K's Sneak Peek : Lake Norman Newborn Photographer : Candy Howard

Move over, Adam.

Outta the way, Michael.

Val, you're gone.

You, too, Christian.

The cutest Batman ev-ah is right here.

The Z's! : Mooresville Family Photographer : Candy Howard

Under the threat of rain and some calendar juggling,

this family and I decided to go for it! I am so glad we did!

The rain held out until the end, and we had a great time!

This was our first session, and they were so funny and cooperative!

Not to mention cute!

Thanks so much, Z's!

Lovely, lovely family : Davidson Family Photographer: Candy Howard

I've photographed these cuties before,
but this time I got to get their parents in on the action, too!
They are such a nice family,
and they were very brave in the chilly weather!

Thanks, guys!  It was wonderful to see you!!

Tuesday Tip : Gourmet Garden Basil

I love fresh herbs; I really do.

But, sometimes they are not in season or
I forgot to water them
or we just don't have enough in the garden right then.
Gourmet Garden to the rescue!

They can explain it better than I can: 

Our herbs are organically grown and are simply washed, chopped, blended
and packed into tubes to maintain all their fresh taste and nutrition.

 

My friend Ashley first told me about this wonder product when she made a yummy caprese salad with mozzarella, tomatoes and a few squeezes of the Gourmet Garden basil.  Mix in a bowl, and you are in heaven.  Oh my goodness, it was delicious!  And so easy.  I've made that several times since, and it always tastes wonderful.  It's so easy to add flavor to tomato soup, one of my favorites.  If I don't have fresh basil when I make Strawberry Basil Lemonade, I reach for my GG Basil in the fridge, and it tastes just like fresh basil without the chopping!  Thanks to Pinterest, I also spread it on two pieces of bread, add sliced tomatoes and mozzarella and grill for a caprese grilled cheese that is out of this world.  And easy (notice a theme here?).  There's so much you can do!

 The basil is always in the fridge, but I've also used the ginger, cilantro and garlic.  All were great!

Be sure to like the Gourmet Garden Facebook page!  And happy eating!

All images copyright Gourmet Garden.

Big Brother's Turn : Huntersville Child Photographer : Candy Howard

When I blogged little brother's session just now,
I realized that I hadn't posted big brother's most recent session.

I dig this kid. He's always fun, kind and full of great ideas.
And I always learn something. Really, he is so smart and curious.
I just love being around him.
He is going to be a great big brother!

Thanks, J!

Sweet baby Walt : Huntersville Newborn Photographer : Candy Howard

I was so excited to meet this little man!  His mom introduced my very little boys to the magic of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at the library, and it remained a favorite for years.  It is still one of my favorite gifts for little ones.  I first photographed big brother in 2009 and have had the pleasure of several sessions since.  I don't know dad as well, but every time I see him, it is like we saw each other yesterday.  I just could not wait to see their new family member! 

Congratulations!!!!

Facebook Timeline Covers!

I am very excited to show these to you!  They are Facebook Timeline Covers!
Choose your favorite design, and I will create a cover with images from your session.

Covers are complimentary for clients with sessions up to a year prior to date of request.  Logo must remain intact.  Please like the chp business page if you haven’t yet, so that I can post your cover on your wall.  You can then make it your cover image and have a beautiful facebook wall! Click here to see larger samples of the designs.  Happy Facebooking!

"There's something that's so sweet about beginnings"

This post is late because it is hard to finish it.  I keep watching the slideshow, thinking, remembering, and then, of course, the tears come.

My eldest son turned 12 on Friday.  T-W-E-L-V-E.

My sweet Jack.  I still call him that.  He doesn't complain, so I have no plans to stop.  He is such a great kid - kind, funny, empathetic and helpful.  He's a loyal friend and quick to hug his mom (don't tell his friends).

And it WAS just tonight that they placed him in my arms....

 

When I decided to put this slideshow together, I was quickly reminded why I do what I do for living.  Not only do I love what pregnancy and a baby's first days mean in the life of a family, I know first hand what it means to NOT have those images.  When I was newly pregnant with my first child, my sweet Jack, we had recently moved to this area, and I searched and searched for a maternity and newborn photographer without success.   There were four talented child and family photographers in the area at the time, but none who specialized in maternity and newborns.  We have pictures that I treasure, of course, but not like what I had in mind.  It was just serendipity that I had always wanted to transition my lifelong serious hobby into a career and we moved to an area without photographers specializing in my favorite subjects!   Now (after several years of training and a little push in the form of a health scare), I am able to give my clients that gift, and it means so much to me.  More than I can say.

Some may say if this is a post about your son's birthday, then why are you talking business?  It's because my business is so personal, so emotionally charged, that talking about my family lends itself to talking about your families.  You are not just clients to me.