Here’s why Weight Watchers has been so easy for me: toddlers ;-). Seriously, the last time we were together, they weren’t nearly so speedy. This session totally reminded me of my days chasing after my older boys when they were this age (19 mos apart). It’s like oil and water…you set them down and they repel and go in opposite directions, LOL. So, I’d like to thank these beauties for keeping me on my toes and earning me those extra activity points. And again, what is it with kids and being upside down that makes them so gleefully happy??? Go figure.

I am SO excited to have partnered up with Gro Boutique to bring back the 2nd Annual Pinkle Toes Holiday Mini Sessions! This year’s theme is Candy Land and I’ve been working day and night to pull together this magical, sweet set. The *only* way to score one of these FREE exclusive kids-only mini sessions is by booking a full session for 2013. I just announced these a few days ago and the openings are already more than half full, so don’t wait around.  And yes, if you bring in an unwrapped toy/gift to your mini, you’ll receive a special surprise ;-0. Please contact me ASAP to get the full details.

…we did this.

This fall it was my honor to come back to revisit and expand…

And of course, I have to showcase my personal favorite image from this session HERE. 😉

I truly believe the home is too often overlooked as the perfect session location. Sometimes we get so caught up in the idea of getting gussied up and going downtown to shoot, we forget that it’s not necessarily the location that makes the images, but the feelings and connections created in those images that make them so special. And your home is probably the most ideal place to relax and get true feelings and connections. This is especially true when a session involves little ones and here’s why:

1. It’s safer. Your home has been lived in…by you and by your children and you’ve already eliminated things (traffic, bugs, etc.) that might get in the way of safe play.

2. You have what you need. When out and about with little ones, there’s often so much stuff to carry around and we tend to bring even more stuff to a photo session. And invariably, you will forget something at home or realize mid-shoot that the perfect toy that will calm your child down is resting peacefully on his bed right now. When working at home, we can take breaks (snack, bathroom, etc.) as often as we need to and we don’t have to worry about disrupting the flow of the session. Spill something on a shirt? No problem…we can change it! Your baby is getting hungry? Great…let’s eat and even better, we can take advantage of that time to capture some truly candid images of your family life.

3. Memories. There is no way to predict what will trigger an important memory for your child years down the road, but by having a photo session in your home, you are much more likely to capture some things that will become invaluable to your children later on. For me personally, I moved around to several different homes as a young child and so I just love pouring through pictures taken in those homes because it helps me to remember what they were like.

4. You can relax. This is the biggest reason to consider your home for at least one family photo session for your kids. You don’t have to worry about fighting traffic or bad weather or packing or planning around potty breaks or other people watching you (this is often a big one for dad, LOL). We can take our time and let the photo session develop organically. We can work in several places in and around your home and photograph you all doing the kinds of things you like to do together as a family. You (and your children) are more likely to be calm and relaxed in your own cozy little environment.

Just like her namesake: Audrey. I love that name. If we ever had another baby, that would be the name I would choose. I told her mommy that I hope whenever wisteria blooms, she’ll think of her sweet baby girl. My personal fav from this session is HERE.

…maybe, juuuuuuust maybe, I pulled a few too many “favs” from this session to blog. Oh, well. Too bad. It was a rockin’, relaxed, family photo session at home doing family-like things. I can’t help it. Those are the kinds of things that float my boat. Another heart-fluttering fav for me HERE.

But…if you want to be among the first to know, be sure to pick one of these treats up at the Gro Boutique Grand Opening THIS Saturday!!!!!!!! Until then, my lips are sealed…

So you know he’s gotta be all things hip and cool. And he is. Just like his parents and his big sis.

Two more favs HERE and HERE.

I am almost 100% certain you all remember “Miss Jolie-Pitt”. Well, she and her hubby had their baby boy and I think he’s pretty darned adorable!!! I have to say that it’s not right for a new mommy to look that beautiful so soon and the sock monkey hat is TDF! And it’s tough to resist the temptation to curl right up next to them when they’re all snuggled up like that in that deep, peaceful baby slumber.

Oh, yes, must share this quick snapshot of Mr. Domestic while we were setting up for the shoot:

Yup. I’d say that’s pretty close to perfect in my book, LOL!

I was beginning to wonder if this session was ever going to happen for us. You see, we already rescheduled twice because of rain and then wouldn’t you know it, in the wee hours of the morning of our third try, I got a call from this family 😉 and I ended up camping out at the hospital. My goal was to still hold their session that day, but we’d just move it to the afternoon. But as we all know, babies like to be born on their own schedule and I seriously didn’t think I would make it downtown that day. Somehow, it worked out, and as soon as I finished up the birth photos, I hoofed it down to them. I’m so thankful they were so patient and understanding that day! And I have to tell you, that baby girl sure made it super easy to have a wonderful session. They truly don’t come sweeter than her. Just look at those squishy cheeks and that hilarious duck face she makes. Sigh…