Venice is a city unlike any other, anyone will tell you. There are almost no words to describe its unique splendor. I've dreamed of it's intricate, winding alleys and roadways of water for as long as I can remember. To say my visit was a dream come true is not enough. No justice. I only hope these images capture the feeling of walking among 700 year old buildings, paintings the size of an entire room, and a way of life that is constantly adjusting to the maddening pace of our world. Discover the Venezian Blue Door.

As we left the Santa Lucia train station and boarded a Vaporreto bound for the Rialto station on the Grand Canal, I was nearly breathless at the beauty before me. I simply adored the doorways that were on the thresholds of the canals. There's something about the beautiful preserved decay that fascinates me.

This Venezian Blue Door is on the front of the Chiesa di San Stae, just steps from the Grand Canal.

Unlike many, many infinitely more intelligent travelers before us, our plan for the legendary city was only a loose framework at best. In fact, the Rialto station was a terrible place to disembark with our luggage...we days later found a much closer station to our lodgings in the southern part of the San Marco district. But never mind that. Our fearless leader hired a porter and cart to navigate the narrow, winding passages and endless foot bridges to our final destination. I personally couldn't be happier at our predicament. I was in Venezia, the city of my dreams. A wandering, romantic artist with camera in hand.

I spent the next few days of the sultry, blazing summer aimlessly exploring the Castello district. Starting on the Ruga Guiffa and heading north(ish), I peered into every alley and around every corner. Each sight was more beautiful than the last.

Yet another intriguing Venezian Blue Door surprised me at the end of a narrow alley near our flat. It's called la porta Blu, just off the Ruga Guiffa, and even has its own spot on Google Maps. Obviously the scene of many past Venezian Carnival photo opps, I appreciated its quiet beauty, simply resting in the shade from a blistering afternoon.

Somehow, magically, we stumbled upon the Chiesa di San Zaccaria and stood in marvel at the 500 year old works of Giovanni Bellini, Tintoretto, and Andrea del Castagno. The sheer scale of these immense, detailed artworks imbues the patron with an immediate sense of calm reverence.
 

Stopping for a light lunch and a break from the heat at the Osteria Da Bacca, we tucked up into a corner booth and speculated about the storied histories of the pictures hanging on the wall and dreamily wondered at who might have sat here before us.

We soon headed back to the flat for a quiet afternoon riposo, my group lazily lounging in their beds and making use of the newly available Wifi. Sitting alone on the small balcony, I watched the throng of other tourists wander the busy Ruga Guiffa and pause to look in shops full of trinkets and postcards. I spied a gelato shop nearby and mentally added it to our itinerary for the evening.

After dinner from a delicious kiosk on the street level of our building and decadent gelato for dessert, we wandered to the south with no particular destination in mind. The streets soon opened up to the south shore of the island where a line of gondolas, moored for the night, heaved and pitched with the waves crashing the shore. There's something intoxicating about the discovery of wondrous places. I could have watched those boats for hours. We headed west down the wide passerella and crossed the Ponte della Pagila. I spied another interesting bridge, and apparently snapped a night view of the Bridge of Sighs. Who knew.

I reluctantly turned away from the glistening water's edge and rounded the corner, prodded by the bricked paved path. We had no idea we were staying so close to the famed Piazza San Marco and St. Mark's Basilica. I was greeted by the famed Lion of Venice, stunningly illuminated by the evening lights and perched above the ornate entrance to the Doge's Palace. As I turned around, I stopped short and caught my breath in amazement at the dazzling panorama before us.

The plaza was full of life, absolutely bursting with a cacophony of sound. I counted no less than five stages with musicians playing completely different genres to the delight of the people seated at tables for two before them. Waiters danced between couples and served with a harmonic grace one would expect in such a magnificent setting.

We wandered for what seemed like hours. Numerous boutiques filled with Murano Glass were open for the throngs of tourists enjoying the cooler evening air. I found my favorite pair of earrings on this foray into the Venezian night, and I had to be literally dragged back to the flat.

Alas, all enchanting things must eventually come to an end. On the day of our departure from the island, we were greeted by a bright, bustling morning as we boarded the Vaporetto headed back again for the Santa Lucia train station. The glorious Santa Maria della Salute bid us farewell. Ciao, my beloved Venice. Ciao.

