I have spent the morning thinking of my most favorite teacher ever, Mr. Currie! I had found out that he had passed away this morning. Selfishly, I am sad that he is gone, but I know he is with the Lord in a better place, probably playing the piano and is no longer suffering. He was and is one of the most influential people in my life. He is truly going to be missed. I'll never forget when he pulled me out of class in 3rd grade just to tell me he wanted me to be in band and when he bought me a brand new case for my clarinet after mine had fallen apart. He always went out of his way to make me feel special and for that I am so thankful.

It was the words of wisdom that he shared with his students, in addition to being a great music teacher and musician, that set him apart from the rest. Through his influence and teaching, I was able to earn music scholarships to pay for the two years I was in college. Mr. Currie retired after my senior year in 1998. I am so thankful to have had him as a band teacher all seven years that I was in band.

In school, I was not an athlete or the best student academically, but music was the one subject where I excelled. I credit all of my knowledge and love for music and the clarinet to him.

When I had been out of high school for a year, I went to work for the local newspaper and Mr. Currie was elected as Childress County Judge. I had the privilege of covering the Commissioners' Court meetings where I was able to work with Mr. Currie on an almost daily basis. He continued to be a big influence on my life even after we were both done with school.

I am not sure that any other person has influenced me or encouraged me as much as Mr. Currie. I LOVED being a part of his Big Blue Band and am proud to have been a part of his legacy. RIP, Mr. C. I'll be looking forward to the day I see him in heaven. Maybe we will play the clarinet together again.

Bella's Halloween

2010-11-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Bella's Halloween. She was sick on Saturday when all of the other kids trick-or-treated downtown, so I got her dressed up in her Ariel (The Little Mermaid) costume Monday evening after she was feeling better. She loved trick or treating and ended up with way too much candy. After we got home I realized she was running fever again, but by Tuesday she was back to her normal self. The poor girl ran fever from Friday night until Sunday night and again on Monday night. She was also sick on Easter. Sickness should not be allowed on holidays!

We spent Monday morning carving a pumpkin. Better late than never, right?

Bella loves Ariel and all other mermaids!

This is Bella's cat, Minnie. She is the sweetest cat in the world!

Trick or treating at my parent's house.

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few fall pictures that I have taken of Bella recently. My little 2 year old is finally starting to cooperate with the camera a litte bit. Happy Halloween!!

Class of 2011 - Clay Washington - {Childress, Texas Senior Photographer}

2010-10-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Clay Washington - Class of 2011 - {Childress, Texas Senior Photographer}

2010-10-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

Introducing Clay Washington. He is a senior this year at Childress High School. This was my first senior session and I LOVED it. I could really get into doing senior photography in the future. Teens have their own ideas for poses, locations, etc., and most are excited to have earned the right to have senior portraits taken. We met at an old warehouse in Childress where there were so many places for pictures. We only stopped taking pictures because we ran out of daylight and the mesquitos were on attack. I plan on doing another session with Clay in the Spring before he graduates. I can't wait! Clay is the son of Todd Washington and Stachia Washington.

On another note, posting this session is bittersweet for me because it is going to be my last paid session for awhile. I have decided to take a break from photography to focus on my other job - home daycare - and my family. Since school has started, I have struggled to find the time to work on editing pictures and I knew it would be hard to find time to take pictures. I hope that I can take a few appointments next fall when Bella starts preschool a couple days a week, but it won't be much. I'm just going to have to take this photography venture slow until my kids are older. Photography could easily take over my life (it almost did). It has been such a blessing and a dream come true for me and I have so many ideas for the future. I'll still be using my blog to post pictures that I take for family and friends periodically. I definitely plan to keep practicing and learning, so I don't forget what I am doing. : )

I already miss taking pictures for other people, but am enjoying spending my time going to my son's 7th football games and just having a couple nights a week off. I am hoping to have more time to just relax every once in awhile - something I haven't had much time for lately.

