First Signs of Fall

 

Early Tuesday afternoon I was on my computer, sort of day dreaming out of my window when something caught my eye... amber leaves.  They were so beautiful floating high above a sea of millions of green leaves.  Of course, I had to grab my camera.  

I am so excited for Fall.  It's my favorite time of year.  I love the crisp evenings, brisk mornings, and slightly warm, breezy afternoons.  I love chai lattes, warm apple ciders, and pumpkin pie (for breakfast)!  I love wearing jeans, sweaters, boots and scarves: it's my look!  Yes, I'm shallow, and I base my seasonal preference on how I look in my wardrobe.

While I am anticipating my favorite season, check out the next photo and see what we got ourselves into:

We chose our new neighborhood and home based on ALL the trees!  We'd never seen so many trees in a neighborhood before.  Walk our entire property and you can just barely see the sky due to the towering trees.  They're lovely on hot days as they shade our home beautifully.  Every window of our home has views of trees.  You get the picture, we love trees!  

What we've never encountered before however, is Fall in North Carolina.  Our neighbors all dread Fall.  They tell us you can gather leaves ALL day and the next day have to gather just as many, if not more.  We have MILLIONS of leaves!  We are going to be very busy every weekend with our leaves.  Hey, maybe I'll lose weight from all the work.  

I'll post more during and after Fall so you can get the jist of it.  

1st Day of Kindergarten

How is my baby in kindergarten already?  It happened overnight, I mean, she was JUST born!  I've heard the stories for years of moms sobbing the first day their babies start kindergarten but I didn't even shed a tear, not even misty eyed.  How could I?  See Gracie's expression below?  She was exuberant!  It was a happy, joyful morning in the Spieler household.  We were even on time (for those of you who have known us a long time, that is a rarity).  I even had time to take photos to truly capture Gracie's special day.  

I love this shot of total joy and excitement!

So why did we select a private kindergarten over public?  TIRE SWING!  Everyone who asks Gracie where she is going is told "St. John's, because they have a tire swing."

After Gracie quickly checked out her classroom and met her teachers, she got right to building.  She is her father's daughter.  She built this house after about 2 minutes out of these cool magnetic shapes.  After building she stopped at the science table and examined rocks with magnifying glasses and played with the cause and effects of magnets.  Did I mention she is her father's daughter?  She was the only kid out of 20 to play at the science table in the hour we were all there.

Today was just an hour "Drop In Day".  We'll see how I hold up tomorrow as my little girl enters her first full day of kindergarten.  She is going to have the greatest year!

Gracie's Headshot

Here is Gracie's headshot.  We are signing her with an agency to see if she can get some modeling and commercial work.  If she gets work we will start a savings account for college.  I'm not going to force it or drive/fly to another state for an "audition", no, if it happens for her it will have to be organically.  It's all in God's hands.  I've worked for years on commercials with kids and truly know how this business works.  This is not Toddlers and Tiaras where your child is paraded around in fluffy dresses and garish makeup; commercial work today is looking for natural looking kids who act naturally in front of the camera, no acting lessons required.  I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.  At the very least we hope to make some money for extra-curricular activities like dance and music.  

Baby Paisley {Rowan County Newborn Photographer}

My beautiful cousin Lacey, and her handsome husband Brandon, let me photograph the newest addition to their family, Paisley Rose.  Look at how clever they were in announcing the sex of their baby back in Spring.  

When Paisley Rose was only 10 days old, I got to photograph her.  Somebody pinch me!

Look at this precious sleeping angel.  Lacey, remember this when she is a teenager.

Lacey collects vintage suitcases and came up with this idea to place Paisley in one during our shoot.  How adorable it turned out.  I gave it a vintage feel in editing to lend to the prop.

Is anything more precious than a newborn?  I was in Heaven!!!!!!

Paisley Rose, you have a beautiful life ahead of you.  Thanks for letting me be apart of it.

Scott {Rowan County Children's Photographer}

I had the privilege of photographing my 16 month old nephew Scott recently.   I'm so happy with the results as he had a cold and is quick as lightning making it challenging for Auntie to get a winning shot. 

I think we make a good team though. 

I just love the purity of a good black and white shot.  

He's also gorgeous in color!  His hair is the most glorious shade of blond.  I would take this shot to my stylist if I could afford the upkeep.

Isn't he ADORABLE???  Of course I'm biased because I'm his Auntie but even if I didn't know this kid I would be mesmerized by his eyes and that hair.  LOVE that hair!