Last fall, 4-week-old G came in to this family through the beautiful bond of adoption.
Another Chickadee girl is growing up on us!
(Could these rolls be any more delicious?!)
M was just 10 days old when she visited our home studio. She was a good, sleepy girl for us. When I photograph my newborns it goes pretty much like: get baby to sleep, mold baby, photograph. Re-pose baby on new blanket, get baby to sleep, re-mold, photograph. Repeat.
These new little lives that let me squish them and play with them are really quite tolerant, when you think about it. I know if I was lulled to sleep, just to be readjusted minutes later, I might not be so agreeable.
(But then again, I'm positive I'm not this cute when I'm sleeping, either!)
At the start of a session, I normally just let Mommy lay her baby down on the blanket, and then we get to work calming the baby, and getting her to sleep. But when this sweet girl came in to our studio, I had to scoop her up and cuddle her for a second before we got to shooting, because look at the meat on her bones! Nothing like cuddling with a squishy, 9-day-old newbie.
Here, doesn't K look like one of those lifelike porcelain newborn dolls? Almost like she looks so real, she looks fake. Like 'I will take you home now and love on you.'
Purchased a new hat. Naked babies + knit hats....delectable.
In a land, not long ago, I had a playdate with a very real princess.
She had big brown eyes, and ruby red lips.
She was very dainty, and gentle. At 3 years old, a true lady.
Her mommy was sure to bring her finest clothing, only suitable for the princess she gets to call her own.
Always inquisitive...
Hey folks!
Just wanted to say Hi before the weekend! I have a couple sessions from this week to blog, but I'm short on time this morning. I have a newborn session on the way over to the Birdseye studio right now, and then right after that I'm leaving for a conference for the weekend! I'm so excited about that! I attended the Southwestern Photojournalism Conference once in high school and once in college, and now today, I am returning with my good friend Emily.
I remember, in high school, seeing an ad in the paper about the conference with their motto written, "The conference for those who believe photojournalism to be a calling and the act of bearing witness to be important." I couldn't believe that there it was, in print, what I believed in my heart. The fact that others believed this too?! (That photography can affect and change lives. More specifically - well of course more in the field of photojournalism than portrait photography - that a single photograph can share and express the love of God, and how that certainly is a calling that can be used for His glory.) I want that so badly. Well, so, to spill for a second about my life's goal, (sounds so daunting!) Really, though, I've known since I was 15 what I believe I'm called to do. I don't know how I'll get there, but that's not for me to worry about. My heart's desire is to travel on mission trips, and whether that's with a Christian magazine or churches, or self-funded, I do not know - but to go where missionaries are at work all across the world, photograph what they are doing in the lives of the local people, their ministry, and then use what I capture to share how they are sending the Message. Not only for the families and churches supporting them, but anyone who has a desire to know that God's work is being done. I hope to get to be a medium between the two worlds because honestly, with our hustle & bustle, how often does one think about the missionary living among the poor in El Salvador? That is amazing to me, that they lead such a different life, devoting their lives to others, and it is *so* easy to forget as we get caught up in our world. I know I am guilty of that!
Anyways, so, evidently I am good at going off on a tangent!
Well! On a much different note, last night my hubby & I went to a concert and had a GREAT date night! I loved the opening band more than the main show! The opener was Eric Hutchinson. AWESOME! He is fun and sort of bluesy/rock/jam/soul.... yeah, in my music world, that is an ideal combo!
If you want some rockin' music for your Friday, listen here!
And I must leave you with a little delicious babe that is coming your way next week. (When the nurses brought baby K to her momma in the hospital, she came in with that p.r.e.c.i.o.u.s. tiny bow on her head, so her thoughtful momma brought that over for her session. Not only is that completely adorable, but a sweet thought that that is one of the first memories her momma has of her baby girl.) Scrumptious.
Have a great weekend!
Chickadees are hatching this month and I'm lovin' these squishy newborn bundles!
I've seen these beautiful coral-colored bushes all around town recently, and each time I see one, I comment to my husband how much I love that bush! So you can imagine the gleeful visions I had when I pulled up to baby S 's home and discovered that they had one!
I *heart* this image. A lot.
(Isn't she a beautiful little peanut?!)
S 's mom was so sweet. We were playing with the different props I brought and squishing up S into different little poses that only wee ones can do, when S wanted to take a break and let us know that. While hushing her crying babe, S 's mommy said "come on honey, I see a basket over there with feathers and I really want to use that!"
As you can see, S let us nail it.
Everybody sing together now: "Reunited and it feels so good"....
We're back! And it feels so good!
We had such a relaxing, blessed Christmas break. Whew! We needed it!
I can't wait to start sharing sessions again. And first up, an actual "sneak peek"! (I don't think we've had one of those for months!)
Last week I met our newest Chickadee Planner. (Well, she's still cooking in her mommy's tummy, but her mommy & daddy were nice enough to let me meet them first. Cordial formalities, you know.)
:)
I love starting sessions in the home. I feel privileged to be invited in and capture you guys in your element.
And, I also love meeting the "first" babies of the house!
