Heather B. Allison Photography

I might be cheating a little bit. 
But I couldn't NOT include some of these pics --- you'll see why. 

This is the second installment of my monthly photo project (due on Feb 10th, mind you, and I'm just SQUEAKING in at 12:21am -- didn't I learn in college not to save assignments til the night before?! SHEESH). I chose to document a big, busy day --- who needs to rest on the weekend? --- starting around 8am, and with last photos around 5pm. 

Thankfully, nobody captured photos of the post-baby-shower shenanigans. There might have been some wine drinking, there was possibly some make-shift karaoke, and there MAY have been a ridiculous game involving a paper grocery bag. But there's no evidence. So I plead the fifth.

Here's how most of my mornings start. Espresso and my best friend. I'm grumpy without either one of them.

Here was the last setting of my headshot photo session that day. It was a GORGEOUS winter-masquerading-as-spring day, and it was HEAVENLY.

Then off to the baby shower. Clearly this is for a little girl. She's going to be a force to be reckoned with, that one --- push your hand on mama's belly, and she pushes back. "MOVE, this is MY space!"
Of course, mama did serve signature martinis at said baby shower, so I'll let you guess who she gets her sassiness from. ;) 

I'm already at my 10 photos. Eleven, actually. But I can't not post these shots of my girls. These ladies CLEARLY hate to laugh. I mean, completely allergic to it. ;) 

Now --- go show some love to Katie of Kate Suzanne Photography -- a Heber Springs/Little Rock Photographer, http://www.katesuzannephotography.com/blog/?p=930. She probably didn't break the rules. :)

This is what happens when you tell your friends you've accidentally left your phone at home --- if you're lucky enough to have friends this brilliant.

Proud to say I know both Tara (the owner of this woebegone iPhone) and Ralph (the genius, GENIUS behind the texts) -- because this is, quite possibly, the greatest thing ever.

(Click the photo to see the brilliance larger.)

So, with the ridiculous schedule that is my full-time "day job" + second full-time job of photography, I thought it would be a great idea to start a photo project in the new year. 

Crazy? Maybe. But it'll be good for me to start shooting just to SHOOT! Just for fun! What a concept! :)

This project is called 10-on-10, and it's a co-piloted project with about 11 other photographers around the country and (awesomely!) the world. Of course we have 12 photographers --- it's 2012, so that must be lucky. Maybe we should have called this particular project 12-on-12. But I digress.... 

The project is an ongoing monthly project, wherein all 12 photographers document one day (before the 10th of each month) with 10 photos. 10 photos on the 10th. Get it? Good -- here's my first one!

This particular 10-on-10 found me shooting a few of the details around my very, very first Boudoir Mini Sessions event. Six girls, 1 photographer, 1 stylist, and a table-full of baubles, bling, and beauty products. 
It was a long but very fun day. Enjoy!

And, once you've enjoyed, take a gander at the 10-on-10 posted by my project buddy, Denean Melcher -- a Berks County Child and Family Photographer! Show some love: http://www.deneanmelcher.com/?p=3645 

Thank you to all of my amazing clients who helped make 2011 so amazing!!

SO fun. Sunny, gorgeous, warm day, and I get to go play 'dress up dolls' in the park with two of the cutest little girls modeling the latest Ana Louie fashions. 

These girls were so precocious -- but at the end of the day, they were still little girls, and had the most fun goofing off with the props and twirling in the grass. 
Let's be honest -- I'd have the most fun doing the same things.

My job is so easy when I get to shoot natural beauties like this. 

Megan's gorgeous features and fair tones reminded me of a cross between young (and even prettier) versions of Meryl Streep and Anne Heche. She was an absolute natural, and shooting together was a breeze!

Same day, different shoot. I was a busy girl on June 4th!

Not only did I get to capture the adorableness that is my friend's son, Flynn, I also got to capture the ridiculous amounts of fun that is the relationship between other friends, Samara and Allan. 

We shot at their brand new home -- which was still under remodel construction, but already amazing: under the sprawling tree in the backyard, in the brilliant and VERY cool solar heat-collecting 'room' on the side of the house... and in front of a construction dumpster. Naturally. You get only the best when you shoot with me. ;)

I worked with Allan and Samara before -- shooting their professional portraits and headshots -- and knew Allan to be, shall we say, 'photo-resistant.' A photographer wagging a big ol' lens in his face is not his idea of fun. But he humored me --- and kept Samara in stitches --- and the shoot was a breeze.

And I actually got him to say that he had fun when all was said and done. :)

Ha. Sorry, I had to -- I am a frequent pun offender... It's okay that you just rolled your eyes. 

Today, I got to shoot Finn -- the baby boy of one of my oldest friends (who happens to be one of my first loves in fifth grade ;)) and his wife (she doesn't mind that I loved him when I was 11). And not only that, I got to shoot him on the summery, warm rooftop deck of another friend, who I've also known since I was a 'wee one.' 

And mayyyyyybe, just maybe, I got to enjoy some chilled rose afterwards. 

But that's not really the point --- Finn is the cutest thing in the world, and was SUCH a trooper, putting up with me for just over an hour. I mean, look at this first pic. You tell me he's not going to be a racecar driver when he grows up.

I got to take pics of this adorable little button recently --- my boyfriend's niece, Skylie. 

I managed to win her over the night before -- we bonded over stretchy hair ties, bouncy balls, and seagulls. Hey, I know the important things in life! And this day she showed me her sailing prowess and proved to her uncle she's got 2nd Mate in her future. 

I mean, honestly, can you get any cuter?

I got to work with my beautiful friend, Elisa, this month -- shooting portraits for her web site and professional marketing. Elisa, who has been a twin-soul of mine since high school, is one of the most gifted and sensitive women I know --- and it was a gift to be asked to capture this pretty face.

She's a phenomenal energy worker and counselor (read: my guru and teacher and cheerleader and personal comedian), and this great smile and glowing energy should tell you just how wonderful she is. But I highly recommend reaching out to her to see just how amazing she is for yourself. 

I was lucky enough to get to shoot 3 of the prettiest ladies I know recently -- in my favorite type of shoot: the party portrait session. 

I mean, look at these knock-outs. My job has never been easier! 

Miss A. reminds me of the beautiful and elegant young Liz Taylor; Miss L. turned into this romantic Grecian goddess; and Miss S. oozed 50s bombshell pin-up from frame one. But, aside from the awesome-overload, the best part of this entire shoot were the side-splitting laughs consistent throughout the day. 

I wouldn't mind if they'd hire me every weekend. :)

An email from one of my recent clients --- mere hours after the shoot. This totally had me choked up -- they haven't even seen any photos yet, and to already receive a thank you note made this self-taught photographer's day, week, month. 

Thank you to all of my wonderful clients for allowing me to capture your lives, your moments, your intimate selves. You make this adventure worthwhile!

Thank you so much for the time you spent with us this morning during
that wonderful photo shoot. We're thrilled that you we could work with
you on our first foray into the 'family picture' thing. Please know
that your kind and comfortable manner make you a wonderful photographer
-- even though we already knew you were nice and cool. ;) I'm sure
you'll be very successful with this new chapter titled 'photographer'.

We can't wait to see what you caught.