The Birthday Boys {Powder Springs Family Photographer}

Last week not one but two guys in our family celebrated birthdays.  In the spirit of family, and not adding needlessly to the adults' waistlines, we went with one shared birthday cake.   Ian's choice this year:  chocolate with banana cream frosting and chocolate chips.

The creative challenge was representing both ages on the cake:  they both have a 6 in their age, but whereas that's all we need for Ian, Dad's age is two digits, starting with a six.  My brilliant sister decided too use the opportunity for some math education, laying out candles on the tables and explaining to Ian how each represented certain amounts of years or decades and how combined they would add up to Papa's age.  Dad happened to be behind her getting some water and looked somewhat stricken--I tried not to laugh, but failed miserably.  Sorry, Dad.

Very excited about cake, as usual.

This may have been an attempt to "help" by telling him what to wish for.

A little teamwork was in order to blow out the candles.

My sister:  "Moooooommm!  Make her stop taking pictures!"    Um, have you met me?   And secondly, this tactic never worked well when we were growing up, so it's very unlikely to work now, babe.

Time to open the gifts:  first up was an action figure from TRON: Legacy.

Ian was very pleased to deliver Papa's gift from me.....he just wants to share the love.

Those are BBQ rubs, Dad.....they're for an activity called COOKING.

After years and years of birthdays, I'm still amazed at how difficult it is to open toy packaging.

Making sure the teeny tiny weapons are stored in a safe place, as if there is such a place with active boys.

 They're still too young to have been infected with the "Men don't read directions" virus.

Rinzler showing off his cool, circular weapon thing that he stores on his back.

 From Grammy and Papa he got a B.I.G. Hand.  It is, literally, a big plastic hand.

Grammy about to become the first victim....

Alert the media:  we've found birdseed the squirrels don't seem to like.  Finally.

 The day wouldn't be complete without some rough housing in the front yard.

I told him to take it outside and beat up his brothers.  Yes, I really did.

Baby Steps......The Baby and The Business {Atlanta Baby Photographer}

As I was talking with someone about the Baby Button program yesterday, I mentioned that I bought my first camera just before the birth of my first nephew.  That one decision, of course, is a major factor in my story, so I've mentioned it in conversation many, many times.  But somehow this particular chat made me a bit nostalgic.  Perhaps it's the fact that said nephew has a birthday coming up and his age will transition from single to double digits.  [A decade......HOW is that possible?!?!]

In any case, he was, absolutely, my inspiration, my favorite subject for a long time, and technically, the first ever Button Baby!  [I can almost hear his embarrassed snort of pre-pubescent disdain even as I type that.]  My original desire was solely to capture our family's memories, and both my equipment and skills were amateur.  Still, this was how it all started:  I fell in love with that baby, and fell in love with photographing him.  Although Caleb took his first steps years before my business did, the die was cast when I experienced the capability to take the essence of a lively baby, funnel it through a camera lens onto film, and then preserve it forever as a beautiful image.

So I dug into the archives, rolled my eyes at some of my early attempts at photography, and scanned these from the original film prints.  Here we go:

Caleb at 3 Months

At 6 months

Celebrating his First Birthday

And his Second

Thanks, Caleb, for being such a gorgeous baby, a fantastic model, and for inspiring me then and now.

Love,

Aunt Nina

The Littlest Power Ranger {Atlanta Child Photographer}

A Day with Ian {Atlanta Child Photographer}

My nephews are very precious to me.  They're the reason I pursued photography, my frequent subjects and inspiration, and just a joy to be around.  (Except when they're grumpy or fighting over the Wii, but that's another blog post!)

So it wasn't a burden to take my youngest nephew, Ian, for a sleepover and a day with Aunt Nina as the last week of summer break began.  I had promised him a while back and it was definitely time to fulfill that.  So Sunday night after eating Mexican with the family he and his little overnight backpack came home with me.  Even though it was getting late we took our baths, got into our PJs (mine grey cotton from Target, his Pirates of the Caribbean), and cuddled on the couch to watch "Toy Story."

