"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." - Eda J LeShan
Just over 2 wonderful years ago, I was honored to be able to photograph a very sweet, beautiful little newborn girl, Waverly, when she came home after roughly 2 months in the NICU. It is still one of my very favorite sessions, and I just fell in love with the entire family. I have been so fortunate to be able to photograph this family as they have grown, and most recently, I was once again invited to photograph their newest little addition, handsome baby boy Jefferson. He was an absolute perfect little angel for the entire session. And big sister Waverly was terrific as well! Jefferson already has such a fiercely loyal and loving protector in her. Mom Chesley and Dad Terrence are so amazing, and it's so obvious how much love is in their home. I am already looking forward to our next session together! ♥
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My dad has albums upon albums upon albums, at least one for every year, from my birth until I was about eleven years old. Each album has at least 100 pages, all packed full of 4x6s, almost all shot with disposable cameras, and a few professional shots scattered in as well. There are quite a few of just me and my little sister, capturing our day to day lives as we grew. But at least half of all those photos, are photos that include my parents as well. Dad holding me up on his shoulders to see the band play better. Mom sitting on a bench at the park while she has a snack with my little sister. My parents took turns taking pictures, so they could make sure to show that they were there too. They were present in our lives every single day, and there is proof to show it.
Until I was eleven. Then came those oh so fun tween and teenage years, where my day to day and their day to day started to drift apart, as I became my own independant person. My parents were still present of course, but for some reason, it became less important to capture these years. From my tween and teen years, there are no big thick albums filled with pages and pages of photographed memories. Just a small smattering of prints taken by friends as we goofed around, and the biannual spring/fall school portraits. There isn't much in the way of photos until my own son was born. I wish I had more to show my own children, as they move into their tween and teenage years. To show them that bad hair and pimples happen to us all. To show them that my parents did the same dorky stuff to me that I now do to them, like big smoochy kisses and silly faces. Our children grow up, so very fast, in today's world. And with lifespans getting longer, those 18 years we get with them, seems like such a shorter and shorter time. Why then are we so quick to put down the camera and stop capturing those memories? Why do we stop showing our presence once those double digit ages begin? Be present. Be in photos. Your children don't have to be adorable little babies and funny, fast moving toddlers for you to take photos with them. Your tweens and teens want those photos as well. They will value them more, both now, and when they have tweens and teens of their own. Don't make excuses. They do not care about the 13 year old baby weight you're still carrying around. They will not look at your smile and notice how awkward you think you look and feel. They will simply be glad to be able to look back and know that they were always loved, and you were always present. Book your session today, and be present. These five sweet sisters made our session so much fun and they made such beautiful models!
Maybe I'm a little biased since three of these beautiful young ladies are my own bonus daughters, and I've been a part of the other two's lives since they were born, but they all really are so great in front of the camera! Oldest sister Azriel was so amazing at helping to keep littlest Ainsley happy and occupied between shots. And second oldest Ava and second youngest Anna were so fun to watch as they kept racing around together and checking out the area around us. Sweet sweet middle sister Alanna was a wonderful and giggly help whenever I needed an extra hand! Sibling sessions are one of my favorite sessions to do because I just love capturing all the unique and interesting relationships between siblings! Contact me and let's capture those sweet, silly, beautiful moments between your darling kiddos today! ♥ As a photographer, sometimes I have ideas that I want to try out first, before I decide if I want to offer them to my clients. This usually means either putting out a model call, or using the four gorgeous models I have lounging around my house. ;)
So when I thought about offering pajama and plushie sessions, of course I wanted to try it out first. And even though I decided not to offer them for this years holiday mini sessions, we did have such a blast shooting them! And that's the most important thing, isn't it? ♥ Sweet sweet Myla. I just love when her mom calls me up and says "Myla needs a session!" because I know it's always going to be something fun and different and oh so very Myla, whether it's a BoHo theme or a glamourous dress up time. This year was no exception! Myla has a gorgeous collection of American Girl dolls and she felt they needed some camera time. So what better activity than a tea party!
But first, we had a little fun on the playground with one of her favorite dolls. They both even got a little time on the swings! ;) I can't wait until our next session to see what Myla has in store for me and my camera! I just ADORE sibling sessions! And I especially love working with brothers, Kyler and Daxin!
This was our second session together, and this time we got to add in a sweet little sister, Melia! Kyler just shines as a totally devoted big brother, and Daxin is following right in his footsteps. Melia is one very loved little girl, no doubt about it. ♥ Even though my speciality may be in tweens and teens, I still take on a few Family sessions each year in the fall.
Vanessa, James and sweet little Eli were one of those families, and we had such a blast! I loved getting to step back for a moment and just watch this adorable little family play and interact together on the playground. Eli just LOVED going down the slide, over and over again! And he couldn't stop laughing and smiling while flying high on the swings! He was a little less interested when we moved away from the playground to do some more focused family shots, but we still managed to get a smile or two from him! I still have a few openings left for family sessions this fall. It's the perfect time of year to update those family photos, so let's talk! Back to School means another chance to work with my gorgeous tween rep model, Jade!
After a fun-filled, active summer, Jade is ready to get back to school and get back to the books. Armed with an adorable backpack, her tablet, and some very yummy green tea, she is ready to take on the 7th grade! And I have no doubt she is going to rock this school year! There's still time to book your tween or teen a Back to School session! Contact me today and let's make it happen! Goodbye Summer, and Hello Autumn!
It is almost time for school to start again, and what better way to celebrate and to capture this fleeting moment of the year, than with Back To School photos? Daniel is entering the 7th grade, and I can't believe how much he's changed and grown since this time last year! I love his new sense of style, and the early signs of interest he's showing in his appearance. We had so much fun shooting this little mini session. It didn't take much for his goofy, playful personality just shined in each shot! Back to School might happen every year, but each year is so different from the last. These really are once in a lifetime moments. Don't miss out on them! Oh my darling sweet little boy. The one who makes my heart beat, who makes my every day brighter. Today, he turned twelve years old.
How can that be? When did this happen? And where is my sweet little baby? Twelve whole years. Twelve years of watching him grow, and laugh, and learn. Twelve years of teaching him, and learning from him. Twelve years of fart jokes, and bedtime hugs and kisses. We are on the cusp on a whole new way of life. He is almost a teenager, getting ready to stretch his wings and test his independance. But that's ok. Because he has shown me in these first twelve years what kind of man he is going to become. And he will be a great one. But today. Today, he is just twelve years old. He still lets me hold his hand when we walk down the street. He still wants to be tucked in every night (unless he has friends over, then he'll come get his hugs and kisses from me in private). He's still small enough for me to pick up and squeeze (though just barely.) He is only twelve. ♥ |
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