under umbrellas

 On a rare occasion I have to reschedule a shoot based on bad weather. It is always a bummer, but we work it out and generally make it up in the next week. Last week I had plans to meet up with this beautiful 16 year old and a group of her friends to celebrate her 16th birthday. I was really excited about the shoot because of what a fun group of girls they are, but it was raining and because it was apart we couldn't reschedule. It had been a very rainy few days and we went back and forth about what would be the best plan. At the last minute I told the girls to grab their umbrellas and we would make it work....I'm so glad we did!

 They are a gorgeous group (can you believe they are only 16?) and they had a great time working the umbrellas. We even got a few breaks from the rain and managed a few shots without the umbrellas. The night went on with a fun dinner at Benihana and cake and surprise cars back at home! so fun.

Happy 16th!

I am working my hardest to not be jealous of Alison and MP as they set out on this adventure. I am beyond excited and maybe just a little jealous as they board their cruise ship tomorrow and cruise through the Mediterranean. I think in their absence and in order to keep my sanity I will work my way through our family cruise pictures from this past February. This is a photo from our day in Jamaica. We cruised the Carnival Magic.

newborn info (little rock, arkansas newborn photographer)

When I am approached about newborn photos, a job I adore, I have a few things that I let my clients know. We usually have talked before the birth and have a few days picked out that might work. I like to shoot a newborn in the first two weeks, ten days if possible. Then we plan for me to be in the clients home or shoot in my home and we talk about ideas for the shoot. I show up for the shoot, which is generally 2-4 hours with brakes for soothing and feeding, with some props, a heater, and plenty of baby wipes. I have the client collect props they want used and maybe some baskets and blankets to have on hand.

Usually by shooting in these first few days of life we are working with a sleepy newborn who is still all cuddled up and easily tucked into different poses.

In a rare treat we might get a few open eye shots, but these are much more likely on the second shoot which I call smiles, sometime between 2-4 months. I do offer a newborn package which is 3 sessions in the first year for $200 in sitting fees (a $100 discount).

happy monday!

MP

On this rainy day we are doing a lot of nothing and a little bit of catching up. In looking through some photos I am working on I came across these beautiful images of my niece, MP. We took these photos a few weeks ago on a rainy day a lot like this one. MP is thirteen and tomorrow she and her mama are heading off on an amazing adventure. They are doing a girl trip to celebrate MP's thirteenth birthday, a 12 day cruise leaving from Barcelona and sailing through the Mediterranean. I am beyond excited for them and have been brought to tears over the anticipation. They are sure to share laughter and tears and I can't even image the memories that will be made and shared for a lifetime. 

As I open my windows and smell the rain today I am envisioning these ladies I love smelling the sweet salt water in just a few days. Here is wishing them a good journey, Bon Voyage. 

smiles (arkansas children's photographer)

 Last year I was beyond excited when one of my oldest friends told me that she was pregnant for the first time.  We grew up together and I was overjoyed when she married a guy I love, and now the news that they were having a baby filled my heart.  The road to becoming a mother had been a long one for my friend, so we were celebrating all the more this exciting time in her life

Her pregnancy progressed well.  She looked beautiful and she rocked heels the whole time she was pregnant!   

 When it was time for her to have her baby, all went smoothly with her delivery, but on day two of her little boy's life, some complications landed this sweet new family in the NICU.  For a few days, things were very scary.

Soon later, he was fine and my friend and her husband got to go home with their beautiful baby boy.  I took his newborn photos last winter and so I was amazed to see how he's grown when I took his pictures again this summer.

He is sitting up and laughing and still working that beautiful brown hair.