Fun in the Sun

Doug, Angel & Ellie met us at the Jetty yesterday for their family session, and fun in the sun.

We did some retro colored shots,

and some truly classic beach color.... the sand and white is sort of romantic too.

Daddy Doug and his girls....

I Love with a capital L this photo above- blown up big- this is gorgeous!!!!!

Sweet girl was seeking the dandelions to make a wish but the grasses were so dry that they'd shatter before she could get one picked. She did finally manage a good one to wish on tho!

Thanks so much for coming to play guys!!!!

xoox Didi

Stunning Sam

There's nothing I love more than someone who's crazy, creative, fun- and not afraid to try anything! All of those atributes describe Sam! She brought along a huge peice of this amazingly sexy, drapey green fabric- and the contrast of the green against the cobalt blue evening gown she was wearing- paired with the high wind coming in off the rapidly approaching tides- made for some fierce drama- and stunning photos.

Sam is an extremely talented songstress and actress- so it was fun to play and sing and giggle out loud on the beach with her... stay tuned for where to catch her next....... (Wouldn't the above photo make a great album cover??????)

This shot, in the sparkling dried beach grass- (I think) is the epitome of holsome gorgeous, girl-next-door.

Super-pumped-colors

So today was THE day.... the day that I've been sooo pumped for- and so nervous and stressed about. I've planned, plotted, panicked... all for not tho! The weather was absolute perfection, the folks who signed up early on when I announced I was going to do this destination adventure were all a riot to play with.... It just doesn't get much better than today. I'm totally wiped out- and so is my family- we finished shooting a smidge before 9 pm, I grabbed Thai food, we ate and the kids went upstairs to shower and hit the hay- they are gassed. My dear sweet man was my assistant all afternoon- I couldn't have pulled it off without him... he rocks! And now, I'm downloading the nearly 1400 frames shot from today. I feel like I should be entered in the Guinness World Book tonight!

I used my girls as the Guinea Pigs for lighting- and the super cute and super bright colored tops that Gabbi picked out- were perfect! Girl's got the eye!

They just take my breath away some days... look at those eyes!

Like sands in the hour-glass..... that photo says it all.... they're growing up too fast!

So- that's about it for tonight- I'm all giddy and excited, exhausted, rejuvenated..... all at once. However, I have sand between my toes, I'm a tad sunburned, and my eyes.... they feel like sand paper. I'm headed for the shower and bed myself....Stay tuned this weekend for more highlights from all the gorgeous people I shot today!

And to all who came to play- I love all ya'alls.... you make my "job" easy!

xoxo Didi

Today's the day!!!!

Today- I'm going to Jetty Island with the kids.... and five other appointments will be joining me,
for my first ever "Destination Adventure" shoot.

We are going to do mini shoots in the chosen outfits for portraits... then- everyone can change, have a pic-nic, build castles and forts, fly kites, and enjoy their family- and I'll be there capturing all the fun!

It should make for some amazing photos- the weather is crystal clear and warm, and we're headed over to capture the golden hour sun on the sand.

The above photo is from two years ago when 5 of us Ya-Ya's took our 10 Ya-Hoo's to the beach. What fun we had- I can't wait to make new memories today!

Hope you are all enjoying your day and gearing up for another great weekend!
xoxo D

To-go, please

Anyone else having one of those weeks???? I have- so I decided to at least make fun of it!
So, I know the saying isn't original- but it's lovingly placed over a shot of mine- snapped in my happy kitchen, in one of my gi-normous latte bowls.

If you think that you need this as your desk top- email me- and I'll send you a full size image- my gift to my friends in need of a little humor!

Have a great day- tomorrow is Friday- almost there!!!!!

OOOhhhh-Ahhhhhhh!

We broke out glo-sticks to make necklaces, bracelets and headbands and bubbles as the sun began to set- getting all the kids amped about the fireworks to come.

And what a sunset it was - gorgeous colors!!!!!

