Kristie Serra Photography Blog »

We’ve had a bit of a sick household for the last week and a half.  No fun!!  Well, today we had a little surprise visit from my good friend, Jessica, who never seems to be empty handed and today was no exception.  She brought us the most scrumptious, melt in your mouth “get well” cookies ever!  Just what the doctor ordered too!!  Thank you, Jessica!!  We are so very blessed to have you in our lives (not just because you bring us cookies, although, that is a definite bonus. LOL)!!     

Later in the day M. says, “I’m so glad we got get well cookies, mom.  Did you tell Jessica we were sick?”  I told him that I had, so he adds, “mom, can you tell more people that we are sick?!”  Yea, there is no turning down cookies here!!

They were too yummy to not take a picture…

Okay, I will admit two things, (1) this doesn’t help the bathing suite cause, but they sure are making me feel better already and (2) the stack of cookies might have been two or three cookies higher when I started taking their lovely delicious pictures!!  YUM!!

This little blog is going to be getting a facelift over the next week and a half.  So, things might be a little off here and there, but don’t worry if banners are missing and text is a bit wonky, everything will be back to normal soon enough.  Oh, and I have received a few emails about the email subscription function no longer working.  That would totally be my fault.  I did some upgrades on the back-end and wiped them out.  And, that is why I am a photographer and not a computer programer.  So sorry about that!!  Once everything is all shinny and new, I will send an email with a reminded to sign up for the email blog subscription.  And, I promise to not touch it again!  Scout’s honor (not that I was one). 

And, because a post without images would be oh. so. boring, I thought I would share an itty bitty sneak peek of the sweetest little guy ever.  Welcome baby, E.  I could have snuggled with you all morning.

Isn’t he the sweetest??  You’ll definitely be seeing him on the blog again real soon…

And, speaking of little miracles… if you haven’t stopped by to check out Melissa’s dream and show your support, please do so–you’ll feel so good that you did.  I know she would really appreciate you taking a moment out of your day to vote too!  I only wish that I could vote more than once, she deserves a thousand votes!!

This, without a doubt, is my favorite part of working with children.  Their limitless imaginations never cease to amaze me.  To them, the world is so fresh and new, full of much excitement and wonder… and there I am to capture it all.  How lucky am I?  Very!!

Sandbox Threads

Hip Baby Clothes, Cool Onesies, Funny Toddler T Shirts, Organic & Sweat-Shop Free 

 

To celebrate they are offering a two day sale (buy one, get the one half off) for their two wonderful years in business! To take advantage of this special use code: terrible2s. This offer is limited to the first 50 customers and the sale end on Wednesday, so hop on over…
  

Okay, so I totally missed “thursday’s thoughts” yesterday, but for a good reason…

This incredible Dallas-Fort Worth photographer friend of mine has an amazing dream and she needs our help making it come true.

Melissa has entered her dream into the Name Your Dream Assignment contest, which is a contest for photographers of all backgrounds. They are looking for the most creative, inspiring photo shoot idea out there and I believe that Melissa’s dream is so very deserving of this title.

I’ll share a little excerpt from Melissa’s entry, entitled: an intimate look at childbirth across the world – me, a camera, and 6 new lives.

“You know that moment when a new life is born & all is right with the world? Does that moment happen for everyone-those in rural areas, the third world, or cloaked in religious traditions? I want to document a birth in 6 nations worldwide.
The birth of a child is arguably the single most incredible miracle we get to witness while on Earth. And yet, the way it happens and how the mother feels about it vary greatly across the world…even varying greatly within a single small town.
My dream is to follow six women from across the globe as they prepare for the birth of their first child, through their labor, delivery, and in the moments that follow.”

Stopping by Melissa’s entry page is so worth while. You’ll be moved after reading her dream and voting couldn’t be any easier. To register on the site and cast my vote took two minutes at the most. So, if you have two minutes to spare, please stop by to show your support and help make her dream come true. It would mean the world to Melissa!!

Have you voted yet?… What about now?…

… there is some serious heartbreaking ahead! If you choose to continue on, be prepared for some ohhhhhhhh’s and awwwwwww’s!! Okay, I am a little partial because he’s my nephew, but I think he could seriously melt anyone’s heart who dares to glance at him!!

