I’m not sure if I can narrow down to my top 10 favorites from 2010, but I’m sure going to try! Like I said in my Mini-Session Giveaway post, 2010 has been an incredible year. Not only for my growth as a photographer, but also for the growth of my business. I can’t thank my clients enough – you are all amazing and I’m so thankful for you guys putting your faith in me to capture your family memories! I’m very excited to see what 2011 has in store for me, but I can’t let 2010 slip away without looking back on a few of my favorite moments. So without further ado, here are my top 10 favorite photos from 2010!

10. I love this picture for so many reasons. Addison’s parents, Jen and Ryan, are members of CrossFit Leander. When they contacted me to take Addison’s newborn photos, they requested that we incorporate their “hobby” into the photos somehow. My personal trainer actually came up with this idea – I didn’t even know they made dumb bells that tiny! Addison was less than happy that we were torturing her in the cold, forcing her to “lift” weights Sometimes the best newborn photos aren’t the sweet, curled up shots. Sometimes they’re the outtakes!

9. The eye contact. The drool. The chub. All reasons that sweet Braxton’s picture made my top 10 list this year! I got to see him and his parents three times this year and it was so wonderful to get to know them better and watch Braxton grow up! This particular image was from his 4 month session. He was being quite stingy with the smiles, but the seriousness kind of suits him in this one. So adorable!

8. I knew the second I snapped this one that it was going to be an instant favorite. Dax was another one of my baby planner’s and he turned 1 in 2010. His newborn session was actually one of my first sessions way back when and it’s been wonderful to watch him grow! He’s turned into quite the flirt and was totally working it for the camera at his one year session. I love the way his mama is looking at him, love the colors in her dress, love the slightly messy hair, and love the way the sun is hitting them just right.

7. I haven’t even blogged this session yet, but now that I’m finally able to share some images you can bet I will be soon! This was from a Mommy & Me session I did this summer and we totally struck gold. Every single image I took, I loved. The light was perfect and even though it was a hot, sweaty, buggy mess outside, we captured some amazing images. I will definitely have to come back and share some more favorites, but I think this one is my #1 favorite from the night. I love the way Evangeline is looking at the camera while getting some love from her mommy. Add in the soft colors, the backlighting, and the bokeh…yummy!

6. This session probably ranks up there with one of my favorite sessions of all times. Ava’s Daddy was getting ready to deploy overseas and we were able to work in a last minute session before he left. I’m so glad we did! The entire session was a lifestyle session – not hardly one posed picture, which is a little different for me. I usually mix in poses with the playing, but they were insistent that they just wanted to capture themselves as a family, doing what they normally do. And the result was amazing. Dad changed into his ACUs and the images of him and sweet, innocent Ava are incredibly emotional and powerful. Seeing her snuggling up to him totally warmed my heart that day!

5. Reagan was one of my easiest newborns to date! She was asleep when I arrived, didn’t make a peep for her entire session, and allowed me to do anything and everything while posing her! I just love her chubby little cheeks, her full belly, and the way she’s propped her head in her hand! We got so many other favorites from that session…the longhorn hat image on the front page of my site was a close runner up to this one. But the simplicity of the headband, the pinkness of her skin, and the soft white blanket won out in the end.

4. This image came from one of my mini-sessions this fall…a mini-session that could have very easily turned into a signature session with how much fun we were having! These two were so sweet to each other for their entire session and totally reminded me of me and my little brother….although big sis Kailey was probably a lot more tolerant of lil brother Brayden’s antics than I was/am of my own little brother’s! I was thrilled when I found this image on my memory card after their session, as was their mom!
3. I have a thing for mommy-baby pictures…probably because I don’t make it into enough of my own! This one of Hadley and her mommy probably takes the cake though. I want to print it big and hang it up in my house, and it’s not even me and my baby in the picture! In all seriousness, though, something about the way Hadley’s got her arm around her mama, almost as if she’s hugging her…and the peaceful, serene expressions on both of their faces. Like they’re just soaking up every ounce of the newness and bliss of this time. It just makes me smile!
2. Gracie was another one of my first sessions and I was delighted when her mom emailed me to schedule a 9-month session for her this summer! She is an absolute doll and so easy to get sweet smiles like this out of. Those big gorgeous blue eyes, the perfectly pink lips showing just a hint of two little teeth behind them, and her bald little head just make this picture a favorite for me! She is definitely one special little girl!!

1. It was really hard to pick a favorite, but Lily’s session holds so many of my favorite images that this one just has to be my top image for 2010! I adore her expression here, and in the other photos in this series! She definitely wins the award for being my most expressive client! I love how her blue dress brings out her blue eyes and how she just looks thrilled to be alive. I am so excited because her mommy has already booked her one year session and I can’t wait to see how much she’s changed and grown up since this session!

Thank you guys again, from the bottom of my hear, for a fantastic 2010. I can’t wait to see you in 2011!! If you haven’t yet, be sure to enter the mini-session giveaway…winner will be announced New Year’s Day, so be sure to check back in. Happy New Year!