Baby Girl, curled up in there, has an adorable nursery awaiting her arrival. (I'm sorry I can't show more of her cute room! Mom & Dad have not shared her name yet - I'm only the 3rd to know! - and it is proudly hanging on her pink walls.)
Personality! Their little girl is coming in to a family with 2 in-love parents, who are going to be so much fun for her to play with.
See?
In. Love.
(So sweet... Daddy-to-be's snuggles and adoring gaze.)
You guys are such a beautiful couple. I cannot wait to meet your pink bundle!
C is such a beauty. She is so photogenic - made my job quite easy! She is an active gal, playing on her school's volleyball team, and since turning 16, just got her first car! We had a great time together going all about town, and I enjoyed talking with her mother while C played Houdini and managed 4 outfit changes in their car!
(I'm so happy she trusted me when I may have sounded a little crazy, asking her to lay on the ground for the shot above, or climb up on some old tires for the shot below. I think the results were worth it!)
Thank you for a wonderful morning!
Last week, I met this precious 2-yr.-old, A. Her mommy is best friends with a friend of mine. Momma was a bridesmaid in our friend's wedding 3 years ago, and I was the wedding photographer. We hadn't met again since then, but earlier this year, we reconnected thanks to technology, and from there, she decided I was the photographer for them this holiday season!
*(Random sidenote: turns out that this sweet mommy & daddy attended a couple's retreat this past Valentine's Day at Pine Cove in Tyler, and there, met my Home Group leaders from my church (different friends than our mutual friend who was the bride 3 yrs. ago), while they were at the camp to lead worship for the weekend. Once they got to talking there, they realized that they lived in the same North Texas city, and have since become friends. I figured all this out, also thanks to technology, and it was a fun little mystery to solve, (because my Home Group leaders didn't know how I knew this couple, as I didn't know how they knew them either!) And so it's funny because we 3 couples met under different circumstances, separately, years apart. (Did all that make sense?)
Well, on to their session!
Their little girl has such a personality. She's meek & outgoing at the same time!
Doesn't she look like she's looking through my soul here?! Well... she's not. I just told her that Dora was in my camera, and boy, she looked with all her might! (But forget about that Dora part, and look at that concentration! She is going to be one smart little gal.)
I *love* this next series of 3 pictures. These were snapped within about 4 seconds total, and her expressions change so much!
"Are we done here, or......um,....can I go now?"
Big, bright, beautiful eyes. Sweet girl!
Daddies make fun swings.
Dance, girl, dance! I'm jealous of your moves!
Thanks C, K, & cutie A for a fun afternoon!
When I visited baby C, we started in her home, and then finished at the park in the beloved blue bonnet.
But here's what happened first.
When I arrived, she was still napping, and my attempt to capture sleeping pictures (and keep my cooing over how precious she looked to a minimum), soon turned in to a not-so-nice alarm clock for this sweet angel.
But after an outfit change and diaper change, we were good to go! (Mom has a squirmy gal on her hands - having to put the diaper on upside down!)
We rescheduled her shoot from 6 months to 7 months because @ 6 months, she wasn't quite a confident sitter, and when babies master that skill, it really opens up so many new possibilities for your session. So look at her now! One month later, and she is a pro at showing me her new trick!
Her momma said she likes to grab for the butterflies on her mobile above her crib, and sure enough, she reached as high and hard for them as she could!
Daddy's little look-alike glows when she is in his arms.
Momma's kisses marked their territory on C 's squishy cheek. (Love their red front door!)
I love how C has as much adoration in her expression for Mom & Dad as they have in their's for her. Just a little love triangle!
I *think* she may be teething.
7-mon.-old C doesn't know it yet, but one day, she will treasure the little bonnet nestled on her sweet head. Her grandmother made that precious hat for C 's mother when she was an infant. What a joy it was to capture her in a family heirloom. (And as a friend of mine put it when I oogled to her about the cuteness I witnessed, my womb may have exploded from the display of precious babyhood!)
Let's view the pictures from C 's possible point-of-view:
Hmmm..., Mom made me put this thing on my head, but what is this?
Well, clearly, she wouldn't have put it here unless it's food, so I wonder how it tastes?
Well, what do you know, it's yummy!
This is so fun. I love picnics!
Thank you, Grandma, for my snack!
I think if I just shove it right here...maybe...
Yes! No hands!
I don't mind sharing. Here, you try it!
**And of course, this post would not be complete if I didn't show you how the back of the bonnet is just as precious as the front! I may just have to request one from Grandma myself...
A couple of Saturdays ago, I had the pleasure of photographing a special group of girls.
Each girl in this precious quintet was born with a vascular birthmark.
See the cutie above with the plaid flowers on her shirt, the picture below is her at 4 months old, before her surgery.
Their families are a part of the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation. The foundation provides support for families who have a child with a vascular birthmark, as well as information on which doctors and hospitals have cutting-edge technology to be entrusted with their child. Not to mention, allowing children to make friends with others who are just. like. them. While everyone is a unique individual, at the same time, what a special bond they have with whom only each other can share.
On October 4th, they are hosting the Angel's Kiss Gala, at the Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway, benefiting the foundation.
A beautiful sisterhood.
Recent Comments