this is sadie and jalen… this session was dreamed up around Sadie’s gown… and the idea that Jalen is the man of her dreams

off to an appointment- more to come this afternoon… i’ll link to the full slideshow later this afternoon… just thought i would give you a taste of a dream session 

Share/Bookmark

little sisters are supposed to learn how to do makeup by watching their big sisters

they are supposed to ask the big sister for help with their hair

when they can’t figure out what to wear they are supposed to come sit on their big sisters bed and ask for help

instead:

when she does her makeup i stop what i’m doing and mentally take notes and wonder to myself how i missed the “how to make your eyes look insanely beautiful” makeup class that she had to take somewhere…. or how i missed the genetic code that programed it into her dna.

every time it’s “picture time” my hair is in the same funky little pony-tail’ish concoction with hair flying everywhere and hers is perfectly laying as she braided it, placed it, pulled it, styled it… and i’m wondering to myself how she thought of braiding the front half of her up-do and actually pulled it off… seriously, who can do that?

she can seamlessly style her entire family- using bold colors and patterns without hesitation and exude the kind of energy that it takes to rock those colors and patterns… effortlessly.

in short: my sister didn’t get the “you should look to your big sister for these things.” so, in true jacklyn fashion, she wrote her own memo to the world:  “My name is Jacklyn, i love my sister, but i am my own, i will make choices on my own two feet, boldly face the world with the gifts i’ve been given, and apologetically rock them.”

this is why i love her.

she teaches me sooo much- and she is her own- always.  there is no one like her.

we planned a family session- and in 30 minutes had a collection that is 1000% Nacianceno Family- you can’t beat that.  all because she had a plan, and she rocked it out. here is her fantastic family- Uncle Tito, Alyciah, and Bubba… they are loooved in the Maness house.

Share/Bookmark

Share/Bookmark

from the first email… i knew this was going to be the most precious session.  how in the world would we make it happen in two hours?  strategy.  that’s how.  Bryan’s attention to detail and love for his sweet lady led the way… and our day was filled with laughter, joy, sweet memories, and soo much creativity.  the funny thing was, the creativity came from these two.  I always send my clients a style sheet- it’s a series of questions that really allows me to get to know them, really stirs creative thoughts, and allows my brain to get started with location ideas, props, and such  it’s really helpful and makes the sessions a little more unique that they would be if it were just, “hey, nice to meet you, let’s go!”

so, Bryan and Michelle came with a trunk full- and some secret plans… but we will get to that in the next installment… i just really wanted to share this super fun idea- because i think it is  GREAT way to incorporate individuality and add some really fun props!  so, is the first sweet location we chose – because they perfectly suited the props, of course   Shauna Maness Photography meets Dr. Suess -

sooo much more to come!

Share/Bookmark

where do i even begin.

how could i ever put into words what these images mean to me? what moments and sweet little details they capture- i notice every detail- in a way i never have before.  every little gesture means something, because i know them- because they are permanent fixtures in our hearts.

These are the babies that invaded our home and rescued our hearts.

These are the babies that confirmed in me what i doubted  deep within me.

I am a mama.

No loss- no matter how devastating can take that from me.

These are the babies that united me and my Romeo in a way that nothing else has.

These are the babies that taught us daily that LOVE CONQUERS ALL.

These are the babies that caused us to pray, to beg God for wisdsom as parents- because what “we’ve always known” doesn”t apply to them.

These are the babies that brought excitement with each morning and rest each evening.

These are the babies that turned our quiet house into walls that echoed joy and laughter- constantly.

These are the babies that changed my way of thinking- about what it means to be an orphan.

These are the babies that have prompted me to listen to the Holy Spirit as He guides me to scriptures to pray.

These are the babies that reminded me that God is our defender.  He cares for the Orphan and the Widow- He meets every single need and is faithful to every promise.

These are the babies I love, adore, cherish, enjoy, and miss so much it hurts my heart to type these words.

They are back at home with their birth mama now, and i pray from the depths of my heart that she would be Wise, Careful, Attentive, and Discerning.

____________________

you know that photography is a huge part of your lifestyle when your kids run around the house taking pictures of EVERYTHING.  toys, furniture, the view from the window (each of them), shoes, clothes, snacks, drinks…. everything.  little did they know there was quite a collection of cameras that were out of their reach!  i kept a prop stash intentionally- so that when we headed out they would have fascinating new toys to play with and figure out.

