Well, the votes have been counted (what an exhausting job!) and the official winners have been placed in the secret envelopes marked “1st”, “2nd”, and “3rd” place! (not really - but you can imagine it, right?) Thank you to everyone who voted for our beautiful nominees! And now for the good part!

{drum roll}

Our FIRST place winner and winner of the “Ella Bella 2009 Portrait of the Year” title with by far the MOST votes goes to #18! Congratulations! This family has won a 16×20 gallery wrapped canvas from their 2009 session!

Our SECOND place winner, with the next biggest vote count goes to #20! They will receive a gorgeous 11×14 mounted print with linen finish!

Our THIRD place winner, with the third highest vote count goes to #15! They will receive a beautiful 8×10 mounted print with an easel for display.

To all my Nominees!
I have a special surprise for all of our nominees too (including our winners) - each family nominated will receive a $50 Ella Bella Photography gift certificate credit that can be applied to your next session booked between March - August 2010! The gift certificate is not transferrable, so it may only be used by the families who were nominated for the 2009 Ella Bella Photography Portrait of the Year contest!

Congratulations to everyone!!!

I met the “D” family at my favorite park for a family photo session and got a workout chasing around this adorable little man…

He was a big ball of happy energy (much like my own two little rascals!). I hope you enjoy your sneak peeks as much as I do!

On Friday, I drove down to San Antonio to meet little miss “E” for her 1st birthday photo session and cake smash! What a little doll she is! Very happy, clapping, giggling and toddling around all over! When it came time for the cake smash, she wanted no part of it! She didn’t care much for the idea of getting down and dirty in cake! I did get some very cute captures of her before her final meltdown… no worries momma! Enjoy your sneak peek!!

You may have seen this little cutie on my blog earlier this year! Miss “C” is now 18 months old and has the sweetest curls in her hair! She still has those gorgeous brown eyes that are going to break some hearts one day! I managed to keep up with her at the park last week, after breaking my toe just 5 days before her photo session. (Even with a broken toe, I only rescheduled one photo session - I love my job so much I just can’t stay out of the game for long!) Enjoy your sneak peek, “S” family!

I love meeting families who open their hearts and homes to a child in need of a forever home. In June, we just celebrated the adoption of 3 siblings that my sister-in-law adopted. And a few days ago, I got to meet this adorable spunky little boy, “E”, who was born a half a world away almost 2 years ago and now he has two loving parents and a beautiful new beginning… (Enjoy your sneak peek, “R” family!)

PS. Like my new logo??

I love his beautiful brown eyes…

Little Miss “E” is turning 18 months old and what a busy little girl she is! She loved the flowers but was equally attracted to the dirt and rocks on the ground! So cute! Isn’t her dress beautiful?? Her mommy made it for her just for this photo session! So talented!! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek, “S” family!

Recently I spent part of the morning with these precious twin boys who are turning 1 years old! They are both super cute and very active little guys - very fun to photograph. I adore their beautiful eyes and sweet smiles! Enjoy your sneak peek, “F” family!

I am so lucky to be able to photograph such beautiful children! Look at this gorgeous little girl and her amazing blue eyes! I tell ya, eyes just don’t get more sparkly blue than this! And what a fun family she has, after their formal pictures were taken, they put on their blue jeans and chucks!! Can I just admit how much I adore pink chucks?!?! If I ever have a baby girl, she’ll probably wear pink chucks home from the hospital.

Last weekend I got to spend the morning with these two little beautiful happy little girls. We found an amazing location full of gorgeous flower gardens, little bridges, gazebos and even a lily pad pond! It was a fun morning and as you can tell from the photos below, these little girls are gooorgeous! Enjoy your sneak peek, “O” family!!

I thought this one was cute, the very last photo I took that day. Little sister was definitely over my camera!

This past weekend I met up with the “A” family at my two favorite parks for a morning photography session. Adorable Miss Princess “M” is turning 3 years old this week and her exciting imagination turned our beautuful location into an “enchanted forest” with sightings of “wishing wells”, “castles”, “magic fountains” and “fairies”. So fun! Both Miss “M” & her cute giggly baby brother made the entire session fun and easy for me! Enjoy your sneak peek, “A” family!