I Heart Faces "B&W" Entry

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge. 

This week's challenge is a Black & White image… 

Well, I immediately thought of this image of my beautiful niece.

Be sure to go and check out some of their other entries here:

She Glows! ~ Memphis Maternity Photographer

Throughout my life I've seen a lot of pregnant women.
And I've known a lot of pregnant women.
And I myself have been pregnant a number of times.
But I have never, ever, met a happier pregnant woman than Anita.
She literally glows!

Anita and I go back quite a few years.
Before she became a Mama, she worked with my husband and that's how we met.
And am I ever so glad we did.
She ROCKS!

So imagine how thrilled I was when she asked me for a maternity session.
Hmmm, let me think about that... YEAH!

I had the best time with her and her beautiful family!

Her little boy is such a cutie!

And the best part is, in a few short weeks I get to photograph her beautiful newborn baby girl!
I can't wait to meet Baby L!

Thanks Anita, for being so totally awesome!

Ten on Thursday

Being that it's been oh, I don't know, almost a month since my last blog post, I thought I'd update you on all the fun happenings at Casa de Butler with a Ten on Thursday-type post. So, here we go...

1. I have been very busy lately with client meetings and photo sessions and editing and all the other fun that comes along with being a photographer and owning my own business. (I'm still getting used to that!) I'm so blessed! I'll be sharing some images from some of my recent sessions here on the blog soon. Stay tuned!

2. I know this is SO last month, but I have to share some of our Halloween photos from this year. It was SUPER, to say the least. This year we had "Gooperman" (aka Superman) complete with muscles and super saggy pants and boots.

This super hero was oozing some serious attitude!

But out of all of his super powers, I'm pretty sure his super cuteness is the one that'll get the crimes solved.

And then we've got his sidekick, the adorable bedazzled Super Girl!

This super diva can fight fashion crimes like no other.

And she too can solve any mystery with her super cuteness.

The kids had a great time trick or treating this year. I love that we go out early, we come back early, hand out some candy and call it a night by 8:00pm.  And by 8:45ish Scott and I are sitting on the couch watching TV and eating some yummy candy, compliments of the kiddos ;)

3. A couple weekends ago Scott and I got a chance to get away for a few days. My mom and dad kept the kids (I'm pretty sure I have the best parents in the whole world!) and Scott and I went off to Las Vegas. It was a much needed break, which did wonders for both of us. I've got one word for you: Serendipity. YUM! I'll share some stories and post some pictures of our little getaway soon.

4. After much consideration, I declared yesterday a pajama day. Yes, I had a number of places I should have gone to and a number of things I should have done, but I opted to play hookie and stay home with my baby boy in our PJs ALL. DAY. LONG! We watched TV, played hide and seek, played tic-tac-toe, played chess and spent most of the day just hanging out. Together. It was glorious!

5. The countdown is currently at T minus 15 days until we pack up the family and spend a week in the most magical place on Earth. EEK!!!

6. It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is a week from today. I am so looking forward to it, especially since it'll be the first time in forever that we won't be hosting it at our place. It's all about being grateful for the little things, people!

7. I'm planning on starting the Christmas decorating extravaganza this weekend. This is most definitely my favorite time of year!

8. Yesterday, on the way home, Sam was singing a song he'll be performing at his preschool's Christmas program. I asked him what the song was about, to which he replied: "It's a song about how much God woves us and how He sent us His gun. You know God has a gun, wight?" Yeah,... Gun = Son. I SO LOVE THIS BOY!!!

9. I had a great meeting with some clients this morning. Afterward, I ran some errands, made some phone calls and had lunch at my parent's place. (Have I told you I have the BEST parents?) Since I had such a productive morning, I came home looking forward to spending some time on the couch, reading, until it was time to go pick up the kids. I had so not anticipated walking in and finding the huge stinky mess I found in Rocky's crate. So, instead of the relaxing 90 minutes I had envisioned, I spent the time hosing down the crate, cleaning the floor and "washing" Rocky. Ugh!

10. After a couple of months without really reading, I've made it a point to make the time to read again. And this makes me so happy!

Wordless Wednesday - My Girl...

