Earlier today I went to Grass Island Park to scope out places for my photoshoot today – it is right around the corner from the Farmer’s Market so Lex and I took a walk, explored, took some test shots and I figured out my game plan for the shoot this afternoon.  We ate warm peaches, had an awesome morning, napped and I dropped Lex with her GaGa and Poppi.  I arrive at the shoot location about 30 minutes ahead of time.  And I died.  There was a gigantic family reunion going on and the tide was at FLOOD LEVELS.  We’ve had no rain, this party didn’t have a pass – because I had called to confirm earlier that morning and when you have more then 100 people you need a pass.  So, I quickly thought about an alternate location and even though it was a few minute drive I think it was worth it.  The moral here is – shoot where you know.

A few weeks ago I had a photoshoot with my good friends…they were a family of three.  And on Friday they added a fourth.  And today I got to meet her.  She’s Tory….and to say that she’s perfect is a gigantic understatement.

Dear Lex-

This morning we all went to the beach club.  To say that it was difficult for me is an understatement.  I think we’d both like to give you mornings like that every single day in the summer.  Life is complicated.  Anyone that says they can explain it is either insane or too clueless to grasp even the top layer.  What you should know…the one thing that is most important to me….is that you know…way down deep to your sand covered toes that you are loved.  Really really loved.  The rest of this adult business you’ll figure out one day…or you won’t…because I don’t think I ever will have it figured out.

Love,

Mommy

It’s day zero – we’re back home from vacation.  And we had a really awesome fantastic truly wonderful great time in Chicago and in Iowa.  It’s true.  But for the love of nutella lets stop mistaking this for a vacation.  Because a vacation is something I like to fantasize about….I watch movies about vacations like some watch hot porn.  Vacation dreaming is the mom’s porn actually.  So while I soak my self in a hot tub with cold wine and think of the piles (literally, piles) of laundry waiting to be done I give you a glimpse into the trip.

I have gotten through about 20% of the pictures from my shoot today but I had some instant favorites and a friend that I’m sure wants to see them.  Thanks for a fantastic shoot today!

I’m tired.  It was a long awesome day (extra awesome – thank you Rougie for the constant Sweet Tea Vodka referrals you’re my hero).  I keep on tracking back to this photo from today and I can’t help it…I see it and that “land down under” song comes in my head.  My good little sun protected baby.

Thank you Mother Nature-

Thanks for the glimpse into hotness yesterday in May.  It was like an August preview….or an incentive to behave because I’m not cut out for a life in a firey hot hell.  It did make for some fun pictures though.  So I thank you.  We have some Lexi, a few of my cousins Linnay and Marcia and then one from me and Lex out to dinner last week.

xoxo- Cass

She is my very favorite subject.  I think its clear to see why.  She’s a girl that likes to stand on tip toes so she can get things that are just beyond her reach….I like that about her…I get that about her.  I spend a lot of time on my tip toes and I like where its gotten me.

She has a very reasonable reaction to the word no….again…like someone I might know.

She has a reaction to funny things that I just can’t replicate….but my gosh you can’t help but laughing with this face.

Her eyes know mine.  We know each other.  Probably better then anyone else on the planet knows either of us.  I can’t imagine wanting any one to know me more then this little person.

Even when she’s not looking…she’s perfect…to me.

This may be my very favorite shot of all time.  A lot of the time I’m holding her hand….but sometimes she holds mine….sometimes she’s pulling me along for the next adventure.  If I had to pick one person to hold hands with….well…it’d be her.

Yesterday as Carrie and I were wandering the club grounds for prime photo locations she asked me how I started taking pictures.  I’m not sure if you know this…so I’ll share.  Ross’s Mom is a great photographer – the first time I walked in to their home it was clear that this lady really loved to take pictures, she’s great at it and she adored the heck out of her children.  The family room was like a shrine to their childhood – its brimming with gorgeous memories and moments – it gave a glimpse into their lives.  It spoke to me.  I wanted to be part of that.  I consider it one of life’s greatest blessings that I still am today.

When we were in the planning a family process Mom very generously helped purchase my very first SLR, with the promise that when we had children I would take lots and lots of pictures.  I clearly keep my promises.  The day I took the camera out of the box and heard the clip of the lens and the wa-chuck of the shutter….it was like finding something I’d been missing.  It was instant focus, that zen, living in the moment, click, this is it feeling.

Before that first wa-chuck from the shutter I had no idea that was missing from my life.

Lexi was up at 6 again today and by 8 it was getting a little too crowded in here for me so we went for a walk.  And on that walk we ran into a pond.  And on that pond was a family of ducks.  The little ducks were learning to fly over the pond – the occasional duck wiping out and the others becoming distracted and then wiping out too.  But they kept on flapping.  And the moment when you see “they’ve got it” well, you want to cheer for them.  It’s like Disney meets National Geographic.

We’re all kind of learning to fly.

Today I met Carrie.  We did a photoshoot.  It was SO fun.  All I can say is that when a shoot starts with this as your very first shot out of the camera…well it’s an easy day for me.

isn’t this vintage/retro effect cool?!? I kind of love it a lot.