Donut?

I don't think I have ever known a kid who loves donuts more than my pal A. In fact, I know I don't. He is a donut crazed two year old, and COULD NOT BE CUTER! In-between mouthfuls of delectable mouthwatering donut holes, I was able to snap a few shots of the little man. It was a challenge of a lifetime, but I'm pleased to report: Mission Accomplished.

Then there is my girl V. I had to tell her to tone down the cuteness because my camera simply does not have the capacity to store it all. That girl can pose. And she's not even 3 months old yet. Watch out S&C, you have a future heartbreaker on your hands...

Thanks S & C, not only for producing donut-hoarding cuteness-makers, but for taking a chance on me. It's these opportunities from which I hope to become a better photographer...

X O

I can't even imagine...

While waiting in line at the store, I picked up the NY Times. This was on the cover.

The expression on this soldiers face is heart wrenching. He is about to be deployed to Afghanistan for a year, leaving his precious baby and lovely wife behind. He is going to miss out on SO many milestones...First tooth, first steps, first words....How on earth can anybody ever make this sacrifice? HOW?

This photo really put into perspective the SELFLESS sacrafice that these men and woman make EVERY DAY to make this country safe. I am so guilty of going about my merry way, and not giving a thought to what these soldiers have to endure everyday in a foreign land, risking their lives. FOR ME. For my FAMILY.

What can I do to say THANK YOU???

I had an idea...

I will be choosing 3 military families to take pictures of...FOR FREE! So this is where I need your help! If you know of a military family who would like some photos, please email me @ kelly.willardson@gmail.com. I will be choosing the first 3 e-mails I receive, so don't wait or the spots may be filled.

I can't wait to hear from you!

'F' is for FABULOUS!!!!

Have you ever had a friend who is up for anything? Will encourage you to take risks and push you to be a better person? Well then, you probably know someone like my friend Tami. Not only is she suuuuuuuuper talented (Like Martha Stewart, but like, waaaaay better! And cuter! And not a criminal....that I know of?! Check out her blog because it will change your life forever. Fer reelz.)

All I had to do was mention that I had found a few new photo spots, and the next thing I knew we had all our kids piled into the mommy-mobile and we were off on a snapshot adventure!

Thank you friend for being so willing to help me be a better photog. To help me perfect my technique. To have beautiful models to practice on.

I simply love you. You rule. I'll be the Thelma to your Louise (you know, except for the part where they steal, murder and drive off a cliff. But you catch my drift.)

This is only the beginning....

Pinkness.

What an honor it is to be asked to capture this wonderful time in a woman's life. There is really nothing like being preggo. Good or bad, the results are all the same...a delicious bundle of bouncing baby joy! C is about 1 week away from having still unnamed bb girl. I think we should hate her for looking so darn cute! I'm stating a club on facebook. Watch me.

Good luck to C & D, because with a three yr old B, you have your work cut out for you! But there is nothing more rewarding than being a parent. This I KNOW is true...

X's and O's

Gettin' Hitched!

Young love. Ain't it grand..???

Fighting the traffic from North County to downtown was a beast. We lost precious 'yummy' light stuck on that darn 805, but once we jumped out of the car, it was photo opp central and there was not a moment to lose!

Um, so have you ever BEEN to Balboa Park? Cause if not, you are missing OUT! This place is GOR-GEOUS and it seems like everywhere you look there is a cool 'this' or an unbelievable 'that'! It's a good thing that these two ♥love birds♥ liked getting their pictures taken, cause once I had my camera in my hands, they pretty much didn't have a choice! It was pose or DIE! lol!

I am so happy for T & L and their new life they are embarking on together. I know this will be a long and lasting union, because when the future groom was asked what kind of cake he wanted for the wedding, he simply replied, "I don't really care, whatever she wants." Good answer T. Good answer...

Oh, and a HUGE thanks to Lisa for letting me tag along on this one so I could build up the ol' portfolio. Much appreciated and hopefully my big head didn't get in the way of too many of your shots!

MUAH!

White Lace

Seriously. Have you ever seen a prettier bride? Seriously.

This past weekend I had the PLEASURE of driving across this really hot thing they call the desert (to my all my SD peeps, a desert is a really hot place where there is sand and cactus and not much else. But crazy beautiful.) to take pictures of Lindsay and her A-DOARBLE now-hubby Preston on their wedding day. The first picture I took of the two of them was actually our first meeting. Lindsay is the sister of my beloved friend Kathy, and after bugging her relentlessly, she agreed to talk to her sis and see if it would be possible for me to crash the wedding and take a few snapshots. They had already hired a photag for the reception the following day, but I was able to come and take pics outside of the Temple. Arizona gave us a gift. The gift of moderate weather in June and BEAUTIFUL light! I was grateful because I was wearing black skinny jeans and boots (der...I know. I surprise even myself with how the brain in my head doesn't think things through all that well sometimes...). Lindsay and Preston could NOT have been nicer and more obliging to my amateur ways and lack of know-how when it comes to taking pictures of big groups. They didn't have to take the time to give my great photo opps, but they DID, and I owe a HUGE thanks to them for that! Thank You Thank You Thank You L&P for making the drive with an 18mo old across the grueling desert worth it! I hope you guys have a WONDERFUL honeymoon and a a FAIRY TALE life together:)

Almost a big sister!

The photo opp's are ENDLESS when at Carillo Ranch! Riley was a trooper letting me drag her to-and-fro, up on a wall, sitting on the dirt, and even getting up close and personal with a peacock! Not many kids will get all up in a peacocks grill, especially when the said peacock HOWLS it's LOUD and ear-splitting peacock call!

But alas, the Pringles ran out (mostly due to the fact that I had to bring my 5 year old along for the shoot, who ate most of them!) and it started to get cold, so our photo session had to come to an end:( It seems every time I go to the 'The Ranch' I am inspired, especially by those whom I am taking their picture. Thank you for being my inspiration Riley....You are a sweet little treasure, and I know you will be such a great BIG sister and a good helper to your mom here in the next few months!

X O X O

Señor Senior

Fathers, lock up your daughters cause this ones headed to BYUI in the Fall!

Congratulations Wes and the class of 2010!