.griffin and gang.

A quick post for an ultra-patient mommy...

Meet sweet little Griffin. I had the pleasure of photographing his Mommy when she was just about to have that little man. He is such a content little boy and I thoroughly enjoyed watching he and his parents interact. Thanks, Arrie, Jordan, and Griffin for a stress-free morning!

Until next time,

Emily

.she.

She makes my heart sing. Plain and simple.

Kennedy was quite possibly one of the most laid back newborns I've ever been around. Seriously. It took a little persuading to get her to sleep (like any other newborn), but she was happy awake or asleep. We shooshed her to sleep and she dozed right off into newborn dreamland. You know, that place where they all seem to go. Where they make the sweetest sounds and the squishiest faces. Mmmmm and did I mention her smell? Heavenly.

.

I've stepped out of my comfort zone. I'll admit I'm not a black and white girl. If you're a regular blog reader, you've probably figured that out by now. I believe you have to have just the right image, and all of the factors have to fall into place just so, in order for it to look right in black and white. I came across a photographer today, who I think this phenomenal, and noticed that she posts alot of her newborns in black and white and after much thought and dissection I've decided to give it a try. I love that newborns are raw. And I feel like black and white images really capture that essence. So, here goes nothin'. :)

Thank you, Rachel and Shane, for inviting me into your loving home. I had a very enjoyable time playing with your sweet sweet baby and chatting with you guys. Thanks for letting me get my fix.

Until next time,

Emily

.party of five.

I've had so many families this year with three kids. Kinda makes me want three. Might need to have that second before I plan to have a third. Ha.

This family was absolutely delightful and easy to shoot. In fact I'm having a hard time narrowing down their family shots. The kids were so well behaved and polite. AND fun. The boys brought their skate boards and chose to use them as their transportation around the park where we shot. I was tempted to jump on and then all I could see was a flash of me totally busting, camera flying, and broken bones. I chose to walk.

Here's their interview...

1. Your names and the kids' ages: Dave, Leigh, Scott(age 7) Ben(age 4) Anna (age 2)
2. Favorite thing to do as a family: Go to the lake house in Granbury
3. Favorite food: Mom likes Mexican, Dad likes Chinese, and everyone else likes hamburgers and pizza!
4. What's on your nightstand? Kiehl's lip balm and Kleenex (for allergy season)
5. Best place to vacation: We went to Hawaii this summer and the kids LOVED it!
6. It's Friday night at 7pm... Where would we find you? In the summer, at the lake-During school year, at the baseball fields
7. Top 3 restaurants local or at least in this area: Pei Wei, Mi Cocina,
8. What are your favorite websites or blogs that you like to stalk? Ebay, Facebook and Emily's blog!
9. Last book you read and the last book you read to your kids (or they read to you)? I'm horrible about reading but we read children's books ALL the time. Anna's new favorites are "Pinkalicious" and "Fancy Nancy".
10. Best free (or really cheap) activity you are enjoying this time of year: Pumpkin Patch
11. Any fun facts about your family or just something you would like to share? My kids really enjoyed our session with Emily! My 4 year old is ready to go again and he hates getting his picture taken!

Thanks, Leigh and family!

Until next time,

Emily

.a quick post.

I'm still posting from last weekend... Thank you to the Mommies who are dying to see a few images of their kiddos from our session for being so patient. I'm working on getting caught up. I've got three more families to post and a newborn from yesterday... And that's just through this morning's session. Stay tuned!

Here are a few of Mary and her boys. I met them at their house and we walked out back to the biggest oak tree right behind their house. (I think it was an oak and I can't remember how old she said it was but it was old.) She wanted to some how include the large tree in a few of their images and I like what we got. Here's your sneak peek...

Thanks for inviting me into your beautiful home!

Until next time,

Emily

.the cutest little heepee I've ever seen.

This year is officially the first year that Audrey is starting to understand holidays and traditions. Up until about a week ago, when someone would ask her what she was going to dress up as for Halloween she gave them a blank stare. I started telling people she was going to be a hippie and when they would say "awwwwwe!" I think she got the hint. So, this week when someone asked she proudly proclaimed...

A HEEEEPEEEEE! And, I don't think I've seen a cuter heepee in my whole life.

