Happy Birthday Jasmine! | Tucson Children Photographer

 {Jasmine | Fellowship of the Cross, House Church | November 2011} This young lady is hosting a mighty fine birthday party tomorrow at a cool pizza place in town. And honestly, i'm really excited about going. One, it'll be awesome to see my kids eye's bug out of their sockets as they experience Peter Piper Pizza/Arcade for the first time. But more significantly, this little girl impresses me so much. She and her family are part of my FIL's house church that meets out of our home on Sunday mornings. During the 'big people' discussion time, kids shoot back to the kid's room to find new things to do with princess dress up clothes, thomas the train tracks, half naked barbies and all the mysterious games you can create with those mixed together. (note to self: work on building a more diverse toy box). She's just a wee little one, but she is so attentive to Judah & Jordyn on Sunday Mornings. Judah adores her. She's got an enormous amount of gentleness and graciousness and is, by far, the best 'share-er' I've ever seen.

(above) those were definitely Jasmine's toys that she gracious let my kids...strip. Again, note to self: get Judah more boy toys.

This is me saying 'thank you' Jasmine. (And to your mama, 'Bravo, Debbie. You have done a great job!') You are a beautiful young lady and I delight in seeing your attentive little heart grow and engage with those around you. :)

Griffith Family | Tucson, Arizona | Family Portraits

{Grifftith Family Portriat Session  | Auga Caliente, Tucson, AZ | November 2011} This family is extra special to my heart. Derek, the dad, was one of the first guys at Second Mile to chase Lawson down and befriend. Jen, the mom, has rocked my world with her testimony. She was introduced to Jesus less than 4 years ago and it changed her life. She radiates a bazillion tons of joy and belief that makes my head swim and my heart intrigue. Even Lawson has said on numerous accounts, 'Laura, you should rub up again her. A lot'...(beat) uhm, he probably said it a bit differently. that just came out weird. But point made. We would rub up against the Griffiths every day if we could. It's true Griffiths. We are so excited about getting to know you guys better! (P.S. I've never had a client plaster their home with their session's pictures as fast and as die-hard thoroughly as Jen did. It's awesome! I mean--it'd be awesome even if it wasn't my work. I just love pictures. But the fact that i took them--so cool. So encouraging. In fact, I believe an MVP award might be due...)

Miley...gosh her little smile just makes me beam :)I had to warm Abby up a little. I warned her, 'So Abby, you will feel uber cheesy, silly -- but you gotta nose dive ok straight into this lil' project? So...i'm gonna say 'snap' and every time i do, you have to whip up a different pose, pop a hip, make a silly face...lets just play. It took 20 'snaps' and we landed some GREAT keepers :)sisters...guh. i love sister shots. yes owen was genuinely gnawing on Derek's nose. he's such a beast.

Halloween in Vogt Springs of Dunnellon, Florida | Holiday Memories Pt.1

{My 2 Black Eyed Pees in a Pod | Dunnellon, Florida | Halloween Memories 2011} I just choked on my gum when i realized that i had never posted pictures from Halloween this year. In fact, i haven't posted anything really personal in a while. So instead of putting it off and just letting them sit in my 'cool pictures the dummy never posted,' I thought I'd spill a few inside scoops of the Moore Clan's holiday experiences. And we're going to start with my FAVORITE holiday of all: Halloween. (insert sarcasm) The best part, hands down, however, was the costumes. Judah & Jordyn were 2 Black Eyed Pees in a Pod...

