Holiday Wishes!

With the holiday season upon us I wanted to say a heartfelt thanks for all of you, my friends/clients. You have repeatedly welcomed me into your homes to capture your memories. You have been there for me in person & in prayers during the difficult sickness & loss of my daddy the past couple months. Through these grateful tears I can't tell you how much of a blessing you all are to me. I knew when I officially started Star Portraits nearly 2 years ago now that I would love what I do, but I had no idea that all of you would forever have a special place in my heart. I look forward to capturing more memories for 2011 & wish everyone a happy & healthy holiday season & new year. {{{Warm Hugs!}}}

Some Positive News

It's been a llong time since my family has had some good news. We look to be blessed with a lil firecracker this July 3rd. {{Hugs!}}

Teardrops

Most of you know that after nearly 7 weeks since we learned my dad had "c" that I lost my daddy today. I am soo sincerely thankful from the bottom of my heart for your thoughts & prayers during this unbelievable time. {{Hugs!}} This is the last pic I had taken of him the 1st Sat in June at my Godbaby's 2nd birthday party. I hate that it's a pic of him smoking since that's ultimately what took him from us, but I always thought he looked the coolest like James Dean. He was truly a tough guy even till the very end. These lyrics are from our Father/Daughter dance at my wedding. He was a big John Mellencamp fan which is why I picked it & because it was slow enough & because I knew when I dimmed the lights in my room that last night of living at home I would miss not being able to kiss him goodnight each evening.

Teardrops will fall tonight

Tears I can't hide

Tears that I'd rather keep

deep down inside

Tears fall

A love is gone

Beyond these walls

And when I dim the lights in my room tonight

Teardrops will fall

Asking for prayers & positive thoughts...

Hi Everyone,
I hope for your prayers & positive thoughts for my family & especially my dad. I can't believe I am having to post this.... Monday morning he had to go to the hospital & we found today that it's "c" & terminal. I am still praying & hoping for a miracle. I still need my daddy & his grand babies still need their Pops. I'm taking a brief step back till we see what's going on & such. My mom is also often the babysitter of my L's & of course she needs to tend to her best friend of the past 44 years. Besides my family, photography is a great love of mine & I don't wish to be away long. Thank you with all my heart for your prayers & for your understanding. Again, I am still praying for a miracle for my dads restored health & many many more cherished years with him here. {{{Hugs!!}}}

Lucky In the Sky

Happy Birthday to my baby girl! Lucy Carolena turns 2 today. : )

Princess Adrianna

Princess Adrianna was anti pictures, anti posing, anti pretty dresses because this special princess...just like her mommy likes to roll in a t-shirt, shorts & sneakers. And that's cool with me because this tiny princess is my sisters daughter & my gorgeous Godbaby!! She was my last model before I went pro going on 2 years ago now & we both have grown soo much since then. Even with all Lil A's craziness I still had a hard time trying to decide which cute image to put up for her blog spot. I'm not sure if it was my sisters idea or Miss Princess' demand to go to the library, but it was the cutest place for pics! Adrianna, thank you for allowing Auntie Star* to torture you. You have noo idea how much I love you & I wish I got to love you up more often. I am looking forward to seeing Lil A's prom picture years from now; a beautiful blondie in t-shirt, shorts, sneakers & corsage. Thank you again Tree & Princess A. xoxoxo

Happy Family

I was really honored to do portraits for a friend I had worked with awhile back. We both ended up leaving our full time office job after our 2nd babies were born & though we keep in touch we haven't seen each other in almost 2 years? Since then she has welcomed another adorable addition to her family & I am just crazy tickled to see how beautiful her family is just like her inside & out. The whole family is picture perfect, fun & just really lovely. Thank you for a really great afternoon!

Love My "S" Star Sisters

How do I love photography...let me count the ways! I love watching my lil star babies grow before my lens. I love to see my star families growing new lil stars. I'm soo honored to be able to watch such beauty thrive. I can't believe tiny Laney is already 6 months old & her big sis Maribeth will be 2 in a blink of an eye. It wasn't the hot sun that was melting me on this 90 degree summer day. ( though their mommy might disagree. haha! ) Those stunning blue eyes just melt my heart. : ) {{BIG Hugs!}}

Bella Bella

Bella's mommy Danielle & I have been friends since we were about 7/10 years old & I still can't get over that we have real live dollies of our own now. Though she now lives in Texas she came back home to Ohio for a visit & to celebrate Bella's 5th birthday party at Lake Farm Park. Bella was a gorgeous birthday cowgirl & it was a Texas sized day of fun with gifts, wagon & pony rides, cupcakes & giggles! I was excited to be able to capture all the joy. Bella's birthday has a special place in my heart because it was the same day I learned I was pregnant with my Lily. Bella doll, I love you & hope all your birthday wishes come true! {{{Hugs!!}}}

Sunsational Senior

Meet Cierra! An auntie to one of my fave stars Baby Jack & a Riverside High School senior for the class of 2011. We had soo much fun. Not only is she just gorgeous, but she's also extremely sporty and is an exceptional cross country athlete. There were soo many great shots from this session to choose from & I went with this one simply because it was just not your typical shot & you could see we were already having fun & it was just the beginning of the session. It doesn't matter if it's a baby session or a senior session. One of the things I love most about taking such pictures is seeing mommy's brimming with pride for their children. Being a mommy myself I totally get it. Congratulations Cierra! I'm sure you will be a star at everything you do in life. A special shout out to Sandy & Bob for this lovely referral. {{Hugs!!}}

Sun & Fun

Great day at work...at the beach! & even better than working at the beach was being with my first E-Stars Kim & Tim & my little Sporty Stars Emily & Justin. Lake Erie was a lovely shade of blue & it wasn't too too hot. I always have a blast with Kim & Tim & her lovies can make me instantly go from laughing so hard to melting my lens with hugs for each other. Just a great great lil family. Thank you for another fabulous & fun time. {{{Hugs!!}}}

How Fast They Grow...

