Stacey Bode Photography

It was so great to see Christina and Daniel!  I used to work with both of them at the biomedical company, and they were two of my favorite people there. Y’all know how important it is to have good people around you during long days of work.  Thank goodness they were there!

I was lucky enough to shoot their wedding, which seems like roughly a million years ago.  Note:  I can tell how old I’m getting by how often I comment on the quick passage of time.  Anyway, they are both lovely people, and they just had their first little sweetie-pie, Ethan.  Yay!!  He is one of the most picture-perfect and tolerant babies ever.  Kind of a dream, really.  It sure was cool getting to spend some playtime with all of them.

Gorgeous family!

Gotta love this face.

Is there anything cuter than baby tushies?  Probably not.

Pippin also did a fine modeling job.

Babies are wonderful at letting us know when a photo shoot is over.  This pic makes me happy, and shows Ethan very gently telling us that we are stealing important nap time.

Many thanks and congratulations to the fabulous Sickbert family!

It’s been a real photo joy recently to have several shoots with folks who are friends that I only get to see once in a blue moon.  Last week, Damon and Jillian came into town for some photos with their little sweetie-pies.  It was wonderful to see them, and watch them play and snuggle with Alden and Elliott.  I knew their boys were unbelievably adorable, but what I didn’t know was how easy they are to photograph.  I seriously felt like I was shooting an ad for Gap Kids.  I’ll bet if I had said “find your light”, they would have done it without hesitation.  We played, snapped some pics, chatted, then played some more.  Not a bad way to spend a morning.

Jillian and Damon, your family is beautiful.  So much love.  Thanks a bunch, and I hope it’s not too long before I see you all again!

Family portraits + sword fights = YES!  Jon and Raymond Carr are two of the most cool, creative fellas you’ll meet.  They wanted some portraits to give to their folks, and I was more than pleased to oblige.  It cracks me up how different they are, and they made fun of each other throughout the shoot.  I would expect no less.

I could continue to babble on about the awesomeness of our photo time together.  However, I think you’ll be able to tell what a blast we had just by lookin’ at the pics, so I’ll let them speak for themselves.  Cheggit!

You guys got swag.

Oh, man!  I have been looking forward to this shoot for what seems like ages.  I knew it would be a special one, and Chris and Lucy did not disappoint.  Chris has been a friend for almost 13 years now, and his daughter Lucy downright defines the word “adorable”.  We recently headed to the park and had us a grand old time.  I sure do love some moustaches, some playtime silliness, and fancy outfits.  This outing had them all!  Also, we now have photographic proof that there is nothing sweeter than a dad and his little girl.

Chris and Lucy, all I can say is “Thank you, Thank You, and THANK YOU”!

Holli could be a walking advertisement for pregnancy.  She makes it look so cool, fit, and downright enjoyable.  In these pics, she’s just two weeks from her due date, and she looks amazingly fabulous.  Of course, this is not surprising to me.  I met Holli when I took maternity portraits during her first pregnancy, and she was just as joyful and gorgeous then.

I was thrilled when she contacted me to say they were expecting baby #2.  Woo hoo!  This is such a special family, and Holli is truly one of the most gracious human beings you’ll ever meet.

Oh, I love Mr Sampson!  I can tell he’s been practicing his poses.  He’s also sporting his new summer trim.

Little Smith is so giggly and adorable.

Let’s hear it for real family moments…yay!

Holli, once again, you and your family were a dream to photograph.  I can’t wait to see your little fella once he arrives!

I briefly met Julie and John last year when I shot Riley’s big birthday party at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  At the time, they were expecting their first little one.  It was so wonderful to have some photo time with them last week, and get to meet their special new fella.  They are an absolutely adorable family, and they seem to be thrilled with their new role as parents.  We took some photos at their lovely home, and then strolled down the street to Grant Park for a few more.  It was a pretty day, a fun shoot, and I’m glad to have gotten to take some photos for this sweet family.

I can’t help but smile when I see baby Mark’s surprised expression here.

I really enjoy the fact that this pic has The Cat In the Hat, and the fact that John is wearing a Sonic Youth t-shirt.  Yay!

I love how peaceful Julie is here with her little boy.

