My Year In Review: Top 11 of 2011 {Phoenix Lifestyle Photographer}

Wow. Hard to believe 2011 is already coming to an end. It was an amazingly awesome year. I have been blessed with the option to stay home with my darling little girl, Addison and delight in every minute with her. Thanks daddy dearest!

As an added BONUS for me, I stumbled upon photography as not only a fantastic way to capture our life with our beautiful girls – Addison (now 15 months) & our 2 1/2 year old black lab mix, Dakota – but as that passion and creative outlet I’d been looking for all my adult life. As if that wasn’t enough greatness for one year, (again, thanks to my amazingly supportive, sweet, devoted and encouraging hubby, Blaine) I took the leap and turned my passion for photography and capturing life’s sweet moments into a small photography business. See, told ya 2011 was an amazing year for me!

So, to memorialize my awesome year, I’ve pulled together my Top 11 of 2011 photos of my girls – the models that influence and inspire me the most. I had a fabulous time sifting through all my photos. What a year it was. I hope you enjoy them!

1. So crazy to think that I took this shot LAST January. Addie was only 4 months old. Not sitting up on her own yet. She’s a walking, talking, running little girl now! How fast it goes.

2. This one was taken on a day trip up to Sedona, AZ. It was THIS picture that inspired me to start taking courses and spend every moment NOT spent with her researching and learning all about photography.

3. I call this one {Sisterly Love}. It was this “session” where I saw (thru the lens of my camera) how very much these two love each other. Their love continues to grow. Addison is absolutely IN LOVE with anything that has fur like her “sissy.” She even says, “sissy” when she sees her Dakota. So precious!

4. Aw yes, Addie’s first day at the beach. We knew she was a water baby – we just didn’t know she’d be a water AND sand baby! Such a blessing to have her with us for family vacations now!

5. What can I say about this one? I mean, that sweet face speaks for itself! Freaking adorable!

6. Nothing sweeter (quite literally) than a One-Year-Old Smash Cake session. She was the perfect little model and needed no help digging into her cake. Happy First Birthday my sweet Nugget!

7. It’s like she owns the place! HA-HA! Snapped this one on Addison’s first visit to Chicago to see her grandma and meet her uncles for the first time!

8. Oh. Dear. Lord. I can take no credit for the raw emotion displayed in this one. I just “happened” to be there to capture it! She’s such a little ham – guess that happens when mommy is in your face with a camera from 3 months old!

9. Oh how I love this pretty black face! My FURst born girl, Dakota has always been willing to pose too! Such a regal beauty!

10. She’s lovin’ the snow & I’m lovin’ my tiny snow bunny!

11. Addison, cousin Gracie and Dakota…Waiting for Santa.

Cheers to 2012 Everyone! 

A big thanks to Courtney @ Click It Up A Notch for inspiring me to compile these.