Vanessa G. Photography: Blog

One year after her first session, Ms. Ella turned a terrific two. She’s one of those beautiful girls that make me wish I’d been born with blue eyes too. Toddlers don’t sit still for long and you must give them room to roam. These were two quick stops during our session. Adorable.

My black and white images are never a simple click in a photo management program. It begins with a great color image that is enhanced to its best, and then I dive into BW. The graphic pattern seen in the bricks here was good in color, but amazing in BW. There’s always in little magic that happens behind the scenes. The camera only does half the work.

There is a chill brewing in our night air. From this day forward, our day light will grow shorter. We are at the equinox, when our day light and night time are equal. Soon you will start to think of Christmas music and holiday shopping. And all of the smartest customers will have purchased their Christmas cards early! The deadline for card orders is Dec. 4th, 2009. Anyone who’s had a session in 2009 can use a chosen image from this year’s session for 2009 Cards. Here are a few samples to get your taste buds going. Jingle all the way!

In a family of five you are sure to find several different personality types. There’s always a serious one, a silly one, and the nervous one. Add in a multiple age groups, and you’ve got a recipe for family fun. It can be challenging, but it’s worth it!

I can’t give away our secret location, but there is a lesson to be learned here. Color! I love the colors this family chose for their session attire! Please don’t be afraid of color. The world is full of white shirts and khaki pants. Be bold. Be beautiful.

This last one was an idea I’ve been waiting to use. And this was the perfect family to test it out. You can’t do this in a studio! What is represents is the wonderful chaos this family lives in everyday. Three busy, beautiful children, and two loving parents in the middle of it all. If you have kids, you’ll understand completely.

Having boys of my own, I saw this session as a little glimpse of what the future might hold for me. These boys were all boy. Big brother was amazingly patient with his TWIN little brothers. He’s been double-teamed a lot I think. Haha. If not for the different shirts, I wouldn’t have been able to tell the twins apart. They had a good time. They ran, jumped, crawled, wrestled, chased, and zoomed around like little balls of fire. If I could bottle that energy, I’d be a millionaire. (And what parent of a little boy hasn’t thought of that one already?)

Can you see the mischief in their eyes? Too cute!

And eventually, they will sleep. Although they were just playing opossum here.

The Robeson County Partnership for Children (RCPC) hosted the Beautiful Babies contest again this year. The 12 winners will be featured in a 2010 calendar produced by their organization. Calendars will be on sale soon. Check their website for updates. All profits benefit the RCPC and the work they do to support the children of Robeson County.

Vanessa G. Photography was selected to photograph the winners for the calendar. (Yea!) It took two days to photograph these precious kids. They were all truly beautiful children and I enjoyed meeting their families. There are 12 kids in all, so I decided not to spoil the calendar by revealing all of the calendar images. You’ll have to purchase the calendar to see them all!

The RCPC’s Beautiful Babies contest is significant. Sure they are trying to raise money to support the programs they provide to the community. More importantly, they are raising awareness about the beauty in every child. The potential for their success in life. The defining role that parents and educators play in their lives by helping them see their own inner beauty and worth. Remember these things when you look at a child, of any age. They are ALL beautiful.

Finally, a girl. With all these handsome little boys I’ve been seeing lately, it was such fun to work with a pretty little girl. She set a record! We spent four lovely hours trying to capture these images. It happens, but I’m patient. When I see potential, I don’t give up. Diaper changes, feedings, mommy-itis (wants mommy’s love), and even the wiggles will not keep me from capturing the best I can. This little beauty had been constipated for several days (stop reading now if you have a queasy stomach), but with my magic, I helped relieve the problem…all over the blanket, daddy’s hand, grandma, and a stack of baby wipes. Sounds terrible, but we were all laughing. I promise. Someone said I “must have aggravated the crap outta her.” True. But it was worth it. Check her out…

The last few months before a new baby arrives are filled with expectations. That little creature kicking around inside carries with them the hopes and dreams of their parents and extended family. Siblings are excited (hopefully), and parents are nervous (rightfully), and everyone else just wants to know why in the world you are still pregnant (because to them you’ve been pregnant for an eternity).

This couple seemed to express all the soon-to-be-parent emotions perfectly. I know they can’t wait for that little girl to arrive and neither can I. Newborns are my favorites!

Some babies look like little cherubs. Here is a good example. Baby Seth is only about 3 months old, but his sweet nature has shown through from the beginning. He is calm, happy, and unbelievably beautiful. Perfect skin. Perfect eyes. Perfect lips. Crazy fun hair. I could eat him with a spoon he is so cute. He was so happy the day we had our session too. I had a hard time deciding what to share on the blog. Here are just a few of my many, many favorites.

Mr. Seth offered so many adorable expressions. I combined them into a 20×20″ storyboard as a sample wall display. Typically my storyboards are 10×20 or 20×20. The black border here is for blog purposes only.  Storyboards are a great way to combine some of your favorites into custom artwork.

Little Henry smiled a lot for a newborn. As I was editing his session images, I started to think. Who could possibly look at that tiny 7lb. baby’s smile and not smile back? It’s so unexpected. There is nothing you can do to make a newborn baby smile. I sit, finger on the shutter release, and almost hold my breath waiting for that little smile to appear. You’re lucky if you get one. Henry just surprised us over and over. Maybe it’s because he has so much to be happy about…loving parents, a wonderful big sister, and a bright and promising future.

And you are still smiling. Right? How can you resist?

Baby Cole is still a baby, but he’s a lot bigger than he used to be. I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing his entire first year. These are from our 4th session. We’ll soon be compiling our favorites from all four sessions to create a one of a kind ‘Babies First Year’ book. Look for a sample here on the blog soon. In the meantime, look at how he’s grown. Baby Cole is curious, calm, and his easy going nature makes him such a joy. Happy first birthday!

Our little neighborhood was blessed with new babies in 2009. The total is now 4 boys and 2 girls. Shocking, I know! (If you’re looking for that little something extra to give you an edge in the baby-making department, you might want to stop by my house and have a glass of water.)

Baby J. was the last to arrive this year. He was lucky number six. He has an amazing head of hair and bright eyes. And on the rainy day that we had our session, he was a ray of sunshine and he cooperated so well. We made it through with only two pees and one poop. Ah. It’s to be expected when you strip a newborn down to their birthday suit. All part of a days work and always fun.

Brotherly love is something special. I’m sure the day will come when they will fight. (My sister and I surely did!) But right now, there is this sweet, sweet love that Levi has for his little brother. His favorite part of every day is just holding him on the couch. He showers little Noah with hugs and kisses and tries his best to sooth him when he cries. He will make up little songs to sing to him when Noah is unhappy.

One day, I hope they both look back at this image and recognize how beautiful they were together. Noah is so lucky to have such a caring big brother. It was something I had hoped for him. And Levi finally has a brother of his own. One he calls “my best friend.”

