Monday, December 29, 2014

Self-Portrait | December 2014

The end of the year brought with it the end of an era as I said goodbye to the first car I ever purchased!

It might be a bit hard to believe, but I've only owned four cars in my life, and my parents gave me the first two.  It wasn't until the second one of those died in the summer of 2002 that I bought my first car at the age of 27.  I had already decided that I wanted a small SUV, so it wasn't too difficult to decide on a Ford Escape as my car of choice.

In the spring of 2011, Kevin's car was totaled in a car accident. At that time, it made more financial sense to buy me a newer car, so I opted to buy another Escape and Kevin took over driving the 2002.  Sadly, he didn't love it quite as much as I did, and he's been counting the days until he could replace it with a car of his choosing.

As old cars often do, this one was quickly turning into a money pit and when another large repair was going to be required we decided it was time to bid the old Escape adieu.  So while Kevin has been doing a happy dance over shopping for a new car, I have been feeling a bit weepy and nostalgic over getting rid of my first big girl car.

Twelve years is a long time to own a car!  I can't help but look back over the past 12 years of my life and reminisce at where I was when I purchased it and everything I have been through since then.  That car has seen me through an amazing number of adventures and HUGE life changes!

Even though I haven't been the one driving it the past few years, it was still sitting there in the garage so I could say hello whenever I wanted. Since we wanted to keep the miles off the newer vehicle, we usually took the older one whenever we went any place together.  So, I really hadn't said goodbye to it when I bought my new one.  But it appears the time has finally come that I must do just that.

So, goodbye my dear old friend.  Thank you for safely taking me through the journey of my crazy life these past 12 years.  I will definitely miss you!


Did you miss some of my past self-portraits?  Clicking here will take you to all of my self-portrait blog posts. Clicking here will take you to my self-portrait Facebook album.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
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© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Phil + Griselda + Romel's Sneak Peek

I'm excited to FINALLY share Phil, Griselda, and Romel's family Christmas photos! I am at a loss for what to say except that their photos are full of awesomeness, and Romel is pretty much the cutest infant EVER!

Am I right, or what?...


Have I mentioned that I just adore this family?...



Too cute...





Just look at those adorable expressions!...


I couldn't pick a favorite so I had to include a few of these...




Love, love, love!...


Wheeeee....



Cuteness overload...



If this awesome family looks familiar, it's probably from one of their past sessions: Griselda, With their fur kid, Cudi, Maternity, and Romel's Newborn photos!  To say they are loyal clients is bit of an understatement!

Phil and Griselda,  Once again, thank you for allowing me to capture these precious photos for you!  You guys rock!

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
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© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Aryana + Alina's Sneak Peek

Yippee! I'm stoked that I get to share these adorable photos of Aryana and Alina on the blog today. This time of year is always a test of my secret keeping skills!  It is my busiest season, taking tons of family holiday photos, yet I don't get to share the awesomeness until after everyone mails out their cards and/or delivers the photos that are being given as gifts.  It is soooo hard to keep all the images under wraps for so long, and I was really excited when Aryana and Alina's mom said I could share their photos today.

We snuck in their session last Saturday afternoon at one of my favorite places to shoot.  There are so many awesome places to use as backdrops and these fun steps are at the top of the list...


Aren't they just adorable?!...


This one is definitely a favorite...



Another fav...



ADORABLE!...



Apparently we were all about the steps during their session! I just love these awesome stairs for photos, and this one is another favorite of Aryana and Alina...



OK, I seriously ADORE this one!  I just love little Alina's expression here...



Alina was starting to get tired from working so hard to pose just like we asked and from trying to give good smiles.  By this point she had had enough and I love how she's trying to disappear into her big sister here...


After Alina decided she'd had enough of posing, we decided to sneak in a few shots of Aryana by herself.  This girl right here.  O.M.G.  Can we say NATURAL in front of the camera?!?!  If I ever need a child model for a session in the future I'm calling Aryana.  She is an absolute dream to photograph.  She requires almost no direction to pose herself into the most adorable and natural positions.


Seriously.  Can she be any more awesome?


Yvonne,  Thank you for allowing me to photograph your adorable girls.  It was great meeting all of you and taking these photos for you.  I hope you have a very happy holiday season.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
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© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Friday, December 5, 2014

Happy 7th Birthday, Lexi!

I'm pretty sure I start off every single one of these birthday posts saying how I can't believe that the dogs are another year older, and this one is no different. Seven! I'm in shock that so many years have passed since little Lexi was born and I adopted her as an 8 week old puppy. I really wish I had a pause button to stop life for a while so I could take some time to enjoy more of the little moments with my sweet, adorable fur babies!

As always, the pups got spoiled with some toys and treats in honor of Lexi's 7th Birthday on December 2, 2014!  I get such a kick out of watching them tear open their gifts and play with their new toys.

Zoe and Lexi, waiting patiently for the fun to begin...


Tearing up the bag just might be the best part...





Sweet Zoe...


I got a little carried away on these photos of Lexi and her frisbee.  When I was done editing, I realized that almost all of the photos I selected were of her chewing on it.  Of course, frisbees are one of her favorite things, so she returned to play with it multiple times during her birthday celebration...


I just love all of her expressions in this series of photos...







Silly goose with a tag stuck to her mouth...


A little game of tug...


And a few of cats getting in on the actions...



As always, thanks for stopping by my blog!

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
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© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Jackie's Sneak Peek

Please help me in welcoming Jackie back to the blog today!  With law school graduation right around the corner, she needed some updated head shots so we met to take some new ones.  It was great getting to catch up with her during her session and hearing about all her plans for the future.

We did her photos on the balcony of her apartment complex in downtown Phoenix, and opted for a mix of shots using one of my new backdrops and the buildings as our backgrounds.  These first two images are my favorites.  Jackie has the crossed arm attorney pose mastered!...


I was excited when Jackie opted for this background for her photos, as it is my favorite of the ones I've purchased so far.


Mixing it up a little, using one of the nearby white buildings behind Jackie here...


I really like these two with the buildings behind her, too...


And again, using another nearby building as our backdrop. I really love these in color and black and white!...



Jackie, congratulations on your upcoming graduation! I'm so happy for you that all your hard work has paid off and you're almost done.  Good luck with the bar exam and your job search.  I know great things are in store for your future, and I'm really excited that you've decided to stay in Phoenix.  I'm hoping that means I get to see you again soon!

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC