When a friend/fellow photographer suggested this project to a group of local photographers, I was quick to jump on board. The premise of the project was this: each month, a group of us would take photos with the theme “what ___ looks like” and then each do a blog post, linking to each other. The best part? The photos had to be of our family. No portrait clients, no weddings, no commercial work – just our own special families!

So many of my posts have focused on Connor, since we share a lot of special one-on-one time together while Brenna naps. But this month is all about Brenna. Because this girl has emerged from a baby into a toddler, and her uninhibited joy and zest for life is just SO much fun to be around right now.

Her new favorite thing is pulling up and standing on her “own” (holding onto something, but without help from me.) She can’t quite pull up all the way from a sitting position to standing, so she had a little boost with this one, but look at that pride. She is determined to stay up there on her own!

“Uhhhh Mommy? I’m slipping down.” Can you help a sister out?

Brenna used to stay completely close-fisted all of the time, but is now opening her hands more and more. Look at those extended fingers  - oh the things you take for granted with a healthy child! This picture is music to my heart, seeing those fingers stretched out!

I’m SO PROUD of my beautiful girl and the progress she has made in the areas of physical development and gross motor skills. She may move at her own pace, but nothing’s going to stand in her way. She is one determined girl!

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And now continue on through our chain of awesome photographers…check out my wonderful friend Tara Long Photography!

When a friend/fellow photographer suggested this project to a group of local photographers, I was quick to jump on board. The premise of the project was this: each month, a group of us would take photos with the theme “what ___ looks like” and then each do a blog post, linking to each other. The best part? The photos had to be of our family. No portrait clients, no weddings, no commercial work – just our own special families!

I know, I know. Easter was in March. But it was the END of March and therefore, kinda got left out. And this is my blog, so I can do what I want :)

There’s no better way to look for Easter eggs that a no-holds-barred family hunt on the farm.

Hiding spot in the grain bin? yes please.

Cousin Audie showing off his discovery.

And afterwards…lots and lots of bartering and indulging over the newly found candy. And don’t let those adults fool you…they’re under the pretense of “helping” the kids sort the candy…when we all know that they’re trying to swipe some for themselves!

And now continue on through our chain of awesome photographers…check out Angie Jackson’s post with beautiful photos of her family’s recent beach vacation!

When a friend/fellow photographer suggested this project to a group of local photographers, I was quick to jump on board. The premise of the project was this: each month, a group of us would take photos with the theme “what ___ looks like” and then each do a blog post, linking to each other. The best part? The photos had to be of our family. No portrait clients, no weddings, no commercial work – just our own special families!

March has been a month of waiting. Waiting for warm weather and all of the activity that comes along with warm weather. But in the meantime, we’ve been soaking up the last of the cold winter mornings by staying in our PJs for way too long, watching movies while Mommy drinks hot coffee, building forts and snuggling up to read books…Bliss!

Elmo and Berenstein Bears books…what more could you need?!

This is one of my new favorite pictures of Connor – oblivious to me and my camera and completely and utterly fixated on his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode. I love the light coming in from the window behind him, and I LOVE the innocence in every aspect of this photo. His big, focused eyes…his chin perfectly placed in his little hands…and his perfect little mouth. So relaxed, so comfortable. Like all is right with the world :)

Now continue on through the circle of other awesome local photographers by checking out Kindra Boston’s March blog post!

Westlake Photography mini sessions are 20 minutes and include a CD of 15 high-resolution images from your session in both color and black and white. The high-resolution images are perfect for personal printing or use on holiday cards. The cost for a mini session is $225.

Here are the open slots and locations:

Saturday, May 4

Washington Park – Botanical Gardens and Carillon

8:00 a.m. booked!

8:30 a.m. booked!

9:00 a.m. booked!

9:30 a.m. booked!

State Capitol downtown

5:30 p.m. booked

6:00 p.m. booked

6:30 p.m. booked

7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 5

The streets of Lincoln’s Home

5:00 p.m. booked!

5:30 p.m. booked!

6:00 p.m. booked!

Sessions will run according to schedule, so please be on time to make the most of your session!

We only hold two mini session events per year, and our time slots typically book up quickly, so if you are interested in a time, please email me at courtney@courtneywestlake.com as soon as possible! We’re looking forward to seeing your family this spring!