This is the first half of the pictures from Clay's session. Be looking for more pictures on my blog tomorrow or the next day. There were just too many good ones not to share them all!

The Horton Family - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2010-10-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Horton family - Jason, Amy, Kate, Kooper, Case and Kenna Mae. This family is a delight to photograph. Enjoy!

The Horton Kids - {Childress, Texas Child and Teen Photographer}

2010-10-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here are the four Horton kids - Kate, Case, Kenna Mae and Kooper. Their parents are Jason and Amy Horton of Childress. I photographed these kiddos last fall. Here are a few of the pictures from my previous session with them. I could take pictures of these kids all day and not get tired of them. They are always so well behaved and their smiles are contagious. My favorite part about my latest session with them is that I got to shoot some family portraits, too. I am finishing up on editing those and hope to have some posted next week.

Old and New Photographs

2010-10-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

I just came across this picture of Bella from a year ago at an antique store in Fredericksburg, Texas. I also included a couple of recent pictures. Makes me sad to see how much she has grown in the past year, but I am so thankful to have been able to stay home these past 2 1/2 years and haven't missed out on one single moment! My baby is growing up on me!

October 2009

October 2010

Typical "pouting" pose.

Bella - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-09-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a new pic of Miss Bella. Just testing some changes I made to my blog.

Joah Detwiler - {Childress, Texas Newborn Photographer}

2010-09-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Introducing Joah Wilson Detwiler! He is the son of Zach and Amy Detwiler of Childress and his big sister is Zoe. Little Joah was jaundice when I took his newborn pictures, so he made me and Photoshop work extra hard to get his skin looking good.

I went to the Detwiler's home for Joah's newborn session. There is just something special to me about portraits taken in your own home and is a good way to preserve the memories of the nursery. I worked all weekend changing Bella's bedroom from a nursery to a big girl room. I am so thankful I have lots of pictures to remember my baby girl's nursery.

Congrats Zach and Amy! Your children are just precious!

The "A" Team - {Childress, Texas Child and Teen Photographer}

2010-09-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Here's the "A" Team - Andy, Alex and Aric Vannoy. I always read on their mom, Melissa's blog that she calls them the "A" team! : ) Their parents are Kyle and Melissa Vannoy of Childress.

Vannoy Family - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2010-09-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here are my favorites from my recent session with Kyle and Melissa Vannoy, and their three boys: Andy, Alex and Aric. Oh, and we can't forget Dallas the Dalmation. Even Dallas posed for the camera! We took pictures at the Childress Church of Christ (where my family and the Vannoys attend), 501 engine, railroad tracks and finished up at the Vannoy's home - all in just about an hour! It's always a nice break to photograph a family with older children. They were so easy to photograph!

I'll be posting a few individual shots of the boys tomorrow!

Cake Smash - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-09-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the photos from Payton Wiley's One Year Cake Smash Session. The best part of turning one is you get to have your cake and eat it too!

Payton Wiley turns 1! - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-08-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here are the One Year Portraits of Payton Wiley. She is the daughter of Chris and Bri Wiley of Paducah. I got to photograph her when she was just a tiny baby last November, so it was fun to see how much she has grown and changed. She is such a doll! You can see the pictures from my last session with her here. Pictures from her Cake Smash Session will be posted tomorrow.

I don't know what she was doing in this picture, but it's cute and funny. : )

Cake Smash - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-08-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to share pictures from my first Cake Smash/One Year Session with this little beauty!

Montana, Autumn & Aspen - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-08-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here are the Woods girls - Montana (4), Autumn (2) and Aspen (3 months).

My Ballerina! - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-08-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

My little ballerina in her tutu at Scott Lake tonight. The sunset was beautiful and so was the weather!!

