Whew!  This Sunday started out as a total wash… Literally!  The rain came from down from the heavens like there would be no end… But then, the happy little sun poked it’s head through the clouds and dried the ground just enough for me to continue with my day full of mini sessions!  Yay for the sun!

This session was mainly focused on getting headshots for her upcoming Dance Contest…  Isn’t she gorgeous?!  And, she’s only 13!

We had fun doing some “non-headshot” stuff too…

Sunday also consisted of some Party For Layla mini sessions….  What GREAT fun we had!  Thanks to all that came out!!  AND, I must mention that I am adding ANOTHER date to the Party For Layla Mini Sessions!!  THIS Sunday, April 25th!!  Click HERE to get more info and schedule an appointment with me or one of the other participating Houston area photographers!

These little cuties did not like sitting in the grass…. too itchy, I guess. I love this shot anyhow… Such adorable little unhappy faces, don’t you think?!  But, don’t worry… we only made them site there for about 3 or 4 shots before we swooped them up outta the grass and put them out of the misery!  ;)

A tad bit happier here…  OFF the grass!

I love this shot of Little Miss and her momma… So sweet!

This little angel was so happy and sweet!

And, she started walking during her session!  She took more steps than ever before as my camera snapped away!  She was sooo proud!

One last black and white before I go…  

xox, reata

I’m not really sure where to begin with this story…  I guess I should start with how I first heard of Layla Grace, who she is, and why I’m posting about her.

It was a few weeks ago when my good friend randomly asked me if I’d ever heard of Layla Grace and I simply replied unknowingly, No… What’s that?  Errr, I mean, who’s that?  I had no idea how heartbreaking the next bit of info would be.

My friend told me about a sweet, beautiful little girl who was in the last stages of Neuroblastoma Cancer….  A bright-eyed, high-spirited little girl whose loving parents had started a blog to keep their friends and family updated on her progress as she went through horribly tough, tough times fighting her terrible desease.  Although the initial intentions of this blog were not to gain recognition, this blog eventually started being following by thousands (literally) of prayerful well-wishers… all praying for peace and comfort for this one lovely family.

My friend told me I should check out their blog if I wanted… but she knew for certain, I would cry while reading it.  Of course, later that evening as I read along, I cried and cried. And cried.

After reading Layla’s story and seeing the gorgeous photos that Cypress based photographer Christie Lacy had done for them, my heart was so incredibly heavy with grief, hope, love, and pain for Layla’s entire family…  I could not, for the life of me, get them out of my head.  Their family is similar in make-up to mine:  three young girls, about the same ages as mine.  I couldn’t image how Layla’s parents were making it through each day – obviously, they are very faithful servants to the Lord.  I prayed and prayed for them – and I still do.

Four days after first hearing about Layla,  I received a phone call completely out of the blue from Christie Lacy (the photographer who did their family photos)… She did not know me and I did not know her.  As she explained who she was and told me the exact same story I had just read online four days earlier, I realized God was setting the stage for something He knew I couldn’t refuse and I was in awe.  Christie explained to me that this special little girl and her family had touched her heart…  My heart pounded. I was shaking.  And,  I was completely astounded…  Why in the world am I receiving this call??  How did she even get my number?!  

Christie asked if I’d join forces with her in a charity event benefiting the family of Layla Grace… After working with the Marsh Family, she was so touched that she wanted to do something more for them – A Charity Mini Session Event, Party For Layla.  And, because of the overwhelming response she was getting from so many wonderful, prayerful families who wanted to book a mini session, she realized she would need help from other photographers.  This is why she called me.  I was in 100%.

I am beyond honored and feel truly blessed that God led her to call my phone number – after all, there are tons of photographers in the Houston area… why me?!  I am estatic that, in addition to the prayers I have been offering up to God for the Marsh family, that I have been asked to help a little bit more….   I am hopeful that we will have an amazing turn-out for this event!

If you are interested in helping the family of Layla Grace, please check out our Party For Layla Website and consider booking an appointment for a mini session with me (or one of the many other awesome participating photographers)!  The entire session fee is being donated to the family and each 20 minute mini-session will receive one 8×10 fine art print!  

Read the details HERE.

xox, Reata

Just a quick note to say THANKS to all those who came out to the Love 4 Haiti Valentine’s Event this past Sunday!

I had fun working with you all again, raising some money for the Haiti Relief Effort, and to top it off, I think we yeilded some really special images of your sweet, little Valentine love bugs!  

For the past week or so, I’ve been sitting around trying to be clever…  As the days following the earthquake in Haiti pass and the visuals of the devastation continue to pour in, I really feel compelled (like most of us do) to use my brain to come up with something interesting I can do or offer that would help drum up more support for this country in dire need of aid. The answer, of course, is pretty obvious to me as to what I should do…

Take the photography skill set that has been bestowed upon me and use it for something good.  for others.  in dire need.

So, without hesitiation, I want to announce the event Sugar Shots Photography will be hosting this Sunday, Feb 7th…  Love 4 Haiti: Valentine’s Mini Sessions!  

Love 4 Haiti = Special priced Valentine’s Mini Photo Sessions for your children, complete with goodies to share with your loved ones!  And, besides gaining some unique Valentine goodies, you and your child will feel wonderful knowing that 30% of the proceeds raised in the special Love 4 Haiti event are going to be donated to the refief effort in Hait.  I have chosen the organization, Doctors Without Borders.  This wonderful organization has been in Haiti for over 19 years doing various work and has, most recently, been one of the top responders to the earthquake aftermath by operating 3 emergency hospital in Port-au-Prince, amongst many other things.