Babies are adorable. Especially when they’re sleeping! I love to hold Noah against my chest as he curls into a little ball of baby yumminess that sleeps soundly listening to my heart beat. A sound he’s sure to recognize. According to what I’ve read, babies can distinguish their mother’s heartbeat, voice, and dialect from all others. Isn’t that amazing? I guess after nine months he should be an expert at all things ‘mom.’ It’s really wonderful to know how much they need you and want you right from their first breath. There is no greater love than that between a mother and child.

My poor child may end up being the most photographed baby in the world. But then again, I bet there are a lot of moms out there taking dozens of pictures everyday of there own little miracles. I’m just part of the club. When on your quest to capture all the wonderful things about your new little one…don’t forget the details.

Those tiny little feet! They look extra small next to Daddy’s hand.

Those itty bitty hands! Adding in the wedding bands is another favorite of mine. A baby represents the renewal of life and a joining together. The rings are a great detail to represent love and the circle of life.

This last one was a complete experiment. My belly cast sits in the background. I think every mother tries to imagine how in the world that baby ever fit into that small space.  Trust me. It wasn’t easy and it didn’t feel good after about 8 months. Yes, women are quite amazing creatures.

I’m trying to take a few minutes each day to edit my little Noah’s newborn images. Today was basket day. Since I had a perfectly good little model I tested out the new baskets I’ve been collecting just for newborn shoots. I’m still trying to decide on my favorite. Here are a few…

TIP: Notice the hat? Yes, it’s the middle of summer, but he didn’t mind and it adds something extra to the image. Think of hats for both newborn and kid sessions. Even out of season!

I loved this one in BW too!! Sometimes it’s hard to decide between the two. I’m always partial to BW.

June 25th was a life changing day for me. I spent the morning agonizing over the choice I was about to make. June 25th was D-day, “delivery day”.

After having had the worst delivery experience with my first child three years earlier, I was hoping to avoid a repeat. Big brother Levi had made his debut after 40 weeks and three long days, induction, 12 hours of hard labor, three failed epidurals, one failed intrathecal, a failed spinal block and then a lot of general anesthesia for my cesarean section. That was followed by two weeks of intense spinal headaches and a year of daily back pain. But after six weeks of recovery, I was finally able to walk to my mailbox and back with enough energy to collapse on the couch. In a word I would describe my first child birth experience as ‘terrible.’ My first words upon awaking from my surgery were “I’m never having another baby.” And then came Noah.

The tough decision for me was whether to risk the chance of repeating spinal headaches and back pain for the chance to be awake for Noah’s first appearance, OR to jump straight into general anesthesia where my husband wouldn’t be able to attend and I miss the whole event yet again. I had felt so robbed of my first child’s entry into the world. It was a scary decision. The anesthesiologist explained procedures and tools to me and I decided to risk the spinal block. After much crying of course.

I felt no pain. I was awake when Noah Jesse German arrived at 9:13am on June 25th, 2009. He weighed all of 8 pounds and was 21″ long. I heard his first cry and I cried too. Little Noah had the same boyish voice his brother had.  The Dr’s first comment about him was that he had dark hair. Shocking because Levi didn’t have a lick of hair at birth or the next 12 months. I was so relieved to have reached the end of my pregnancy and to finally hold my baby.

Noah is calm and snugly. His skin is soft and kissable. He has long skinny feet and toes. So far, he only cries when he’s hungry and when he’s naked. This child does not like to be exposed. He was born with modesty.

These first images of him were taken during a nice long newborn nap. I’m guessing he’d blush if he knew the world had seen him bare. But newborns have a very sleepy nature at first, and before 10 days of age, they will cooperate amazingly well for photographs. There will be more images to come. Here is a little introduction.

This is a true sneak peek! The wedding date is coming very, very soon. I usually hold these until after the wedding, but the bride has forbid the groom from even getting near my website, so we are ok to show a few favorites. These were actually taken at a local lake.

I love these so much more than your standard, posed, studio bridal portraits. The color, the environments, and the unique nature of on-site photography is something I love. And you should know I’m going to find something different and interesting there anyway. The phrase ‘Life is Art’ comes to mind.

Vanessa G. Photography now offers on-line session booking! Hooray! Finally, the new scheduling system is up and running, just in time for me to be down and recovering. (Expecting baby #2 any day now if you haven’t heard.) Since I’m expecting to be out of commission for at least a few weeks, there will be a short disruption in email response times. I do apologize.

Please take notice of the new Policies detailed under the Information tab as well. You’ll notice that the session fee has increased, BUT it also includes a $75 print credit!! Don’t panic, you haven’t missed out! The actual session cost is the same. You now have the advantage of prepaying for a portion of your order to ease the final investment. Yes. Now you see how clever I am. I’m putting you on a mini payment plan! Anything for my wonderful clients.

There is a contract that goes with every session, and you’ll be asked to sign that on your session date. Again, please review the policies on the website for more information.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you create some wonderful images that you’ll treasure forever. Visit me soon!

PS-I’m now booking September - December 2009. There are only 3 spots left in September! If you’re wanting Christmas cards this year, I suggest you get on the schedule early.

 I’m about to experience this great expansion myself. Therefore I am super curious about how all of the details work themselves out when someone new arrives in the family. I’ve witnessed three of my neighbors having their second child in the last few months and I’m anxiously awaiting my turn. It’s a little scary and exciting all at the same time. I worked with the Pope family a few weeks ago and got to see first hand how their oldest boy had become a ‘big brother’ over night. He seemed to be taking it well. He was calm and caring with his new little sister. How precious she was! Here’s a sneak peek…

Big brother and his stunning blue eyes.

There is nothing like a mother’s touch to easy a baby into a peaceful sleep.

Newborns have a sleepy nature. This is fantastic for photography. You can position them into little curved shapes and they rarely complain. This is why it’s best to schedule newborn sessions in the first 10 days after birth. This little man was about 8 days old. He was so very precious, and calm. We were even lucky enough to capture a few treasured smiles. What makes a newborn baby smile? Wouldn’t you love to know what he was dreaming about? It must be his mother because I can’t imagine anything else that he would have grown to love.

Welcome Brady. I sure enjoyed smiling at you too.

When Ford produced this 1957 model I don’t think they imagined this is where it would end up. More than fifty years later, she helped make a lovely Bride’s entrance to an outdoor wedding. Just over the hill, out of view of the gathering wedding crowd, I got to spend a few minutes alone with these two beautiful ladies. And I admit, these were some of the most fun wedding day images I’ve had the opportunity to capture. I love something different! It also helps that the Bride looked liked she’d stepped out the pages of some modern day magazine. Jill came complete with cowboy boots and long dark ringlets. She was stunning!