When a friend/fellow photographer suggested this project to a group of local photographers, I was quick to jump on board. The premise of the project was this: each month, a group of us would take photos with the theme “what ___ looks like” and then each do a blog post, linking to each other. The best part? The photos had to be of our family. No portrait clients, no weddings, no commercial work – just our own special families!

Usually by this time, I’m uninspired by the cold and dark of winter, and my camera doesn’t get much love. But this month provided the perfect opportunity to get it out, as we were hit with about 5 inches of snow, and Connor was begging to go out and play!

He was so excited as I dragged him around in a little sled, we built a snowman and just simply played. I tried to teach him how to make a snow angel, but moving his arms and feet at the same time proved confusing :) What a great morning outside with my buddy!

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Now continue on to the rest of the group of very talented local photographers and check out Jessica Reid’s post about her family’s Disney vacation!

When a friend/fellow photographer suggested this project to a group of local photographers, I was quick to jump on board. The premise of the project was this: each month, a group of us would take photos with the theme “what ___ looks like” and then each do a blog post, linking to each other. The best part? The photos had to be of our family. No portrait clients, no weddings, no commercial work – just our own special families!

Ever since the holiday season ended, our lives have thankfully slowed down a bit, and I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying that! We’ve been moving slow in the mornings, staying in our PJs longer, eating late breakfasts with the sounds of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the background. And just loving each other – reading together, playing together, talking together.

Brenna has been doing so well in her jumperoo – she’s bearing weight on her legs more and just enjoying it in general, which took a while!

Being the ever-so-helpful big brother, Connor sometimes helps her bounce :)

I think he’s ready for his high school senior pictures with his car :)

Never hesitates at the request for a kiss…

Happy girl :)

Brenna has also gotten much more tolerant of her high chair, and really likes playing with toys on the tray, especially while we all sit there and eat.

Keeping me company and hammin’ it up while I make banana bread… Love that smile :)

Now follow the circle of links to see all of the other photographers’ posts this month! Check out Tara Long Photography next…

When a friend/fellow photographer suggested this project to a group of local photographers, I was quick to jump on board. The premise of the project was this: each month, a group of us would take photos with the theme “what ___ looks like” and then each do a blog post, linking to each other. The best part? The photos had to be of our family. No portrait clients, no weddings, no commercial work – just our own special families!

Every year, I try to make it a priority to take some more traditional portraits of my own family (hair brushed, cute outfits!) several different times a year. Since I love fall so much, I definitely shoot for getting some nice photos with the fallen leaves!

This year, I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to pull that off, but one recent morning, the weather was gorgeous, so I threw the kids into the most fall-ish looking sweaters I could find and went to the backyard for some shots. I didn’t get any true keepers of the two of them together, but I absolutely love the individual shots I captured!

My handsome boy…

And my beautiful baby girl!

While I was trying to get them both looking, I really can’t complain about this preciousness. :)

Kisses for baby sis!

Not bad for a last-minute shoot right before nap time! :)

To continue the cycle of our monthly project, please check out the talented Jessica Reid for her adorable Halloween post!

Read the first month here and the second month here.

This month, I wanted to highlight my son Connor’s long-standing interest in cars. It all started when the Easter Bunny left the Disney Pixar movie Cars in Connor’s basket on Easter morning. The movie was a huge hit from the start, and since Connor loves knowing everyone’s names, he immediately began memorizing all of the characters.

This obsession has only grown over the months, and every time we see a car that resembles a character from Cars, he gets so excited and will yell hi to whomever it is on the road :)

All of our arts and crafts projects lately have been car-related as well…

Making “tire tracks” with paint…

Last month, we learned that race car driver and Riverton native Justin Allgaier would be holding an event for fans at Brandt Consolidated, which sponsors him. Evan’s uncle has worked at Brandt for many years, and Evan went to high school with Justin’s wife Ashley, so we thought it’d be a great event to attend. And of course, we wanted to take Connor to see a real race car!

Because Justin drives a red car just like Lightning McQueen in Cars, Connor thought he was meeting the REAL Lightning McQueen…and he was SO thrilled!

The line to meet Justin started through his truck, and Connor was talking nonstop about getting to be in “Mack” (Lightning McQueen’s truck of course!)

Lightning McQueen is in Mack! :)

Meeting Justin…

I think we will all remember that day for a long time…it literally was a dream come true for my little Cars-obsessed guy :)

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Now follow the circle of my fellow photogs who are taking part in this project with me! Check out Danielle Sullivan Photography here.