THE PERFECT AFTERNOON [Monica Brown, Pensacola Family Photographer]

What to do on a lovely Pensacola afternoon?

Why, take some photos, of course!

I am always very excited when friends book a session with me. It is so much fun!

I was a bit nervous about the weather, but it all worked out. We have luckily been dodging all of the severe weather that has been going around the southeast lately. The cloud cover with sporadic sunbeams stretching through the breaks was perfect.

It was extremely difficult to choose which images to post here on the blog. There are so many that I love and that tell the story of our afternoon. I had a wonderful time chasing the kids around, and just sitting back and watching. I love how families interact with one another. The little glances, smiles, touches - the loving things that make your family who you are.

Heather & Serge - thank you for inviting me to hang out for the afternoon :)

delightfully,

Monica

'TIS THE SEASON [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

I just had to show you this *yummy* new designer cd case that is now available when you purchase a digital package.

I think it is the perfect packaging for your Family Christmas Photos this year. If you haven't already, NOW is the time to schedule your session. My weekends, as well as weekdays, are filling fast.

The sooner your session, the better, so that you have adequate time to:

*receive your gallery

*choose your images, prints and products

*decide if you would like a digital image for a personal Christmas card

and then begin the process of ordering, addressing and mailing.

Whew!

And we all know this is always all the Mom's responsibility...unless you make your husband lick the envelopes :)

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

November 14 - All sessions requesting holiday delivery must be completed by this date.

November 20 - All holiday orders must be placed by this date. Orders received after this date may incur rush fees.

I can't wait to hear Christmas music in the stores!!!

delightfully,

Monica

DIXIELAND DELIGHT [Monica Brown, Pensacola Lifestyle Photographer]

My very favorite aspect of photography is how you can capture [emotion] in an image.

To you, this may be a very simple photo.

A dirt road.

But to me, this photograph brings childhood memories flooding to the surface.

Every time we head north to visit friends and family we pass by these gorgeous cotton fields, and I have always wanted to stop. So this time, I did.

Check out the farmhouse tucked behind the trees.

Most of you know that I was born and raised an Alabama girl. I absolutely LOVE L.O.V.E. everything about the South. My family is large. (I am the last of 19 grandchildren, just on one side.) We don't always all get along, or even get to see each other every year. But we all came from two very special people. In fact, Reagan's middle name - Claire - is derived from my Grandfather's name - Leonard Clarence.

I grew up on a county road in the middle of Alabama. All of my mom's family lived near us down the dirt roads. Looking at the first photo, I can just hear the sound of the road beneath the tires as we drove the short distance for visits. We passed cotton fields like these, as well as watermelon patches and fields of corn. I can just see the wash hanging on the outdoor clotheslines along the way...

If you haven't noticed, I am smitten by the natural beauty of a field.

You can see where we took family photos in a field off of Hwy 98 earlier this year. They are my favorite to date. It was just the 4 of us walking around. The only family shot we got was taken by the diaper bag.

There are so many things I love about the South.

Everyone waves, even if they don't know you.

Sitting on the front porch swing while drinking sweet tea is actually a hobby. I grew up with a swing on each end of our front porch. Anybody up for "who can swing the highest"?

Chirping crickets sing you to sleep on summer nights where it is cool enough to sleep with the windows open.

THE HUMIDITY. I actually do love it. Give me the sun and I will take the humidity that comes with it. After living in Washington state for 4 years, I don't care if you bake me to a crisp and then reduce me to a pile of sweat. Just don't take my sun away ever again.

Manners. Most everyone has them. Doors are held open for you. Sentences are finished with please, thank you and yes ma'am. And the handwritten, heart felt thank you note has not died...yet.

And most near and dear to my heart - Alabama Football. Yes, it is a religion down here. I pull for the Crimson Tide with every fiber of my being. I truly believe I can send my *vibes* into the universe and make good things happen. Go ahead. Laugh. But when I told Jake we really needed to concentrate on an interception, guess what happened the next play. I was really bummed when we lost last week. Like Greg McElroy, I was in a bit of a funk for a few days. In my defense, I did not get to watch the game, therefore I cannot be held responsible. I have since decided that I will not be leaving my house on Saturdays.

delightfully,

Monica

LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY [Monica Brown, Pensacola Family Photographer]

I have to say...I was SO pumped about this session!! So much so, that I was afraid the weather would not cooperate, or something else would happen and we would not get to take the photos as planned. So I didn't mention it for fear of jinxing it.

This is the very first time I have been out on the water in Pensacola. Sad, I know. But when we moved here our kids were tiny, and then the oil spill this summer ruined any boating plans.

The breeze was amazing. It was so perfect out there!!

We put down the anchor and just enjoyed the afternoon.

Here is Erin - quite the photogenic sweetheart!

The afternoon sun was soooooo golden and delicious.

This shot of Alex is so fun! While I was taking photos of Brooke and Brad, I just leaned back and snapped straight up. LOVE his smile!

After heading back, we walked over to a beach area and snapped a few more while the sunbeams were long and streamy.

And I'm not sure, but is that a REAL Blue Heron in the background?

If so, how *Pensacola* is that???

This session brought me so much joy. It was wonderful to photograph the Agers in their element. Don't get me wrong, I love the downtown photos, beach photos and the like, but this session was special. I got to capture images of a family doing what they do. And it was SO much fun :)

delightfully,

Monica

PURE LOVE [Monica Brown, Pensacola Newborn Photographer]

I am sitting here trying to find the words...

We have waited so long for you, sweet Hailey Grace.

My dear, you have the most [awesome] hair. Ever.

Savannah is going to be such a great big sister.

Right now she is just learning to talk, so Hailey is simply *ba-by*.

I really can't decide which is my favorite, but the one above is in the top 2.

She is soooo dainty. Her newborn clothes swallowed her.

Remember this dress?

What a beautiful family.

MY FAMILY.

Can you believe it Wendy? We both have two amazing children that God has blessed us with. And our Jakes :)

I love you more than I know how to say. You have always been there for me and I know I can call you anytime...although now it may take you longer to return the calls.

Enjoy your family. These baby days seem really long, but the weeks will seem short. Hailey will look different by the time I can order your prints and get them back to you. She is a miracle, as is Savannah.

Oh, I wish I lived closer! I can't wait to visit again!

All my love,

me