Congratulations Jill and Travis! Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day. It was a pleasure.

It was literally the “barking lot.” This was my first experience with a professional dog grooming and kennel service. I’ve historically had fur-babies that didn’t require regular hair trims, so I’ve never had the opportunity to visit a grooming business. The Barking Lot, however, was quite a treat for all the little pooches who did have the pleasure of regular visits. Denise Cross, who owns this local favorite, started her business in her home many years ago. She had found a niche in the local market, and as her business grew by word of mouth, so did her facilities. The Barking Lot is located off of Hwy 701 between Elizabethtown and White Lake, NC. Mrs. Cross is a shining example of how you CAN take something that you love and grow that into a business. I’m willing to bet you couldn’t find another dog grooming service with a more dedicated business owner. She truly loves her job, her business, and most of all those shaggy ‘people’ that frequently visit. She is passionate about what she’s doing and it shows! Here she is sharing the love. Doesn’t this look like the kind of person you’d want taking care of your baby while you’re away? And by the way, she has more than a dozen fur-babies of her own!

Denise Cross and I worked out a plan to update the images on her business web site and to provide images for future marketing and advertising pieces. The website is about to undergo a major overhaul, so visit often to see all the great things the Barking Lot has to offer.

On my first visit, I had expected to see a little hair trimming going on, but there was a lot more to it. Blueberry facials, massaging washes, hair drying, hair stylists, and nail artist, were my first few surprises. I’ve never even had a facial! Some of these babies were regulars. Then there was the facilities where pups are boarded, pampered, exercised, and entertained. I even saw a yellow Labrador watching television. Every member of the staff was hard at work, and every now and then they would stop and scratch behind a little ear, receive a slobbery kiss, or provide a little sweet talk to the one fur-baby who was a little nervous about the whole idea. When those canines left the building, they were ready for the runway…or at least ready to see their own special human. (Below is a blueberry facial. And yes, it smells delicious too!)

After a while, I was thinking of checking in for few days myself. A girl could get used to this kind of pampering. I’ve really been looking forward to sharing this experience with you. Maybe some of you will be as pleasantly surprised as me. Be sure to check out The Barking Lot website over the next few weeks to learn more about all the great things going on behind the closed doors. The new images will be arriving on the pages soon!

During my last visit, we took the time to photograph some of the precious paws in attendance. Here’s a few of my favorites…

I joined the well knows ranks of Facebook today. I’m looking forward to seeing you there. Go to the Vanessa G. Photography page to become a fan on Facebook! I plan to offer some sweet specials to my Facebook fans along the way, so don’t miss out!

Babies grow unbelievably fast. Little Claire is about 12 weeks old now and we’ve just completed session two with her and big sister Cate. Baby Claire has nearly doubled her birth weight and livened up quite a bit. I had forgotten how wonderful babies are at this age. They coo! They sound as if they are learning how to make vowel sounds. I remember holding a video camera and recording my own son at this age making all those adorable cooing sounds. Aaaa, Oooo, Ahhh.

The funniest part of our session was when baby Claire was laying on top of big sister Cate. Just as we’d finished getting the shot, Claire decided to show Cate what she’d had for lunch. Imagine a screaming 4 year old, completely grossed out, with baby spit up running down her neck. It was hilarious. We managed to calm her down and clean her up. As moms, we are so used to it that we’re barely fazed by a little spit up. There must a repressed memory in my head somewhere of my first baby puke gross-out. Babies! You’ve got to love em’…spit up and all.

I get to see a lot of happy people through my work as a photographer. Couples get engaged, get married, conceive their children, and present their new little darlings to the world. Maternity sessions are unique, especially when it’s the first child.

This couple was clearly in a blissful state. Ashley and Ray are expecting their little one in a just a few short weeks. There was lots of talk about what the Doctor has said and where the delivery was going to take place. Anticipation was in the air! Ray was so patient and loving with his expecting wife. He was going to do whatever made her happy. And Ashley was the picture perfect maternity model…tall, slim, and with the perfect sized baby bump!

We took quite a few outdoor images, even the black and white’s were done on the scene in their front yard. Typically, I prefer the environmental, scenic images, but sometimes the simplicity of a plain black background lends itself to more graceful and simple image. I always aim to provide some of both for maternity sessions. After all, the baby belly is what we’re all looking at, right? It’s the first symbol of new life.

I’ve been asked so many times…”Who’s going to take YOUR maternity pictures?” Well, the answer is….drum roll please….my husband! For Mother’s Day I decided to take advantage of the beautiful morning and bribe my two boys into a quick photo shoot. It was quite difficult to direct the shoot, get the three year old to cooperate, and run back and forth to the camera to see exactly what we were capturing. In the end, I was happy with a few images. I really wanted the focus to be on Levi and not myself. I wanted that one good image of him next to his baby brother, in the days shortly before he arrived. A whole new life is about to begin in our home. I’m full of ideas for those new born images too. Just you wait and see!

I started with the test model. Handsome little devil isn’t he?

This April wedding was a lot of fun. Amy and Greg were having a blast on their wedding day. They had already planned to see each other before the wedding and that gave us a lot of time to focus on them. The ceremony was short and sweet, but the day was full of laughs. These two always found something to laugh about. I take that as a sign that they’re going to have a wonderful life together. Congratulations guys!

It was a complete surprise to be voted the #2 photographer in the Bladen Journal’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Survey. Especially since I don’t have a current subscription and didn’t even vote for myself! You guys did this! Thank you so much for believing in me. Thank you for recognizing my business and the passion I have for it. Thank you for your support and positive feedback, not just in this survey, but through your emails, phone calls, and word-of-mouth referrals. Every time you recommend me to your friends, I hear about it. And it is the best complement I could ever receive. Thank you!!!!!

 Ashley and Bucky made the cutest couple on their wedding day. The Watermark Marina in Wilmington, NC hosted the days events. Beautiful weather, beautiful couple, and beautiful memories. Here’s a sneak peek at some of my favorites from the day.

I love to try this jump shot. I don’t always do it. Usually at least half the party rolls their eyes and I can tell that they really don’t think it’s a great idea. But after the first jump, they are all smiling and laughing and having a great time. It’s a great way to end the ‘whole group’ part of the after wedding formals.

This is how a bride and groom should look on their wedding day. The happiest they’ve ever been. Ahwwww.

They are here finally! I love them all! I have several studio samples on hand for you to see in person. I’ve selected three framing companies to feature. One is a more traditional frame company that will allow me to help you choose a more traditional frame and mat combination. The other two companies stand out on a limb alone. Here are a few images from my favorite companies to tempt your taste buds.

First on the list are the Fru Fru Frames. These frames are hand made in a shabby chic kind of style and hold either an 8×10 or 5×7 print size. The actual frames are about 18×20″ and come decorated with a fru fru bow. There are eleven frame colors to choose from along with several ribbon colors.

