Alaina & Shelby | Cousin session

There is nothing in the world like a good cousin.  Trust me, I would know.  As an only child, I fortunately grew up very close with my cousins and I'm convinced they were better than having an actual sibling.  We had the camaraderie of siblings, but we weren't with one another 24/7 to get the opportunity to really annoy one another.  My cousin Lauren was my first best friend.

When my Linda contacted me to photograph her granddaughters (oh... and yeah... they're my like 4th or 5th cousins???  I lose track on my Mom's side of the family hahaha!  So many distant cousins!) I was thrilled!  Seeing the relationship between Alaina and Shelby was like stepping back into time and watching Lauren and myself.  The girls are as close as two can be.  It was an awesome session.  The further into the session we went, the more alive they became.  Enjoy some of my favorites!

Baby Stella : Newborn Session

Baby Stella.  What can I say?  A beautiful name, a beautiful Mommy and Daddy... so of course, she is stunning ;).  I loved getting to meet the new little one of my friends, Julie and Josh... although she might not have been as excited for me heheh!  She wasn't quite ready to let go of mommy on her photo day, but we went with the flow.  But who could blame her?!  She was only 6 days new and snuggles are the best things in the world, after all, no matter your age!  I loved taking photos of my friend, being such a perfect example of motherhood.  She is so calm, kind, and patient and it was an amazing thing to watch as she went through the motions of calming her newborn girl as if she had been doing it for years.  While this first image of Stella all nestled up against Julie is one of my favorites, I think the absolute top of my list shot from this day is the one of Julie bouncing Stella on the exercise ball.  This moment is near and dear to me as with my first son, this was a go-to method of newborn calming!  This shot is just, to me, true life at it's finest.  Which is what I enjoy photographing most!  A calm moment between Mommy, daughter, and of course... a canine friend, in the first days of life!  Enjoy, everyone!

Princess Paisley's 2 Year Session

THANK GOODNESS!  It was FINALLY time for me to see my special girl, Paisley, for her 2 year old session!  As usual, her Mommy (my unofficial creative director, as I refer to her!) had Brought along accessories and outfits that would make Cinderella, Aurora and all of those other well known princesses jealous!  And yes... we had the perfect setting... a castle.  What else would you expect?!  Loved this session, Love this family.  When is our next photo date, Stephanie?!

My Session with Kate: Every reason why in-home sessions can be AWESOME!

Kate's birthday is in January, and for a parent like Caroline, this isn't the easiest time of year to try for fabulous and NATURAL photos of her gorgeous little girls.  But, like many parents, including myself and my January birthday-boy, there are a couple of options to getting in those "commemorative" photos.

The most common options are:

-Wait until warmer weather:  I have done this one, although I often feel like at the early ages, they change SOOO quickly!  by the time spring comes around, my little guy is several months older and now I can't go back in time and get that official "coming of age" portrait.

-Pop into a Photographer's studio:  This is a great, safe option.  There will be no crazy weather and lighting will be exact and predictable.  BUT... how much personality do you get out of those images?  For me, photographing young children is about capturing a little piece of them and taking a safe and "portrait-perfect-picture" doesn't do that for me.  I like to tell a story and that is just my personal photography style. I want the photos to share just a little bit of how they would be shy and hide behind mom's leg, then how they were curious of the bug they found on the flower and then how they would light up at the way that bug would fly off.  I want to be able to play and run around with the kids I photograph in order to get those genuine smiles that as parents, we want to always hold onto. 

And that brings me to another option...

-In home, Lifestyle sessions:  YAY!  These have become something for me to look forward to in the winter months when I can't be in my usual outdoor settings.  I get to have photo time with the little ones and their families in a place that they know, love, and are comfortable in.  An added bonus is that this environment carries a TON of sentimental meaning for the entire family.  Sure, I have to tote some extra lighting equipment with me, but I get to follow the kiddos around as they show me and play with their favorite toys.  They might take a seat in their favorite reading spot or maybe go for a jump on Mommy and Daddy's bed.  Family Pets can often find their way into the phots and I love that.  

