A few random notes before posting photos.

1. What the hell happened to Heroes? Jason and I have COMPLETELY opposite taste in television. Basically he likes the Sci Fi network, and Kung fu movies. And I would rather stick straight pins into my fingertips than watch people kicking above a sub-title. And don't get me started on grown adults in unitards, running around a hollywood set, I'm sorry "the mothership", pretending that they are aliens. I would rather lie on my roof, and get pelted with hail. Besides, I have more important things to do, like find out if Lauren will ever forgive Heidi. Or whether or not the Bachelor will pick the nice girl or the skank. These are dire questions in need of answers. HOWEVER, somewhere along the way, Jason got me roped into two programs that don't make me want to poke my eyeballs out: One is 24 (the best show EVER. We have only ever missed one episode. And that was because a stupid babysitter deleted our timer. We never used her again). And the second show was Heroes, which I used to look forward to. But it has gotten SO BAD...SOOO BAD, and BORING over the past couple of months. There are way too many characters, and none of them ever figure anything out! I told Jason last night that I hope they do blow up the world. So, now we're back to having only one show in common. Oh well.

2. I had no idea I was going to write so much on that topic, I think there's only time for one more thing now. :)

So 3. I'm going to be in Houston the weekend after Thanksgiving. So if you're in the area, and would like to schedule a session, I'll be running a special for Houston peeps just for those days. So email me if you're interested: admin@relishportraitstudio.com

4. Time for another Christmas session. You might remember The Friesenhahns from last year. Carrie is one of my all time favorite clients. She is so easy to talk to, completely laid back. And everything she does has style and flair. Love her, and the whole family!

 Thanks Carrie and Johnny!

See everyone tomorrow!

My clock has been off ever since daylight savings. This morning I woke up at the crack of 3:30. So I got up, worked a little, got tired at 6:30, went back to bed, and up again at 7 to rush kids out the door almost late for school. Then I promptly installed a drip, set to inject straight coffee grounds into my veins for the next 8 hours. Or 15. There is so much to do, I don't even  know where to begin. But I guess that's how it goes every November, huh?

I still have red sofa sessions to post for days! Today, meet the Trosts and the Suttons. I met Michelle and Cyndy originally at the Hot Mama shoots earlier this year. They are buds, so I thought I'd post them together.

The cute Sutton fam.

The lovely Trosts. :)

 Thanks you guys! It was so great to meet your whole families and play!

In other (HOLY-COW-YOU-ARE-KIDDING-ME!!) news, our own AMAZING TRACEY, founder of, and dedicated writer/photographer for Shutter Sisters is going to be a spokesperson for Snapfish, ON OPRAH today!!! So make sure you tune in, and send her lots of love! Go Tracey go!!! Go Tracey go!!!

I should preface this by saying that I'm half way through, and currently obsessed with this book, right now. I've also lost 10 pounds since impulsively picking it up, about a month ago. The author is a cancer survivor, and a neuroscientist who spells out in detail, what's happening to your body when you mack down on toxins. And while it's basically stuff that we already know, like put down the sugar syringe and eat salmon. I'm a skeptic who LOVES to hear specifics. I was on the edge of my seat when he started in with that sexy molecule-talk. SO, I happened to write an email the other day to my dear friend Vicki, and must have mentioned the book.

This morning I woke up to an email from her, that made me laugh out loud. We've been friends since 8th grade. And before I post this, you have to know that Vicki writes EXACTLY like she talks: totally unfiltered hilarious honesty in stream-of-consciousness sentences.

from her email:

"Okay I am totally reading the Anticancer book now and getting obsessed. People make fun of me cause I'm always like "is that organic" so they tease me and ask if my lunch is organic. It really makes a difference and I love Dr. Oz. I would have a love affair with him just to get all his health secrets".

Not that Dr. Oz had anything to do with Anticancer. BUT, I agree that he is a total hottie. And I would do him for his molecular-pillow-talk any day. 

She goes on to say:

"Love ya. Tell Jason hello. He was looking smokin' in the Halloween pic with you as a mother earth, kid- hatching Betty Sue chic".

"kid-hatcher" still cracks me up! I love and miss you Vic! xo

Rochelle and Vicki how I know them best.

I should also say that in no way do I profess to have rid my life of pollutants (if that's even possible). There are many toxins which I still fully embrace... like the ones in red MnMs...or paraben-laced shampoo (the healthfood store brand smells like ass). Any sort of toxin involving the fermentation of grapes. Skinny-cow ice cream sandwiches. Oh, and whatever synthetic material they use to make Spanx. Keep them coming.

Want to know what else made my morning? Oh, JUST THE FACT THAT MY FAVORITE ARTIST OF ALL TIME IS OFFERING HER INCREDIBLE-ENOUGH-TO-INDUCE-ALL-CAPS-IN-THIS-PARAGRAPH ART BOOK FOR 50% OFF TODAY!! Go see! I am now, officially almost done with Christmas shopping. THANK YOU KAL! You are awesome!

Now it's back to work for me. Have a GOODday.        

The fabulous Melody and her adorable family. Love the grey. Love her style.

Playing with harsh light a little bit, (instead of running from it). I like how it turned out.

 There's a little story about this last one, that I posted on Shutter Sisters today, too. Have a great day peeps!

Sorry to anyone who's expecting Crapshoots today; I got nothin'. Mostly because I haven't shot anything personal since Halloween. But also because weekly events are hard for me to keep up with. It seemed fun at first, but evolved into yet another deadline. SO, Crapshoots will re-appear randomly, whenever I have a good one. Hope you'll all play along then.

I have so many Red Sofa Sessions to post, but I'm  going to mix it up in-between. My friend, Shannon recently hosted a Hot Mama shoot at her home, and it was so fun! I can't say enough about these shoots. For one, such a fun day of playing dress up. But it's also something that I really believe in. Moms are too often invisible behind their camera lens. AND, I PROMISE you that there is NOTHING your hunny would want more for Christmas. So, if you're still thinking about it, let me know: admin@relishportraitstudio.com, because there is still time to book. And if you do your own hair and makeup, you only need to get 3 friends together (total of 4 peeps vs. 6).

I was so thrilled that Shannon gave me permission to post these, because I think they show the range of how you can vary your shoot. Some shots for the office. Some for the boudoir.  :) 

My favorite.

And going from Hot Mamas to Veterans, may not (or may be) be a fluid transition. But I still wanted to say Happy Veteran's Day! I hope everyone takes a minute to remember why we have the day off today. Well, those of us who are not photographers, anyway.  :)