My cousin-in-law, Rikki the Creative Genius (her official name I've decided) made her kid's own costumes. Check these out...Grace was a peacock. SO cool...Ryland was a dragon...isn't that SO stinkin' creative?! I mean, she used a flippin' swimming NOODLE for the dragon spine. high five mom, high five.Kayden was a stellar mummy...No. Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday nor is Trick-or-Treating the best activity i've ever thought to do with my kids. I was quite confident that i'd turn around while wandering around Vogt Springs and have to peel Judah from underneath the belly-side of the wagon he was riding in. I mean, toddlers are just barely beginning to imagine and create stories and characters in their head when all of sudden you toss 'em into a good community neighborhood event that involves zombies slobbering over 'welcome' signs and horrific screams coming from half-closed tombs in spider-web infested, smoke-spewing front yards. I'd pee my pants too. But regardless of this highly-opinionated mom's perspective of the festivities, the Richardson Twins stole a bazillion double-takes as they confidently strolled down the street side by side...The kids ate it up! All of it. Literally--completely taken with the idea of shoving their faces full of candy. The one night a year, i'm sure, that all mom's throw concerns of teeth, bedtime and a 2 foot tall human being's ability to contain a pound of sugar to the wind. 'Sure kid! Eat Up! You and your pillow-padded tummy and smeared black eye-liner are too cute to say no to. I'll clean up your vomit later."The suckers were the best part of it all. Judah and Jordyn had 10. i'm sure. And half of them ended up half-eaten and oozing at the bottom of their pumpkin pails. It was awesome. The next morning we picked apart the 'un-oozed' candy from the 'oozed and destroyed' wads of cavities-cough-i mean, treats. Ok. Aside from the left-hook sassy remarks about Halloween, I actually had a good time watching the kids experience the whole thing. It was a treat to spend time with cousins and do Halloween in 'Vogt Springs' style. Small town neighborhood events like these are special--everybody knows everybody else. I like being able to walk down a street and wave and talk to everybody i see. Of course i try to do that wherever i go, but apparently Tucson has yet to warm up to that over-zealous friendliness. :)

Anyways, thank you RICHARDSONS for the treat of an experience AND the treats that are rotting in my kids faces. (not really) I'm gonna treasure these pictures forever. :D | lkm

And if you so feel like getting in on the memory fun, post a link to your Halloween Memories post below!...

Lukavich Family | Tucson, Arizona | Family Portraits

{Lukavich Family | Agua Caliente, Tucson, AZ | November 2011} When i initially spoke to Joni about setting up the family session with her clan she hesitated before telling me she had SIX kids plus a foster baby. Three of which are red-headed triplets. I gawked and grinned for half a second and then said, 'oh please oh please let me photograph you guys!' So they showed up in their enormous white van, all kids were dressed to the nines with an extra wardrobe hanging neatly in the 'extra row' at the back of their 'bus.' The kids were great. They followed direction amazingly well and Joni and her hubby just helped the kids laugh the whole time. I was so impressed with their joy. Even the little baby (whom i can't post pictures of because of system rules) was a gem. (Its killing me not to share his little cheeks and constant 5 month old grin. His name is even Leonard. For reals. Coolest little smiling ball of pudge ever.)

i'm pretty sure this special 'father-son' set  will be treasured for a long time. It took a little urging for them to be cool with the 'hand holding' but then i told them to RACE on the count of 3 and all smiles and giggles were unleashedno joke, the exact words were, "can we please pose in front of this cool door. It matches the girl's hair.' And then out came the fancy pants. I have never seen a family change so fast. this little guy's 3 piece suit just killed me I'm pretty sure this little munchkin could star as a model for a whole series of illustrated children's books. I'd call them 'Munchkin Maddie & Her Sweet Mollases Madness'...or something like that.  one of my favorite from the whole dayand then there were three... Joni... your family is delightful--one big pod of delightfulness. thank you so much for letting me be part of your family memories! | lkm

Capaccio Family | Arizona Family Photographer

{Capaccio Girls | Agua Caliente, Tucson, AZ | December 2011} Oh my stars I am drooling over all this color. :) When I tell families, 'pop the make-up, bring a wardrobe that offers texture and options, possibly toss in a few props to play with'...I sometimes get a nervous chuckle in return. However--when Christine called to talk shop about a family session, she took up the challenge and even brought one of those HUGE colorful parachutes to play with! I died. Capaccios brought their A-game, I brought my giddy little self, God delivered His sunset---awesomeness on a platter. | lkm

oh to have a sister... I was SHOCKED I snagged this one shot. both of them could NOT keep from bustin' up. tender little mercies getting mom and dad to give me a 'bit o' romance' was one of my highlights from the shoot. we had to warm up a bit, set the girls up right behind me to 'oo and awww' on cue. Soon enough they got through their giggles (cough) (i mean manly laughter) and... signed...

sealed...

...and delivered. :D - Capaccios, you rock. Fiercly like. :) Happy New Year! | lkm

College Roommies | Tucson Senior Portrait Photographer

{College Roomies from L to R: Lauren, Susie, Tori & Erin | Agua Caliente  Tucson, AZ | Deceber 2011} I'm blessed. I really am. I get to call these ladies my friends. Not trying to be sappy. Really. I just didn't expect, AT ALL, to have cool friends in Tucson. But even bigger than me, I watch these ladies trudge through the end of college, reach winter break with such adamant relief and describe the oncoming transitions facing each one individually. I remember those years of change--of ripe independence colliding with oncoming new responsibilities. These pictures snatch a bit of those fleeting moments of carefree celebration; of friendships; of memories that (i hope for these ladies) will be so sweet for years to come. | lkm

cheers to college girls :) ...and all that is thereafter :)

LKM Give-Away Contest | and the winner is...

