Happy New Year!

  This past year has been an extreme year of feeling blessed. I have definitely learned that there is always room & reason to be even more thankful than the day before. Thank you to all of you who have played an amazing part in my heart for 2012, the years past & the future. Wishing us all health, happiness, love & good fortune always. I've had a new mantra the past couple years & I have one for 2013 too, "God Is Good!!!!!"   I'm excited for some new ideas & thoughts in store for Star Portraits in 2013 so keep watch on the blog.  fyi ~ May is already booked solid!  Thank you for all the past, continued & new patronage & of course friendship!  xoxoxo

In Loving Memory

  Thoughts & prayers to these angels & their families as well as their shaken community.  Hug your babies tight & spread love & peace to everyone always.

Sunshine On A Cloudy Day

Miss "C"s blogs always seem to revolve around sunshine.  How could they not with that bright, happy face.  For months we had looked forward to her 1st outdoor session in her beautiful backyard.  And of course Mother Nature seemed to pick this same morning to give this Summers drought a slight reprieve.  Having babies of my own, it is just awesome to get that step back & enjoy someone elses baby love going through the same moments that just blinked by for myself 4 months earlier.  My youngest is 13 months old now and they grow too fast.  The C on the bag is not just for her name.  I think it also stands for how Clever her parents were to think of such a prop.  Here's to hoping we might get an outdoor foliage session next time!

Mr. A. - All American Boy

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly a year can fly by.  This lil man's 1 year session was a beautiful evening of golden sunshine & those big blue eyes.  Too cute was remembering his 3m session & his older brother snuggling him on his chest...& this time they were fighting over blocks in true brotherly love fashion.  Thank you handsome for letting your mommy & I torture you yet again!  xoxox

I'm all about supporting local & small businesses.  Please follow the link & give a quick vote to Embers & perhaps even share this with family & friends.   This would be amazzzing for them. You don't have to register or do anything goofy. Just type in Embers & click Mentor & hit vote.  When you help a small & local business you are also helping the families of that business.  Or if you have any needs for your fireplace or outdoor grill, grill accesorries, etc... check out one of their 3 locations in Mentor, Solon or North Olmsted.    Thank you!!!   

https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/pledge/334779-ben.holt.39#.T8d4iRZo7po.facebook

Kost-Suhay Wedding

This past Saturday I was honored to be the photographer for Barb & Paul.  You couldn't have asked for more perfect weather & the day just had an amazing vibe of happiness & love.  I was with them all day long from the ceremony to the reception & this awesome couple & their awesome family & their awesome friends made me feel welcome from the get go.  I was already excited for the day & then remembered that the bride is the sister to a family I've done work for so I was extra excited to see them & of course after having met the extension of the families...they are all really really great.  I am still on a happy high from their special day & I hope they are too as they enjoy a much deserved tropical honeymoon.  To the new Mr. & Mrs. Suhay, Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part & to capture the story, the magic & the fun of your wedding day.  Love & blessings for you always!

Those Baby Blues

After Miss E's 1st Communion shoot her baby brother, Mr. L's big blue eyes were just begging my Nikon for a few snaps.  I took a few & then he ended up needing a shirt change ( I think it was his plan to spit up on purpose..sneaky boy! ) & so having a new outfit we did a few more shots & the mini mini session seemed meant to be since this lil man will be 9m next week!  He's so darn tiny I wanted to put him in my camera bag & hope his mama wouldn't notice.  haha!!  And don't let his tininess full you.  He can eat double what my big booch can.  : )  My camera was extra thankful to steal a few captures of those enormous & handsome blue blue eyes!  {{{ Hugs }}}

