The { M } Family’s Portraits

Getting a big group together for family photos, makes for the most special images.  It is always difficult to combine schedules and choose a location, but when you make it happen the result is a group of photos that can be treasured as a family timepiece.

We just recently photographed new baby Ryan as he came into this world to the most loving family; now we have had the opportunity to gather together with not only his mom, dad, brother and sister, but also is grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle and cousin.  Everyone was in high spirits as they arrived for the session - laughing and joking and preparing to join together as a group.  It could not be more obvious that we were only days from the Christmas holiday!

Last year, we brought my family together for an afternoon of group photos similar to these and I cannot explain how much I treasure the photo that hangs on my wall from that session.  It is everyone I love standing side-by-side; something to remind me of the special times we share and all the memories we have built together. <3

Welcome, New Baby Ryan!

Tomorrow is a day of Thanksgiving - a day to count our blessings, and nothing can quite get you in the mood for that as well as a newborn baby. Tiny toes, tiny fingers and a sweet little sleeping smile... there is just nothing like it. :)  Baby Ryan was a little older for his session than most of our newborns, but because he was an early arrival, it was just like photographing a week old baby. He was flexible, tiny and spent his entire session in a deep slumber.

 It is amazing to me how much he already looks like mom and dad; he spared no time in telling everyone that he is a part of the family.  Baby Ryan is lucky enough to come into this world with a brother and sister so excited to have him.  He arrived just in time to celebrate all the holidays with them and to be passed around the family so everyone can soak up the warmth and remember when their babies were that small.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and congratulations to the {L} Family!

The { T } Family’s Fall Portraits

There is something so wonderful about outdoor family sessions in the fall.  It is as though the day becomes less about standing and smiling, and more about playing in the leaves and exploring a new place with little ones.  Evan and Jocelyn were just as sweet as could be for their session.  Evan was all energy, wanting to decide exactly where we were going and taking us there himself.  Jocelyn was sweet and cuddly and tough - we couldn’t believe how well she did with the chilly weather.  We created a collection of family photos as well as mommy and me and daddy and me photos and a few of the kiddos by themselves.  Near the end Evan was running out of steam and was ready to be held and warmed up by daddy and baby girl was falling asleep in mommy’s arms.  It was great getting to see this family again and getting to know the cute little tots who made them a family!

{ Jennifer + Eric = Engaged! }

Jennifer and Eric have a story a little different than most of our couples.  They have actually been married for a few years already, but missed out on the opportunity to have the kind of wedding we, as little girls, dream of.  Now, with their beautiful family they will get the chance to celebrate and renew their vows with all the glamour of the perfect wedding.  Jennifer and Eric met through a friend years ago, and they connected when he came to the rescue as she was having emergency surgery.  This is just the kind of guy Eric is - someone you could depend on to be there when you need him, to be the strong and unwavering one.  Jennifer is the kind of person who puts everyone before herself, she is empathetic, strong-willed and stands up for everyone at that exact moment they need it.  Together they have Jocelyn, Mariah and Kyle who it was our pleasure to include in the engagement photos.  It was important to us to have some photos of just Jennifer and Eric together to reclaim some of that intimacy you have to sacrifice to be mom and dad, but it was also important to include the family, as they have become another chapter in their love story.  Congratulations, Jennifer and Eric; we look forward to your wedding next July!

Thanks to Bay Beach Amusement Park and Wildlife Sanctuary  www.baybeachwildlife.com

Axle is Growing Up!

It's always so exciting to have little ones back who we have known since newborn photos.  Axle is one of those kiddos; he is such a blast and has so much personality.  Posing for photos was not his main goal last week, instead he wanted to spend the session helping us set up and take down equipment.  With all that enthusiasm, he would make a great mini intern.  ;)  He did an awesome job for us, especially at an age that is usually the hardest for boys!  It is amazing to me how grown up he seems; he is so smart and expresses himself so well that I'm sure people always mistake him for older than he is.  It was a joy seeing him and his beautiful family again!