Here are a few of my little lady in her Easter dress.  Too bad it was so dreadfully cold the day we shot these.  She had to wear her little jacket to keep from freezing.  Come on spring!

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter spent with the ones you love.

Yes, another post about song lyrics!  Lately, there have been some amazing songs that I really love and at the top of my playlist is “American Honey” by Lady Antebellum.    Not only is the song beautiful, but so is the video.  See and hear it HERE (after the Geico ad… which did make me laugh!)

Haven’t you ever had those moments when you wish you could go back to the sweeter time?  The simpler days of childhood. Barefoot in the grass, riding your bike on a warm summer day, your summertime crush… go back to American honey.

There’s a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing’s sweeter than summer time
And American honey

My sweet girl, may you grow up slow and sweet – just like American honey.

The knit dress is from a pattern by Kyoko at Cotton and Cloud. Her patterns are gorgeous!

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

-from “Smile” by Uncle Kracker (yes, I just quoted a Kracker song)

Hear it

HERE

Every day, these beautiful little people make me smile.  I am one lucky momma.

We took advantage of the gorgeous weather and made a quick trip to the daffodil fields this evening.   They are blooming a little early this year thanks to our warm weather and the tulips are not far behind! The sweet little sweater Maddy is wearing is from a pattern by the very talented Kyoko of Cotton and Cloud. I will be showcasing some of her other lovely designs later this week here on the blog.

Seems like forever since I’ve blogged about my own babies.  I know it’s been less than a month but I really would like to get in a more regular habit of doing so.  I take a ton of pictures (obviously) but what often happens is I get caught up editing sessions and my own children’s photos get stuck on a hard drive somewhere and rarely edited.  The biggest problem had been my very OLD computer that just needed to go. Editing was so exhausting and slow.  But thanks to my shiny new Mac, I’m in love with Photoshop all over again and have been busy catching up on some editing.  A fast computer makes for a much happier photographer!  And let me say – if you are a photographer using a PC and have been toying with the idea of going Mac… DON’T BE AFRAID!  It has been a super easy transition and I am loving this computer!  No tears shed… and believe me – computers have been known to make me cry!

Ok – here are some recent snapshots of my kids. Nothing fancy but they show who they are at this very moment.  Capturing the little moments – that’s what it’s all about.

Maddy loves balls – she is destined to be a superstar at some sport someday.

Proof that I have a son!  My silly boy.

And the reason you don’t see many of Will… most of the shots are a little something like this.

On a scheduling note,  outdoor sessions will begin again in March.  I have a few spots still open from March-May but they are becoming limited. Please contact me soon if you are wanting to book a spring session.  And 2010 SENIORS…. Don’t wait until the last minute to contact me!  I absolutely LOVE seniors and hate saying no when my calendar is full.  Time is running out!

~ M

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Enjoy your family and friends.

I will be out of town through New Year’s and will be returning all emails then.  I get to enjoy a little snow filled wilderness escape with my family… looking forward to a crackling fire and lots of hot cocoa.

Merry Christmas to all,

~ M

You turn two today. I don’t know how it is possible. Time goes so quickly – too fast. Miss Maddy, you are truly a joy and a blessing beyond belief. The little light of our family. We all love you so much (even your brother… who gets a bit grumpy when you dump his crayons on the floor or pull all of his clothes out of his dresser just for fun but he loves you just the same)

So many things I love about you. Here are just few..

• Your chubby toes and the way your 2nd and 3rd toes are “webbed”. Yes, my little duck. Daddy says it is something your future husband will tease you about.
• When you want to dress up like  a princess in the pettiskirts just to push the shopping cart through the house
• The way you play with your food. Yes, playing with food is a no-no but how cute is it when you make your bits of turkey “gobble” on your plate or march your chicken nuggets around saying “bawk-bawk”
• How you are warm and cuddly just like a little puppy
• Your kisses.  You must be a little bit European because you must kiss both cheeks.  We never taught you that – it’s just you.
• How you are always sticky. Little fingers of stickiness.  And always smelling so sweet.
• How you bob your head and dance in the backseat – with rhythm,  I might add. You definitely get that from Mommy.
• The morning good-byes you give Daddy.  So many hugs, so many kisses and waves.  He loves every minute of it.
• How much you love your bunny.
• The way you say “I love you” .