This is how giddy i feel.... {Joelle Angulo | Riverside, CA } The past 2ish weeks I've had a give-away contest going on. See HERE for the skinny. There were 5 ways to enter. 35 people got in on the fun and 55 entries were picked from! So without much more ado...

Congratulations KAITIE BOYKO, from southern California. I am excited to give you a LKM Mini-Session Gift Certificate redeemable any time in 2012! :)

One other prize I wanna dish out is a 'thank you' to the most active and zealous participant BECCA BRINKLEY who not only entered the contest in all 5 ways possible, but she got her husband and a few friends in on it, AND actually wrote a spiffy poem to boot.  You can read it HERE. You're sweet becs :)

Thank you for taking part and keepin' up with all this craziness! Merry Christmas!

5 years ago today... | personal

{My Hubby & I | Kimberly Crest Park, Redlands, CA | July 14, 2007} 5 years ago today Lawson Moore proposed to me on the shores of Puerto Galera, a small island an hour's boat ride off of Manila Bay, Philippines. It was pretty picture perfect. We even had a double rainbow show up minutes before he got down on one-knee and everything. It was the first time we kissed. It was the most awkward ALL-TEETH kinda kiss because I was smiling so big. I'd tell the whole story, but it really is way better if I act it out for you. So I guess we'll just have to meet. And then  I'll give you the blow-by-blow with all antics, hand-motions and sound effects included. :) ...p.s. Dear Husband, you rock my face off.  | lkm

mmmm. love sure does ripen over the years. i look at this picture moments before he popped the question and think to myself, 'oh the things you will learn and grow to love evermore..."

Okongo Girls | Tucson Family Photographer

{Okongo Girls | Agua Caliente, Tucson, AZ | December 2011} Mmmm. A mother's love--ripe, ready and intensely real. I've only had a couple months to get to know Shauna, hear her story and watch her be a mom. She's probably one of the most honest, "take-it-or-leave-it" ladies I've ever met. While carpooling to her birthday party/girl's-night-out the other night, I don't think I've laughed that hard in weeks...(pause to think about it) yup, my side still hurts. I can't quite describe how bummed (but stoked) I am about her upcoming move to Texas. She's  starting a new stage of life. We're happy for her....but there will be a gaping hole left in our 2M community group after tonight. I love you new friend. And your girls. Your family has blessed my own in the short time we've gotten to laugh, listen and learn with you. Forward Ho sister. I'm glad I could send you off with this collection of memories :) | lkm

LKM Session Give-Away!

I LOVE Christmas!!! And I've been itching to do this GIVE-AWAY to celebrate!

There are 5 ways you can enter the GIVE-AWAY!

(1) 'SHARE' the 'LKM Gift Certificate AD' on my FB wall with a personal endorsement for LKM. (Note: Don't re-post the image. Don't copy and paste. "SHARE." That way I can track everybody who 'shares.') Your 'share' will be (1) amazing entry into the Give-Away.

(2) "ATTEND" the LKM Mini-Session Give-Away Event on Facebook! = (1) entry

(3) If you have ever had pictures taken by LKM, POST your favorite image on the Give-Away EVENT wall. = (1) entry

(4) LEAVE A COMMENT under the image posted on facebook with a link to your own personal blog about LKM Christmas Gift Certificates about being the best stocking stuffer ever. Your blog post will count as (1) entry.

(5) WRITE a rap/rhyme/limerick/haiku/novel that hails the awesomeness of LKM Photography and why you are personally a HUGE fan. POST THIS on your blog/website/facebook wall and then POST the LINK to your WORK on the Give-Away EVENT wall and/or directly below! :) :) Your written accolades will count as (1) entry.

WHAT DO I WIN EXACTLY?

(1) LKM Gift Certificate for a 2012 LKM Signature Mini Portrait Session!

LKM Signature Mini Session Value: $150

Christmas Gift Certificate Cost: $50

Winner Announced December 23rd, 2011

Gift Certificate Valid January 2012 | Expires: 2013