Julie’s mom was visiting, so we had to get her in the photos too!

Two very serious gentlemen…

Thank you so much, McCrae family!

Meet the lovely Tolchin family.  We got together to shoot some portraits on what was one of the most beautiful days of the season.  Now that I’ve gotten to know all of them a little bit, I’m even more excited about shooting Zazhary’s Bar Mitzvah next month.  I’m certain it will be an event to remember!

Y’all know how much I love a FUN family!

We had to get Sky in on the action too.  Then it was back to terrorizing chipmunks.

Another thing I love….a happy couple!

Zachary is quite a pianist, and I got a sample of his skills.

Many thanks to the wonderful Tolchin family, and I’m looking forward to our photo time in June!

When I met the adorable Rollins family last year, their first little gal, Ella, was just about to start walking.  She was such a happy and giggly baby.  Well, time sure flies.  She now has a new wonderful sister, Claire.  So much sweetness.  These are the kind of folks that make me love shooting family portraits…..easy-going, patient, and full of laughs.  It was so cool to meet Claire and see how Ella’s personality has grown.  Hooray!

Claire was very accommodating with all the moving her around and accessorizing!

Ella has the BEST smiles!

Pets are always welcomed in my photos!

The pics in the next series are typically my favorite kind…..great families just being themselves!

Thanks so much to the super-fabulous Rollins family!

I flat-out ADORE this family, and I’m so glad we were able to share some photo playtime this season!  I’ve been friends with Carribeth for ages, and I can’t believe how fast her little boys are growing up.  It seems like another lifetime back when we worked together at our fresh-out-of-college jobs and would have to hold back giggles during meetings.  Although, I would probably giggle even more now than I did then!  It’s always so great when I get a little time to catch up with her and the fam.

Nate is such a sweetie.  He kept wanting to give me a tour of the house.  Very hospitable!

These pics were shot on Nick’s first birthday!  Happy Birthday Cutie-Pie!

Baxter!  The last time I took pics of him, he would have fit comfortably in my pocket.  Who’s a big boy now?!

Carribeth just keeps getting more adorable as time passes.  Not.  Fair.

Carribeth and Brian totally get my vote for Homecoming Queen and King!

A million thanks to the ever-terrific Ramey family!

One paramount benefit experienced by photographers is that we are invited to witness and even participate in the most special moments of people’s lives.  Pregnancies, weddings, new babies, milestones.  If I ever lose sight of what a complete gift that is, someone on Craig’s List will be the lucky recipient of some fantastic, gently used camera equipment.

Sometimes I worry that I get too repetitive on this blog, or that maybe I just need to use a thesaurus once in a blue moon.  I find myself always coming back to the phrase, “I had the privilege of photographing…”, followed by a description of who was in front of my lens that day.  It may not be the most original way to express myself, but it’s certainly the most honest.

So, at the risk of once again sounding like a broken record, I had the privilege of photographing Doris.  She is beyond lovely, quick to smile, and full of stories.  She may have even managed to convert me from pancakes to waffles!  It’s hard to believe that next month, this sassy lady will be celebrating birthday number 100!  If that’s not a reason to celebrate, nothing is.  I know she’s having at least 2 big parties.  Personally, I think she should have 100 parties, but I suppose that idea is just fueled by my thoughts of 100 cakes.

I’m so thrilled that Anne brought me on board to take these photos of her, her grandmother, and her mom Annelle.  Anne and I discussed how this would be a very different photo experience than what her mom and grandma were used to.  It speaks volumes about these women that they were this friendly and trusting during the time we shared.  A privilege, indeed.

Here’s the beautiful birthday girl.

Anne and I were a bit stumped when considering the location for our shoot.  We ended up using the incredible home of my good friends Dave and DeAnn.  Their place worked out so well, and it turns out that Dave and Anne had worked together on a project years ago.  Fate is a sneaky and wonderful thing, isn’t it?

I have to admit that this next photo makes me a little sad that I never got to capture a moment like this with my grandma.  However, that makes me even happier to have taken it for Anne and Doris.

Parts of our shoot were very emotional.  It was a blatant demonstration of the strength and love these women share.

Have you ever seen a more fabulously sly grin?

Doris, next year when you turn 101….the waffles are on me!