My friend, Keri, helped with the jeans and vest. (Check her out... she does MUCH more than helping friends out with 2 year old Halloween costumes.) She will have our own little post on my blog in the next few months. We've been working together to get her some REALLY cool decorations for her booth the craft shows that she's doing and I can't wait to share the photos with you guys! Plus, she and her boys will be on the blog in a few weeks for their very own Christmas session! Woohoo!

Anyway, speaking of Christmas and having a 2 year old that's starting to understand all of the crazy things her parents do, I can't WAIT for Christmas. We were in Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago and she LOVED all of the Santa's and decorations. Maybe we will get by with one more year of her not freaking out when sitting on the bearded man's lap?

I'm not holding my breath.

Until next time,

~Emily

.great, great family.

I'm so excited to have most of the families that I shot last year for Christmas (and throughout the year) back for their Christmas session this year. And this family is no exception. I love that the two oldest, Benjamin and Brynn, have warmed up to me (and maybe even like me?? :). We're working on little Miss. Brooke. She's a busy girl. She's much too busy for me... There's just something about a sippy cup and her little lovey that are way more exciting that I am. I had a fun afternoon with you guys! It was a pleasure, like always.

Now for the low down... :)

1. Your names and the kids' ages: Rob, Celeste, Benjamin (8), Brynn (5), Brooke (15 months)
2. Favorite thing to do as a family: Watch movies
3. Favorite food: Steak
4. What's on your nightstand? Tissues and Power of a Praying Parent
5. Best place to vacation: Hilton Head, SC
6. It's Friday night at 7pm... Where would we find you? It changes every week! Hopefully at home!
8. What are your favorite websites or blogs that you like to stalk? emilythurmondphotography.com, of course!
9. Last book you read and the last book you read to your kids (or they read to you)? Paula Deen Biography and we read new books every week with the kiddos
10. Best free (or really cheap) activity you are enjoying this time of year: Taking walks as a family
11. Any fun facts about your family or just something you would like to share? My kids are the best kids ever!!

Until next time,

~Emily

.big comfy chair. again.

I think I've mentioned a few times that I love photographing this family?? The kids are so fun and not to mention so cute, Mom pulls out all the stops and always shows up with some ROCKIN' clothes, and Dad is so go with the flow. All of this makes for a great session. Thanks guys, for a chair jumpin', kid chasin', tadpole catchin', chair climbin', vine swingin', good ole time!

1. Your names and the kids' ages: Scott, Sydney, Caisson (7), Chloe (5) and Cooper (2)
2. Favorite thing to do as a family: Hang out with our families
3. Favorite food: Pizza and Mexican
4. What's on your nightstand? Lots of pictures of my kids!
5. Best place to vacation: Destin, Florida
6. It's Friday night at 7pm... Where would we find you? Getting some take out and watching a movie.
7. Top 3 restaurants local or at least in this area: Snuffers, Pei Wei & Mi Cocina
8. What are your favorite websites or blogs that you like to stalk? ET Photography, of course!!
9. Last book you read and the last book you read to your kids (or they read to you)? The only books I get to read these days are children's books!
10. Best free (or really cheap) activity you are enjoying this time of year: Pumpkin carving and walks outside.

Thanks for the blog love, Sydney. :)

I'm going to work on posting an image or two from each session this weekend. So, Mommies thank you so much for being patient with me while I get caught up.

Goodnight!

.just one for tonight.

I was a busy girl today... I chased around the best families in town. I had a BLAST with my new funky chair and a few other pieces of furniture. :) And the families I photographed today were awesome! The clothes were fabulous and the weather was UH-mazing.



And this family never disappoints. Chloe and Keelyn (or as they are fondly referred to in our house- Clo-Clo and Kee-Kee) are a few of my favorite kids to photograph. Maybe it's because Mommy will let me do anything. Even set her baby completely naked on a random bridge. Thanks, Melissa, Bryan, Chloe and Keelyn for our great session this morning and the yummy lunch!