The Woods Family - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2010-08-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

I got to meet up with Levi, Jackie, Montana, Autumn and Aspyn Woods of Quanah recently for an updated family photoshoot. I always enjoy photographing the Woods family. Their three girls are just adorable! Tomorrow I will post some of the individuals of the girls. I can't wait to share them!!

Out with Summer, In with School - {Update on my Family}

2010-08-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few ways we ended Summer 2010...........

Here is Nick on his way to his first day of 7th grade at Childress Junior High School today. With 7th grade, comes Nick's first year of athletics. Like every other mom in the world, I am nervous about Nick playing tackle football, but I think it will be good for Nick. I just hope I don't have to hear about every ache and pain he is about to feel! I am excited to be serving as an officer on the Bobkitten Boosters. I think it will be a fun way to volunteer and help out the kids. Nick has turned out to be such a handsome, well behaved young man. I am so proud of him. It's still so strange to be the parent of a TEENAGER!!

HERE is a link to my post from Nick's first day of school last year. I didn't realize until I looked up this post how much Nick has changed since last summer!

We have enjoyed some long overdue bonding time with Brittany after her return mid-July from South Africa. Bella was just about to turn one when Brittany left, so a lot has changed in our household. Since Matraca has been in New Zealand for a few months, Bella was confused when Brittany first came home and kept calling her Matraca. Brittany is now getting settled in at her new apartment in Austin, so she can start her last year at the University of Texas this week. I just wish Matraca could have been home with us, too. We really miss her!

Brittany's birthday cake was made by Holly Moya and was of the South Africa flag.

Bella has been enjoying reading books before bedtime with her Daddy.

We've been playing in the water a lot in the backyard and at the Country Club. Bella is part girl, part mermaid or fish. She LOVES the water and has no fear!!

Kevin and I got to spend a much needed weekend away in Oklahoma City without the kids. It's the longest I've ever been away from Bella, so I was actually a little lost. It was a good break for me to be away from the house and from two year old tantrums. : ) We watched three movies, visited Bricktown and ate lots of good food! Now I am looking forward to all things fall - changing colors, cooler weather, anything with pumpkins or the smell of pumpkins and Halloween!!

This has been the busiest, craziest, funnest and most stressful summer of my life! I have really been having a hard time finding time to sit down and edit pictures between Bella not napping much and Nick and all of our neighborhood kids being home. I am really going to miss doing photography (I already do), but I know it is best for me and my family for me to take a break. I do plan on starting back, hopefully in a year. I am going to keep practicing and learning, so my photography should be bigger and better than ever before! I still have seven more sessions to edit, so be on the lookout for more updates!!

Votaw Family - {Childress, Texas Family & Child Photographer}

2010-08-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorites of Thomas and Sarah Votaw and their kids, Cade and Avery. The Votaws' currently reside in Sunray, TX, but Thomas and Sarah both grew up in Childress and I've known them forever. Enjoy!

Family is Everything - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2010-08-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

I'm working on editing pictures for the Votaw family. Can't wait to share them. Hopefully tomorrow.

BITTERSWEET ANNOUNCEMENT

2010-08-13T12:02:00.000-07:00

The following is the letter that I sent out to the customers on my waiting list announcing that I am taking a year off from photography. This was a hard decision for me to make, but I know it is the right thing for me to do. I will continue to post pictures that I will be working on from the families that I have photographed this month. THANK YOU to everyone who has placed their faith in me by allowing me to photograph their families. I am looking foward to starting back up by taking a couple of appointments per month next fall when Bella starts going to preschool.

_______________________________

This letter is to regretfully inform you that I am going to have to cancel my agreement to take your family pictures this year. After a lot of praying and talking to my husband, Kevin, we have decided that I need to take some time off from my photography business to concentrate on my family.

I have basically spent the last year working two full-time jobs from home, which has caused me to have to sacrifice more time from my family than I would like. I started getting requests for pictures around the same time that I started a child care business in my home. My photography business has grown way bigger than my wildest dreams. I have been getting a minimum of one request every day. It truly has been a dream come true for me, but I feel like it happened at the wrong time in my life.

