Baby, You Can Drive My Car | Columbus Family Photographer

Mr. B took one look at me and started to cry. Apparently he had been having a rough day, and I was the last person he wanted to see. Luckily, I know the way to any man's heart from age 1-100 is a really sweet car. So I pulled out my wheels for him, and I think it is safe to say I won him over.



After a leisurely drive, we headed over to the playground for some swinging and playing. By the end of the night, I think Mr. B completely forgot that he was having a rough day.







N and J, I had so much fun hanging out with your family. Thank you for letting me capture you!



Aren't they beautiful?

Little Red Wagon | Columbus Family Photographer

We met in the morning when the sun had just started to warm up the day. The kids were ready for adventure, and thrilled to ride in the wagon that we brought along just for the day. As we strolled, we saw rabbits and birds, and even a toad. (Well, at least the pond where the toad should have been!)

Miss H danced in the gardens, and little C played peek-a-boo with me around the sculptures. Their parents recently celebrated their 5 year wedding anniversary, and are expecting their third child in about a month. I hope that these images will always remind them of the amazing things they have accomplished together.

Better Than Ice Cream | Columbus Family Photographer

The gentle breeze and the golden sun were perfect the evening of my family session with Amanda, Dan and Molly. Molly was a little timid at first, but we warmed her up with a scoop of strawberry ice cream!

She spent the rest of the evening jumping, twirling, and running around in the joyfully exuberant fashion that only a two year old can. Dan and Amanda, I hope you will never forget the way she wanted to look at every dog and truck that went by, or the way she imitated everything I was doing. I hope you can still hear her laughter and squeals every time you taste ice cream. There's nothing sweeter than your girl!

What to Wear Wednesday- Leah Simmers Edition | Columbus Family Photographer

A little over a year ago I had the privilege of attending the Secret Workshop held by the lovely Cheryl Muhr in Phoenix, AZ. I met so many amazing photographers there, including the one and only Leah Simmers.

Even photographers can get stumped when it comes to dressing their own families, so I of course offered to help Leah out when she mentioned she had no idea what to dress her fam in for their upcoming session. I mean, who wouldn't want to pick clothes for her 3 adorable boys?

Leah, I hope you love these- I think the outfits are perfect for your fabulously fun family!



Leah's outfit and shoes, the boys' outfits, and the jeans for her husband are all from Boden USA. The other shoes are all found at Piperlime and her husband's shirt is from Gap.

Ten on Tuesday- Late Night Edition | Columbus Baby Photographer

1. That smile melts me. Especially when it is accompanied by his newly acquired skill of clapping for himself. Seeing his joy reminds me of what I love best about being a mom.

2. Wes has been officially crawling on his hands and knees for over a week now. He is using his prowess to get in to everything and climb and pull up on things. I am in for it!

3. My poor teething baby is getting 2 top teeth at the same time. He chews on everything and now willingly takes the tylenol he used to spit out.



4. Evan is now completely potty-trained. He declared one day about 2 weeks ago that he wanted to wear underwear, and we never looked back. Even overnight! I am so proud of my big boy! When he sets his mind to something there is no stopping him.

5. The best sound in the world is hearing Evan encourage his little brother. "You can do it Wes! Great job, Wes- I knew you could do it! Way to go little buddy!" It actually brings tears to my eyes to type that it makes me so proud.

6. Before his naps and before bed, Evan always asks what we will do when he wakes up, and what we will dream about. He always remembers too, so I have to be careful not to deviate from the plan.

7. Evan has been starting conversations with everyone lately. "So, what did you dream about Mommy?", "So, Daddy- how was your lunch today?", "So Omi, what are Grampa and Molly doing today?" I don't know where he gets this from... certainly not me...



8. See that picture? That is on Father's Day at North Star Cafe. Chris is telling Evan not to tell anyone that we just let him have a chocolate cookie for breakfast. (He had some sausage too, don't worry.) I love the way Chris and Evan interact.

9. At that same breakfast, Evan declared "Mom, I just peed in the urinal and it was AWESOME! I'm gonna ask Santa for a urinal for Christmas!" This got a few good laughs from the adjacent tables.

10. Speaking of urinals, I got to see the one at Target today after Evan refused to go to the bathroom in the ladies room. Bless the nice man who made sure the coast was clear for me. Oh, and if you wanted to know- it was surprisingly clean. I guess I always thought the men's room would be stinky!

What to Wear Wednesday | Columbus Child Photographer

I missed last week's "What to Wear Wednesday" because I was busy celebrating my baby boy's third birthday. (How the heck did that happen?!)In honor of him, this weeks ensembles are just for boys!

Outfit number one comes from Chasing Fireflies, and is a great way to celebrate the milestone that is turning 3!

Outfit number two is from Mini Boden, and would be especially handsome on a little guy with blue eyes.