...takes my breath away!

I Love Hearty Laughter ~ Memphis Family Photographer

Remember I mentioned a couple of days ago that I recently had a really fun session with my brother and his family? Well, fun doesn't even begin to describe it. I realized it would be a fun one from the time they called to book it. You see, my brother's sense of humor is pretty much out of this world, so I knew I was in for quite a treat. But what I didn't expect was the amount of hearty belly laughs heard throughout our time together. Lucky for me, I was able to actually capture some of those for them:

My nephew totally cracks me up in these pictures!

I promise it wasn't all fun and games. 

I was also able to capture them in all of their awesome glory!

Thank you guys for the laughs and for the opportunity to capture your beautiful family, just as you are!

For more images from this session, check out Liz Butler Photography on Facebook.

I can explain....

I could sit here and wallow in self pity over the fact that I have severely neglected my poor little blog.

Or, I could sit here and sheepishly give you 1001 excuses reasons as to why I've been MIA for over a month.

Or, I could sit here and grovel for forgiveness for the lack of posting and humbly thank you for still sticking with me, even when it appears I've vanished for ever.

But since I've already done all of that before, today I won't!

Instead, I will gladly tell you why I've severely neglected my poor little blog and why I've been MIA for over a month, and I will humbly thank you for sticking with me, even when it appears I've vanished for ever!

You see, after years of dreaming about starting my own business and thinking about the pros and cons of being "self-employed" and debating whether or not I am capable good enough meant to embark in this new adventure, Scott and I finally decided it is time (well, with a little push from a friend).

We have taken a HUGE leap of faith, and decided to take the bull by the horns and just do it!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great delight we introduce to you:

I am now an on location, natural light photographer, serving Memphis, TN and surrounding areas.

EEEKKKK! 

Can you believe it? 

I can hardly stand it! 

I've had the honor of mentoring under one of the best photographers in Memphis, Marci Lambert. If the name sounds familiar, it's because she has photographed our family on many occasions and I never tire of singing her praises. She is not only an amazing photographer, but a wonderful human being as well! And I am eternally indebted to her for believing in me and for all of the guidance and assistance she's given me over the last year. I can honestly say this new venture would not be possible without her! Thanks, Marci! You so totally ROCK!!!

So,... I'll leave you with this here image of my beautiful sister in law, Maria, joyfully celebrating the conception of Liz Butler Photography.

Isn't she adorable?!

Stay tuned for a few more photos from the fun session I had with my brother and his beautiful family last weekend,... and for information on some of the great specials I am running!

This weekend...

was chock-full of a whole lot of random fun"ness":

I woke up to this little gem on Saturday morning:

 It reads: "I am sending a big hug to you mom. I love you. You are the best mom ever"

Am I the luckiest mama live or what?! 

That made my day, lemme tell ya!

My dear friend and neighbor asked me to take some pictures of her family to give to some of their relatives  as Christmas presents. Luckily, her relatives are not aware of the existence of this blog, so I can share a quick peek with you guys.

Meet Jason, Christie and Madison

This is the same peek I shared with her last night. I'm happy to report that she loved it! Which was a HUGE relief considering when she asked me to take their pictures I had the craziest mix of nerves and excitement I've had in a really long time. It's one thing to take my own personal pictures of my family, but when the pressure of pleasing someone else is there, it just instantly changes things. I can't wait to hear what she thinks of the rest...

This weekend gifted with us with some amazing weather, 

which allowed some of us a whole lot of outside playtime,

while others decided to exercise their artistic muscles.

There was also a lot of this going on::

I found a great table for our entryway on Craigslist recently and it's going through a bit of a makeover. I'll post pictures as soon as it's ready and in place.

And we got to watch our neighbor tinker around with his big boy toys:

My kids adore Jason, Christie and Madison. And when Jason is outside playing with his motorcycles or four-wheelers, there is no other place Sam would rather be, than sitting right there watching him.

We got our first taste of Bessie, our new cow (yeah, more on that later):

 And she was DELISH!

So, there you have it...

our weekend in a nutshell. 

Hope yours was as productive, fun and relaxing as ours was.