On a sidenote, I have to say that I am very blessed to have a sister-in-law, who goes along with my wacky ideas. Like when she asks me, “soooo, what locations are you are you thinking for the photo shoot?” and I say, “ummm, maybe something urban and then the laundromat.” and she doesn’t skip a beat. Love you, sis!!

So, that’s what we did, we started at one of my favorite urban spots… 

 And, then we headed to the laundromat…

… quite beautifully I might had!  Spring must be approaching because here comes the babies! I’ve been having a ton of fun with my recent maternity clients.  It’s such a wonderful experience to watch these amazing families grow and grow… 
 

I recently spent the morning with the S. family of four, soon to be five!  I love that one of the family members is extra furry and four-legged.  I know that he and big sister M. are going to have lots of fun with baby. It’s definitely going to be a house filled with love and laughter.  I’m looking forward to returning to their home in April to meet their newest little addition.  In the meantime, enjoy the sneak peek of this beautiful mommy-to-be and her beautiful family…  

If you have kiddos or grandkiddos or nieces or nephews, there probably isn’t a day that goes by that you’re not chuckling about something they’ve said.  My favorite is the made up words… the words that they are so certain are words… words that they say with such conviction!  I love them!!

Today’s word is:

  
I’ll use it in context for you.
M: Moooooommy… MOMMY… you’ve got to come quick and see my painting.  You are going to crack up when you see my “funkadilla” guy and his dog!
Totally funkadilla, huh?!!
 
Just an idea that I thought might be fun… if you’ve read this far, why not leave a comment below and include a made up word or phrase that your kiddo or grandkiddo uses.  That way we can all get a little chuckle!!  What a perfect way to end the week!  So… get going with those comments. I’m looking forward to a good laugh! 

It’s no secret that I am a HUGE animal lover.  As a child, I wanted to be a German Shepherd when I grew up (true story).  A few years ago, I got involved with our local Humane Society — it was one of the ways I decided to get involved in my community and give back. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is a non-profit/no-kill animal shelter serving the Tampa Bay area.  There are a variety of fundraising events held throughout the year to support the HSTB and one of my favorites is Bark in the Park.  This is a fun family-friendly fundraiser walk for the animals and it’s taking place on Saturday, March 14th from 8:30-noon at Al Lopez Park.

This is the fourth year we’ve formed a team to fundraise and walk to support the animals and I’d love it if you’d join us! We won’t be easy to miss — it’ll be me, my hubby, the twins, Quigley Adams (probably dragging us) and the rest of our crew!

If you aren’t able to make it, but would consider making a donation to the Humane Society, I know you’d make Quigley’s day (and mine too)!!  Donations help the Humane Society of Tampa Bay provide: pet adoption programs, volunteer programs, low cost spay/neuter clinic, “animeals” (volunteers deliver dog and cat food each month to homebound, elderly and/or disabled recipients), community outreach, food assistance program (provides free pet food for people in need during these hard economic times), pet-a-pet program as well as other services. Their programs and outreach to the community are amazing!!

And, if you haven’t already met Quigley Adams — here is my floppy eared guy…

Once in the greatest of whiles, you make friends who touch your heart and you are never the same for it. It was eighteen years ago when I met these amazing women… it was eighteen years ago when our friendships began. And, it was just a few of days ago that we friends, invaded Boston together — and froze our booties off!! LOL

I thought I’d share some highlights from our trip. I must admit, I haven’t had much, well, really ANY practice shooting in the snow or the freezing cold. I was trying to channel some of my photography friends like Jaleen, Sarah, Mariah, Dana and Heather, who, like it or not, have way more practice in the freezing cold than I do, but it was still difficult getting past the numb fingers and I was totally glove-challenged. I couldn’t seem to do much with gloves on. I think I’ll have to do some practicing at home before my next trip up North. 
 

Leslie 

Summer 

Michelle 

I just loved that Harvard sweater — it totally reminded me of something straight out of Legally Blonde!  

Amber 

Gena 

To my amazing friends: each of you are so beautiful and special to me. Thank you for your wonderful friendship and for being YOU… unique, awesome, sassy, stunning you!! xoxo