My next set of lovelies come from Wild Sorbet. This company is all about customizing. There is no inventory in stock in a warehouse somewhere. You choose the size, the colors, the style of the trim, and the pattern on the frame to create something as unique as your room and as special as you. I have a set of 60 colors on hand for you to use in choosing your colors, but there are more, lots more. Over 100 colors and patterns can be used on these one-of-a-kind frames that are NOT available in any retail store. To check out more samples, go to Wild Sorbet’s website and click on “details” on the bottom menu bar, and then “frame samples.” The possibilities are endless!

This set is from the Shabby Chic collection. I choose both the 4″ frame color and the inside trim style and colors for these two images. You could choose colors based on the image or the room. With these frames you can choose a 4″ or 6″ frame edge, choose between 6 trim styles, and even add polka dots to the frame. Now that’s what I call customized!

These next frames from the Classic collection feature a damask like pattern. The 20×24″ sample below is in my home office. This baby is huge with it’s 6″ frame edge. Perfect to hang over a fireplace, couch, or queen sized bed.

Below are two samples from the Seaside Stripes collection. There are many color combinations for the stripe colors and you can also choose the direction of the stripes.

The “Trimlings”in the next image come in sets of three and are always square in shape. You can choose three of the same color, or mix it up for a grouping of three different colors. These are perfect for small spaces.

Between the three frame companies I selected, we should be able to find a solution to your framing needs! Check out the products gallery on my website to view the trim samples and some color samples for the Wild Sorbet frames. Enjoy!

It’s exciting to be chosen for something. I have recently been chosen as the OFFICIAL Photographer for the Beautiful Babies Contest hosted by the Robeson County Partnership for Children. This contest raises money for the organization and is used to raise public awareness on how the partnership helps children learn the skills they need to be successful when they enter school. Contestants must be under age 5 and must be Robeson County residents. I look forward to working with the winning ‘babies!’ We’ll be creating a 2010 calendar that will be for sale towards the end of this year. All proceeds, again, go to the Robeson County Partnership for Children. This is a worthy cause and I hope you will participate if you qualify.

I’ve been waiting patiently to show these images. Ashley’s wedding was this past weekend and it went fantastically well. I’ll post images from the wedding soon too! Ashley and I met in down town Wilmington, NC for this bridal session. We had a blast talking about wedding details and honeymoon plans. I felt like I was re-living my own wedding planning days and all the excitement that went with it. People would stop and watch us photograph and they always congratulated the bride-to-be. People love to see a bride. I guess it’s not to common to see a pretty girl dressed for her wedding day walking around town without a groom. It was a sunny day and it was nice to see so many smiling passers-by.

This next image is the one she chose as her large bridal portrait. And in Black & White! Stunning!

What have I been up to lately? Too much work and not enough play.

1- The Spring and Grow Expo: April 4th from 10am to 3pm

I’ll plan to see you at the Expo at LuMil Vineyard! Come by my booth inside and drool over my new frames. These babies are gorgeous and one-of-a-kind. You’ll be among the first to see them in person. Pick up some goodies for the kids. Book a portrait session at the event and earn a $30 print credit good on your next order. Think ahead, do you want that family Christmas picture this year, book early and save a few bucks. Learn more at www.lumilvineyard.com.

2- Developing my accounting skills.

Have you had the pleasure of learning Quickbooks software with no accounting background? I highly recommend it if you need a few hours less sleep and having nothing else to do but read a 200+ page software manual. I am nearing the end of the start up process, however, I have a lot less hair. I’ve been pulling it out.

3- Product shopping.

I have some wonderful new products to add to the product gallery. Other than the new frames, which you can see at the Expo, there are several other new products I hope to have on hand for the show as well. NEW 5×5″ albums with top notch graphics added and custom, high end, leather covers. NEW 3×3″ brag books that fit in your purse and fold out like an accordion. So cute! You’ll love these too. And NEW storyboard samples to spark your imagination. The updated product gallery will be added to the website soon, check back often. You can see product samples of the new frames there too!

4- Getting bigger.

Yes, the belly is growing and I’m slowing. How in the world did the Duggers mom on TLC do this 16 times and then decide it would be ok to do it again? Seriously? I’m almost in the last trimester and I’m thinking that any day now would be a good time to throw in the towel. I’m kidding. Everyone wants to see me get bigger (fat), so I’m considering taking a photo of myself so you can laugh. Not tonight. Maybe later. I’ll keep you in suspense.

5- Facebook.

I gave in. I joined. There’s not a photo of me there either. Ha-ha. How terrible am I? I’m a PHOTOGRAPHER with a fortune in camera equipment and “I” can’t get a picture taken of myself. I’ll keep trying. It’s on the to-do list. The very, very long list. Meanwhile, I expect you to go add me as your friend right after you exit this blog.

6- Bridal session.

I wish you could oow and ahh with me. She is so beautiful. I loved our session in downtown Wilmington. The wedding is in April. You’ll get to see her then. I can’t show you her dress ahead of the wedding now can I? Stay tuned…

Since I’m going to have two boys I can only imagine what life would be like with two girls. I got a little glimpse the other day with these two lovely girls. Cate has the most beautiful blue eyes and was settling into her new role as ‘big sister’. Baby Claire was only 8 days old and perfect for newborn pictures. At this young age, babies still have their newborn ‘curl’ and they mostly sleep. That is until the photographer puts her cold hand on the babies warm skin and startles a shrill ‘all-girl-scream’ out of her. Ha-ha. But I’m a quick learner and I took every precaution not to do that a second time.

Mom had purchased letter to hang Claire’s name in the nursery. We made use of them! I’ve never tried this before, but I love the way it turned out. I’m thinking of having this one printed for myself as a studio sample. Every home session is like a scavenger hunt when it involves kids. I’m always looking for objects to include in the images.

Big sister Cate took me on a tour of the yard. I never would have thought that a green slide would have photographed so well. It turned out to be perfect. And it was my favorite image of her.

Check out those pink boots! While mom was tending to Baby Claire, Cate and I went looking for shoes to wear outside. I don’t think these were usually part of the outfit, but I loved them!

 As I sit here trying to decide what to write, I’m holding back my tears. My little boy is growing up. This is my son, Levi, about to turn three years old. To look at his precious face you’d never know he used to be a tiny little baby that couldn’t talk or walk. Where does the time go?