I spent 11 years of my son’s life working in an office and missing out on so many things with him. When I was pregnant with Bella, I knew that I never wanted to have a job that required me to spend most of my time away from her and Nick. My photography business has gotten so busy that I have had to sacrifice a lot of my time away from my family that I will never get back.

My original plan was to stay at home and keep kids so that I could be a part of every minute of my kids lives. Each photography session takes up a minimum of 8 hours of my time just editing the best 20 or 30 pictures. That doesn’t include the time I spend taking the pictures, putting them on CDs and delivering them to clients.

While being a photographer is something that I have always wanted to do, I have always wanted to be a good mom more than anything. Right now my kids are 13 and 2 years of age. Both are hard ages to deal with. I recently read the 13th and 14th year of life are the hardest for kids and the best thing a parent can do is be there for them every single minute.

As of right now, I am planning on finishing up editing the photos I have taken recently, then I am going to take a year off from photography. I hope to take a few appointments next fall when Bella starts going to preschool a couple days a week. I hope and pray that I can be a photographer full-time when Bella goes to kindergarten and I have more time to devote to running this type of business and can really put my heart into it.

I believe God has gifted me with an eye and a heart for sharing His love through photography. I have so many ideas brewing in my head that I can’t wait to try in the future.

I apologize for causing any inconvenience to you in backing out of my agreement to take your family pictures. I will let you know when I decide to start working again. Thank you for putting your faith in me as a photographer. I look forward to photographing your family in the future.

God Bless,

Ericka Moore

The Mills Family - {Childress, Texas Child and Family Photographer}

2010-08-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

Here are my favorites from my session with Tanner and Ella Mills, and their parents Ryan and Marci. We took them at Ballyhoo in Childress and I love the way they turned out! I must admit, even though I have heard a lot of positive comments about the "new" and shiny, old travel trailer parked in front of Ballyhoo, I was really never interested in using it for pictures. Marci told me she wanted to have some pictures taken in front of it, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad we took them, because I love the pictures in front of the travel trailer the best! This family is special to me because Marci is Kevin's niece and she and Ryan are both good friends. Bella loves spending time with her cousins, Tanner and Ella. They are both very sweet and well mannered kids.

The day we took these pictures it was really, really HOT and HUMID! We all left Ballyhoo hot and sweaty!

Childress Little League All-Stars - Sabastian Juarez - {Childress, Texas Sports Photographer}

2010-08-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from my session with Sabastian Juarez at the 11 & 12 year old Little League All-Star Baseball Tournament that was held recently at the newly renovated Rock Stadium in Childress. Sabastian is the son of Francis and Oscar Juarez of Childress. I am excited to be taking their family pictures in a couple of days! In this particular game, Sabastian played in several positions including pitcher, first base, third base and (of course) batter.

I have spent hours and hours of my life at the Rock Stadium (before it was renovated this past year) watching my brother play baseball, and then my son, Nick. Nick decided two years ago not to play baseball anymore, so it was fun to go and watch his friends play at the field since it has been redone. The stadium and field are beautiful and it felt like we were watching a baseball game in a big city. I L-O-V-E the awnings that were built over the stands! It was so nice to have shade while watching the game. I will admit, it was a pretty big challenge to get good action shots through the small holes of the new fence, (especially batting) but I feel like I succeeded.

I took pictures of Sabastian last summer during the regular baseball season when he played for the Longorns. You can view those pictures here and here. Oh, and by the way, Childress won that tournament!!! Yay!

Zoe is turning 2! - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-07-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

I thought about saving all of Zoe Detwiler's two year pictures until her birthday next month, but I just had to go ahead and share them. They are all my favorites! She is a joy to photograph! Enjoy!

