Siblings, originally uploaded by lmentler.

This is a picture that I took of my nieces and my nephew back in November. I like how their personalities are reflected in this photo. I hope that my son will someday be great friends with his cousins.

Merry Christmas, originally uploaded by lmentler.

I shot this photo last Thursday for a friend of a friend. She actually paid me. It made me a little nervous because I felt a little more pressure, but I was very pleased with the results (and so was she!)
I took this photo in their living room in front of their own Chrsitmas tree. I love how you can see the bench and I just think they both look so sweet here.

Sweet Baby Girl

Sweet Baby Girl, originally uploaded by lmentler.

This sweetie pie is in my son's playgroup. I snapped this photo in October when we all met at the pumpkin patch at Cobb's Ranch. She was enjoying all the animals that they had there. All the kids loved it there. I used this photo to "show off" for my last homework assignment for a photography class I took with Ken McCoy here in Fresno, CA.

Smile!, originally uploaded by lmentler.

Two year olds can be difficult to work with (not just with getting their photo!). This little girl did not especially want to get her picture taken with her sister. She wanted to do what she wanted to do and at this particular moment - that was lying on the floor.

Little Santa

Little Santa, originally uploaded by lmentler.

Here is my sweet little Santa! He would only keep the hat on for so long that morning, but I was diligent in my pursuit of this photo. I only wish I had taken this before I ordered our holiday cards!!

Girl with the Look, originally uploaded by lmentler.

I love this picture of my great friend's daughter. She was very excited to have her picture taken. She gave me a number of poses and dazzling smiles, but this photo is more classic. The way she just looked up without thinking about the camera. When I look at this picture, I am drawn to her eyes immediately. The innocence of a child captured in a split second. 1/80 of a second to be precise! ;)

Young Tom Sawyer

Little one, originally uploaded by lmentler.

I am fortunate to have friends that let me practice my photography on their children. This is my son's best friend. I loved the way that he was exploring near the fence. I followed him and hoped that he would glance in my direction. The overalls, the whitewashed fence ... I can't help but think - Tom Sawyer.

My Boy

My Boy, originally uploaded by lmentler.

My son playing in the backyard on a beautiful fall day.

I have always had an interest in photography. My father was a photographer and my husband dabbles in photography as a hobby. I have had a camera since as far back as I can remember and I have always relied on my pictures to remind me of important moments and events in my life. Since my son was born, I have taken numerous pictures of him and his little friends. I have been developing myself in the area of children's photography-trying to capture their essence, not always a smile. My friends and family have given me great feedback on pictures that I have taken of my son and of their children as well.

My name is Laura. I am excited to use this blog to show some of my photos. I am an aspiring children's photographer.