He’s expecting a little brother (yes, it’s a boy!) in a few months and that keeps me thinking of how big he’s gotten. One day a few weeks ago, Levi leaned over to my belly and examined my belly button. After a few seconds he said with amazement, “Mama! You’re cracking open!” I laughed and explained about how my belly button is just a lot flatter than it used to be because baby brother is getting so big inside my tummy. Then Levi places his mouth against my belly button and uses it as a microphone and whispers, “Hey baby brother. What’s your name?” It was then that I explained that baby brother doesn’t have a name yet and how we have to choose one. So naturally I asked, “What should we name your baby brother?” After a thoughtful pause, he said with excitement, “Um. We can name him Alfalfa!” Needless to say we won’t be doing that.

He’s so much like his daddy. He is the spitting image of him, except for the red hair. Somehow, his dad and I are a perfect genetic match for red hair, although we don’t have it ourselves. I have never been to a public place with Levi when someone didn’t comment on how beautiful his hair looked. I’m used to it now, but at first it seemed as though no one had ever seen a red-headed child before. I love that he is so unique. And that he has his daddy’s silly sense of humor. They both make me laugh.

Levi has been talking since before his first birthday. This child talks from his first breath in the morning until he whispers himself to sleep at night. He adores other children and rarely meets a stranger. Levi loves to sing and we’ve recorded it a lot. He’s an auditory learner and will remember anything you tell him, or anything you don’t mean for him to hear, so we have to be careful. Recently, he’s discovered his undying love for chocolate. One of the few traits he inherited from me.

Tonight when I kissed good-night, I said, “I love you Levi.” And he said back to me, “I love you mooore Mama.”  That always makes my heartstrings sing.

Levi is all boy. He loves to be outdoors and loves to jump and play.

Being a photographer is not like other public service jobs. I have the opportunity to see people smile at each other, be on their best behavior, hug on their children, and usually just have fun and not worry about the rest of life for a little while. That can be very uplifting any day of the week. After a session I feel happy and inspired to go home and love on my little boy because I’ve just seen other parents hugging and holding their children. I can’t think of many jobs that would describe that as part of a days work. Lucky me.

The Gooden family included two spirited little boys. We spent some time hiking through the woods and stopping to look at the lake. Can you imagine what this is like for the kids? “Hey kids, lets go get some pictures taken, and by the way, we’re going to throw rocks in the water, jump off of some stumps, and chase each other through the woods. Sound like fun?” And then they say….”yea!”

The eldest boy was convinced that those logs and cyprus knees were alligators. Yet he still wanted to sit close enough to throw rocks at them. Ha-ha.

Babies are just so darn cute. They are a lot of fun to photograph too! Emma had the best hair I’ve seen on any baby. It curled a little…just enough to form it’s own little mo-hawk. I know I commented on that hair a few times during the session. I love to find something unique in everyone. In fact, I search for it. Now that I think about it…my camera allows me the opportunity to stare at people in a way that would usually not be acceptable. That’s sneaky and entertaining. I look for my subjects’ beauty, individual characteristics, and imperfections. I only look for imperfections so I can help draw the focus away from those things and help the viewer to see what I see…something unique and special. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You DO want your photographer to be looking for the beauty in you.

Behold…beauty. Dad’s rustic arms holding Emma and her smooth, new skin tightly and safely.

And no baby session is complete without the precious feet.

You don’t have be recently engaged to enjoy a photo session with your significant other. I had the pleasure of working with a young couple last week. Jill is starting her own business, Bladen Dance Academy, in downtown Elizabethtown, NC and we met there to begin our session. Her dear husband, Jeff, was a little unsure about doing a photo session, but after we walked around town for a few minutes and got those first few awkward images taken, he relaxed and I think we all had a good time.

Most girls would agree that it’s the guy in the relationship that has the most ‘issues’ with having their picture taken. That’s where I come in. Because I schedule sessions on-site, it really takes the pressure off of everyone to tilt their head just right and ’say cheese’ into the camera. Most guys find it’s not as painful as they first thought it would be. And most girls are pleasantly surprised that their handsome fellow did a great job even after he protested against her photo session idea. It’s very theraputic. An hour of talking, walking, and looking like you’re in love (because you are), will surely make for some great memories.

All in all, Jill and Jeff, are a great example of how you should capture memories of your special relationship as you change through the years. Don’t let Christmas be the only time you get your faces together for the camera. Celebrate your progress in life, your successes,  and your love. It’s the best way to keep the fire going.

If you want to learn more about the Bladen Dance Academy, email Jill at “bladendanceacademy@gmail.com” or call her at 910-874-2486. And tell her I sent you!

All for the love of dance! I really admire people who go after their dreams and try to turn their passion into a career. After all, that’s exactly what I’m doing. This was my favorite image of Jill. No, you can’t see her face, but there is a LOT of spirit and spunk and fun in those shoes. I love the pose and the pink too. This was my favorite foot shot…ever! (And I’m sure you’re noticing my tendency to like feet and hands here on the blog. I can’t help myself!)

Baby Cole is really doing that…growing like a weed. We’re continuing baby’s first year with our third session. He has such a sweet nature about him. Calm, easy going, and happy is how I describe baby Cole. He’s a great example to use for Photo Tip #4.

Tip #4: When to capture baby in the first year…

Many studios will advertise the 3-6-9-12 month sessions. The truth should be told. You really want to capture baby’s milestones and not focus as much on the age. Sure the ages are more typical, but absolutely not carved in stone. Use these guides to help you decide when to try and capture distinct moments in your baby’s first year. Whether you’re using your own pocket camera or scheduling a session with Vanessa G. Photography, the guides here can still help you decide “when” is the best time to make memories.

Session 1: Newborn - milestone=immobile, tiny,wrinkly, new.  The BEST time to capture newborns are in the first 10 days after birth. This of coarse is when mom will not feel like having her picture made, but babies are sleepy, quiet, and don’t mind being handled as much during their sleep. The smaller the better in that first session, but anything before 6 weeks is a great idea too. After the 10 days passes, your baby will be awake more hours of the day, a personality will start to show, and your little one will begin to grow…fast. In other words, they may not enjoy being put down, in a cute outfit, all for the sake a few peaceful looking baby images. Things become more difficult and much more patients is required to capture those precious moments.

Session 2: 2-5 months - milestone=holding up the head for at least a few seconds…long enough to take a few pictures. Your baby will have livened up a lot by this session. Their facial features will have changed slightly and they will appear more plump. They can see beyond the 14″ in front of their face and may even provide a smile when entertained. You should have introduced “tummy time” by this point and your baby should be able to push up their shoulders and take a look around the room. If you’re little one is still laying around flat on their back, you might want to give them time to develop those neck muscles a little more.

Session 3: 5-9 months - milestone=sitting up with little to no assistance. The sitting up stage could happen anywhere from 5 to 10 months. All babies develop at their own pace. Some are walking at 10 months and some are just trying to sit up without falling over. It’s not a sign of intelligence, but rather a physical development stage. It also means nothing about the child’s future athletic ability. So don’t worry if your little one is lagging behind the pack. Sitting up well is the next great photo opportunity.

