Two-Steppin Momma: Rylee 4 Year Pics

As I may have mentioned previously, I bought my DSLR camera last year with the intent of taking my own pictures of my children to save money. My first try was Rylee's 3 year pictures last year, which really turned out much better than I could have expected! One year later, Rylee and I headed out yesterday evening to take her 4 year old pictures and, as usual, I was a bit nervous. I hadn't had my camera out much at all since last fall. Would I remember how to use it?? I hadn't thought of any pose ideas or anything...just not prepared at all. But, it was a nice day, she was freshly bathed and I was in the mood to give it a shot.

I got her dressed and we climbed into the van to head to campus, where I planned to take the photos. Rylee said to me, "Mom? Are you sure I look okay? I don't feel very cute in this." I assured her she looked super adorable and promised her a special treat if she did good.

We arrived on campus and decided together to do our first shots in front of some pretty purple flowers. I was SHOCKED to get this picture right out of the gate!!

I considered calling it quits right after this since I didn't think I could possibly get any more good smiles out of her. I showed her the picture and praised her for giving such a great smile! Genuine smiles are VERY hard to get from her on command. She asked if she could be done and get her special treat now....ha! Sorry sister.

Next, we tried a couple of other spots nearby that she was excited about....but didn't get much worth keeping. Here's the best of those.

Added affects to this one

Then I decided to try out some shots on her blanket that I grabbed at the last minute as I was walking out the door. We had her 3 month pictures taken with this blanket and with the pink in her dress and hair bow I thought it might work for some shots. I think Rylee was a little uncomfortable, because these were the best smiles I got.

We then headed towards the campanile, where we found this little bench and decided to give it a shot. Decent. The bells of the campanile began to chime right after this and I completely lost her attention!

Our next stop near the campanile was a pink flowering bush. If she could only understand what was about to happen at the campanile, she would have given me a much better smile.....

So... there were red and white rose petals creating a walk way to the campanile....and inside the campanile were candles and flowers....and a photographer hiding...waiting for a couple to arrive who would be getting engaged in that spot. Awwwwe, right?!?!?! Yeah....I wanted to hang out and watch!

Next we headed over to some stairs to try a few different things. Rylee kept forgetting she was wearing a dress and I had to remind her so many times to cross her legs!! I got a few decent pictures here.

About this point she started asking if she could take "sad face" pictures because "it's too hard to smile" haha. I knew I didn't have much time left for good pictures!

I thought we had gotten enough after this one and told her we were done. I hugged her for cooperating and not complaining and said, "Let's go get your treat! What do you want to get?" As she was telling me about the cookies she wanted I spotted another potential picture spot.....

"Uh, Rylee....can we take some pictures by these stairs on our way to the car, please?!?!"

She was a good sport and agreed. She thought these stairs would be a "cute spot." Thank goodness, because we got one of the best shots of the day here!

I was so proud of her, that I showed her these shots right away. I told her "thank you" again and we headed towards the car. Until....

"Rylee, wouldn't it be cool to sit in this tree for a picture?!!?" She gave a big sigh and told me she wanted to be done with pictures. I promised this could be the last one and we would do it really quick. She reluctantly agreed, like a good sport, and after a couple minutes of shimmying, we finally got her into the tree. She didn't feel very safe up there, and to be honest, I wasn't so sure she wouldn't fall out.......but.....anything for a good picture!!