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Cotten Tales

Family Photos 2015 | Ardent Owl Photography

Family· Favorite Things

18 Nov

My family was never the type to have professional family photos. We have hundreds of thousands of photos in boxes, but only a handful taken by a true photographer. My sisters and I would have our photos taken at the local JC Penny (RIP) on occasion, and of course there were school pictures, but a full family photo in a studio just never really happened outside of the printed church directory. Do those still exist?

It’s probably because professional photography wasn’t nearly as popular at the time, but it’s safe to say there was a good 18 years between our family portraits.

I’m not at all exaggerating.

This is probably why I have had family pictures taken five times in Dorothy’s short two years (six seven, if you count maternity shoots).

I can’t help it. Dorothy is changing every day, and I have ridiculously talented friends. And Pinterest exists. Why wouldn’t I give all my monies to my friend Cammi of Ardent Owl Photography?

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So, tots are hard.

Do you even know what it’s like to get a two-year-old to stay still long enough to look at the camera? And smile? And not throw leaves, wave at passing-by dogs or meltdown for fruit snacks? It’s hard. I’m amazed that Cammi got any good photos of us because we were such a hot mess.

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I want to say, “Look at this adorable little blonde version on myself!”, but that’s a total lie.

She’s all Mr. Cotten. 100 percent.

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I love these photos Cammi snapped of just me and the Mister (and special thanks to Bram of Bram Photography for toddler wrangling). But, I’m all for honesty.

And if we’re being honest, my husband hardly understood the blanket prop.

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This is seven-and-a-half years of marriage, people. Real life.

—

So much thanks to Cammi and Bram for being awesome and capturing our family! You guys are the best!

—

Dorothy’s Outfit:
shirt // Target, sweater // Gap, quilted-knee leggings // Target, shoes // Freshly Picked

My Outfit:
shirt // Express (old), necklace // Charming Charlie, skirt // Stitch Fix, shoes // Hot House Market

Maternity Photos // Newborn Photos // 6 Month Photos // 1 Year Photos

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  1. Tami @ Have My Cake says

    November 18, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    These pictures are SO adorable!!! We never do pictures but I want to start. When I start looking around for a photographer I get so overwhelmed. There are so many!!!
    Btw, Dorothys outfit…I just die. It’s so cute!!!!!

    Reply
  2. Heather Hammel says

    November 19, 2015 at 5:59 am

    These turned out great!

    http://dogmomchic.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  3. chelsea jacobs says

    November 19, 2015 at 9:36 am

    These are so sweet!

    Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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Did we literally have to sew and body tape this gi Did we literally have to sew and body tape this girl into her solo costume at 7 am? You bet. Wouldn’t want to spend my weekends any other way. 💜
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Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re S Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re SO proud of Frances for trying something new, developing as a player each week, and even scoring her first basket in the last minute of her last game! 🏀 We’ll miss our Tuesday and Thursday night games, until next year! #francesbelle
“Play it again, play it again, play it again… “Play it again, play it again, play it again… “ 🎶
Raising ballers. 🏀 Raising ballers. 🏀
That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy received a scholarship toward the national convention in Orlando this summer, and was invited to perform in the junior opening number. 

Long drives, early mornings, and endless hours taking residence in hotel lobbies with my fellow dance parents. We survived Convention month - on to Competition season!
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Did we literally have to sew and body tape this gi Did we literally have to sew and body tape this girl into her solo costume at 7 am? You bet. Wouldn’t want to spend my weekends any other way. 💜
Definitely not over the @iddancecomp photos from l Definitely not over the @iddancecomp photos from last weekend. 💜🕺
Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re S Just like that, Biddy Ball is over. 😢 We’re SO proud of Frances for trying something new, developing as a player each week, and even scoring her first basket in the last minute of her last game! 🏀 We’ll miss our Tuesday and Thursday night games, until next year! #francesbelle
“Play it again, play it again, play it again… “Play it again, play it again, play it again… “ 🎶
Raising ballers. 🏀 Raising ballers. 🏀
That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy That’s a wrap on @artisticdanceexchange! Dorothy received a scholarship toward the national convention in Orlando this summer, and was invited to perform in the junior opening number. 

Long drives, early mornings, and endless hours taking residence in hotel lobbies with my fellow dance parents. We survived Convention month - on to Competition season!
Another weekend, another dance convention. 🩰 Do Another weekend, another dance convention. 🩰 Dorothy had a blast learning in the @activateyourartistry Pre-Pro level, dancing with middle schoolers. One more convention to go… this month. 😜
Natural. Talent. 😂 #biddyball #basketball #funn Natural. Talent. 😂 #biddyball #basketball #funny
Day 1 of @shine_dance_convention! Intensives in Br Day 1 of @shine_dance_convention! Intensives in Broadway Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap, plus a Masquerade Ball to end the night. 

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