Erica M Photography »

The Spaulding’s are from Odessa Texas so being stationed at Sheppard wasn’t too much of a stretch for them. Japan on the other hand, was a little more unexpected. Especially since they didn’t request to go overseas. They leave in November and I’m going to miss seeing their smiling faces at the Library. Meagan seems a little hesitant about the whole thing but I can also tell she has a great attitude about it.

I knew this was going to be a great shoot when Meagan emailed me the family’s coordinating outfit choices the night before AND was totally into bringing props. Really less like props and more like a kids favorite things from home: tea set, teddy bear, lollipop. Check. These things don’t just make the photos look pretty, they make the pictures come to life. They keep kids entertained and they give you photos that capture true personality. I really encourage everyone to bring just a couple of props to a photoshoot, it’ll just make it that much more fun. But if you don’t believe me see for yourself :)

Plus a whirlypop is just a really darn good bribe. Look at that smile. It has whirlypop written all over it!

I told everyone to hug and Erin just nestled into her parents and closed her eyes to savor the moment, what a sweet embrace!

The look of determination. It was evident by the end of the shoot that Erin certainly knows what she wants!

I had so much fun photographing these beautiful blond sisters and their close-as-a-sister-cousin. I think all the girls that I take to this bubble gum pink wall are enamored by it. Lou Ann, thanks for bringing me your granddaughters to photograph. I love thinking about how photographs span generations – the fact that when these little girls are grandma’s (hard to believe!) they’ll show these photos to their granddaughters. Just makes me smile inside and out :)

My favorite of the afternoon…such incredible blue eyes and beautiful baby soft skin!

…I saw a big monkey, and I thought it was you! Okay, so I didn’t exactly sing this rendition to Frederick on Friday when lighting the candles of his oh-so-delicious chocolate stout birthday cake, but the next day we did go to the Dallas Zoo and see the gorillas! And a few other fun critters! It was really nice to take a mini-vacation to have some much needed time to ourselves and away from our flight manuals and computer screens. And get some Indian food…we ALWAYS overeat it in Dallas because there is none here in the Falls, except occasionally in our kitchen. I do make a mean samosa but it’s just not the same. And I certainly haven’t mastered naan. My co-worker at the Library suggested to me today that I should write and photograph a cookbook called “Get Hungry.” I replied that I don’t have any problem whatsoever with getting hungry. Ever. And yes, I obviously do talk more about food than photography. Or the purpose of this post, Fred’s birthday. It’s not that I don’t love you babe. I just get seriously distracted. But you already know that, lovingly calling me your goldfish.

I am so thankful that you were born and to have you in my life. You make my heart so full it overflows with love and happiness :) Simply put, I love you.