My 3 Month Cutie | Tucson Baby Photographer
My sweet little girl just turned 6 months yesterday and I realized I never posted her 3 month photo shoot I did here in Tucson. I can’t believe how fast she is growing up, I wish I could just make her stay small forever. I will be doing her 6 month shoot soon, but for now I wanted to share her last pictures. We are just so in love with this little girl, we call her our little butterball!
Sweet Baby Riley | Tucson Baby Lifestyle Photographer
I know, you must think I have a million nieces and nephews because I am always posting pictures of them. Well, truth is when you have 5 siblings, you are bound to have lots of kids in the family. And right now there has been a baby boom for our family which is SO exciting because my little Blake will have so many cousins around her age.
A couple weeks ago I headed to the Phoenix area to take pictures of the newest addition. She is such a doll and her brother and sisters just ADORE her. You might be feeling sorry for my nephew, 3 sisters! But don’t feel too bad, his dad (my brother) was the only boy too, and he had 5 sisters. So my nephew has it easy 
Here is the beautiful and adorable new addition, aka Blakely’s best friend for life!!!
2012 Family Favorites | Tucson Favorite Photographs
I posted my favorite 2012 pictures of my clients last week, but I wanted to post my favorite personal photos of 2012. My goal last year was to take more pictures of my family and capture more of our every day moments. With the project “what ___ looks like”, it really helped me get in the habit if of photographing my family more. I am excited to continue documenting my family in 2013. Here are some of our favorites from last year!
You will see a lot more of us in 2013!
Dear to My Heart | Tucson Children’s Photographer
As many of you might remember, I got really personal last year and posted about my sweet niece Oaklynn. Oaklynn has a neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome. Rett Syndrome is like autism, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and anxiety disorder all in one. It is caused by a defect in a gene on an X chromosome. It is a very rare disorder, one that I had never heard of until my sweet niece. Well because of her diagnosis, I have made it my mission to raise awareness about this disorder. I have offered to photograph Rett families and share their story on my blog as a way of raising more awareness.
Last month I had the chance to meet another Rett girl, Sophia. Sophia is very different than Oaklynn in her abilities, she is what is considered atypical. She can walk, say some words, and do many other things that our sweet Oaklynn can’t currently do. It was hard seeing how much more advanced she is, but gives us hope that Oaklynn can continue to progress in ways in the future.
Meet Sophia
I asked her mother to share more information about her beautiful daughter and also share information on a fundraiser coming up. I will be there photographing the event so if you would like to come support, that would be fabulous!
When we had our first daughter Sophia, 8 years ago, my life had new meaning.
Every one of Sophia’s achievements made me swell with pride. She talked up a storm, waved, and shouted “Hello” to strangers in the store. She giggled with us, snuggled us, and played with us.
And then, around 18 months… it all faded. Leaving a shadow of the girl we knew.
And so began Sophia’s story (watch it here).
What we didn’t know then was that Sophia has Rett Syndrome. It is a neurological disorder that hits typically developing girls suddenly, leaving many with no remaining language, limited independent motor skills and serious medical conditions during the course of its attack on their precious minds.
Sophia stopped talking, didn’t recognize her father, and began to have seizures. I felt like my child had been kidnapped, yet she was right in front of me.
We’ve learned that Sophia has an atypical form of the disorder, which made it possible for her to regain some language. We’re lucky, doctors say, since so many other mothers of girls with Rett have never heard their daughters call them “Mommy” since their regressions.
Today—there is reason for hope. Researchers have recently discovered through mouse models of the disorder that the symptoms are reversible.
So today—my life has new meaning… To fund this research that is cutting edge and at the beginning of opening doors not only for Sophia but also for Autism Spectrum and other neurological disorders. It’s a journey we can’t make alone. So we reach out to you.
To join us on the path for a cure:
Our second annual fundraiser on behalf of the 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, Rett Syndrome Research Trust, is April 11, 2013. We’re so deeply appreciative of the sponsorships, auction items, ticket purchases, and donations needed to make this event a success in the past.
Sponsorships and tickets are now available for the Second Chance for Sophia & Friends: Reversing Rett Syndrome Fundraiser. Here is link with information.
Thank you so much for your support,
Audra and Jim
*Contributions are deductible. RSRT is a 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID 26-0687439
I wanted to share images from our session together of this beautiful family. I am so grateful I got to photograph them and capture some sweet memories for them to keep forever!
Favorites From 2012 | Tucson Photographer
I can’t believe another year has gone by, time just flies way too fast. I had another awesome year with some of the best clients out there. I had some repeats from last year and met several new clients this year. There were so many favorites, it was hard to choose. Here are just a few of my favorites of 2012!
I’m looking forward to another wonderful year with more favorite photographs!
What Taking Your Training Wheels Off Looks Like | Tucson Family Photographer
I am so proud of my little man, he might only be 4 years old but he is training wheel free. He is my tough boy. The one who goes to the Dr and throws out his arm with pride when he needs shots, the one that falls and gets back up again. So a couple weeks ago we were all outside and I got the brilliant idea to take his training wheels off. Tucson weather has been beautiful so it was the perfect day to try. Well much to my surprise, he picked right up on it. He is now out most every day cruising around on his training wheel free bike. Santa just might be bringing him a bigger bike for Christmas!
Now head over to the talented Sarahs site to see her month. Sarah Cornish|Colorado Photographer
What Halloween Looks Like | Tucson Family Photographer
We had a great Halloween this year. We headed home for the weekend before Halloween to have a fun celebration with family. My Mom threw her annual Halloween party for the grand kids and we were finally able to go. They did crafts, decorated sugar cookies, had a treasure hunt and more. They always have so much fun with their Nana and cousins. I just love all my nieces and nephews, aren’t they adorable? They all looked so cute in their costumes. We had everything from all the superheroes, a kitty, a princess and 3 Minnie Mouses. It was a great weekend.
Now head over to my friend Deb’s site to see her project this month. Deb Schwdehelm | Florida Photographer
Our Sweet Newborn | Tucson Newborn Baby Photographer
Life has been a little busy around here. With a new baby,a new house and a new workshop starting up next week, I am staying super busy. I wanted to hurry and post our sweet new baby’s newborn pictures I took of her with the kids before she got too old. She is already one month old and I can hardly stand it. I wish she could stay small forever, I LOVE this cuddly stage. She is always smiling at us and is so aware, we just love her so much. I took these pictures when she was about a week. I also took some other newborn pictures with a friend that I will post soon, one thing at a time!
We are so blessed!
