Nominee #9

The trick on this one was that she was running towards me.  So it was going to be pure chance to catch the focus on her, with her parents lined up just right and not too crazy blurry.  I'm still shocked it actually worked.  Luckily her big brown eyes can make any photo look perfect.

Nominee #8

Motherhood is intense.  And emotional.  And real. And this mom knows it.  One of my favorite baby shots of the whole year.

Nominee #7

There were plenty of "cute" photos from this shoot.  But this one was so real and so genuine.  While wrestling two crazy kids, they happened to catch each other's eye.  So sweet.

Nominee #6

A girl growing up way too fast.  We tried to make her smile.  Then we just got on outright giggle and laugh.  And it was awesome! This time next year, she'll be a young lady.  But we caught her being a kid just in time.

Nominee #5

This sweet boy brought his very best friend on the photo shoot.  When we pulled him out of the stroller, Dylan's eyes got so big and happy.  Blink and it was gone.  One of my very favorite shots.

Nominee #4

Daddy was deployed for a full year.  Finally home and a bouncing baby boy came along soon after.  This was an awesome afternoon at the lake, with Dad making Mom laugh about every 10 seconds. 

Nominee #3

My first senior shoot.  This family spends a lot of time cooking in the kitchen.  And Lexi was just chatting with Mom.  It was the reflection in the mircrowave, along with her relaxed time with her mom that made me taken a second look at this photo.  Lexi will be gone in the blink of an eye, off to college and then to run the world.  So happy to have caught this moment at home with her mom.