popular – Page 5 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Personal August 20, 2018

Booking 2018 Family Photos

This past June, I took family photos for a friend and former sorority sister of mine, Katherine. Her wedding was the only one I’ve ever photographed (under the wing of Courtney Leigh), and I was honored that Katherine asked me to take photos of her gorgeous family in celebration of her son’s first birthday. The morning forecast was not good, but as we started taking photos with a very overcast sky, the sun literally broke through the clouds – and I could have started singing merrily. I was so happy!

I love taking headshots, blogger photos, birthday parties, etc. but nothing beats family photos and newborn sessions. I (perhaps optimistically?) envision them being printed in books and framed around houses, and I love that!

I have started booking family sessions for this fall – well, actually a fifth season that photographers experience called ‘Family Photo Season.’ If you are interested in having your photos taken, you can find out more about my pricing here. Afterwards, you can look at my availability here and then book a time that works for your family! I will email you after I receive the booking to discuss details, such as the exact start time and location for the shoot. If you have any questions, please email me at ailee@snapshotsbyaileepetrovic.com.

Below are some of my favorites from the Hardaway’s Dallas session. 1) I want that park to exist in Houston, 2) I want to photograph this beautiful family forever, 3) I am terrible at narrowing down pictures because I selected them to edit for a reason! Ha.

Personal August 12, 2018

Some Exciting News!

We’re excited to share that we are expecting our third baby who is due early February – one week after Emilia’s due date! Last week, we did a gender reveal – just the four of us – and as Sasha cut the cake that my sweet friend Monica had whipped up (in record speed, of course!), he pulled out a slice of pink cake. Another baby girl! Ah, I’m so happy! She comes from a legacy of 3+ daughters – me and my two sisters, my mom and her two sisters, my Gran and her two sisters, and Sasha’s mom and her three sisters.

Isla has already established ten thousand times that she is still the big big sister, although Emilia is now going to be a big sister. She asks me every day when my belly will get big, and when the baby will arrive. It’s going to be a long six months of waiting for her (oh, and me too!).

My talented friend, Sydney, kindly snapped some photos of us in the baby’s future nursery (probably my favorite room of the house!) – exposed drywall, dusty floors, hot-hot-hot temperatures and all! Sasha was totally against the idea, but I had this vision in my head for ages – just didn’t know that the house would be the slowest progressing one in history! Ha. Thankful for my good-sported friend and family.

We kept this as a secret from almost everyone until last Monday when we found out that we were having another girl. I’m not sure why we were so much more tight-lipped with this pregnancy! It was hard to do, given that I felt most sick with this little babe. Traveling to the UK was still a dream trip, but when I said it was exhausting, I meant it! I’ve fallen asleep putting Isla to bed almost every night for the past few months. The struggle has been real, but so very worth it.

We’re happy for the secret to be out. Thank you, Monica and Sydney, for making this extra special for us!

Personal July 19, 2018

Celebrating Five Years of Marriage

July 29, 2013 – the day I became Mrs. Petrovic. I cannot believe that was five years ago. It feels like yesterday, yet so much has happened in between now and then – namely Isla and Emi! I feel so lucky to be married to the man I affectionately refer to as, “Stink!” He is truly my best friend, and I am so excited to spend a million more years with him by my side.

My beautiful friend, Lauren of Folk House Creative, was in Paris at the same time as us in February and we were lucky enough to have her take some photos of just the two of us – something that hasn’t happened since our wedding photos. I can’t tell you enough how much I love these pictures. The love of my life in the city I love the most! On a chilly and drizzling winter day – all bundled up next to Sasha. We are going to one of our favorite restaurants tonight to celebrate – Giacomos. I can’t wait. xo