“Our immediate response in the first hours following the disaster in Haiti was only possible because of private unrestricted donations from around the world received before the earthquake struck. We are currently reinforcing our teams on the ground in order to respond to the immediate medical needs and to assess the humanitarian needs that MSF will be addressing in the months ahead.” – Doctors Without Borders

Please join me in raising money for Haiti by participating in this Valentine’s Day Special offer this Sunday and not only walk away with a happy heart, but also photos of your sweeties and some fun Valentine’s Cards….  Appointments spaces are limited, so contact me quickly to reserve your spot!

is why I love Austin, Texas so much.

Phenom weather.  Characteristically advanced housing and buildings.  And fun, wonderful people.

These are from the first session I did in Austin this past weekend…  Me and M have similar taste in just about everything it appears and so once we got started chatting/emailing back and forth about our ideas for her anytime session, we could hardly contain the excitement!  We were like two middle school girls rambling 100 mph about the hot substitute teacher in Algebra class…  Only, there wasn’t any hot sub.  And, we weren’t doing Algebra.  We were planning her anytime session….  and we chalked it full of personality and sass.

Now, keep in mind…  It was hard to narrow it down for this post… I wanted to post all of them.  Literally.  I like them that much.  But, I’m not gonna share them aaaaall right now (gotta make M wait for something in her gallery!), so here are the lucky ones that made it through to the blog:

At this point in the session, I was thinking to myself, Is it even possible for her to be ANY cuter?  And, how in the world are we gonna top this rockin red dress and amazing blue Schwinn??  Is it even possible???

Well, it was.

Meet Henry:

These last two were literally some of the last shots I took of the beautiful M before the setting sun forced us to call it quits…  I’m sure glad we didn’t didn’t stop before we got these!  Love them!

xox, reata

This mini session in Dallas was so much fun….  Little Miss Thang, as I was calling her (and her mom confirmed that she often calls her that too!), was just about as cute as can be and knew exactly how to work the camera!  She worked it and worked it… And often showed me a thing or two about posing.  For every pose I showed her to do, she showed me at least one or two other ones that were much more creative than mine.  

For example:

Seriously.  This little girl had so much personality and I was able to get so many great pictures of her…  Unfortunately, I don’t have time to show them all because I’m about to leave for Austin (Destination: Austin Sessions!).

But, here are a few more faves before I go…  And also, a little bit more evidence that Miss Thang knows how to pose like no other.

And a few of mom and dad…

More of Miss Thang to come soon, Momma J….  Hope the suspense doesn’t overwhelm you!!  :)

xox, reata

Gorgeous.

Not only is she stunning, but she’s also smart, sweet, and full of personality!  She was a delight to work with and such a complete natural in front of the camera…  

I think I see a bit of modeling in her future?  

(Hey Momma K, seriously… I think you should check into it!  She’d be great at it!)

Here are a few more favorites from this mini session:

xox, reata

It was easy to tell who the star of the show is in this family… Madame Baby C!  And it’s no wonder.  Seeing as though she is such a happy-go-lucky little lady, I’m sure her parents aren’t the only ones whose attention she can grab!

Here are some faves from this petite sized session (literally, it was a mini session!) from my time in Dallas…

Totally fabulous:

And, one of the very last shots of the entire shoot…  mom and dad.

xox, reata

Oh. my. word.  This session in Dallas was completely magical…  

The lighting…  The location…  The wardrobe… 

And of course, the sweet rosie cheeks of Miss Baby P.

Destination: Dallas ended yesterday and to say that I had oodles of fun is an understatment!  I had a complete blast meeting each and every adorably unique family!  Last night when I rolled in from Dallas at about 10:15 pm, I immediately hugged my husband, tucked my waiting children back into bed, and then started uploading all my new fantastic images to my Mac and then, of course, started editing!  Even though I was beyond tired (and sore in almost ever muscle imaginable), I couldn’t help but at least edit a couple.  And then a couple more.  Brush my teeth.  And then do a couple more.  

Hang tight Dallas clients… Your sneak peeks are coming soon!!  

Here are some more faves from my first Dallas shoot of the weekend:

Be still my heart.  These photos are absolutely adorable:

Just a few weeks before the session, Miss P celebrated her 1st birthday!  So, we commemorated her special day by doing the following:

xox, reata

My gorgeous sister-in-law gave birth to my beautiful neice today!!

Congrats to M + A on an adorable baby girl…  I can’t wait to come up and see you guys this weekend!  (New little Baby K must really want to meet me.  Really.  She has perfect timing… You see, she and her family live right outside of Dallas and I am coming to Dallas THIS Friday for Destination: Dallas Sessions!!  Little Baby K… Don’t worry!  I’m coming to see you soon!!  Until then, Aunt Reata loves you!!!)

By the way, I must say that although Destination: Dallas session spots are all filled up…  Destination: AUSTIN Sessions are NOT.  If you have been thinking about signing up for a session in Austin, let me know ASAP!  I only 1 spot left and hope that you can be the one to fill it!  (For the full details concerning the super delicious sale prices I’m offering you folks in the Austin area, email me at reata@sugarshotsphotographysite.com!)