When Courtney sent this "little number" (pun intended!) to be photographed Ellie initially balked at it. WHY?
"But mom!! I'm 4 and a half!! I'm NOT five, how can I wear a FIVE dress???!! Also, does that mean that when I turn five I can't wear my FOUR dress anymore??? I LOVE my four dress???" and she started bawling. BIG tears. I guess growing old is hard on us all! :)
I assured her that she could continue to wear her Courtney Courtney number "4" dress as long as she still fit into it even AFTER she turns five. I also reassured her that she could wear this "5" dress even if she was only 4.5 years old because there were NO laws prohibiting this. She was honestly concerned that we were breaking some rule somehow.
Once she realized that we were not criminals and that she'd get some M&M's for all her "trouble" we were good to go. Also, it helped that Courtney had sent along a new hat to compliment the outfit and Ellie LOVES hats. So we were set.
If you have a little one with a birthday coming up you have GOT to check out Courtney's unique and original "number" dresses, they are superb!
The light was gorgeous and within seconds she was totally rocking it, full of life, joy and that unmatched Ellie energy that I wish I could bottle up for myself.
Having said that, before you all think my child is just sweet as cupcakes or a dream to photograph ALL of the time, let me show you what I get when I put her in a location that she is not quite "feeling."
OKEE DOKEE. So, I let her pick where she wanted to go and wouldn't you know it? She picked a place with SUPERB light. And she said: "This is good, we can have the light to my back, you know, how we like it." How cool is that?
Working with Ellie can be a bit challenging insomuch that she will only stay in one spot for about 5-10 shots and then is off running to find a new location. If you didn't get what you needed in those limited shots, fugetaboutit for that location, she won't come back to it. So I've learned to move FAST and always be READY for her and act quickly before she darts off to a new location.
Imitating the bubbles on the dress. Or, as she put it: "Look, I'm a bubble too!"
Off to the fence she goes.
No, she's not asking me to stop, she's showing the number 5. :)
Then in the parking lot, my favorite shot of the day.
Blowing kisses to Courtney. :)
And then a little Iphone video in the car right afterwards. She is sooooo funny!
No password needed, it's 2 seconds long. :)
I rocked it! from pascale wowak on Vimeo.
