I had been waiting for this little love for 9 months. The moment my next door neighbor told me she was pregnant (again), I started planning and gathering items to use for his newborn session. His sister’s newborn session lasted a few days and we achieved about 50-60 AMAZING shots!! I had planned to do the same for this little guy. Well, he had other plans for us. Once in a great while, I will photograph a newborn who does not like to be touched, moved, or ‘bothered’ with! Usually, this does not happen with the 4 day old babies (like this little angel), but rather the 12+ day newborn. They usually sleep so soundly, even with all the moving and positioning.

The conditions were perfect….the shooting area was about 80 degrees (Mom and photog were sweating bullets), I had two backdrops set up for easy transition between sets, Mom nursed til babe’s belly was full. We tried it all! More than once. Actually, we tried over 2 days. This little angel…well, he was not putting up with any of it. The moment he was in the right position and I pulled back to get the shot…he’d go peeps! Being the perfectionist that I am….of course I had to have the finger just so, well, the moment I moved the out of place finger…the whole arm (or arms, legs or whatever it was that I was trying to “fix”) would flail. Now, please believe me when I tell you, as most of you photographers know….newborn sessions are NOT easy. Some pose more of a challenge than others, and this one was my ultimate challenge for sure. I guess the hardest thing for me was that I had GRAND plans for this little munchkin! I had dreamed up a million amazing images in my head, and I was frustrated with myself for it all. In the end…I am thrilled with the final images…as is my neighbor/friend/go to person when I am out of breadcrumbs, ravioli, taco seasoning, mac & cheese, milk, coffee, etc. Thank you for that Lauren. I do appreciate it!!!

He did however, love being outside in the 90 degree weather. Not a peep out of him the entire time. Not even when our neighbor came over to see what was going on. His exact words…”Are you photographing a doll? That is not a real baby, is it?” Zachary moves…..”Oh, my…that is a real baby!!”
Not to mention the butterflies that were all over the bushes behind him…do you think they would have stayed for the picture? Not a chance. We waited and waited for one to land on him…but they did not want to cooperate. Plus, it was HOT and we didn’t want to stay outside for too long with him! But we were all thrilled with this shot!

Thank you Zachary for being such a cutie, and allowing me to get the images that we did get. The shots that we got are perfect in my book, and we love you so much! We waited a long time for you to come, and we are so happy that you are here! Hugs and kisses my little man! PS…..we must learn to get along…as this is not the last time that we are going to do this!!! You have years of putting up with me in your future!!! xoxo

So while it may seem that I have not been busy over here, due to the lack of blog posts in the past month…it has turned out to be one crazy summer! Being my childrens’ sole source of entertainment, there has not been too much time for work… (not complaining…it has been a blast and very special to me!), but I have had time to squeeze in a few casting call sessions, amidst all the craziness! So far, it has been an amazing summer, filled with fun trips to the bowling alley, the pool, the library, the pool, friends houses, did I mention the pool? We really have spent quite a bit of time in the pool! Oh, and don’t forget the potty training! I am looking forward to my boys starting school at the end of August, allowing me much more time for more amazing sessions. Here is just a taste of what my summer has been about!

Absolutely one of the sweetest little angels I have ever photographed. Meet Baby Bridget! I just melt when I look at her beautiful soulful eyes! Just stunning!

Next is the first of my Summer Newborn Casting Call Sessions. This little munchkin is Baby Addison. We had a blast trying out some new props! She did just perfect for us…and I could have easily photographed her all day!

Next, I was honored to photograph Sweet Baby Sophia. She is the baby girl of a friend of mine, and I was just over the moon excited about this session! Sophia is just the sweetest little girl, and she has an amazing family, that I am happy to call my friends! Even with a wasp (those who know me, know that I am deathly afraid of bees and wasps) flying around us, I managed to get some beautiful shots that quickly became some of my new favorites! Thanks Mom D for taking care of the wasp, and for the most amazing chicken salad sandwich I have ever eaten! And thank you, M, for allowing me to be such a special part of Sophia’s life! Thank you for trusting in me to capture such a special time, and for all your support!