Session 4: 9-15 months -  milestone=standing and trying to walk with little help. Many parents are familiar with the term ‘cruising’ which means that baby is stepping and trying to walk while holding onto the furniture. Some babies are running by 12 months, while others are just ‘hanging on.’ Again, no worries if you don’t see walking until 15 months or more. I would recommend holding off on that last end-of-year session until your little one is starting to walk. The images of that unsteady stance are priceless.

Just to clarify, don’t get stuck on the numbers. It’s the milestones you should focus on.

Now on to baby Cole. He’s sitting up well at about 7 months old and we took full advantage of his abilities.

I also recommend that we add in a few images of the siblings together. This was my favorite. I love the feet and the antique rocking chair. The toe grabbing was their own idea. How sweet.

Kids between the ages of 2 and 5 are the fastest group so far. By that I mean that they don’t sit still for long! These sessions are fun because we get to walk around a lot and talk. If you’re wondering about what ages you should have your child photographed after the big 1 year birthday, then consider this. By two they look like different people all together. By three-four they are usually talking well enough to have a conversation. By five they may be getting ready to loose some of those precious little baby teeth. I highly recommend a session before the baby teeth start to go! After that, it’s years of snaggle teeth.

On to the star of this blog entry…Skylar. Great name for a spunky little girl. As I edited her session all I could think about was that tune…”…ohhh girls, just wanna have fu-un….” And she did. We bonded right from the first click of the camera. She wanted to show me everything. I was just along for the ride.

We climbed up to the loft to explore.

Miss bright eyed and bushy tailed was very photogenic. All kids are beautiful at this age. Another reason to capture it!

A quick wardrobe change and we were off to explore the landscape. This glowing grass was my favorite spot.

Oh-oh girls, just wanna have fu-un…

Continuing our baby and family theme for January is the Chamber’s family. Now officially first time parents, Mom and Dad were much like I expected. If you have kids already, then you know what I mean. When that first little person arrives you are so very attentive to every little sigh they make and each little expression on that chubby little face. It takes two adults to manage that tiny addition to the family. They were so cute though. It made me remember how I was back then. It was so scary at first. With baby number two, all the mommy fears are gone. I’m an old pro.

Baby Chambers was a perfect model. I had a very hard time trying to decide which images to include here on the blog. I gave into FIVE! And I must describe as we go because there are some great stories and emotions here…

1-How does your baby feel out in public surrounded by new people they’ve never seen before? This looks like the shy, unsure little expression you’d expect. Dad reached over and took her hand in a normal kind of way and I just had to say “freeze.” This is one of those looks you could never plan to capture. It’s just authentic.

2- In our attempt to have baby grasp a finger to get that close up baby-hand shot, I found this instead. I loved it so much more than the standard version. The wave, the curiosity on her face in the background really makes this image stand out. She looks so tiny wrapped up in mom’s hands. One of my favorites!

3-The hand shot again. (yes, i love baby parts.) These next two have a great story. The dress baby is wearing was made by her Great-Grandmother using the material from her Grandmother’s wedding dress!! Priceless and complete with bonnet!! If you’re trying to think of something special for a baby or kids session, an heirloom is perfect. It doesn’t have to be a dress. It could be an old book, glasses, hat, glove, etc. This is not just a picture for the Chamber’s family. It’s history.

4-Finally, the burping session that delivered the funnest face of the day. We had to take a little break for Mom to feed baby a snack to help her make it through our session. During the burping, I kept clicking away. I’m so glad I did. She’s so cute!

I seam to be surrounded by people who are “building a family” these days. I’m just one of FIVE pregnant women in my neighborhood. Can you imagine the hormones floating around here? It is great to have so many like-minded people around.

The Brice family had one of my first 2009 sessions. They’ve recently added a second child to their group. These two sisters are as cute as can be. Mom and Dad both were such adoring parents as well.  I could tell you more about how spirited and fun these kids were, but just take a look and you’ll see for yourself.

A brief moment of silence…

I love to capture siblings interacting. Occasionally it takes a little prompting, but they usually jump right in.

The holidays came and went and my sanity went with them. Not exactly, but I’m sure you can relate. My poor baby had RSV during the Christmas holiday, then there was the LuMil Bridal show, then the once-every-10-years snow event.  One thing lead to another and I end up weeks behind with the website and blog updates. Have no fear, change is near. And there are quite a few changes…new products for one!

Let’s get started with a little sneak peek at some of the 2009 January sessions…

Engagement sessions are quickly becoming my new favorites. At first it can be hard to catch a couple having a ‘moment’ as I like to call it. You have to let them stand in one place for a few minutes, and just as they start to interact and forget that I’m standing near by with a camera…that’s when the magic happens. Those almost-kisses and REAL laughs. Those are the moments I wait to see. It’s so refreshing to spend an hour with two people who are in love and excited about the future.  Plus I love to talk about wedding and honeymoon plans. If I could pick another job I think I’d love with a passion, it would be ‘Wedding Planner.’

This engagement session was with a beautiful couple. They’re getting married in April. (Look for photos in May!) The day was dull and gray but that didn’t dampen their glow at all. It was easy to see how well they fit together and how they enjoyed each other. I’m really looking forward to their wedding day. You can’t help but cheer for a couples’ happiness when you see that it’s ‘right.’ The world needs more couples like this one.

The Clark families really kept me laughing. They had organized a plan to capture some big family memories to help make Grandma’s Christmas merry. I think we accomplished that mission. There were a few comedians in this group, both big and small. The challenge of a big group like this one is to capture everyone with their eyes open while they’re making a pleasant face. Throw in a few kids and you can multiply the number of takes infinitely. It’s always fun though. Something unpredictable always happens. Here are a few of my favorites.

The casual group picture: I like the laugh, the crooked pose of the little boy in front, and the one laugh-er with his eyes closed. They look real. They were enjoying the moment.

This is a storyboard sample from their gallery. Storyboards are 10×20 in size. I am always very partial to close ups.

Finally, a set of brothers. They look like best friends don’t they? I’m sure they aren’t so loving all the time because those of us with siblings know the REAL behind the scenes action. Still, this is a great image to keep. They’ll treasure this one day. They’ll look back and remember how much fun they had as kids.

Photo Tip #3: Don’t look at the camera!

Our little model for this photo tip, Cooper, was as sweet natured as they come. He has amazing curls! And he was in a great mood for our session. Some children are a little weary of the camera, but not Cooper. He didn’t seem to even think I was a stranger. He enjoyed his morning as usual. Mom had his black and white outfit monogrammed too. I thought that was a great idea and an easy way to personalize a cute outfit!