The list could go on for days.  My sweet, spunky girl – I love you so.   Happy Birthday!

Just a reminder that I am completely booked for the remainder of 2009.  I am already looking to 2010 and have so many beautiful new products to offer.    I am working really  hard to find just the perfect pieces to showcase your images and I am so excited to be sharing some of  them here in the next few months.  So do check back often to get a taste of some true product yumminess!

If you would like to be put on the email list for when my calendar opens and I begin booking winter and spring 2010, please email me at melissa@melissacorcoranphoto.com    That is often the best way to get the session date you desire since I do tend to book out several months in advance.  Expectant mommies, please do contact me now if you are wanting a newborn session.  I am reserving newborn sessions for 2010 and this time.

I have a few more lovely clients to meet in the next few weeks before we close here for the holidays.  And for now,  I leave you with 2 images of my own little critters from a camping trip this summer.  I don’t share my own enough here anymore and I am feeling a little guilty about that.

Bunny had to tag along on every hike, of course!

Oh so cool… and only 5.

Have a great weekend everyone!

~ M

There is something good about a little one who wakes up before dawn… you get a chance to enjoy the beautiful sunrise each morning.  The beautiful golden light, fresh dew on the grass and the promise of a brand new day.

I decided to take my little lady out this morning and capture the light as it came over the hills behind our house.  As you can see, she loved every minute.    The morning light, almost as bright and beautiful as her sweet little face… my darling girl.  Oh, how I love you!

Enjoy your day, everyone!

Today was Will’s first day of kindergarten. Such a big day for him!  I was so proud to see how he walked right into his new school carrying his great big backpack, settled into his seat and began his school career.    He is such a good boy.

I couldn’t help but think of my aunt today. She would have loved this day so much.  Those of you who knew Aunt Connie, know how much she loved Will.  She probably would have greeted him at the end of the school day with a big bunch of balloons or sugary treat. It is days like today that I miss her more than I can put into words.  All of the firsts she will never see… I know she is seeing them. I just wish she was here with us to experience them all, so that Will and Maddy could know her and love her like I do.

This is a picture of my Aunt Connie and my Granny.  Both of them are gone now.  This was taken when Will was just 5 days old. It is probably one of my most precious photos. A simple snapshot but there was just so much love there.

The poem below was given to me by my Granny, when Will was just a baby.  Now is the perfect day to share it.  You can tell by some of the verbage that it was written long ago, but how true the words and sentiments still ring today.

World, Take My Son by the Hand

My son started school today.  It’s going to be strange and new to him for awhile.

And I wish you would sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to know, he’s been the king of the roost. He’s been the boss of the back yard.

I’ve always been around to repair his wounds and to soothe his feelings.

But now…things are going to be different. He’s going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on

his great adventure that will probably one day include wars and tragedy and sorrow.

To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.

So, world, I wish you would take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know.

Teach him, but gently, if you can.

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just.   That all men are not true.

Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero – for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader.

That for every enemy there is a friend.

Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to lick.

Teach him the wonders of books. Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun,

and flowers on the green hill.

Teach him that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.   Teach him to have faith in his own ideas,

even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.

Try and give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is jumping on the bandwagon.

Teach him to listen to all men, but to filter all he hears on the screen of truth and to take only

the good that comes through.

Teach him to sell his brawn and his brains to the highest bidder,

but never to put a price on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears on a howling mob, and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.

Teach him gently, world, but don’t coddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order, world, but see what you can do.

He’s such a nice little fellow.

- Anonymous