The (Growing) Detwiler Family - {Childress, Texas Family, Child and Maternity Photographer}

2010-07-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Here are the Detwilers - Zach, Amy, Zoe, and soon to be, Joah, who is set to make his big appearance on Thursday! The Detwilers were the first family that I photographed in March 2009, when Zoe was about seven months old. Amy had seen a few of the pictures of my family that I had taken and posted on Facebook, so she asked me to take her family pictures and I have not hardly put my camera down since then!!

I have always wanted to be a family photographer and I am thankful for the Detwilers for placing their trust in me last year. I must say, after all of the families I have photographed in the last year, the Detwilers pictures are still some of my favorites. I can't believe Miss Zoe is already about to turn two and will be a big sister in just a few days. How time flies! I can't wait to meet Joah and take newborn pictures of him! Here are the links to their first family pictures: here and here.

The Tucker Family, Part 2 - {Childress, Texas Family and Child Photograher}

2010-07-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

The Tucker Family - {Childress, Texas Family and Child Photograher}

2010-07-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here are few of my favorites from my second photo session with the Tucker family. The Tuckers are special because they were the second family that I photographed just a little over a year ago and I haven't slowed down since.

Stephanie is the owner of F3 Fun Family Fitness here in Childress and Toby is the superintendent for Claude ISD. Their kids are Kaitlyn, Caden and Colton. I read on Facebook that the Tuckers celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary yesterday. It looks like they've had a great nine years together. Happy belated anniversary, Toby and Stephanie! Here's to many, many years of happiness together.

Here are the links to our first photo session if you want to see how the kids have grown since then. Look here and here.

This is Part 1 of 2.

My favorite!

The Halliday Family - {Childress, Texas Family and Child Photographer}

2010-07-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the Halliday family - Matt, Leah, Jake and Lily Grace. This was the easiest and fastest photo session I've had (so far) involving small kids. Both kids were so well behaved and cooperative. We took all of these sweet pictures in less than an hour! That's a record! We usually sit behind this family in church and I have enjoyed watching them grow from babies to small children. Matt and Leah have done an amazing job with these kids!

One of my all-time favorites!

Jake was showing me how he says his prayers. So sweet!

Definitely a "cheese" smile, but so cute!

Cousins, Sisters & Friends (Part 2 of 2) - {Childress, Texas Family, Teen and Child Photographer

2010-07-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

Cousins, Sisters & Friends (Part 1 of 2) - {Childress, Texas Family, Teen and Child Photographer

2010-07-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

Here is Part 1 of 2 from my photo session with some of the cousins from the Imhof family. All of these ladies are granddaughters (and one great-granddaughter) of Dan and Cathy Imhof of Childress. A big thank you to Stacey Wakefield for entertaining the girls during our session. I may take Stacey with me to entertain all of my customers from now on!

From left to right: Madison Imhof, Erin Wakefield, Eryka Imhof, Racheal Imhof, and Christen and Madelynn Lozano. (Thank goodness for Facebook or I would have never spelled all of these names right! At least I hope I got them right!)

Miss Maddie was trying to run away!

Sisters

Mom and daughter

The Timmons Family - {Childress, Texas Family Photographer}

2010-07-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorites from my second session with Casey and Cricket Timmons of Childress, and their beautiful children, Caler, Cyler and Piper Jo.

Junior Golf - {Childress, Texas Sports Photographer}

2010-07-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots of Nick playing in the Greenbelt Junior Golf Tournament last week in Childress. I know nothing about golf, but it looks to me like he played good!

Pretty Fish - {Childress, Texas Fish Photographer?}

2010-06-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

Betcha' didn't know there were fish this pretty at Scott Lake. Actually, Photoshop is so good, it can even make a perch look beautiful. ha! Nick has a serious addiction to fishing this summer. If you need to find him this summer, he will be at Scott Lake with his fishing poles, cast net, deer meat and corn. I just hope I am able to pull him away from the lake when school starts!

