Deann B. Photography

Bon Voyage, Devlynn!

A little over three years ago, I took my first photography class.  Back then I had no idea what I was doing with a camera, including how to load my film.  I just knew that I really, really liked the medium and spending a couple months learning how to take pictures sounded like fun. 

A few days into the class, after I got over my initial shyness, I started talking to a few of my classmates.  One of them, a girl named Devlynn, seemed like a good person to hang out with.  She was outgoing, smart and fun... and knew how to persuade me to develop her film for her as it was "more efficient."  It wasn't long before we were hanging out with each other outside of class... and the rest, as they say, is history.

A couple weeks ago, after 3+ years of coffee dates, great parties, fantastic dinners and lot of photographs, we had a Bon Voyage party for Devlynn in the few days before she left for the east coast... specifically Boston.  It was tough to think of her leaving, but kicking aside those depressing thoughts for a few hours, we had a great time that night.

Here are a few of the highlights from the evening.  (Make sure to click on the image to see it bigger!)

If you think that was fun, you can see the rest of the set here.

Newborn Session: Ashlyn Marie

A couple weeks ago, I made the trek up to Camp Pendleton to photograph little Ashlyn.  Her poor mom had received my maternity and newborn package as a baby shower gift, but shortly thereafter had been put on bedrest for the remainder of her pregnancy.  We decided to just go with the newborn session and I was so excited to get the call that she had been born healthy and happy.  I was excited for this session, not only because I love photographing newborns, but because Dad had left on deployment only a few days before Ashlyn was born.  I really wanted to create some fantastic images to show him the beauty of his new little daughter.

This session was wonderful... so laid back and fun.  Mom made sure the house was warm so Ashlyn would be comfy and though the little one refused to sleep, she was one of the most good-natured babies I have ever encountered.  So curious about everything! 

Here are a few of my favorites...  (be sure to click on the image to see it bigger!)

And one for Dad:

Kristi, thank you for such a wonderful session.  Ashlyn is beautiful and you two were so sweet together.  Congratulations on your new family!

Marisa - May 2008

Marisa's high school career is coming to an end.  School work is nearly over as grad nights, graduation, prom and future plans are all she and her friends talk about anymore.  I can't believe I have known her for 4 years... and how much she's grown and changed and discovered who she is, in those 4 years.  She's one of my favorite subjects to photograph, not only because she's beautiful, but we always have a great time.

I realized we were due for a photo date and last week and I had a couple hours to kill before heading out to shoot a wedding.  Here are a few from our session...

To see how we've both changed over the past couple years, you can check out this set.

Please pass Las Ketchup...

Seriously, how can you not dance when you hear this song? 

Also, this is exactly how I picture my vacation to Mexico in June will be like.

Mother's Day and Pizza

I love holidays.  Not only do I (usually) get the day off work, but I also get to hang out with my family.  I'm fortunate that I'm close enough to see my parents, 2 out of 3 of my brothers and their families, which include a wonderful SIL and my adorable niece and nephew.  It's so much fun and I love to be surrounded by a house full of good people and good food.

(Grilled Pizza...  Yum!)

I think Mother's Day is especially sweet to me.  I look forward to my own family someday... being able to celebrate motherhood and the joy that children bring.  In the meantime, though, I get to celebrate the special women in my life... the ones that I am so lucky to have had raise me and who continue to teach me things. 

I am my mother's first-born and only daughter.  She was nearly 19 when she had me and went on to have 3 more children in only a few years.  I don't know how she did it and when I ask her, she laughs and says those years were the best of her life.  And the most fun.  My mother is one of the most patient, tender-hearted women I know.  She helps those in need.  Children gravitate toward her.  She gives great hugs.  She helped my youngest brother conquer cancer.  She raised 4 children into good, responsible adults.  She let me have lizards and snakes, even when she hated the thought of them in her house.  She let me scream at her during my years of teenage angst... and then held me as we cried and apologized to each other.  She wrote love notes on the napkins in our school lunches.  And there is nowhere in the world more comfortable than watching a movie in mom's lap.

I was named after my grandmother and since my birth, we have had a bond so strong - no one could break it.  She is my champion, my teacher, and my cheerleader, all rolled into one.  She has bailed me out of so many jams, she dreams with me, she taught me how to quilt, she makes me banana bread with no nuts and a sugar crust.  She is everything a grandmother should be and more.  She was there for me through my childhood, standing in for my mom when she couldn't be there.  I only wish we lived closer now.

I am so blessed to have these wonderful women in my life.  I look forward to so many more mother's days... the ones where I continue to celebrate them and the ones where I get to join their ranks and pass on the lessons I have learned from them.

(Me and Mom, taken by Michael Browne.)

Happy Mother's Day!

The Namesake

I know I haven't been the best blogger this week, but I've been so darn busy with several things and haven't finished ANY of them yet!  I hate not being able to show sneak peeks because I always fall in love with the images from all my new sessions.  *sigh*  A day or two more and I'll be able to share.  Patience, my pretties!

So, just a little fun tidbit for you today.  If you are like me and basically live in comfy, simple flats, you might like these:

Not only are they really cute, but they share my name!  I don't have a really common name, so it took me by surprise one day when I walked through the shoe dept in Target and stopped to admire a pair of flats... and found my name on the box.  Too cool! 

(And yes - I bought a pair!)

Sickwatch 2008

Though most of my weekend looked like this:

I did eventually start feeling well enough to join the land of the living.  (Which included a newborn session and a bon voyage party of the likes of which I have never seen before.  Seriously, those people knkow how to party.) 

I'll have lots of photos to blog later in the week, but I have to admit that editing photos fell by the wayside as I indulged in Nyquil and chicken soup the past few days...

Happy Monday!

Weekend Forecast

It's almost the weekend and what do I have to look forward to? 

This:

I rarely get sick, but when I do... it's a real doozy.  I have a shoot on Saturday morning, so I'm just taking it easy and downing my Airborne like a good patient.  I just wish the cats wouldn't hog so much of the bed.

Hope you all have a better weekend to look forward to!