Think "Inside the Box"!

White Box Houston Family Session

A fabulous Mama contacted me and asked if I did "in the box" sessions in Houston for families. She'd had trouble in the past with outdoor family shoots. Her young son always wanted to just run around and play, (Which can also make for some beautiful images! ;) and he was terribly hard to catch!

She told me that he really loved playing in boxes, like all intelligent beings, and she really thought the White Box would work great for her family. I'd seen them before and had actually wanted to try it for a couple of years, so I told her I was game!

We started the session getting comfortable. With a guitar. Of course.

3-grid White Box Houston child portrait with guitar

This was the perfect prop for this little man. I love that it's simple and engaging.

Then Dad and Mom took turns playing in the box. Such wonderful giggles and wide smiles filled the whole room!

3-grid White Box Houston Family Portrait

There were so many amazing images! Mom wanted a big composite to hang in the family room. I happily agreed. There is so much love contained in these instants of time.

9-grid White Box Houston Family Portrait

Don't wait to document this singular time in the life of your family. Perfection is happening right now.

Make this Moment Matter.

Contact me today to book your Houston "In the Box" Family Session!

Learn About our Houston, TX Newborn Sessions!          Contact Me Now to Book your Session!

Wildly popular in 1904 (#78) through the 1930’s (top 200), Alton has an English origin, meaning “the old town”. An Old-World feel with a delightful ring to it…

Old English for “fortified town”, nothing gets past Burton.  Ranking in the top 200 range in the 1920s, and peaking in 1925, this man’s-man is certainly a “brick” amongst his friends!

A highly regarded and prestigious baby name, Conrad has strong Germanic roots, coming from the Old High German Kuonrat meaning “bold, wise counselor”.  In 1931, this gallant title hit new heights in the top 200 baby boy names.

This destination-name may well whisk you across the pond, as Denver is an Old English title that means "green valley." Denver’s sweet coolness peaked in 1919, remaining popular until about 1940.

Harlan is a strapping, Teutonic name meaning "from the army". This handsome title scored some major popularity points in the 1920s, with the trend peaking in 1924, and staying in top 500 well into 1950s .

Jules is playful, stylish, and quite the charmer, being  Latin for “youthful”. Seeing his height around 1911, Jules still has confident and charismatic appeal.

Lawton is a distinguished title that's rich in elegance. Noted as a popular Old English family name that's thought to mean "settlement on or near a hill”, Lawton hails from turn of the century (1800s-1900).

Lucius, the Latin form of Lucas, means “light”, and this little lad will certainly twinkle right from the start!  Popular in the 1880s, Lucius stayed within the top 500 range through early 1920s.

This stately Roman family name means “of Mars” – most certainly referencing the famous God of War, and sure to win you heart. Popular in the late 1800s, Marius has seen a spike in fame in recent years.

Fashionable in the early 1900s through the teens, Meyer hails from German, English, and Dutch roots. In Middle High German “meier”, a status name for a steward, bailiff, or overseer, later came to be used also to denote a tenant farmer. The name may also be derived from the Old English name “maire”, meaning Mayor, or an officer in charge of legal matters. This dignified pedigree is sure to keep your little Meyer well grounded and gracious.

Octavius is an ancient Roman clan name, as well as the original name of Emperor Augustus (commonly known as Octavian). Traditionally, this name was given to the eighth child in a large family. This Shakespearian vintage is only recently seeing a spike in popularity, surely due to its distinctive resonance and majestic nature.

The name Palmer is an English baby name meaning “pilgrim; bearing a palm branch”. It came from the Old French “palmer, paumer (from palme, paume 'palm tree', Latin palma)”, and was a nickname for someone who had been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Palmer reached his height in popularity in 1908, and stayed in the top 500 range throughout the early 1900s.

Rowland is a French baby name, meaning “renowned in the land”. One of the most celebrated Rowlands was a legendary hero who served Charlemagne. A prominent name in the early 1900s (reaching its height in 1903 within the top 500 popular names), may your little Rowland prove to be as legendary!

Boys named Rupert are a shining light amongst their friends. An Italian form of Robert, this name promises “bright fame” for its bearer, and was popular late 1800s through mid 1920s (in the top 500 range).