Tara, Olivia & Jonah Reed - {Childress, Texas Family & Child Photographer}

2010-06-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the portraits that I took for Tara Reed and her kids, Jonah (20 months) and Olivia (4 years), in their adorable back yard! Olivia and Jonah have been staying with us while their parents are at work for a little over a year now. They fit in so well with our family and we love having them in our home. Bella loves getting to play with them every day. Tara and I graduated from high school together and have known each other since first grade.

I took their pictures last October when Jonah had just turned one. You can see how much they've grown and changed here and here.

Geiser Family - {Childress, Texas Family & Child Photographer}

2010-06-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Geiser family - Michael, Shawna & Kavyn. Shawna asked me if they could have their pictures taken in front of the new rock we just had put on our house. We are so close to being done with the repairs from the Father's Day storm that ripped our house apart two years ago, so I felt like it would be a good chance to show off our remodeling in the back yard.

Kavyn was the easiest two year old I have photographed. He is a pro at having his picture taken and is such a cutie!

Kaden, Alexis, Kar'Leigh, Kamryn, Kynlee, Kollin and Karter - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-06-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

Here are Karter, Kamryn, Kaden, Kollin, Knylee, Alexis and Kar'Leigh at the 501 Engine in downtown Childress.

Cousins............ {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-06-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

Part I of II - I'm in a colorful mood. No black and whites today! : )

Love those guys in their ties!

Jump!

Cousins by the Dozens - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-06-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

More cousins!!!

Trenton, Kaleb & Jackson - {Childress, Texas Child and Infant Photographer}

2010-06-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots from my photo session with three adorable boys at the 501 Engine in downtown Childress. Trenton and Kaleb Mayden are the sons of Jay and Sharalyn Mayden of Childress and their new cousin Jackson is the son of Shawn and Rochelle Fouts of Amarillo. I have been trying to get together with these families since March, but the weather wasn't having it until a couple weeks ago! It was worth the wait. These three boys are just too cute! As you can tell in the first picture, Kaleb was feelling a little bored posing in front of the camera. His grandmother told him that they would have that picture forever as a reminder of when he wouldn't smile. ha! It's actually my favorite picture! Three year olds definitely have a mind of their own!

Cousin Love - {Childress, Texas Child and Infant Photographer}

2010-06-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a preview of what I am working on this week. Can you tell that Trenton and Kaleb are proud of their new little cousin, Jackson?!?

Summer is here! - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-06-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

We are enjoying our summer hanging out by the pool at the Childress Country Club that Kevin keeps clean!

Thankfully Nick and Bella are finally starting to bond..... and fight! The joys of siblings!

Yes, Bella's bikini is too big. It was the smallest size I could find at Wal-Mart, but they were just too cute to resist for $5!

Hadlee Nichole Fore - {Childress, Texas Infant and Lifestyle Photographer}

2010-06-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hadlee Nichole Fore is the three month old daughter of Trent and Tosha Fore of Childress. I went to their house to take pictures of Hadlee playing in her adorable nursery. Hadlee, Tosha and I made a huge mess in her bedroom dragging out blankets, bows, clothes and toys for the pictures. I love the idea of lifestyle photography - capturing little ones in their own home environment where they are most comfortable. I think it is more memorable to look back at portraits done in their own nursery rather than in the park or somewhere else that has no meaning.

I always enjoy doing baby girl pictures - they have to be my favorites. Baby girls are just too much fun to dress up and accessorize and they are not old enough to say they don't want to wear or do this or that. I seriously could have taken her home with me! She made me miss Bella being a tiny baby wearing big bows and headbands! Ah, those were the days.

Laying in bed watching the pretty birds on the mobile.

The pretty tree that Tosha and her mom painted in the nursery.

My Girl - {Childress, Texas Child Photographer}

2010-06-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

Choppers - {Childress, Texas Commercial Photographer}

2010-06-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

These are my FAVORITES!!