Toddler sessions are always an adventure – this is the age where baby is really finding her way, learning to express her opinion, and fully (!) expects to be the boss. And Miss Caroline was no exception. She was completely fine with several gorgeous dress changes (girl = naturally!), however she really just wanted to roam and enjoy the surroundings on her own. And we were happy to do just that.

She was also quite fond of the game “so big,” birds and airplanes. And hugs from mommy…

Catherine and Caroline, thank you again for such a wonderful time together!

And now he’s celebrating his first birthday – and is just as adorable as ever!

His beautiful big sister Caroline is always a joy to photograph…

Laurel and Dudley, I can’t thank you enough for the honor of photographing your family!

How sweet are the kids together? Brittani is quite the soccer player, and Jayden plans to follow directly in her footsteps. I think I said it about 50 times during our session, but isn’t he absolutely adorable? That smile!

And can you believe Brittani is only 12?!?!? And I thought Aidan was tall! What a sweet, sweet girl – so patient with her baby brother. And just as beautiful as her mother.

Tanika, Bryan, Brittani and Jayden, thank you for such a wonderful session!

And I always enjoy spending time with big brother Ethan, who definitely enjoys the camera (and the camera clearly feels the same way!). Latest obsession? Water buffaloes. We were discussing buffaloes for awhile, and he was telling me how they live in South America and like to eat seaweed. Being more familiar with the buffalo variety typically found in Nebraska, I got a bit confused (happens a lot).  So he went and got one of his toys so I would understand. Ahhh…WATER buffaloes!

Sweet boys, I have so enjoyed our sessions. Thank you for always being so darling!

I have a 20×30 over the fireplace of their hands (looove that one), and I have an asymmetrical gallery of color images at the top of our stairs that I add to from time to time. Ava has several hanging in her room…Oh, and I have a long-term asymmetrical black and white gallery in my office (with framed images spanning 20 years). But the one thing I don’t have is a SHOWCASE wall anywhere that’s filled with big, glorious pictures – my favorite kind!

Well, we soon will, on the wall in our family room (behind the couch) that’s 8′ wide and 2 stories high.

(If a gallery will be added onto, I usually suggest an asymmetrical gallery (easy to add to). But if you want to FILL a wall, symmetrical is the way to go.)

Here’s what I just ordered (with images from our Christmas shoot):

The middle image is a big, gorgeous 24×30 with a 5″ frame. The sides are two 12x18s and two 8x12s, all with 3.5″ frames. I selected my favorite image of both of them, my favorite of each, and two candids that just show them having fun together.

I’ll take a picture when it’s all up!

So, as is fitting on my birthday (yes, today is the big day), I’m so happy to announce the launch of the Lisa Russo Photography website, 2010 edition:

It’s brand new, so if something doesn’t work right or <gasp!> there’s a typo, do let me know!

Even after the drive in, sweet Jacob slept like a dream, only waking a couple of times for a sip or two from his bottle.

Guess who has a wonderful, superhero and kit-kat-loving big brother named William to give him hugs and teach him all sorts of fun things?

Dana and Russell, thank you so much for sharing your family with me!

Sweet little Simms slept…and slept…and slept…I honestly don’t believe I’ve ever had such a full, content, sleepy babe in front of my camera.

Right at the end of the session, mom Christy and I spent some time actually trying to WAKE him up – unwrapping, singing…he did open his eyes for a second or two, but then it was right back to dreamland.

Simms is a very lucky fellow in that he has big brother William to look up to. William was an absolute sweetheart to photograph, and was *so* kind and gentle with his baby brother.

Christy, Oscar and William: Thank you for such a wonderful session! Congratulations on the newest (very sleepy) member of your family!

Then almost 3 years ago I began photographing her beautiful family. First big brother Jack when he was a wee newborn, and now as a big brother to his sweet new baby sister Maggie:

I  know some of my long-time blog readers will recognize these blue eyes…and he is *so* sweet and loving with his sister!

One of my favorites…

And I’ll finish with a new baby…and her mom…and her mom…and her mom. 4 generations of beautiful women.

Paula and Clay, congratulations on your new baby girl and thank you so much for the honor of photographing your family!

Our last two sessions have both been in the fall, and I just LOVE how her beautiful red hair looks with the fall colors…

Natalie and Phil, it’s been a joy watching your sweet Greyson grow.