The photo tip is this: it’s not always necessary to have your subject looking directly into the camera. Some of my favorite images are those where the subject is NOT looking at me. I like the feeling that I’m observing them doing something very ordinary. Capturing the subject looking away also prevents your images from looking very “posed.” I think we are very trained to say…”look at me and say cheese.” That’s what our parents always told us to do. Right? I do want a few of those images where the subject is very connected to the viewer(staring right into the camera), but usually I only push for those in the extreme close ups.

For this last image, I liked that Cooper was looking at me. There were several in this location where he was looking away, but there is something about the sweet expression on his face that really made me love that he was looking at me. Remember that it is ok to look at the camera. It’s just as OK for the subject NOT to look at the camera.

Here in NC we have a lot of warm weather. Personally, if it dips below 75 degrees, I’m cold! The Evans family braved a windy 50 degree day for their family session. We took a few breaks for the kids and let them warm up in the car. The session still turned out well despite the arrival of the frosty weather. I couldn’t complain. These parents made some beautiful children. The BW of their son (below) is one of my absolute kid favorites!

This recent session really reminded me of being a kid. Those days were some of the best weren’t they? No bills, no REAL worries, hardly any responsibility in life. The innocence of youth passes so quickly. These three girls are sisters. You can guess which one is having the most fun (she’s the one who laughs the most). Little sister thinks every thing is funny, but then again, most four year olds do. She came running out to greet me when I arrived. That’s always a good sign. Middle sister is master of the tire swing. Big sister is eleven and soon to be breaking hearts near you. Poor Dad. I’m sure he’s dreading those days. These three made me want to run around in circles and throw leaves in the air. Somehow I don’t think copying them would make me any younger, but at least I could get the same feeling. (sigh) On with adult life…witnessing the fun and magic of childhood.

 We added in their baby cousin when we could. Grandpa is a farmer and Mom wanted to add in some John Deere memorabilia. I’m sure Grandpa would love to have these four pretty girls on the farm any day.

I had a recent session with a client at her home. We’ve worked together before, but this time I had the pleasure of working with her newest edition, little Eva. She is as beautiful as her mother! And she’s the perfect model for Photo Tip #2.

Photo Tip #2: Use your environment! (Use your own props too!!)

I try really hard to look for environmental elements that are unique. In little Eva’s case, she had cute stuffed animals and a lot of pink that made for an adorable surrounding for such a sweet and innocent little girl.

Another item we found around the house was an antique wooden bowl. It was a perfect fit for Eva. Items like that make for great size comparison in the future. I can hear daddy saying…’I remember when you were so small you could fit in that wooden bowl.’  

Being an on-site photographer gives me the distinct advantage to personalize images. I love finding something different. Mom had a stool given to her recently, another antique, that was gorgeous. Guess who fit the furniture perfectly….Eva! We basically had a scavenger hunt around the house just to look for great things to use during our session. I am always up for moving furniture, raising blinds, and reorganizing a bedroom, just to get a better environmental shot.

And don’t think all of this info doesn’t apply outdoors. Mother nature provides a million fun and interesting things to incorporate into your images. You just have to spend a little time looking.

And here is our little model posing for a close up. Sweet. Cute. Lovely.

Being a parent can be a tough job. Your whole life changes when a baby arrives. For some, the changes are so much more challenging. Imagine having to protect your baby from everyday germs that could spark deadly pneumonia. Not allowing her to socialize with other children, super protecting her from the outside world, and being vigilant about cleaning your hands and your home all as part of normal life. Imagine that your little one faced any number of surgeries in the years to come in hopes that she would one day speak and breathe with the ease that the rest of us enjoy. An outing for a family with these challenges requires a lot of preparation, needed equipment for child care, and usually an extra hand or two.

At first, I was a little unsure of what to expect from a two year old that communicated through sign language. Quickly, I learned that she used more than her hands to communicate. Little C. was as expressive as I’ve ever seen. When she smiled, her whole face lit up with joy. She has mastered the eyebrow bends of a seasoned adult, and will protest like any other toddler. I noticed that I was more attentive to her hand motions and eye language. You really have to pay attention to get her message, and she won’t give up on you. She’ll keep trying until you understand and repeat back her message.

This session really made me appreciate how blessed I am with Levi. Maybe I take for granted how healthy he has been and how much he talks my ears off. Afterwards, I was even more thankful that God put Little C. with the perfect family. She is clearly cared for, loved, and the center of her parent’s world. Her parents are very knowledgeable about her needs and very proactive. They are exactly what she needed. It’s amazing how God gives blessings in the most unexpected ways. He gives us what we need. If you ask the Bordeaux family if they feel blessed, the answer is YES! Look at these amazing smiles…

Kids are so funny! And little boys come up with some of the funniest stuff. I have a little boy of my own, Levi, and he keeps me laughing. Levi rubbed my belly this week and said, “Mommy, your belly is BIG! There’s a baby in there!” I was so glad I’m really pregnant, or that wouldn’t have been as funny. Later, after supper, he rubs his own belly and says, “Whoa, my belly is BIG! There must be a baby in there.” I said no, and explained that only girls have babies. Although I often wish that my husband was carrying the cargo instead of me…and the nausea…and the fatigue…and the….you know what I mean?

This little guy below, well, he was no exception. Our conversation went from Star Wars to baby sisters. We had a hard time trying to remember Obe-Won Kenobi’s correct name. Mom had to step in for that one. We just threw in all the wrong letters, but it was funny. Harrison was a joy, a good natured kid. He kept smiling even when his little sister was wailing away. Nothing seemed to bring him down. He just broke out in song with Pat-a-Cake, complete with hand motions, to try and calm her down. What a great big brother!

There are a few things in the works for 2009 and here is a brief summary. More news to come in the near future!

1. Pricing

Pricing will be updated as of January 1, 2009. This means if you have an outstanding session and need to place an order, please do so before Jan. 1st to keep the pricing you have in hand right now. If you’ve booked a session for 2009 BEFORE Dec. 1st I’ll also honor the price list you’ve already been given. Don’t panic! It won’t be major changes and the session fee will remain the same.

2. Baby on Board

Yes. You guessed it! We’re expecting baby #2 in June of 2009! We’re thrilled! Levi is already excited about being a big brother. This will unfortunately cause a disruption in my photography services during the summer. I plan to take some portrait sessions during my maternity leave and dates will be provided as we get closer to D-day. I will NOT be able to take any weddings in June, July, or August. Sad but true. Unless you’d really like to have a wedding to remember and have your photographer go into labor during the first kiss. ha-ha   Look for lots of baby updates here on the blog!!!

3. Building Blocks

Those of you who know me already, know I’m in the “building” stage of my business. I have goals in place for 2009, despite the fact that a new little German will arrive smack in the middle of it! A charity event is in the works, a studio is in the planning stages, and you may see some creative marketing out of me this coming year. These my friends, are the building blocks to my dreams. Awww. I get all choked up just thinking about it.

