The contestants...

Here are our 8 beautiful (and handsome!) contestants...
Alivia- what a little angel! I had so much fun at this shoot. I don't know if this photo does them justice, but she has the biggest, most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen on a toddler! I really love this shot- She looks so inquisitive (and I love the window lighting!) Her mom was standing outside blowing bubbles- she was enthralled!
Haden- one of the poster children of Mandy Carroll Photography (that is him with his big bro on my blog banner) This was from one of my earliest shoots- but still one of my favorites! Not only was their home on a farm (I LOVE farms!) but he and his brother were so much fun and so natural in front of the camera! I loved the expressions I got from Haden- he was a character! Just look at those eyes! So very handsome- he and his brother will break many young girls' hearts when they are teenagers!
Blair- I was so excited when I arrived at this shoot and saw Blair- I had always wanted to photograph a red-haired girl and her green eyes and soft curls were an added bonus! Not only was she beautiful, but she was an absolute natural in front of the camera! Often times older children stiffen up a bit in front of the camera, but not Blair. She was so full of life and energy and it showed in her photographs!
Kaden- What a cutie, huh?! This shoot was fun too (do I say that every time?)! Kaden and his twin sister were so adorable- they both look like precious moments dolls! They were troopers, too! It was very cold outside that afternoon but they did so well! This is my favorite shot of Kaden- playing peek-a-boo with me! So much fun!
Allie- I knew this was going to be a fun shoot when Allie's mom pulled out this fairy ensemble- which Allie actually helped make herself (impressive, huh!)! This was my favorite shot of all of them- there is something captivating about her expression- it just draws me in! That and the wings behind her make this a favorite of mine! Gotta love that bronze skin too!
Ella- Ella was such a sweetie! She was very enthralled by me and my camera- which was great because I got a lot of great eye contact shots! We did her shoot in her nursery which was beautifully decorated in soft pinks and greens- it went perfect with her outfit! The lighting in there was phenomenal, which really made her blue eyes stand out! I just love the questioning expression on her face in this shot-"Can you please get that camera out of my face- I am chewing on my rings here!" I get that look a lot from toddlers!
Lia- Lia is such an adorable little girl. She has big sparkling eyes- and some of the sweetest expressions! She was actually very easy to photograph, too! She never objected when I or her mom would set her on benches, a rock, the hard floor- she was always content! I love this shot of her playing in the ivy- such a sweet expression on her face!


Ian- Just look at that big smile? It speaks for itself! Ian was such a happy, fun little boy to photograph. Usually it takes a while for most kids to warm up to me and for the smiles to start coming, but not Ian. The moment I started shooting he was smiling! This is my favorite expression of him though- so much energy in that smile! I love it!