Double Trouble and One on the Way

They say twins are twice the fun. I know. I have six-year-old twin boys myself. Fun always doesn't seem to be the right word, but my shoot with the gorgeous Tankersley family last week actually made me wish (for about half a second) that my twins were that cute age (nearly 3) again.

Leeana is expecting baby number three in February. After spending time with her adorable twins, I can see why she and her husband Steve aren't afraid to jump in and have another baby. I survived the terrible twos/threes with two of my own, but Luke and Lane were just about the sweetest, most well-behaved little people I have met in a while, not to mention seriously CUTE.

I told Leeana she should have 10 more. Thanks Tankersley family for being so great to work with and letting me into your precious, growing family for an afternoon. Here's some of my favorites of the day...

Leeana makes being pregnant (and managing three-year-old twins) look like all those commercials where you're never tired, always gorgeous and truly happy. Not sure how she does that.

Oh, they also have an amazing grandma who made my job SO much easier with all the smiles she easily gets out of her grandchildren.

Little Boys.

Having two little boys myself (who aren't actually that little anymore), I love to chance to shoot the rough-and-tumbler toddler ones. For one, it's a great workout for me with all that running and chasing. But mainly, it reminds me of when mine were pint-sized and all of the adorable things they used to do that I loved but somehow have forgotten as time has passed.

So thank you Mike and Alison (two great parents) and the tiny guys, Nathan and Ryan, for some much needed calorie burning, and a fun session where catching those little boy moments made me hug my own little men a bit tighter that night.

My favorite shot of the afternoon. How cute is that?

Puppy Love.

Here's a look at one of my recent sessions with such a cute family of four: Mom (Rochelle), Dad (Mark), Liam (8-year-old boy)...and Rex (the dog). With their last days in Bahrain after four years approaching, Rochelle really wanted some special photos to remember her family's time here. Seems like everyone thinks of the Bahrain Fort as the place to capture the true Bahrain: ancient history underneath our very feet. Although I've shot there more times than I should probably admit, there is still always something special about wandering around stone and earth that has stood for thousands of years.

My best to such a special family and their very sweet rescue dog, Rex, as they jump into their next adventure: HOME.

Liam and a little game of hide 'n seek. Oh to kill for those dimples!

Love Thy Neighbor(s).

Here's a few images from my ultra-fun session with our favorite next-door neighbors (and friends), the Winnings. In addition to being a pretty darn cute family, we have 'loads' of fun trying to imitate each others' accents (theirs:  British;  mine, plain old American). The Bahrain Fort made the perfect backdrop. We managed to laugh as always, while catching some images that I hope convey what a wonderful family they are. Cheers, Winnings!

Color in the Manama Souk

Life in Bahrain has had its ups and downs in the last several months. But with everything that has changed here, I still find little things that make me grateful for the chance to be living in a different culture, experiencing the unexpected so often. 

I love color. I love shiny, glittery, pretty things. The Manama Souk, or marketplace, is stocked to the brim with all kinds of this stuff. As I wandered through the narrow, shop-lined alleyways, sipping my favorite lemon mint juice (these things are addictive here), I was just thankful to have my camera and some free time to take in a little bit of this place that makes me see it like a tourist might--even though I live 10 minutes away.

The entryway into the souk, and one of the many mosques nearby. The call to prayer rings through the city here five times a day.

I so wish I could carry my stuff like that. Hands-free! Every other shop offers tailoring at a price you wouldn't believe.

Who wouldn't want to whip out their wallets for all this gorgeous color?




Everyone here is holding their breath, waiting for the oppressive heat and humidity to finally lift. More city stuff here then...

A few more images from the Fishing Village.

Bahrain Fishing Village

I've finally decided to start blogging some of my photography (yes, I am lazy). I had a great photo outing with my talented friend Pricsilla last week and we shot all kinds of grungy, beachy images at one of the many local fishing villages on the island.

We stick out like sore thumbs sometimes here, but the local people couldn't have been nicer. A group of them even invited us to join them for traditional Bahraini tea, while asking us why we were photographing the likes of old tires, faded ropes and time-worn boat docks. One of the Bahraini men gave us a great compliment saying, "You see things we don't see!" It made my day. And the (HOT) tea was amazing. And that's saying a lot, considering it was over 100 degrees out, topped off with a refreshing 1,000 percent humidity that evening.

Take a look and I hope you like them!

The above was the coolest old door. Pricsilla and I toyed with the idea of coming back to steal them in the middle of the night--what a coffee table that would make.

We were just happily shooting away when a local man invited Pricsilla and I, along with an Australian couple we'd run into, into his seaside dwelling (above). He showed us the section for the women, separate from where the men gather--the view was amazing. Talk about prime real estate.

That walkway just beckons. Pricsilla getting the shot--not even breaking a sweat. HA.

The Bahraini man who was kind enough to share his tea, and his hospitality, with us. 

I promised to bring him a copy of his portrait.

How cute are these tea glasses? Gotta find some for myself.

I love the stillness of a boat resting on the water. 

A sneaky shot before I was discovered. 

All for now, but more fishing village and other images from Bahrain soon.