Seven-day-old "J" made posing a newborn...

...look like a piece of cake! Every NON-newborn session I go to, my client always says, "Gosh, I love those poses you get the babies in! It must be so easy since they are so sleepy and mushy!" Um, no. ;-) There is always a lot of shushing going on in the attempt to keep them in the deep REM sleep they are in... And the balancing alone- being able to feel the balance of their heads, tweeking here and there as necessary, is REALLY tough. Then you have to think about the whole photo- is this going to look natural or awkward and uncomfortable? So again, tweek as necessary. I am always sore the next day after a newborn session! With J, there wasn't much tweeking! He just really went in to everything. There were a couple poses that took about 5 minutes, but the session was so good that when I was done capturing what I wanted to, I said, "Now what can we do with him??!!" K, thanks for letting me come and play! ;-) I had a ton of fun.

This is the one that took about 5 minutes...Worth it!!!


Decided I am tired of rings on toes...


Sometimes you catch a little look while they are sleeping- this was an almost smile...lol


Loving doing this pose...


Nothing like hanging a baby in a hammock to end the session...


What can I say, I love this blanket, and use it all the time!!!

If anyone wants to see...

...what the smartest, almost one-year-old looks like, here she is. T was a gem, the whole session, and basically repeats everything you say!! Smart, smart girl... Of course, she is beautiful, with full, pouty lips too. Beauty AND brains!! Funny that she HATED sitting in the grass, and gave me a run for my money. But nothing that a basket to sit in, a blanket to sit on, and daddy's arms to remain in couldn't fix! G, it has been a long time coming, and I am loving these captures.





LOVING her kicks!!!

Are these not the most gorgeous...

...kids you have ever seen?! Had an amazing time photographing them in their own home- and they had a great time when their mom told them it was okay to jump on her bed!!! They took full advantage of that moment! It was the first time I had ever photographed a family in their own environment, and I loved every minute of it. No backdrops, no props, just kids- being themselves. A, thank you for letting me into your beautiful home, for letting me play with the kids... I can't wait to be on-call for that first snowfall and get them running and playing together!







love these kids!




I can only imagine this face in about 15 years...a true heartbreaker!!!

I just want to take a minute...

...and say thank you to everyone for loving my work... (And no thanks for keeping me up until 3am almost every nite for the last 5 months editing!! YES, I am currently in the process of hiring an editor... He is PHENOMENAL, cannot wait to start working with him...). Anyway, you guys have been wonderful. Thank you to all of my "old" clients for coming back...and to my new clients, well, thank you for waiting for an appointment. I am always going the extra mile to make sure that you love the photos that I get to you- hoping you see them and say, "This was definitely worth the wait!" And to the potential clients that have wanted something and I have been unable to give you an appointment- I do hope you think of me in the future...

That's it- just a big thank you. :-)

"As soon as I can see through the tears...

...I'll write back." That is what Jess wrote in the responding email to the teasers that I sent her. I literally just got this email back 5 minutes ago, and just had to blog about it right away. I mean, I cannot explain that feeling I got when I got that email back. To know I brought someone to tears because of the photos of their child is, well, heart-warming. Jess, I am floored. You have been my most excited client, I swear- our emails back and forth the last 2 months have been nothing short of a riot. I was all set for that hour and a half trip into Jersey at day 6. We were both heartbroken when Jess had to spend more than a week in the hospital!!! In the end, Jess and her husband ended up making the trip to ME! So why am I so floored about that email? Because it was a tough session- Baby E was 3 weeks old; I really try never to photograph that age, for fear that the session won't turn out the way the moms want them to and expect them to. I always explain, "Everything you see on the website of the newborns are really less than 10 days old." So to be able to capture something that brought her to tears make me feel humbled. I didn't tuck E's toes under her chin or hang her out of a basket or any of my other poses that I usually do, and even so, Jess cried over what I gave her so far, and that is good enough for me.

The shot that may have done it- this was Jess's bear given to her when JESS was born, 30 years ago...


Going in her bedroom






E's fish mouth


Yup, we have ourselves some Steeler's fans!

Ah, let's celebrate...

...another 1st birthday. What a great age! That 12 month stage- the curiosity, the smiles, the laughter, and okay, sometime the tears always make for great photos. I love capturing the 1st birthday- with or without a cake smash! A was such a good boy. I fell in love with his brown curls and BIG brown eyes, and I am pretty sure I am not going to be the only one! C, it was great finally photographing you guys... between the rain and the fear of the ocean, we really went through it all!

Who's keeping up with...

