Archive for 'Photo sessions at home'
I have been so anxious to finally get the chance to sit down and go through these images. I knew I would love them and indeed, I do. Here’s why:
– Because mom and I had a total connection from the second I walked in for this shoot. I would say something and it was exactly what she was thinking and vice versa.
– Because of the Avatar tree. Oh my word, that tree! The second I pulled into their driveway, I knew we had to find a way to use it. I pretty much ran into the house and told mom, “Look…we’ve got about 15 minutes left of decent light by that tree. Can we make it happen?” I really don’t know how we were able to pull together a toddler + a newborn for those shots to come to fruition, but I think I cried when we did, LOL. Mom e-mailed me a few days later and said all the leaves had fallen off that tree. Just. In. Time!
– Because I adore this family. We’ve been working together ever since big brother was first born. I will always remember the day mom called me trying to get an appointment. I had promised my husband I would take some time off and I said I couldn’t do her newborn photos. But I felt so, so bad telling her no. So we worked it out. I’ll be forever grateful I did. What an absolute joy to watch mr. man grow up and to see the arrival of a baby sister, too.
– Because she couldn’t be more perfect if she tried. Or funny, too.
– Because she let us do this.
– Because it brings me back to a reality outside what is consuming my mind right now. And it makes me smile. Big.
Thank you to this beautiful baby and her family for being so very patient while waiting for me to give you these images. Their understanding about our family situation has been so moving. This holiday season, I feel very, very blessed to know all of these wonderful people.
The last time I got to work with them out on their beautiful property, they were just in the dreaming stages of building their dream home. It was such a treat to revisit this fall and see the new house. They did an incredible job with it and I LOVED exploring each room. AMAZING decorating in there! And the girls have grown so much…such amazing, beautiful young ladies. (Another big fav HERE).
This family was selected to be my model fam for one of my workshops coming up in Jan in Austin!!! On that note, I have just TWO openings left for the first Jan workshop. I’ve heard from a few photogs who are waiting around for me to announce other Austin dates later in the year: there are no other Austin dates. Do not wait around or you will miss out! Be sure to fill out the form in the link just mentioned to get the full workshop details ASAP.
It wasn’t long ago when I first met them, creating one of my favorite at-home family sessions. Since then, a baby brother has been added to the mix. I love this mama for so many reasons, the biggest of which was how she greeted me at the door that day: “It is what it is,” she said. I dig that. No outlandish expectations of getting perfect family pictures with the unpredictable combo of a toddler and an infant. And when I saw the pic she chose for her family holiday photo cards? I think I squealed out loud–I can’t wait to get mine in the mail. She is the picture of grace under pressure, so laid back, and just lets her kids be. I admire that. And she has two photo sessions that show it. Her kiddos are going to appreciate having a mommy like her!
Make sure you don’t miss my fav from this session HERE!
I’ve spent a lot of time with this family and I’ve LOVED every minute of it. Getting to meet their new baby girl was no exception. I was AMAZED by how much she looked like and yet didn’t look like her big sis as a newborn. And those lips! Those chubby cheeks! They don’t come any cuter than that, I tell ya.
I’m going to be heading out to the holiday mini sessions this weekend. I’m so excited to get into the holiday spirit visiting with each of my clients, old and new. I have a handful of openings left for next weekend (this one is full), so please let me know if you’d like more info to participate.
It was several years ago when I first began working with these guys…getting to old to remember when, but I know mr. man with the glasses up there was only about 4-5 months old. I will always remember that session…how amazing his big brother and sister were with him. There were just three kiddos back then. Hmmmm…I only had two kids back then…
And when we met up last year, one more baby had been added to the broode. A family of 6.
But then…I got an e-mail earlier this year and surprise! Another baby girl had decided to join the fam! And so this fall, they were a family of 7. It was wonderful to get to see them all and to tour their new home (they designed themselves). She is probably one of the most organized, patient mommies that I know and the house radiates equal parts energy and love. I didn’t want to leave that night. So fun to be part of all the activity there.
{Fav image from this session HERE}
Finally, finally, finally, I can show you the rest of the Halloween images from this session I was telling you about. These two are characters, I tell ya. When Mr. Wolf leaned ever-so-casually up against the tree like that, I thought his mommy and I would pass out! And the candy sharing…priceless…absolutely priceless!
With all of the excitement and running around from last week (and someday, I promise to do a big ol’ post about that), my body just finally gave out. I’ve literally been in bed all day trying to get better and get some energy back and I *really* did not want to do Halloween tonight. But, Halloween doesn’t stop for sick mommies, so we went out for a short Trick-or-treat session tonight. After a few pics, of course, because I’ve taken pictures of them *every* Halloween and it would be sad not to continue the tradition. Fortunately for me, the kids were very good and very quick for the pics, and even faster at Trick-or-treating. What a great age! What nice weather for a change (usually the kids are too hot in their costumes). Hope you all had a very happy and safe Halloween!
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.
I’ve been working with this little charmer since he was still in his mommy’s tummy. Here’s what struck me about this time around:
1. He’s fast. Really, really fast. His mommy works very hard to keep up with him.
2. Loved listening to him talk. It’s the first time I’ve really heard him chatter before.
3. He’s looking like a little boy…not so much like a baby or even a toddler.
4. He is well-loved and he and his mommy have so much fun together. Missed dad this round which is kindofa bummer because I know he just lights up when he plays with his dad, too.