I will be back soon with another newborn session! Waiting for Baby Boy Z to be born, and I am REALLY looking forward to that session!!!!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer!!!

Drew is another baby planner, so I get to photograph this handsome little guy a lot!  Just look at those beautiful eyes! I absolutely fell in love with him (and his beautiful Mommy) at his newborn session!  I know that I will have a lot of fun photographing Drew over the year, and look forward to our 6 month session!  Big hugs to all of you!!

I have been photographing Caila since she was born!  What an honor that has been!  She is so beautiful and happy! I fall in love with her and her amazing family more and more at each session!!!  This session was no exception!  For her 1st birthday we played a bit in some Tutus and cute flower headbands…then we moved onto her cake smash.  She was a little hesitant at first, with this big cake in front of her, but it didn’t take her long before she was covered with icing! It was so much fun to watch her enjoy sticking her fingers into that beautiful cake!!  Thanks for a great year Caila!!  I hope you have had as much fun as I had!!

I hope you all had an amazing Memorial Day weekend!  Summer is officially here!

This past weekend, I had an opportunity to get together with a group of amazing photographers in North Carolina.  I have to say that it is absolutely gorgeous up there, and I am green with envy of their gorgeous locations.  Big beautiful fields of wildflowers, tall green grass (the soft kind…very different from our super thick and hard grass here in S. Florida) (oh…I am not complaining…well maybe just a little…LOL)  Anyway, it was seriously the most fun I can remember having in quite a long time.  We shot a ton of models, learned a bunch, and just had an absolute blast!  Despite the drenching rain, heat, late nights, and lack of sleep…we all managed to have a really great time! I highly recommend to my photographer followers that you go to a photography get together once in a while!  It really helps in keeping your creative juices flowing and it is super fun to get out and shoot just for fun with a bunch of crazy girls who share your passion!!

My family came with me for the trip!  We have extended family near Charlotte, so it was great to spend some time with them as well!!  While I was away at my little retreat, my boys went tubing for the first time.  I do wish I would have seen that!!! They also went to a drive through zoo, which my husband managed to photograph with his cell phone….I will try to get that picture for you.  There was a huge bull who came to the window to be fed.  Huge horns and all!  I think my boys were a bit scared of that thing though! When I came back from my get together, I took JT to see the NASCAR race for the pole at the Charlotte Motor Speedway!  We sat right in front, so JT got the full effect of the super loud roar of the engines as they flew by us!!   There is seriously nothing better than seeing that huge smile on his face as his favorite drivers drove by us!!!

Well, here are some of the images of the models from my get together.  It was super funny to be on the street, feeling and looking very much like the paparazzi!!  Enjoy!

Once again, I am a terrible Blogger!!!  I have had a super busy few weeks….I’ll get into why in another post…but for now, here are my big boy’s 3 year birthday pictures! Enjoy!

I am thrilled to introduce baby Andrew!! I must say that this beautiful baby was one of the calmest, most content newborns I have ever photographed. (or seen for that matter!) He was a complete joy, and I had such a great time trying out some new stuff with him! Thank you, baby boy, for being such an incredible little angel for me!!! Julie…you are a beautiful and very lucky Mommy!!! Thank you again for the opportunity to capture your little love!!! I look forward to watching him grow!!!

I wanted to share my boys’ Valentine’s Day card. It is always so difficult to shoot my own children, as most photographers know!! This day was no less stressful than usual, but I was very happy with the outcome! Here are my special little valentines!

Another beautiful beach session!  I LOVE beach sessions!  It was a bit hot for December, but we made the best of it for sure!  You’ve got to love Naples, Florida sunsets!!!

And some of their adorable baby girl…

Well, you have seen him before, and he is back…as silly as ever!!!  My buddy Ethan was getting his Christmas pictures done and we had some fun!  Always a little clown…thanks for making me laugh Ethan!!!  Hugs!