1. Your names and the kids' ages: Bryan, Melissa, Chloe (2 1/2), and Keelyn (10 months)

2. Favorite thing to do as a family: playing outside

3. Favorite food: Bryan and I love Mexican....Chloe loves Sonic grilled cheese, and well Keelyn... she can put down some applesauce

4. What's on your nightstand? I am without a nightstand right now

5. Best place to vacation: The Beach

6: It's Friday night at 7pm... Where would we find you? Finishing up dinner getting the kids ready for a bath and bed

7. Top 3 restaurants local or at least in this area- Pei Wei, Pappasittos

8. What are your favorite websites or blogs that you like to stalk? Tmz, and lately Realtors' websites :)

9. Last book you read and the last book you read to your kids (or they read to you)? Louder than words, and alot of potty training books

10. Best free (or really cheap) activity you are enjoying this time of year: Pumpkin Patch

11. Any fun facts about your family or just something you would like to share? We are so excited to get into our new house.



Stay tuned for more posts about the awesome families I have photographed this weekend and the newborn I get to go visit on Monday. eeeeeeek! (a squeal of excitement!) :)

.time flies.

You've seen her a few times...

WOW. I cannot believe how much more of a little girl she looks like this year... She seemed so big last year but when I just went back and looked, she looked like a little toddler last year. It's crazy how much they change in just a year.

Anyway, Ayden is like any other 2-4 year old. Mommy says- "Emily's going to take your picture tonight!! Are you gonna smile pretty??" and the answer is usually "Yes! I'm excited!" Then they arrive at the session the she's like "Uh... What?! You want me to do what?" She wasn't so sure of me in the beginning but by the end Barbie was dancing on my head and all over my camera and she thought that was HILARIOUS. Maybe I need to invest in a dancing Barbie that will tag along with me to every session??

1. Your names and the kids' ages: Gena, Ayden (3)
2. Favorite thing to do as a family: Hang out outside at Grandma's house
3. Favorite food: Ayden loves Chick-fil-A, and for me it's Mexican
4. What's on your nightstand? A bottle of water and my phone
5. Best place to vacation: We haven't been on a family vaca, but I bet it would be the beach
6. It's Friday night at 7pm... Where would we find you? Out with friends or at home catching up with TiVo
7. Top 3 restaurants local or at least in this area: Grotto (Steakhouse), Mi Cocina (Mexican), Naan (Sushi/Japanese)
8. What are your favorite websites or blogs that you like to stalk? People.com, TV Guide.com
9. Last book you read and the last book you read to your kids (or they read to you)? Barney and Elmo
10. Best free (or really cheap) activity you are enjoying this time of year: Pumpkin patch

Gena's dad, G-pa, even came along for a few... They are so sweet together.

.random- i know.

*Note to self: Do not drink the free Diet coke. Even if it is FREE.*

On my way home from the salon tonight, at about 8 o'clock, I stopped to get gas. My gas light came on this morning right as I left the house. Even though I despise pumping gas and would have MUCH rather been home reading 17 books (because that has become part of the bedtime routine) and tucking my sweet baby into bed, I figured it would not be wise of me to try and make it all the way home tonight and then have to turn around and drive to the closest gas station (that's not close at all) tomorrow morning on my way to work. (That was the biggest run-on sentence but oh well. I don't claim to be a writer.) I have two choices in the way of gas stations and one offers a free fountain drink with purchase. It's a no brainer, folks. If it costs me SIXTY DOLLARS to fill my car, then by-golly I'm getting anything free they wanna give me.

I can normally down coffee or a large Diet Coke anytime of the day and sleep just fine.... Not tonight. It's 1:01AM and I'm STILL awake. I've tried twice to close the laptop and my eyes and go to sleep and it's just not working. Hubby is sleeping so sweetly next to me in bed and I'm WIDE AWAKE. ***heavy sigh***

Anyway, if you have a session booked this weekend it looks like we are going to have FABULOUS weather. One of my clients said she heard it was going to be really cold. Don't worry... my camera still works in cold weather. :) The ONLY reason we would need to change anything is if it starts to rain. But no worries. Hopefully that rain will come today and be gone by tomorrow. And it looks like the high for both days is 71. That's niiiiiiice shooting weather.

Ok, well I'm still wired but 7:30 is going to come reaaallllll early if I don't get to sleep.

Goodnight! Or, I guess good morning? Yikes.