My session with Kate, the first for 2014, was an absolute Joy.  I showed up to find Kate and her sister Claire in matching ADORABLE ensembles.  I got my lighting set up and we just let Kate go.  She played with her toys a bit then we got her to sit in a nicely lit seat and MAGIC!  From her balloon to the soft light to her sweet smile... I love that image to pieces.  Then we got a couple more beautifully lit shots of her staring out into the snow-filled backyard.  I love these as they show another side of Kate.  Not the laughing and playing one, but the Calm Kate filled with wonderment. 

We did some photos on the stairs in the entry with both girls and I can't tell you how much I loved images of little ones peeking through or around objects. So when both girls started peeking through the spindles of the Stair rails... LOVE!  When kate wanted her sippy cup, again, I found this to be another beautiful moment as she took some well-earned sips from her cup while Mommy held her and gave her a pep-talk to get her through the rest of our time.  If sippy cups didn't work... skittles did! 

 

Next Kate showed us her room and her favorite reading spot where she took a little rest with a book.  Again, I loved this moment and the resulting shots.  Caroline told me that this is a daily thing for Kate and because of that, these were a couple of my favorites. 

Next, we let the girls head to mommy and daddy's room for a couple of bounce on the bed shots.  Kate was still in reading-mode though and so we got yet another of her reading .

By this time, our little 2 year old super-star was pooped... but her gorgeous big sister hopped up into a chair and rocked a cute smile and pose and lord knows we had to get that photo!  (ps... any of you who have followed me probably recognize this beauty.  She's graced my Facebook Cover photo several times and many of my mini-session announcements.  She's so photogenic and so much fun!!).

This session only confirmed for me that the best locations for children's photos aren't always what you expect.  Sure, I love shooting at parks, fields, Farms, and colorful downtown Lebanon as much as the next person, but sometimes the best place to do your child's session is right in the comfort of their own home.

*For more information on sessions, please contact me!

 

Baby Reese: A Newborn Session

High School goes by in the blink of an eye.  I know this now, but it feels as if it takes FOREVER when you're in the midst of all the drama and "stress" (or so we thought it was stress) of 16,17,18 year old life.  People enter your life and exit your life from year to year.  For my high school, we spent the mornings for 4 years all the same, with the same group of people.  As people came and went, we could rely on this group of people... for 4 years anyways. ;)   We called this our "advisory".  Hillary was one of those whom I shared advisory time with and I hadn't seen her since the last day of our Senior year, 12 years ago (well, perhaps graduation).  You can imagine the thrill and excitement I felt when  she contacted me about photographing her Baby Girl who was on the way.  The months passed and finally the day came when Hillary sent me the message that her little Reese had arrived!!!! 

I need to first off start by saying I almost fell over when the auburn haired beauty opened the door.  She was a far cry from the curly, sandy-blonde haired girl I knew "back when".  Her previously wavy locks were shoulder length and straight and she was all grown up!  She also in NO WAY looked as if she had just given birth.  But the gorgeous proof sleeping in her arms hinted otherwise.  Hillary was more beautiful than I had ever seen her and also she looked more happy and blissful than ever. 

Our session was perfection.  Her little bundle of joy was calm, relaxed and gave us a few chuckles at her random "accidents" (hey, no diaper... bound to happen! ;)) and the adorable little smirks she would sneak out every so often.  I can't tell you how amazing it was to watch the love between this new Mommy, Daddy, and their little one as they snuggled and spoke so sweetly to her.  As I sat there watching the picture-perfect moments unfold, I thought back to High School, and to the kids we were.  Hillary, the intelligent, mature, and organized senior who seemed ready to conquer the world... me the totally disorganized, half-awake-and-eating-chocolate-muffins-with-Dr.Pepper- Senior who was only just beginning to study for the test that was to occur in the next 20 minutes.  Polar Opposites, but we shared that back corner of the advisory room and all of the memories that went along with it.  I'm pretty sure Reese will be much like her Mommy.  Her calmness and the ease at which she went along with her session makes me feel she'll follow right in her footsteps :).

Baby Reese, you are so lucky to have been blessed with such loving parents.  Enjoy Babyhood, Little Girl!  It will pass in the blink of an eye.  :)

Back to School Mini Sessions

I know... again, I claim I'll do better with keeping on on the blog... and again... I failed!  Here are some fun shots from the "Back to School" mini-session day!