Posted on October 26, 2011
Maybe it’s her dark silky hair, her tan skin, rosey lips or smoky eyes. Maybe it’s the tight black fabric wrapped around her body, or the red hot lace draping her curves. For whatever reason– or perhaps all of them– this session just screams FEMME FATALE. Miss H has a fiery personality and I love how it comes across in these photos. This gorgeous girl was tons of fun, too. We became quick friends and chatted during the entire session. I’ll admit, I was in desperate need of girl talk that afternoon 
Thank you, Miss H for a great session!
Enjoy these sneak peeks!
Posted on October 25, 2011
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One of the greatest thrills in life is a simple one. A man ducking his head, walking off a bus and stepping foot onto a dusty ground below a midday sun. Just a few yards away are his wife and his child, anxiously and carefully studying the faces of each man making his way to the crowd. Imagine you are that man, or that wife, or that sweet innocent baby. You’ve waited several months for this moment and despite the phone calls and emails, nothing could prepare you for the pure elation of once again being held in the arms of your loved one. An elation you feel pulsing through your entire body. The simple and powerful thrill of love reunited.
I stood beside my cousin Nicole as she softly let out, “There he is.” Before I could blink she was in Billy’s arms and he was lifting her up. She tightened her grasp around his neck and shoulders, burying her smile into his body. When she pulled her face away she looked so serenely happy– calm and relieved. Finally Billy was home, finally he was safe. Finally she had her husband back and little Nathaniel, who was only 6 months old when his dad deployed to Afghanistan 8 months ago, had his daddy back. The three of them embracing was a remarkable thing to witness. So much love, so much joy. I’m glad I was there to experience Billy’s homecoming with my family and to document it in photos.
When given the chance, don’t forget to thank our military families for their selflessness and sacrifices. It’s not always an easy life but it’s a proud life.
xo,
Alicia Q.
The first sight of the bus coming through the front gate at Twentnine Palms! (towards the middle of the photo, behind the orange netting)
Their gear is here!
Nicole and her huge smile!
“There he is…”
Uncle George needs his hug, too!
I love the way Nicole is staring at Billy in this shot 
Posted on October 20, 2011
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I’ve tried to come up with an appropriate way to start this post, but I’ve got nothing. It’s hard to give an introduction to someone who means more than words to me…
I’ve known Dana since kindergarten when we shared Mrs. Mock’s room 1 at Lindbergh Elementary. We didn’t exactly start off as friends; Dana made me cry on the playground and I tattled on her. She got revenge by snagging the Hello Kitty coin purse I wanted so badly from the weekly reward chest. We didn’t actually speak to each other again until high school and it wasn’t until the end of our senior year that we became the very best of friends. We’ve had plenty of adventures since then and I’m beyond thrilled for the new one Dana is about to begin. Baby Nolan is due 11-11-11 and the anxiety is just KILLING me. Besides anticipating how darn precious he’s going to be, I know Dana and her husband Klint will be amazing parents. They’re the cute couple in the neighborhood everyone secretly wishes they could be. Happy, active, healthy, ambitious, fun, smart, and funny. Not to mention they have the only green grass in Austin during the summer. If they can make a lawn thrive in a Texas drought, then I’m sure their son Nolan will be pretty well taken care of
At the end of last month I headed to Dana and Klint’s home in Austin to throw them a baby shower. Not only is it my duty as a best friend (and maid of honor), but let’s face it– I love throwing parties. Plus, any excuse to jet off to Texas is a good excuse to me I want to share some detail photos from the shower and some shots I got of Dana before I headed back home. Klint was at work so he missed our little photo shoot. I don’t think he minded at all since he cringes everytime I say, “Hey, let me take a picture of you guys.” He lucked out that time– but I’ll get him again soon!
I hope you enjoy these photos. They represent a lot to me, including an amazing friendship between two girls, an incredible love between a man and a woman, and a new life that will bless us all. I can’t wait to meet my little nephew Nolan. Oh– and of course take his picture
Two weeks before I flew to Texas, Dana and Klint visited her parents in San Diego where Dana’s mom hosted a local shower.
Dana’s parents and their lovely backyard.
Some detail shots of the shower I hosted for Baby Nolan in Austin.
This is a guest book Dana will use for Nolan’s future birthday parties until it’s filled up and a new book will be started 
Some delicious snacks– and some odd ones Dana picked out (ahem…okra chips?!).
Dana is an earthy kind of gal, so I tried to stick to a color pallette inspired by nature. Her dining room wall worked perfectly :)
Vanilla cupcakes with homemade vanilla buttercream frosting and handmade toppers. And my “famous” lemon cookies. I think I’m the only person who refers to them as “famous”, lol.
Delicious hummus and tabouli from Hot Mama’s Cafe. Contact Yum Runners to place an order! The hummus is seriously to.die.for.
The party favors I made for the guests. Mini potted succulents wrapped in burlap, tied with raffia, then accented with a thank you card.
Before I left Austin, Dana and I had a mini photo session at one of the many green belts in Austin on Barton Creek. Isn’t she a gorgeous mommy-to-be??
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Posted on October 16, 2011
Yet again I have been left yearning for a baby girl. Sigh…
The precious face responsible for this week’s baby fever is the beautiful Raelle. She came to me with her mom and dad who also happen to be gorgeous people. Needless to say I love all of the photos from their session in Old Town. I owe some gratitude to Raelle’s aunt and friend who helped get some awesome smiles from our little model. Does it get any cuter than this shot below?
Enjoy your sneak peek, W family! I can’t wait until I get to photograph your baby girl again.
Posted on October 16, 2011
A couple of weeks ago I got to share a very special birthday with one of my favorite clients. Yasmine turned 4 years old and her mom made it a goal to throw the best Dora party ever– even though mom is on the other side of the world serving our country. You may remember Yasmine and this story from her previous session seen here.
I had a great time watching Yasmine jump in the bounce house, whack her pinata and tear open her birthday presents. But I think the best part of the day was the Skpye calls from mom. Every few minutes someone had her on the line and got to show her first-hand how the party was going. Yasmine got to talk to her mom several times while I was there. I was so happy to capture those calls on camera and I can bet when she looks back, Yasmine will remember those calls as the best birthday presents ever.
Here are a few fun shots from the party. I can’t wait until the next time I get to photograph this pretty little lady– especially because when I was leaving she gave me a great big hug and said, “I’ll miss you.” Yep, Yasmine totally melted my heart. And how could she not with a face like this?
Flowers from dad, who is also serving overseas.
Skyping with mommy from Afghanistan!
Saying good-bye to grandma…