This grand name really makes you sit up and take notice! The ancient history of the Stanton name begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Stanton is derived from the Old English term stan 'stone' and tun 'enclosure' or 'settlement’, and may include “stony meadow”. Seeing moderate popularity in late 1800s, Stanton rose again around Great War in 1913-1915.

Tobias certainly sounds marvelous, and seems to be rooted in some brilliant ancestry.  It’s a Greek version of the ancient Hebrew name "Toviyah" meaning “goodness of the lord”. Seen in the top 500 in the mid to late 1970s, and a recent spike in last 5 years, no doubt due to a wildly popular series of novels.

Warner was fantastically popular during the late 1800s -- and can still own the playground today. An English title with German roots, Warner means “protective warrior”  - perfect for a rough and tough young gent with a peaceful purpose.

Learn About our Houston, TX Newborn Sessions!          Contact Me Now to Book your Session!

Adventure Awaits! Destination Family Photography in Texas

Cute pre-school boy with a big smile houston outdoor family session Brothers laughing in the sun during a houston outdoor family session free range peacock in mayfield park pink blossomed tree hanging over a creek in mayfield park Houston teen girl smiling in the sun with lens flare and rim lit hair during outdoor family session

Houston Family Photo on the cedar stairs in mayfield park Boys on a Boulder during Houston Metro Family Session

Pre-school boy in a wooden teepee wearing buffalo plaid during a Houston Metro Outdoor Family session in the woods   Boy in a wood teepee during Houston Metro family session

Teen girl in a wood teepee during houston metro family outdoor photo session Houston Metro teen girl in wood teepee during outdoor family photo session Smiling Houston Metro teen girl closeup in wood teepee and grey sweatshirt during outdoor family photo session

Houston preschool boy in buffalo plaid jacket with a stick in the woods during a family photo session vines on the trees in mayfield park Houston Metro Family hiking up the Austin chalk hills during an outdoor family photo session

Don't wait to document this singular time in the life of your family. Perfection is happening right now.

Make this Moment Matter.

Hiking With Boys and Laughing all the way Sunset on the Peacock's Roost A boy with a stick in the woods in buffalo plaid

Cooper's Pudding Fingers Cooper's Pudding Grin Cooper's Pudding Laugh

Dirty Boys Are Happy Boys (5 things They’ve Taught Me)

My husband says I’m a control freak.  He ought to know, right?

Control is something I’ve struggled with my whole life.  I was the bossy big sister.  The girl in class no one wanted to work with because I took over every project.  (My ideas were the best…Duh.)  I didn’t think I was perfect, just a step ahead.  I thought I had a better way to do absolutely everything, which is ridiculous, because I was eight and had no idea what I was talking about.  

Things got better as I grew older.  I found my love of people-watching, I enjoyed hearing opinions and ideas totally different from mine, I joined my High School theatre arts group – all of these things helped me mature and branch out as a person.  But I still thought, deep down in my heart of hearts, that I knew what I was doing. And that I was right. 

These boys of mine have flipped my universe.  And I mean all of them, my crazy husband included.  I’ve always known that I need to let go a little…but THESE guys? Really?  My life now is much less about control, and much more about simple survival!  And it is also overflowing with double-dimple toothy grins and deep belly laughs.

Suazo Family Truths:

     1. The best way to eat chocolate pudding is to spread it all over my face, then on every horizontal surface within arm’s reach.

     2. Going on errands in costume is fantastic!

the Incredible Spiderman at Walmart

    3. Old campfire ashes make amazing body paints.

Campfire Ash body paint toddler boy

     4. Living Room racetrack enjoyment is directly proportional to the number of people involved. (More friends = More Fun!)

     5. Popsicles always taste better outside in the dirt.  Really.

Campfire Ash Body Paint for Beginnerswww.ljphotos.com

Every time I look at these pictures of my dirty, itching-to-be-washed boys, I’m reminded of how happy they truly are.  And that, sometimes, free exploration and experimentation really are the best “systems” in which they learn and grow. Because what if I had not let them slide and roll down the dunes at White Sands? It's a Physics lesson...really. Had to be done.

Striped shirt brothers at White Sands, New Mexico with blue sky

It’s so important to me to capture these once in a lifetime moments…they’re precious. Vital to my mental health and stability, even.

Don't miss out on yours.