Outfit number three is my personal fave- I love the playful shirt by Sandbox Rebel found at Little Boy Chic. The jeans remind me a little bit of James Dean, and you can get them from J. Crew's kids line- Crew Cuts.

You probably notice that none of these outfits are overly stuffy, and they all look like you could run and jump and play in them. I find that kids photograph best when they are comfortable, but as you can see- you can still have plenty of style!

What to Wear Wednesday | Columbus Family Photographer

Great style doesn't have to break the bank. This weeks outfit selections all come from a store that not only has great value- but an awesome selection- Target! (Links coming soon!) If you know me- you know I am sort of addicted to good old Tar-jay. But with stuff like this, can you blame me?!

Weekend Magic | Columbus Child Photographer

There is just something special about the weekend. Even Evan knows it. On Friday as I put him down for his nap, he said "Mommy, is tomorrow when Daddy stays home with us ALL day long?". I told him it was, and he got the biggest smile on his face and said "I is so excited!" He knows what the good things in life are.

We spent Friday evening at a park and then went out for hot dogs and ice cream. On Saturday, we went to "Day Out with Thomas", and Evan got to ride on his hero- Thomas the Tank Engine. As far as weekends go- this one was pretty magical. Especially if you are almost 3.

It is wonderful to have children because they remind you of the magic of everyday. Of those little moments you don't want to forget. The sound of their laugh, the way the sun shines off their hair. The smell of fresh grass, and the feel of sand between your toes that somehow snuck it's way in there at the playground. If I could bottle it up and save it somehow- I would.

I know someday I will look back on these pictures and smile. I hope years from now, Evan will still find this much joy in his daily life. If I had one wish for him- it would be to never lose the magic in his heart.

Flashback Friday | Columbus Family Photographer

I was digging through some old files and ran accross these pictures from April 2007. Evan wasn't even a year old yet. Now my baby is almost 3. It goes so fast, and I don't have nearly enough pictures of the two of us together when he was small. I always thought I was too fat, or looked too tired, or my outfit wasn't right. Now I just wish I had the picture- because those things don't really matter. This year I have been working on a project: 52 Weeks- My Kids and Me, so I will never have another year that goes by where I am in so few pictures.

My kids mean the world to me, and they are the biggest part of my life. I want to have the pictures that show that. And you know, looking at those pictures, and the ones above- I don't see the bags under my eyes, or the baby weight I haven't lost yet. I see how happy I am, and how beautiful my children make me.

Take it from me- get in the frame. You'll never regret it.

What to Wear Wednesday | Columbus Family Photographer | Andrea Roberts

So you have your family photography session scheduled. It is a given that the kids will look adorable, but what should you wear to get maximum impact from your portraits? The mere thought of having to coordinate more that 1 outfit might have you running for the white shirts and khakis (Stop! Don't do it!), but I am here to help. Each Wednesday I will put together a fabulous ensemble for a family, child or maternity session, and even tell you where you can get them for yourself! Bonus- be the first to purchase the outfits for your family and tell me about it, and you win a free session and a free 8 x 10 print!

Without further ado, here is this weeks look. Bright, fresh and fun- perfect for a playful family session!



Mom's outfit can be found at Boden (sweater,jeans,shirt,shoes.)The adorable dress can be found at Hanna Andersson. Baby's outfit is from mini Boden. You can get Dad's rocking jeans at Gap, and his polo at Land's End.

Ten on Tuesday- Kids Say the Darndest Things Edition | Columbus Family Photographer

Some recent little gems from Evan:

1. "I just have nipples, right Mommy? Not boobies?"

2. "I think the mommy duck and the baby ducks are eating sandwiches and broccoli because those are their favorite."

3."That water really quenches my thirst, Mommy." (I kid you not.)

4. "I love you so much, Mommy. I am really proud of you for listening to Daddy's words." (Hold on son- I wear the pants around here. Don't I?)

5. "Oh no, Mommy. Daddy can just do that." (After I told him I needed to go work to earn money for the family.)

6. "Boys have penises and cars. Girls have parties." (Obviously the age appropriate birds and bees talk we gave him didn't quite translate.)

7. "I just want some peace and quiet now, Mommy." (After he turned off my Taylor Swift cd.)

8. "No mom, I don't think that would be perfect."

9. "I like making shenanigans, Daddy!"


And this one, oh, he will kill me for this someday, but it is too good not to share.

10. "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! There is something in my pants!" *frantically strips off pants and diaper* "Oh- it was just my penis."

Playing Favorites- Columbus Family Photographer

I know I shouldn't play favorites- but I can't help it! I just love photographing Miss Maggie and her family. I did her mom's
maternity portraits, and then got to photograph Maggie as a newborn. I didn't think it was possible for Maggie to get any cuter- but she did! I just loved everything about this session- from their clothes to their smiles- it was a photographers dream! Thank you for letting me capture your beautiful family!