Six Months Old

I got to hang out with Hadley Mae a couple weeks ago, for her six month shoot. Because of some rescheduling due to these dang winter illnesses, it was more like her seven month shoot. She is such a sweet little spitfire. I think she would've appreciated not seeing my camera at all, but she did warm up to me once I started shaking her awesome little dumbbell rattle around.

Her pictures were done in her home, the light was perfect- even had some sun poke through briefly. It was also fun to see some of my pictures on their walls (maternity, birth & newborn images). I always love seeing how clients display their photographs!

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January. 31 Photos. Week Two.

I've made it through fourteen days of photos this month. Slightly proud of that accomplishment, only 17 more days to go, & I'll have completed my goal (I'm attempting 365 with the iPhone)! The last five-ish days have been spent sick, but I still took pictures. The kids have definitely had it worse than me & have kindly rotated days ;). So here's hoping for a healthy week ahead & our last seven days, in photos: 8. Day Eight. Silly new expressions + new wagon.

9. Day Nine. The introduction of solids.

10. Day Ten. The calm before the (puking) storm.

11. Day Eleven. At attempt at getting on the other side of the camera.

12. Day Twelve. Hanging at auntie's house.

13. Day Thirteen. Garage sale score.

14. Day Fourteen. Nine months old.

Now head over to see what Carrie's week look liked in Las Vegas.

Happy Alaska Day

Today is Alaska day. Some have the day off work. I imagine Ry's learning about it in school. The weather looks like a stereotypical Alaskan day- the sun is shining, frost greeted us early in the morning & snow blankets the mountaintops. Now if the bears would just go to sleep. At home, we're looking at a very old book that's probably very politically incorrect. At least the map is fairly accurate. Happy Alaska day!

The (Almost) Final Product

It's been a long process, but I finally have all my packaging materials as I want them. I think I've been through about four or so logos since I started my business, not exactly the most professional thing. Now I understand why photographer's recommend having your marketing in place before opening the doors, so to speak. In the end, I designed my logo myself. I am so satisfied with how it turned out. I wanted something that looked clean & simple, yet professional.  Putting that logo into place with the business cards, discs & final packaging wasn't necessarily hard, but it was time consuming, mostly because I wasn't sure exactly how to turn my vision into a reality. Then it all came together. I ordered the business cards & stickers through my photo printer. The eco-friendly disc sleeves came from another source. I then put those stickers on the sleeves. The discs & 'permission to print' cards came from yet another source. I then realized I had the perfect whole punch to finalize the package & tied the business card around with some very thin jute. When I put these packages together, I have to admit I get excited. It's just such a pretty little piece, holding your photo treasures inside. But the most important part is opening up that (almost) final product & getting your images on your walls!

introducing

'May you touch dragonflies & stars, dance with the fairies & talk to the moon.May you grow up with love & gracious hearts & people who care. Welcome to the world little one, it's been waiting for you!' -Anonymous

Our sweet baby girl gets to be my sweet baby model. In all honesty, it was a bit of a challenge to do a newborn shoot of my own newborn for no other reason except motivation. When I sit on the couch holding her, I have all these ideas for her pictures floating through my head, but actually getting up & following through with the ideas? That motivation, yep, it wasn't quite there...until a few days ago. I took some pictures here & there in our first week together (they can be seen here) & then my energy suddenly reappeared & with it came the motivation I was lacking. I'm so glad it returned because I am absolutely in love with the photos I got. Perhaps it's partially because she's my own, but I know part of it is because I finally did something I've been thinking about for months- I had a lifestyle newborn shoot. I've felt like this was the path I needed to follow for my newborn photography & have been a little anxious to try it out with Ella. While I think some posing is sweet, the extensive props & posing is just not a good fit for me. I love capturing the reality of our newborn- her bright eyes checking out the world so intensely, the love her brothers have for her, the tiny little details that are already changing. Everything seems to pass so quickly, but thankfully these pictures will help us remember the early days of EllaGrace, who we named after our paternal Grandma's (in one of the photos below).