Ron and the boys put on a great show for us!

And these are just silliness as I played with the settings on my camera while they played with their glow sticks and sparklers. I was totally surprised to see a perfect 5 point star at the center of the above sparkler photo tho!

Evan going round and round.....

And while I know it's a slightly psychedelic photo... I love the colors and swirls of this one!

Oooooohhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhh! Gorgeous fireworks all around us!

The evening winds down- Gabbi sporting a whole lot of glow-stick- 80's feeling accessories....

Hope your day was magical!

Party on....

As well as it being the 4th of July- it was also G's birthday! So we got to have a party on top of a party- how much better does it get?????

Now, THIS is how you light birthday candles- with the blow torch that was about to light off the fireworks....

MMMMmmmmmm...... Dr. Nicky's mini cheesecakes............ I could eat two, maybe three dozen of these before I slid into a coma.....Just kidding- but they are soooooo amazing!

And she decorated G's birthday cake- how fantastic is that cake??????

My front porch in a rare moment that it wasn't obstructed with screaming children as they ran past with water balloons in hand.....

Or grown-ups talking and laughing

Evan preparing to soak someone...

and wrestling with his daddy

More daddy shenanigans with Dr. Dan & Brooks

Gracie found one of the big girls fancy flip-flops- and was sporting one- count it, one- fancy shoe.

If ever there was an add for a cold one......Dr. Nicky sitting in the sun, watching the kids play with a frosty beverage.... life is good.

Kristin & Mike arrived with some of the best transportation ever- loved the Radio Flyer- and the colors were so perfect with all that gorgeous fruit!

What a fun time- thanks to all who came to hang out!!!!

The girls of summer......

...or at least the little "Girls of Summer"! :)

The usual suspects around here were almost all present and accounted for yesterday in the heat of the 4th of July gathering that unfolded in our front yard.

There were buckets of slosh-balls, water balloons, super soakers, hoses and sprinklers- and all the kids were soaking wet and screaming giddily all afternoon- it was great!

Gabbi and those eyes... playing super-model for me- cracks me up!

Oni and her "color co-ordindinated to match her tankini" water balloons-turned horns....

Gabbi & Lorin- otherwise known as Peas & Carrots.....

Halle and those A-mazing eyes

Samaya and that hair- attention all hairdressers- THIS is the color we're all trying to achieve!

Syd- another one with stunning eyes- they are almost turquoise..... soooooooooo cool!

And sweet baby Grace..... not to be left out of the poster girls for summer fun. Sister found the hose and had a grand time!

There is more- much, much more to share- but I figured I'd break it down by category for y'all!

Hope you all had fun yesterday!

xoxo Didi

My tablescape

Happy Independence day everyone!!!! Just thought I'd share my table-scape for this evening. We are keeping it super low key- a few friends and neighbors are coming to BBQ, have some cocktails and have some quality bonding time with a blow torch and some pyrotechnics.....(I know- booze and fireworks... I can see the eye-roll already....) Anyhoo- here are the fresh roses from my garden set with some red marbles and the super cool hurrican lanterns that my momma brought to me a few weeks ago... I love them! All atop bamboo placemats layered over an absolutely divine sheer runner purchased for me, by my sis-in-law on one of her biz trips to India. (the lace edging is A-mazing!)

Hope you all have an awesome (& safe) evening!

xoox Didi

Nobody ever said......

Nobody ever said being a Super Model was easy..... especially when you're just turning one! J and her parents came to play with me earlier this week. We had plenty to giggle about as little Miss explored my yard, bubbles and her fascination with a mini container of baby treats that she just couldn't get enough of!!!!

This is going to be one independant and beautiful little girl as she grows up- she knows what she wants!

Those eyes & lashes and that soft wispy hair, just make me melt!

This is a quick preview for now-look for more from this little one soon!

Hope you are all well and looking forward to a rockin' 4th- enjoy the weather and those you love. Be safe!!!!! xoox Didi