International July 17, 2018

Our Trip to the UK

After a whirlwind 13 days in the UK , we’re back in Texas and only slightly jetlagged (well, I wouldn’t be, if it weren’t for Isla’s 4:30am wake-up hollers across the house for cereal!). We landed in Manchester, then drove north 2.5 hours to Grasmere in the Lake District of England (most gorgeous place ever, seriously). We were there for two days, getting a royal tour from the Eskridges, who vacation there every year, then drove further north for 2.5 hours to Glasgow, where I have aunts/uncle, cousins, my grandmother and some of our very best friends. We were there for three days, then headed to Aberdeen, which was a similar drive, but towards the eastern coast. I was born in Aberdeen and grew up in a village called Catterline, which is about 20-25 minutes away from Aberdeen. We spent time with dear friends and their gorgeous children there, then I got to act as a tour guide and showed Sasha and the girls where the house I first came home to and the one I remember vividly living in as a young girl. We drove by my old school, park, etc. It was such a special day. After our tour, we drove 2.5 hours north-west to Inverness, where my sister, Jill, was getting married. We stayed in houses at Achnagairn Estate, which was nice to be able to see everyone in the communal kitchen, living room, etc. We went to Loch Ness (no Nessie sightings!), Urquhart Castle and the Botanical Gardens while we were in Inverness, but the majority of that portion of the trip was for family time and of course, the wedding! We had the rehearsal on Wednesday and the wedding on Thursday – everything went off without a hitch. It was truly a dream wedding. Jill looked like a princess, and Kevin, a prince (Harry and Meghan!). The food was amazing, the castle was magical and the dancing was unmatched. On Friday, we drove due south for 7.5 hours, which didn’t feel awful, given that we’ve done the 16 hour drive to Colorado multiple times. It was a dream trip. I loved spending time with our family and close friends, most especially my Granny Jill, whom the girls call GG and truly love so much. Isla never wanted to leave her side, and Emi followed her around yelling, “GG! GG! GG!”. I want to go back and do it all over again tomorrow – not just so we can eat Indian food every other meal. As for now, I’ll relive each moment through the hundreds of photos I’m sharing below!

Just missing my dad for this to be my favorite-men-in-the-world photo!

Events June 3, 2018

Isla’s Royal 4th Birthday Princess Party

Yesterday, we celebrated Isla’s fourth birthday with a small(ish) princess party with eight of her closest friends. There were faux floral arrangements being made, cheese and cucumber sandwiches being eaten, a castle piñata being (lightly) whacked at, but most importantly, Cinderella, leading these nine girls in songs, dances and etiquette lessons. With some sprinkling of princess dust, they took an oath, turned around in a circle, and each became real princesses. Isla believes it all, and I’m sticking with it.

Isla had the best time at the party, and I wish I had just told her it was her actual birthday, because I feel like tomorrow would be a disappointment were it not for yoga camp starting! Lucky me – saved by the bell.

I had lots of help from my friend, Monica, and her daughter, Riley, who made the cake, signage, a silhouette cutout, and a balloon arch. They’re the best! I tried to narrow down the photos that I took, but like always, I failed at being selective. If you want to be nostalgic (like me), you can go and see Isla’s last three birthday parties:

Confetti-Themed First Birthday Party | Tea for Two Second Birthday Party | Unicorn-Themed Third Birthday Party

Party Sources: Cake, Floral Shop Signage, Balloon Arch Table and Isla Princess Silhouette from Monica and Riley of Paper Flour Ink | Custom cartoon by Juan Charles on Fiverr | Custom Crowns Monogramed at The Monogram Shop | Cinderella is a part of Fairytale Headquarters | Table and chairs rented from Aztec | White Tablecloth and Pink/Gold Tray from Target | Mint Chargers from Michaels | Gold plasticware from Amazon | Pink Coupe Glasses and Gold & White Napkins from Sugar & Cloth | Honeycomb Poufs from Debra Party Corp | Florals from Mi Bella Rosa | Crown Cookies from Memorial Bakery | Gold Frame for Silhouette from ForeverLoveNotes on Etsy | Smaller Gold Frames from Nice Price Favors | Floral Teapot Favor Boxes and Floral Plates from MoonlightWeddings on Etsy | Castle Piñata from Pinatas, Etc.