I did my nephew’s yearly fall session this morning, and it was a ton of fun!  There’s something about photographing a little one that you are close to, but isn’t your own…that makes it a whole lot easier :)  We went exploring, trying to find little pockets of light and interesting rocks.  Drew is a very special little boy, for a list of reasons that I could not even begin to write down.  Here’s a sneak peek for his daddy - who happens to be the best single Dad you will EVER meet (and really one of the best dads you will ever meet, period).  They are both an inspiration to me every day, and I’m so glad I could capture some images of this handsome lil man.

Hugs to you both.  Enjoy the peek!

quick post today - now that this lil guy’s gallery is finally complete, i can share this storyboard i designed for his parents as a surprise :)  a storyboard is a compilation of anywhere from 2-8 images that tell a story of your session.  storyboards come as 10×20, 10×30,or 20×30 and are mounted to prevent bending.  they have become really popular for lil one’s bedrooms - i love designing these and making each one unique!

This little girl stole my heart (only for the session, no worries to Charlotte) :)  Her parents made a long drive to see me early Saturday morning -and little M was so laid back and sweet.  She just celebrated her 1st birthday, and I think we captured this milestone very well

J & L- It was so nice to finally hang out with you!  I hope you enjoyed your day in Bloomington!  Enjoy this little peak

 I just love this one of her & her daddy…just think J, someday you’ll look at this picture on her wedding day, and wonder where the time went.  i bet even then, as she stands before you as a bride and not a little girl, that you’ll still remember how her neck smelled that day.  some things you never forget :) 

I love getting to photograph family members of previous clients.  This lil guy is the cousin of the cutie in the last post.  Their mommas are sisters, and are both some of the nicest people I’ve met!  It was fun to shoot these 2 back to back

Is he not the CUTEST!?  Those cheeks, those lips, those eyebrows…oh I could just eat him up!

for fun I thought I’d include an outtake…I always have fun outtakes from kid sessions, esp this age.  This one was just too funny to not post!  I love how mom’s shirt is covered in grass from wrestling him while Dad’s hands are quickly trying to get C’s pants back on…all while C is less than amused! That’s lifestyle photography for ya, LOL!

Thanks C’s mom & dad for helping me create some precious images for you!  Enjoy the peek!

Stacey - I was telling your sister this morning at HER session that I am thisclose to being doing with your gallery…just a few more hrs and we should be there!  Hopefully tomorrow morning I’ll have everything online for ya!  To tide you over another 24 hrs…here’s a quick peek at my favorite image from the entire session!  LOVE!  I’ve already told my husband it’s going to be my first mother-child canvas sample!  I’m ordering a bunch of canvases today for samples and this one is definitely on the list!  Yippee! 

Thanks for your your patience!

I just love early morning sessions.  Little ones are in such great moods in the morning, the lighting is perfecct, the temp outside is comfortable, and usually no humidity :)  I met up with this lil guy before I even had breakfast this morning.  His momma enrolled him in The First Year package, so I get to see him lots - lucky me! 

The last time I saw little G he was a smiling 4 month old, working on pushing up from his belly.  Now he’s an adorable 8 month old, already pulling to stand!  The kid is amazing!  Mom probably got sick of me telling her “He’s really too young to be able to do that!”  “Wow, look at him pull up!”  :)  I love it when kids surprise me.  I’m already excited for his 1 year session this winter!  Enjoy the sneak peek, S!

I love picking stuff out to use for “my” babies…I saw this at Hobby Lobby 2 months ago and immediately thought of little G.  It was perfect for him!

can you see why i just wanted to take him home with me?  he is just cuteness overload!

i’ve got a crazy busy weekend, so the blog will be quiet until monday.   enjoy the weekend, everyone!  xo

This sneak peek is a bit bigger than usual, because this family is extra special to me.  They are also a “heart family”.  Our boys were born just days apart, and both went to heaven a few days apart.  We spent many long hours in the Children’s Hospital together, and have shed many, many tears together.  Three and a half years later, we are still friends and I treasure them!  They have been blessed with another son, and he turned 1 recently.  I felt honored to capture him with his amazing family.

R & T - Thank you for trusting your memories with me.  xo

The first time I saw these baby blues, I gasped!  They really are the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen!

I got chills when I saw these of him with his momma.  There is nothing sweeter than the smell of your baby’s hair. 

C is such a great older brother!

He took his first steps just a few days before our session, so of course he had to show off :) 

Much love!

It seems like I’ve had a lot of singletons lately (and a lot of newbies) so it was a nice change to photograph these 2 brothers.   They were best buds and were both SOO cute!  They showed me around their awesome fort/playhouse that their grandpa made - I would have LOVED something like that when I was their age.  I had a blast at their session, and even got on the trampoline (yes I was holding my camera, but I wasn’t jumping, no worries) :)  Enjoy this little sneak peek Jill - I should have the rest to you in a week or 2!

I told you they were CUTE!  This little man was so friendly and told me all sorts of interesting stories :) 

I kept telling T that he could be a model  - the kid was a natural!  He didn’t need any direction - he just did his thang

Thanks for a fun session - and for the artwork for my fridge :) 

I’ve been a bit buried under a pile of sessions waiting to be proofed…and decided to come up for air & post some favorites from my most recent maternity session.  I just loved all of these family shots - I wish I had some like these of my family…just the 3 of us, playing, interacting,  going about our daily lives.   I kind of wish I had some paparazzi to follow us around - sometimes :)  Anyway, here’s some faves of mine…I’m thinking I’m going to make a storyboard sample with these…the light was just so yummy that day, and I love the emotion in the images.

I plan on keeping the blog hoppin’, so keep checking back!

This lil man reminded me so much of my own lil girl…petite and just adorable!  We became fast friends, and by the end of our session, he was crawling onto my lap :)  I could have stayed & played with him all day.  Here’s a peek for mom & dad…

my favorite image of the session so far:

I’ve been in a black&white mood lately.  Have been trying to tweak and find my own personal b/w conversion for some time now, and I think I’ve *finally* settled on one :)  It’s such a challenge to find the perfect balance between contrast, softness, yet clarity and depth.  I don’t think digital will ever be able to produce the tonal range that film does when it comes to b/w, but I am trying my best to get close

I’ve got lots more, E!  I can’t wait to unveil your full gallery in a few weeks.