My Star Twins Brady & Bella are 1 year old now & their personalities are shining through more & more. We didn't know till the day after our last session that Bella had a double ear infection & even though she did great she definitely made up for it this session. Grandma Barb also had me laughing while being on smile & snack patrol keeping these 2 cuties happy. It was a really nice change to do some outdoor shots & though we were lucky to miss the rain it was hot, hot, hot! Stephanie, Jeff, Brady & Bella & everyone I hope you all have a super fabulous Summer!!

One Tree Yoga

Lisa & I have been friends since 7th grade & she's alllways been amazing! We recently had a fun session for her new yoga studio & I have a whole new respect for yoga. I really had a hard time picking an image for the blog so you will have to check back to my website after her session is complete as I will make it a Featured section. She was balancing upside down on pieces of drift wood, rocks, etc... & I could tell I wasn't breathing the whole time because I was just in awe. Lisa, thank you for this fun & unique opportunity & for always being such a great & special friend. For those of you who are looking for a great yoga studio check out her website or info here: Lisa Fleming, 200 R.Y.T. - Director, One Tree Yoga - www.onetreeyoga.org

Zach & Will

Had a fun start to June with some energetic boys Zach ( 1 ) & his brother Will ( 3 ) & their great parents Mike & Riki. They were such handsome lil cuties & I'm so glad the rain stayed away for us. A nice start back to work after the holiday weekend!

Meet Sofia!

Thanks to a referral from a neighbor of a client of mine I don't think I have ever met I was blessed with the opportunity to meet this new family & their beautiful, 1 year old daughter, Sofia! I chose this shot for the blog because it's not your typical posed shot & she just looks so shy & lovely! It was finallly a gorgeous day so we were able to do some outdoor shots as well. Thank you for inviting me to your home & I had lots of fun capturing your family & your lil girl with such gorgeous dark eyes!

Revolutionary Star

Well, I've done out of state work for North Carolina & now I can add California to the list. I had a gentleman call me for the most unique job yet. He hasn't been here for about 20 years & wanted a capture of a family members grave to use for their family reunion this July. There was some research & hunting to be done & I was quite honored & excited when I finally located his grave. This special family member fought in the Revolutionary War!! Amazing & honored to be part of something so special. Thank you soo much to Mr. Garrit's family for a fun & meaningful opportunity!

Slater Sisters

I llove this time of year. Outdoor pics! Yay!! How can you not llove your job when you get to be outside & take pics of beautiful babies!? : ) You might remember one of my featured stars Miss Maribeth! This lil beauty is now 18 months old & is accompanied by another lil beautiful star, her baby sister Lani! What fun dolls! Take a couple pictures, smooch a baby, take a couple pics, take another smooch! I just love these girls & their beautiful mom too. Thank you for making my job sooo much fun! = )

Family Fun!

The winter always seems soo long, but babies grow soo quickly. Brayden & Bella who's 3 month session I did are now 9 months old!! A fun session not only with their parents, but with both sets of grandparents as well. Brady & Bella had such loving fans cheering them to smile & all are quite photogenic as well. It was a really fun time & I thank them for such a warm welcome into their home!!

A great end to January!

Finished out the first month of the new year with little Hottie Hungerford - Jackson for his 9 month pics! Of course as with all my other creative mommy's, Sandy had some great great ideas for using his 4 Wheeler & Big Lego's. It is always a fantastic time when Baby Jack Jack has a session with lots of smooches in between outfit changes. He is growing soo much & is starting to handle the paparazzi torture much better and...is even starting to strike little poses & cute looks all on his own! Yes, he's starting to love the camera & the camera definitely loves Jackson!! xoxo

Amber Alert!

Please pray for this 6th graders quick & safe return. My brother-n-law is the principal at Summit Academy in Parma & is very worried for her. He didn't get home till 9 last night & then was up half the night trying to help police. Please contact the Parma Police if you have anything that can help. (440)885-1234

Girl missing leaving school in Parma. Police are seeking assistance in locating a missing 12 year old female who apparently walked away from Summit Academy School 5868 Stumph Road around 3:20 pm Wednesday. Maya Fleckenstein is a black female who is 5'2", weighs 120 lbs & has brown eyes & brown hair which is pulled into a bun. She is further described as a "special needs student" who was last seen wearing a pink coat, green shirt, navy blue pants & a sweater. Although there is no reason to suspect foul play at this time, anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is requested to contact the Parma Police Department (440)885-1234.

New Year & Newborns!

A great 1st Monday of 2010! I got a call from a lovely client for pics of her new daughter! New daughter I thought?? I listened to my voice mail again to make sure this is the same chica I worked with twice this past Summer & never knew she was expecting! Elizabeth Delaney K. is the baby sister to her big brother Cooper who's 18 month portraits I did earlier this year. She's a beautiful little doll & I was honored to be her paparazzi for the day! It was also great to see Cooper again & how much he's grown. He's become a lil chatter box & I even got a hug! Still, I will never get over seeing pieces of my heart hanging through peoples homes. It's such an amazing blessing! Thank you baby Elizabeth for being the 1st Star for 2010. {{Hugs!}}