Come back again soon! -Vanessa

It seems like we’ve been waiting forever for the leaves to finally turn. I’ve had several families over the past month that have been trying to plan around the event. Who can blame them? I love it too! It would be nice if we could pause a little longer in that window between the start of cool weather and the beginning of frosty mornings. Personally, I like to stay in the 85+ humidity weather. I freeze below 70 degrees!

It’s always interesting to see how families interact. Mom’s usually try to keep the kids focused, while Dad’s try to figure out what to do with there hands. The kids, well, they are usually themselves, unless they’re really nervous. Recently I worked with the Smith family. They had snagged a great location! I think things turned out pretty good and we all had a great time taking in the scenery. It wasn’t hard to get smiles out of this group. They had a great chemistry.

Recently, I had a session with the very nice H. Family. They really impressed me! They were up for anything and we went on a little nature hike together. I could tell that Mom and Dad were proud of their girls. They were two teenage daughters who were respectful of their parents, enjoyed the shoot, and seemed like such nice girls. Did you catch that ‘respectful’ part? That’s not the norm these days. It was a nice afternoon and I spent it with a great family.

The first thing I notice about people is their eyes. The shape, the color, the way their eye lashes curl, and the way they look back at me or search for something else. I think friendliness shows in a person’s eyes too. We say a lot in the way we look at other people.

These eyes are captivating. She get’s that blue from her daddy. Little E. was lively and curious. She loves to dance and she talked up a storm. She didn’t say a lot with her words, but her eyes were saying plenty.

TIP #1: Plan an activity 

I get asked a lot of questions about photography. So I’ve decided to start giving you some pointers!

Today’s lesson is about “what” to photograph when you’re working with children. By nature, kids are busy people. They have a seemingly endless flow of energy. If you have a little live wire, like I do, you know how hard it is to convince them to sit still and smile for the camera. The tip is…don’t do that! Let the child do something more involved. Between the just-learning-to-walk age and the not-yet-consistently-following-direct-orders age is the time when letting them explore and be more themselves will work out better for photographs. In addition, the images are much more interesting to look at and more creative.

Take them outside, give them something to touch and explore, and have your camera ready. This plan is much more enjoyable for you and for them. Hopefully, the moment will present itself when you can capture a few good closeups and happy expressions. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get your favorites in the first few minutes. Be willing to take little breaks from shooting to play along with your little one, then go back to snapping away.

These images are from a recent session. Little M. was a sweet as sugar. Mom had several activities planned for our session and this made things a lot easier. Little M. was engaged in the activities and that was the goal. 

Babies have a limited variety of talents. But the things they do, they do well. Sleep, eat, pee, poop, cry, drool, and laugh seem to top the list. I’m still working on the ’sleep’ talent myself.

This little sweetheart was full of giggles. And she was stylish too. Check out those chic polka dots! And you should hear her laugh. We were laughing at her laughing. And she was laughing at us laughing. Gigglefest 2008…

One of my favorite things to do is check my stats. I keep statistical data for my website. Apparently, I am becoming popular. *blush* Here’s the latest figures. Since April when my website went live…

…1,932 people have viewed my website.

…they’ve viewed 9,045 pages.

…most of the visitors are from the USA, but people from other countries have visited too! (Germany, Peru, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, and Qatar)

I think it’s amazing that I can even know that information. Keep passing my link to your friends and family. I’d love to hit 3,000 visitors by 2009. Thanks for believing in me!

Why do I cry at weddings? Even when I don’t really know the couple getting hitched, I cry. I pondered this question for a while and now I know why! I feel their happiness. It reminds me of my special wedding day. They give me hope that love can conquer the world after all. It’s a great feeling to witness two people in love make such a profound commitment to one another. Somehow my emotions get wrapped up in the moment and I too feel love, joy, excitement, and hope. I don’t need to be part of the family to enjoy the event. In fact, usually I’m behind the camera, trying with every breath to capture one of the most memorable days in a couples life. Oh, and I forgot to mention how FUN it is!

This couple started their wedding day with a private Bridal portrait session. Gasp! Yes, they saw each other BEFORE the wedding. I don’t believe it’s bad luck to see each other before the big event. I think the opposite. The pressure of the big moment was off and this couple enjoyed some quiet time. They were so cute admiring every detail of each other. They shared an hour together just smiling and having little conversations about the day. They were able to share the excitement and anticipation together. It was all lovely.

This image really sums up the day…

Toddlers have so much to say. This little guy was very expressive. I even think he made a few jokes, because he clearly thought some of his comments were hilarious. That’s the most wonderful conversation you can have. Talk to a toddler who is happy to tell you their every thought.

The little ones are always my favorites.

Pets can become such a huge part of our lives. I call them “fur-babies.” We all know someone who treats their pets like one of the family. They get table food, prime location napping, groomed, spoiled, and praised beyond belief. And why not? They don’t talk back, or say hurtful things to us, are good listeners, and don’t care what we look like. They give us unconditional love.  Clearly we are not the first people to think so highly of our little furry friends. After all, the title “man’s best friend” has been around a long time.

I worked with a family of four recently. These fur-babies had a great time during our session and could care less about the camera. The rest of us were just along for the ride!

I get this question a lot. Imagine a real book, like you’d by at Barnes and Nobles, except it’s all about you! Your session images fill the book. My favorite size is the 10×10″ book. It comes with a glossy image cover and hinged, lay-flat pages. Albums are customized to fit the clients images. Take a look at the following images. This is one of the 2009 Senior books.

Hard Cover Display Books can be customized for any session of images. Here’s an example of a little girls album…

You know what I love about babies? They are so honest. As we grow older, we become more guarded, more reluctant to express our true feelings because of what someone else may think. A baby has no reference to what is proper, or what is bad timing. They are always unashamedly themselves. What freedom it would be to always just be ourselves. Without apology. It sounds wonderful. Adult life can be so complicated. You’ve got to appreciate the ‘real’ things in life to really enjoy being alive.

I worked with some adorable little babies this past weekend. Even the older siblings seemed to know what I knew…that there was something special about these little ones. They are innocent and perfect.

I finally have Christmas card samples ready for you to view. It’s all in a days weeks work. These beauties can be customized with your images and family name. Notice that there is a front and back side to each. All are 5×7 cards except for one 5×5″. I suggest you order before Nov. 10 for the quickest turn-a-round time. Below are the first few cards. Visit the Christmas Card Gallery on my website to see all SEVEN!

Pricing: $45 per 24 cards

It’s nice to think of Christmas…music…family…gifts…food. Ho, ho, ho. Bring on the hot chocolate and little snow please!

This is the first official post on my new blog! It’s very exciting. Especially since I’ve spent the entire day learning how to edit and customize this little beauty. Look for major changes over the next week. We’ll go from “ok” to “wow”!