Another Special First

This was a very special session for Miss E & I.  Most importantly it was for her First Holy Communion.  I couldn't have asked for a more angelic model or heavenly captures.  It was for me my 1st - First Communion session too & extra special because Miss E was my very, very first baby model.  Back in the day when my Nikon was the old fashioned film type, back when owning my own photography business never even entered my brain.  Her mommy, ( who I've also known for decades!  ...Even though we couldn't nearly be that old!  haha!! ) had asked me to do her 1st childs 3 month pictures.  I blissfully thought, sure I have a camera.  I had some cute thoughts in mind.  I took the pictures in my 2x2 area of my husbands & my first apartment.  It didn't even occur to me that years later doing this would be a great love of mine.  It amazes me now that people like one of my dearest friends inspired a passion I really never knew existed till a couple years later when I had my 1st child.  Some dear friends & my amazing husband saw something in me & that I didn't know was there & for that I am forever grateful.  I thought it extra special to use the same rose petals we used in my very 1st photo session for her 1st Communion session.  I think her baby & recent portrait shows in many ways how much we have all grown & how blessed we continue to be.  God bless you always Miss E.  I love you & your mommy so much.

1st Cake Smash!

Liam's parents were my very 1st E-Session ( Engagement Session ) so it seemed quite appropriate that he would be my 1st Cake Smash Session. He wasn't sure about it at first, but he made a fantastic mess. I had SO much fun!!! Blue frosting everywhere!!! Poor baby took a quick shower in my kitchen sink which also made for some cute pics! My cheeks hurt from smiling. I must also add that his very talented mommy made the banners & amazing big top cake. His party is going to be a carnival theme. Liam, thank you for rocking another fun shoot & may all your birthday wishes come true!

Hoppy Spring!

Have a blessed Easter / Passover holiday

Happy 6th Birthday To My Lily Lucinta!!!!!!

<<> ♥ My 1st baby is 6 today. 6!!! 6 yrs this beautiful flower has grown & grown & can't believe in that 6 yrs we've had 3 babies. You have no idea how thankful my heart is. Made her a lil video. It's a tad long. I decided to include some pics of special people. There is a slight pause at 1 point, but it's not quite finished. Enjoy! Maybe you will see someone you know? xoxo

♥ ♥ ♥ Happy Birthday Lily Lucinta♥ ♥ ♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL4MSdoXQCA&list=HL1333110246&feature=mh_lolz

Sunshine Couture Photo Contest!

Please vote for Lily by going to the link & clicking Like on Lily's picture. And then please check out all that Sunshine Couture has to offer. I have bought some beautiful crocheted hats, headbands & tutu & she has added SO many new things to her collection including items for boys now too. Thank you!!! https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCouture

Keep On Truckin

Look how lil man "A" has grown! He really rocked his session & we lucked out since a mean lil tooth decided to try & pop out at the end. Ooh, it looked SO ouchie! We had lots of fun & he did so well we quickly breezed thru each outfit & all the prop ideas his brilliant mommy had thought out for him. Great job to both of you & thanks for alll the fun!

My Heart Overfloweth

Wishing everyone a warm & fuzzy Valentines Day! My brain is still in disbelief & my ♥ overfloweth. This is a 1st for Star Portraits to already be booked up for the year?! = ) ♥ Thank you! ♥

I had taken time off w/ my daddy being sick & passing, a rough pregnancy & maternity leave that I was afraid I was going to have to re-establish myself. I could happily cry. Thank y♥ u! xoxo I do also to my surprise have a list if some of you might want to be added to. Sometimes sessions get cancelled & if it happens enough in advance I might be able to place you in the open spot. Let me know what month you were hoping for. Thank you Thank you again!! xoxo

Drawer Full of Sunshine

Doesn't she warm you up on a chilly February day? Lil Miss C ended my 2011 season with her newborn session & began my 2012 season with her 3 month session. She was sleeping beauty for her whole session last time & this time she was rockin some bright, blue eyes & happy, gummy smiles for her parents. There were so many great, great happy captures that it was taking me too long to decide on one to use for her blog sneak peek so I just decided to start from the beginning of our shoot. She was just warming up here & then she resumed her sleeping beauty status for her last shots. Such an amazing cutie & just awesomeness to see mini replicas of her mommy & then her daddy in the new & different expressions she made this session. Thank you Lil Miss C for being such a precious bookmark for my 2011/2012 season. xoxox