The next day we got up, had breakfast, and took off for a full day of fun.  We went hiking and exploring, ate at McDonalds, played on the playground, went to see "Cars 2", got ice cream cones, and fed the geese at my apartment complex.  The mom and dad geese are still a bit watchful over their nearly full-grown goslings, so a few times daddy hissed and flapped his wings, which caused some entertaining reactions from Ian.   Before we knew it 5pm was upon us and it was time to head home.  This is one of those days I could do over and over.....like "Groundhog Day."


A Day with Ian from Nina Parker on Vimeo.
My youngest nephew Ian got to have a sleepover and a day of fun with me, and it was truly a fabulous time.  We packed in as many activities as we could in a day.  What wouldn't I do for an adorable 5 year old who mugs for the camera and calls me his "Pretty Princess Aunt Nina"?!?  He has a tender heart, boundless energy, and genuine willingness to help other people.......I think he can change the world if he wants to.

Stevie B's Birthday {Atlanta Family Photographer}

Yesterday we celebrated Levi's 8th birthday at Stevie B's Pizza (his choice, obviously). I will admit, though, that the specially ordered veggie pizza was good, once it FINALLY arrived. (We waited about 45 minutes for that pizza, despite ordering it as soon as we got there)

It's truly a shame that my nephews are so mild-mannered, not animated AT ALL!  :o

We are VERY on trend with the newest character from the Pixar movies "Cars 2"

Levi gave Grammy a thumbs up on his cake.....

Summertime in the country {Georgia Lifestyle Photographer}

So here is the final installment in the family visit posts.  Dang, we had such a fun time!  The definition of "fun" for kids and adults is definitely two different things, but everyone came away happy on this trip.  For those older (and hopefully wiser), we know that time moves quickly and time spent with family is very important.  Aging relatives are fragile and to be cherished.  We were only there a few days to tried to squeeze in quick visits to as many people as possible.  The kids, on the other hand, are not mindful of any of this, which is as it should be.  They just want to be kids, and enjoy simple pleasure like rope swings, dogs, tadpoles, and the exquisite freedom of running wild through an open field.

My cousin Al's daughter Lexie shows us how it's done.  Yes, I'm a girl, and this puts me back in touch with my inner desire to twirl....just for the fun of it.

Caleb

Up and at 'em {Georgia Lifestyle Photographer}

Another installment from our family trip.  Saturday was going to be our very busy day, so I was lucky to awake in the stillness before the household came to life.  In other words, before the beasties I refer to as nephews graced us with their presence.  Caleb and Ian were sacked out in Grandma Parker's pink bedroom--they look so sweet and peaceful.

But do not be confused:  they can be quietly slumbering one moment...

and hugging the life out of you the next.  (my sister reminded me that he calls this the Super Squeeze.....and yes, it involves growling)

Levi, bless him, is a little slower about starting the day.  Aunt Nina feels for you, bud.  You look better than I do first thing in the morning.

Not everyone begins the day with this much enthusiasm.  I KNOW I don't, at least not before coffee.  I firmly believe that whichever gene results in a 'morning person' is an unnatural and completely unacceptable mutation of the normal human condition. I'm just sayin'.....

Caleb went from groggy to in motion when I told him Grammy was making french toast.  The kid ejected from the bed to the table in record time.

He chewed/cut one of his slices into a heart for me.  Isn't that sweet?!  (Or is it sad that heart-shaped french toast is all it takes to impress me?   Hmmmm)

For the record, I've seen that look before, and it's trouble:  he's up, fed, ready to rumble, his mom is at the stove and Papa is focused on his food.  Lookout! 

Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails {Georgia Child Photographer}

That's what little boys are made of.  Oh, yes it is.  (The origin of this nursery rhyme is very interesting, btw.)  There are some truths that are eternal and universal, and this, I think, is one:  boys will be boys.  There are things that are almost guaranteed to create joy in the heart of the average little boy.  Since my sister has three of them, I know whereof I speak.

This past weekend I was reminded of it again.  Since we live in Atlanta, a visit to our extended family in rural Georgia (here, to be exact) is a decided change of pace.  For my nephews, it is heaven on a stick.

There are cousins.....COUSINS!!!   (They adore having cousins.)  There is plenty of room to run around.

There are trampolines to be jumped on,