Gulf Shores Vacation 2014 {Emmy's Photoshoot}

We did not get a photo shoot appointment for Emmy's three year photos. In the hustle and bustle and I never located a new photographer that I liked and wasn't thousands of dollars. So I decided to use the great locale that we had right outside of our front door--at the beach house-- and take a few photos. I had my new lens with me, and I must say that I am not disappointed with it. I can't use it with big groups, but one-on-one it is perfection.

 I wanted to be able to do a couple of different outfits, but I knew that the golden hour light at the beach was fleeting at best, so we took photos several nights while we were there.  Since dressing a three year old is pretty simple, it worked out wonderfully.

Her first outfit was a gift from Brad's grandmother.  I think it looks like something a house wife from another era would have worn when going out to play bridge with the ladies or something.  I love it!  You will notice that there is a pink dolphin bracelet gracing her wrist.  That was her prize for a job well done during family photos, and she "did not wish" to take it off.









She likes to pose, but she is silly sometimes too.









The sun was still a little harsh by the dunes, but she wanted a picture by the fence.  It should be apparent right now that two people think they are in charge at my house.  I am not currently sure if it is Emmy or myself that is delusional.











When she sat down in the dirt, the Mom in me mind shouted, "THAT'S A BRAND NEW DRESS!!" But the photographer in me said, "It'll wash, and it's pretty cute."  We went with it.











The next day, she wanted to wear the coral dress that Nana bought for her.  I think the way this color pops on the beach might be my favorite.







I love the color pops from the beach houses in the background.







She's got her daddy's big blue eyes.













She took more photos, but I think I have reached the max that any one post should have (probably passed it around 20 photos ago).  Thanks for sticking around to the end if you are reading this.  You're a good sport.

Gulf Shores Vacation 2014 {Family Photos}

At Christmas when we were all together, we started dreaming up this beautiful family photo we would take when we went on vacation in July.  We knew we wanted to have turquoise and coral, and quickly after we decided that the guys could wear navy...they weren't too keen on wearing turquoise.  I think the colors are really pretty together and it all coordinates.  It's riding the border of "matchy-matchy," but when you have a group this big, you have to make concessions unless one person is going to buy everyone's clothes.

On Sunday, after our first day at the beach, we headed back out in our awesome duds and took the pictures from this post.  Although they may not be perfect, and I still have a lot of work to do before they go up on the wall, they are a beautiful reminder of the time we got to spend together on vacation.  This means that to us they are priceless.


Our big, wild, and crazy group!



We are pretty cool too.



Remember when I mentioned crazy?  May I present exhibit A?  I had the tripod set up for these shots, and I think we were giving some of the evening beach strollers a show.



MoMo B & Papa





Mom and Dad.  I finally got him to be serious and smile.  I will have to post some of the silly ones later.


Our family unit.





GiGi looked mighty pretty.





Uncle Samuel's little clan


Sweet siblings.



I love this one of the two of them.



Beautiful Bekah


My handsome little cousin is growing up.  I give him three years, and he will be my height.



This was actually one of the first photos that I took while everyone else was making their way down to the beach.  This was one of the only times the whole week that Kari came down to the water, and I actually caught her in her natual pose--book in hand.



Brittany striking a pose.  You can hear more from her here.



I didn't take a lot of time on a photo of our little family since I knew we were taking more photos the next day in the outfits that I brought.



Mother and Daughter.



It was almost dark and everyone was heading back, but our photos wouldn't be complete without a sister pic!



This was so much fun, and I know that these photos will only become more special as the years pass.  Maybe in ten years, the rest of the family will forgive me for the pain and suffering that I put them through to get these.

But then again, maybe not. ;)