Sretan Bozic & Joyeux Noël!

I'm fully aware that our favorite jolly white-bearded man in red velvet suit is a deliberate creation of capitalism, and I'm generally among those who roll their eyes when Christmas merchandise hits the stores in late summer and consumerism is at its worst.

But…

I'm also the one who teared up last night watching my kids and nieces excitedly looking through the window as they heard the sound of Santa's sleigh arriving (go YouTube and bluetooth speakers!). Once they saw him walking up to our door, they panicked and ran upstairs to hide and peek, while [my brother dressed up as] Santa came in with a big bag over his shoulder (sewn last minute by my mom to fit the image), and took out their gifts one by one and put them by the tree. I clicked away with my camera trying so hard not to sob.

As a child in an interfaith family living in a communist Yugoslavia, my Christmas experience was very different than that of most of my American and Western European friends, or even my own children today!

Our Santa Claus was called Deda Mraz (transl. Grandpa Frost) and, in true socio-communist spirit, he came for New Year's, and dropped off gifts for children of all faiths. That part I’m 100% on board with, and appreciate so much today! But, we never left cookies for him, we never anticipated his arrival or even thought he was real, and we surely never worked too hard for that one modest gift he brought us. (Or did our parents never realize that using him as behavioral leverage was an option?)

Why in the world do I feel like I missed out, then?!

I guess that’s the beauty and the trap in being a parent… you have the opportunity to right all the previous generations’ wrongs… but you may ambitiously over-right them, if you know what I mean ::wink wink::!

Tonight I raise my glass to the spirit of fine-balancing, giving, of togetherness, and of childhood innocence and magic!

Merry Christmas, friends!

Davis Family | Magnolia Ave Fort Worth

This sweet family is always a joy to photograph! I say always, because they've made quite a few appearances in front of my camera over the years! As it is with all families with small children, it's fascinating watching the family dynamic change over time, and as a photographer, I'm ready for anything! Baby Ava is a chatty and F-U-N two year old, made of equal parts of sweetness and mischief! She loves hugging and kissing Mommy, riding on Daddy's shoulders, and is easily bribed with ice-cream! I absolutely love her energy!

Ava was definitely the star of this session - as it should be! 😉

Whenever I photograph families with young children, I always try to take cues from the little ones to decide what types of poses will work best, or if posing is even an option. With my own kids, it's not even worth trying haha! It's important for me as the photographer to find a way to work with them, instead of trying to get them to work with me! It also puts the parents at ease to know that there are no "expectations".

And then... what I get is pure emotion, and magic!

One thing that I suggest to all the parents when photographing family sessions is to carve out a couple of minutes for just the two of you! For most couples (especially parents!), the last time they stood in front of a photographer alone was their wedding day! It's important to remember - wedding days, baby births, and graduations are not the only memories our life is made of! The every day you is worth capturing and preserving in memory as well! 

Warcup Family | Fort Worth Family Photographer

I can't get over how dreamy Fort Worth looks early in the mornings at this time of year! Nothing warms my heart more than clients who are up for a sunrise session on a weekend to capture the most beautiful morning light! 

Meet the Warcups! The love between these two parents is tangible, and their parenting and multitasking skills left me in awe! While I turned out around to switch my lenses, they managed to change clothes, hand out snacks and water, supervise running around, dust dirt off kids clothes, and regroup with everyone in the right spot. And... I am a really quick at switching out my lenses! Pure magic - this pair, telling ya!

After some time at the park, we ended the session in downtown Fort Worth, my favorite place in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I have yet to find a place with this kind of balance of old and new, modern and historical, AND this much charm and friendliness all in one place!

Anderson is ONE! | Roanoke Family Photographer

It's been such an honor watching this baby boy grow through my lens! I can't believe how fast this year flew by and baby Anderson is already celebrating his first birthday and entering toddlerhood!!! 

He's not walking yet, but don't let that fool you - this boy is f-a-s-t! And he is everywhere, getting into everything! Just when he realizes he's gotten into trouble, he flashes the biggest smile and disarms you. Can't blame him, it clearly works!!! 

His sister, Kennedy, couldn't let him have the spotlight to himself, so she took over while he was getting ready. This little girl loooves the camera! And, clearly, the camera loves her too :) Kennedy is just the sweetest girl!

Hedbergs are a beautiful family inside and out! Sessions with them are never short on fun!! 

Goodbye Summer!

Our summer shenanigans are coming to and I'm already getting sad and nostalgic, looking through endless photos I took of my two babies! They're changing so fast!!

Isn't it strange that it makes me sad that Olivia no longer mispronounces some words?! She used to call herself Vivia for the longest time, so I called her Vivia as well. Yesterday, she was very upset with me for not saying her name correctly! "No, mommy! It's O-O-O-livia!"

And Evan hasn't even celebrated his first birthday yet, and the boy is already waddling through the house! He's getting into everything, imitating his big sister whatever she does, and torturing our dog Lola by dragging her by her ears instead of the leash. She's a good sport and doesn't even flinch! 

Goodbye Summer! You were good to us! 

We played, we napped, we swam, we napped, we read, we napped, we went to the zoo, we napped some more. Now back to alarm clocks, no naps for adults, and brushing my hair every day! :) :) :)

We'll be back at it in 10 months again! 

Perez Family | Dallas Bishop Arts District

They say, "If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait five minutes!" So I waited.

In the days leading up to this session, I slowly morphed into a meteorologist, checking weather forecasts, and excitedly watching the rain chances drop as the day of our session approached... aaand what a gorgeous sunny morning this turned out to be!!

You see, Leila is one of my dearest friends, and I'm always looking forward to the opportunity of having her beautiful family in front of my lens. Our times together are always filled with good conversations, lots of laughter, and toddler squeals. We wouldn't have it any other way! 

Leila and Adrian, I am so honored to have documented a few fleeting moments of this special time in your life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Hedberg Family | Southlake Town Square

Julie and I connected through a Facebook group for local businesses months ago, and have been talking about doing this session for a while. I was so happy the weather served us perfectly, and it didn't hurt that this adorable group of four is super photogenic as well! 

A family session doesn't need a special occasion. It's a session celebrating family, fleeting moments, and togetherness. And, the Southlake Town Square was just the perfect spot for it, with all its fancy urban looks and small town feels!

Meet the Hedbergs.

Merry Everything and Happy Always!

Little Did He Know...

He couldn't have known what he was signed up for when he came into this family. 

This momma has been just a tiiiny bit camera happy the last couple of weeks! Holding my camera again has me feeling all giddy inside, and since my postpartum recovery is going better than expected, I think I'll be ready to start booking new sessions sooner than planned. Time to start thinking about your holiday portraits, y'all!  

A Mother's Promise

I promise to be present. 

I promise to be your biggest cheerleader.

I promise there will always be cake for your birthday.

... and I promise to stalk you, lecture you, and occasionally embarrass you.