I shot Z the first day- we headed out into our neighborhood to explore- both of us with camera’s in hand.  we had a BLAST…  we photographed every cricket, blade of grass, and train we could find.  it was a perfect adventure.

The next morning I got the kids dressed and we piled in the wagon to explore once more.  One at a time I shot the girls- they gave me a good 5 minutes each and then i combined them… a little ring around the rosy, some antique books, and new cameras… and 5 minutes later I was holding images that would turn into heirlooms- I will remember this season of our lives forever.  These photographs are priceless to me.  They tell the story of Rescue.  We thought we were the ones doing the rescuing, little did we know- we were to be rescued.

I am so excited to get to share these images with you-  there are many, many more… I am going to share more of the collection later… but i was getting (pushy) emails suggesting i POST THE KIDS!!! so, here they are folks- the little ones who have our hearts.

Share/Bookmark

oh sadie, you perfect little thing you… we had a great consult- dreamed up our afternoon of shooting… Sadie booked the room at the LaSalle – a little while later we checked in and were blown away at the beautiful diffused light and perfectly funky details.  Sadie, you are a force- thanks for trusting my eye- you are beautiful.  **full album product info to come featuring this crazy collection- there were more fantastic images that i could have dreamed… i can’t wait for you to see the rest!

Share/Bookmark

i have known them all my life.  well, brittany anyway- Cody came around a little later,  so i guess you could say i’ve known him for many, many seasons of life.  they were smitten from the start.  she is beautiful- the kind of beautiful that radiates and makes you wonder how someone so beautiful can have no idea how beautiful they really are. there is no one like him.  he is a force of a man.  kind, loving, HI-LA-RI-OUS, and always, always himself… no matter who the company is.  when i think of them, i think of the idea of getting married young.  most people these days shake their head at it- warn people they need to grow up first, & experience life… Brittney and Cody are proof that life can be lived together from the start- and the bond that comes from learning life lessons together is hard pressed to be broken.  they have a sweet little one… her name is Sammi Jay.  they have another little one of the way- this collection tells the story of the coming one, the bond that is so sweetly holds together the family of 3+1, and the fun they always have as a family.

this post will focus on Sammi Jay… and the joy that she exudes.

Share/Bookmark

i’ve had a little something in my back pocket (a back pocket project if you will ) and i’m getting ready to complete it- a full work day today and i think i might be able to tackle it completely!!  can’t wait to share all of the details with you!

this magical session will be blogged this afternoon!!  hope you have a great morning!!!

Share/Bookmark

this is Rose (and her man Zach) i LOVE it when my seniors bring friends (or significant others) it adds an element of reality to the session- because it is a lot harder to be someone other than yourself when you have a very close someone with you (because generally they will call you out!)  So, i always invite my seniors to come with those they love and enjoy!  Rose wanted to do a session that was of her &&& her and zach- so, combo session it became.  we talked about wardrobe and location and dove right in- it was a really chilled afternoon & she and zach were a lot of fun to hang out with.  as you can see… they are FREAKING GORGEOUS! so, that made my part pretty easy.  here are some of my favorites! (Sorry, Rose, i know you don’t like the non-smiling pictures… but i do, and you look incredible, so i had to share them!!)

in texas we roll S.L.A.B.s…  Zach brought his to show off- these really might be some of my favorite shots in a long time-

i think i’m gonna put some music in my Lac & tint the widows… doesn’t that sound like a “mama-mobile??” how many kids can say their mama rides S.L.A.B.?

i’m cracking up, because i know some of you are thinking… “what is S.L.A.B.? i just don’t understand???… what does she mean?”

SLOW. LOUD. AND. BANGIN. Big Body Style Cars (Mostly Lacs (cadillacs in texas) with music, (as in really big speakers that make your trunk rattle) Rims, custom paint (in texas it’s candy paint- that’s what we’re known for anyway), tinted windows, Chrome, and on and on and on…

i would like to give a shout out to Zach Zamora who gave me the perfect opportunity to enlighten my readers about TEXAS S.L.A.B. rida’s…. ‘preciate that Zach!

Rose & Zach, you are great.  thanks for the day & letting me capture this season in your lives!

Share/Bookmark