Many photographers affectionately refer to themselves as “lifestyle” photographers. It wasn’t until recently that I really started exploring what a lifestyle photographer truly is. It’s not simply a family or child photographer as I used to think. It’s a photographer that comes into your home or invites a family on-location and captures the family as is. Now, that’s not to say that the families can’t spend extra time coordinating their outfits or putting on makeup, but it’s less posing (notice I did not say NO posing) and more natural. More snuggles, more laughs, more relaxing together on your favorite couch or spot in your home, dancing together, and just doing the goofy things that connect loved ones.  I spoke about wanting that to come across in my photos, and I think this one honed in on that. The R Family wanted to keep the shoot as easy as possible. That’s not normally a “thing” with newborn shoots. This one lasted as long as a typical family shoot and we didn’t use a ton of props.  We didn’t wait for their youngest beauty to sleep. We went with shots whether she was sleep or awake, and I have to say I loved the outcome. Such a beautiful and easy-going party of FOUR now!

Gorgeous Girls!

Thanks for looking! Peace & Love.

All week my students have been reminding me that we are in the final days of “Summer 16”. It was a busy one, and it zooooooomed by – as all summers do when you’re a teacher! Before it is long gone, I want to make sure that a few of my summer shoots make it to my little corner of the web. First up is Nicole, Richard, and their amazingly awesome and beautiful baby boy, Cruz. I’ve been waiting on Nicole to book a family shoot since she announced her pregnancy. Hehe! I’m not joking about this! I just knew she’d come with some type of cool coordination, and I knew they’d be naturals in front of the camera. I gave them a little direction, but all in all…I simply captured their family interacting with one another. I don’t think the things that they did and said were much different than what I’d catch on their snapchat feed, and I have to say I LOVE shoots like that! I literally teared up during the shoot when Cruz got sleepy and Richard starting singing the sweetest song to him while Nicole tried rocking him. When I think of photographers that I want to someday photograph my own family…I LOVE photographers that capture natural smiles in natural light with genuine laughs/smiles, and sweet snuggles. If that’s the type of photography sessions you’re into – I might be the photographer for you, and I think you’ll enjoy this shoot because that’s the essence of this one! 😉

 

I had the pleasure of meeting The H Family and shooting their newborn session a couple of weeks ago. They were such a pleasure to work with from start to finish, and it helps that they look AH-MAZING on camera.  Their baby girl was a dream in all of her newness. She slept throughout most of her session, and actually cried a bit when we took her OFF of the bean bag because we’d finished. That NEVER happens! Here are a few of my favorites from their session. They’re a party of FOUR now! 😉 LOOOOOVE it when grandparents are around for “picture day”! The sweetest details.

Thanks for looking!

I WILL BE BLOGGING THIS YEAR. Seriously. I’ve decided that it’s something that needs to be a priority. I find myself looking through photo blogs pretty often in my spare time, and I ALWAYS check out the blog when I know the family in the post. I want my clients to be able to share their blogged sessions with their loved ones.

With that being said…

I’m excited to show off Baby Reich! It’s always pretty amazing getting to see my co-workers in another element. This shoot did NOT feel like work. I felt like I was just catching up with a friend, aaaand I just so happened to snap pictures of her adorable baby. Needless to say, Amanda had the perfect playlist (I wouldn’t expect anything less from a music teacher! Hehe) and Baby Reich slept great for her shoot! Dream baby! I must say that Amanda and Bob are naturals with parenting. It was hard to tell that Baby Reich is their first! She’s one fortunate little baby girl because it’s already so apparent that she’s got awesome parents!

I couldn’t leave without having grandma & grandpa get in a couple of shots with their new granddaughter. She is so loved! 🙂

 

There are many things that I love more than repeat clients, especially when they’re old friends! Laura and Jeremy are cool, but the excitement stems from knowing I’ll be working with their little Cady…sorry guys! Lol! We’ve done a birth, a newborn, and now a family/8 month old shoot together. It’s been great watching little Cady grow and also watchingLaura improve with her own pictures. If it’s one thing I know about Laura, it’s that she’s ambitious so it’s only a matter of time before she’s an amazing mom-tog. 😉  I love that Laura is just as into keeping these memories in the form of pictures as I am. I’m actually trying to persuade her to start “memory keeping” via Project Life now. LOL! I don’t want to go on a tangent so that’ll have to be in another post. Enjoy The Polack’s most recent shoot.

I think Cady was going with the serious look here. Lol!

You’d probably give the same expression if you saw the ridiculousness that myself and parents reduce to in an effort to get those smiles from time to time. LOL!

FAVE.

I think the hat was for laughs, but I ended up thinking it was soooo adorable.

I’m not quite sure that she agreed with the whole hat thing. Lol!

So adorable!

Thanks for looking!