...the entries? Like I said, I wanted to blog more! I won't be repetitive and keep saying this session was great and I enjoyed it... Let's just assume it!! Fell in love photographing another family, truly wonderful people. I sometimes get nervous at family sessions, especially when there are more more than mom, dad, and child!! I always hope I get the right shot for them, I hope they love them... I happened to get to get not only ONE photo, but a few really great ones that I would want blown up on canvas in my home. D, thanks for letting me capture your family, and I will see you again soon!

this is my favorite family shot ever (I think it is on the website too). You don't even see their faces, but speaks volumes...


sweet baby sister...

Happy Father's Day...

...to all the fathers, and especially to my husband, who is kick-butt as a dad. Sometimes I have to stop myself and realize that I married the best man ever! He great to our two girls, who just ADORE him. He has his "things" with them, that I know nothing about, and admit, I am a little jealous about! Besides all the fatherly stuff, he is incredibly supportive to me while my business takes off. Every time I have a shoot, he is home alone with the girls. It is amazing that every time I come home from a session, the house is immaculate, something is cooked (or about to be cooked), and the girls have had their naps and are happy as clams. I could not, NOT, ask for a better man for our family. He is my rock. Here he is below, earlier today, throwing our 14 month old around. Thank you, G, for being, well, you.

There is nothing more beautiful...

...than a breastfeeding mom. Oh wait, yes there is, a breastfeeding mom to twins. I am thankful to J for allowing me to post these on my blog. You are truly a wonderful mom- it comes so naturally to you. I am INCREDIBLY honored that I was able to capture this moment. I look at these pictures and I get teary-eyed. As a breastfeeding mom to a 14 month old, some days I am just dying to stop- but watching and photographing you feeding your boys, now I am in no rush. This was my first time shooting twins- they made it seem EASY! C and J are such good boys- 6 months old and the CUTEST ever, with sparkling blue (or green, depending on the shirt) eyes. Can you believe they are fraternal??!! Thanks again J, can't wait to see you guys in November for their first birthdays and our holiday session. Thank you again.

And who ever said that boys...

...aren't fun to photograph?! S was a riot, and we had a ball. And you know what? Where girls are cute and all in pettiskirts and bows (I have 2 girls, I know), I love getting down and dirty (literally) with boys. We played in the dirt, on a bull dozer, with cars and trucks, on the beach, in the field... It was non stop fun- and tiring (my legs are a little sore today!) Thanks, C, for a great couple hours. I wish it hadn't ended!!

this was our last stop, and his first smile- had I known it was a bulldozer that was going to make him laugh, this is where we would've started!






i L-O-V-E this photo!

Holiday Session Information!!!

Wait...isn't it June??!!

I know, but since October has completely filled already, I had to think about the holidays. So here is the deal- I am booking for holiday sessions from November 1st to December 1st. (Unless, of course, you are already booked in November for a session- J, I am waiting for those twins!!) Being done by December 1st will assure that you get your pictures in time for the holiday season- get your cards out, etc etc.

I have holiday package info coming soon as well (be on the look out). Ideas for sessions are still being brainstormed, but think super fun, different sessions coming your way (can anyone dress into their cutest Holiday pajamas and say PILLOW FIGHT??!!) LOL, just a thought! I refuse to do anything traditional or cheesy, that's just me. If you have had a session with me, you know I am a little crazy, and if you haven't had a session yet, well, get ready! Why not start with a with the holidays?!

Here is the bad news... I will not be booking at all from December 15th to January 15th (I may be making exceptions for newborns, as they have minds of their own and I cannot tell them to show up when I am taking time off). It is our first holiday season in our new home, not to mention I have not seen my brother or my sister in almost a year now... I'd like to celebrate this holiday, and make it extra special for my two girls.

Thanks for understanding this much needed break to unwind and recharge my battery. I came out of the gates full force with this business, and it hasn't stopped since, so I am really excited to relax, eat a LOT of food, hang with my two growing girls, and try to see my sister and her seven kids (yes, SEVEN!!! I am a follower on her blog, check her out!) and my brother and his 3 boys... Oh yeah, and my mom and dad, who in the midst of all this, up and sold the home I grew up in and moved to South Carolina this week!

Thanks for reading and keeping up with the blog.

Ever just meet someone and...

...click with them, right away? J and P, what can I say- you guys are amazing people, and I had such a great time. I do, however, feel a little used, being passed around your group of friends like some, well, whatever. :-D You know what I love about photographing so many people in the same circle of friends- the fact that I have to bring something different to the table. I am constantly coming up with different ideas, different props, different ways of posing, because let's face it, it is great to be different. So again, another amazing newborn. Baby boy J was great, and although we didnt think he had it in him, he pretty much slept the whole time. He had eyelashes that made me hate him!!! Thanks again guys, for letting me in to your home. Again, a great time had by all.

those lashes I was telling you about!


daddy's little skateboarder!


thanks J, for a different looking hat!




my.....favorite.....shot

I have decided I am going...

..to blog a lot more. There are so many sessions that I still haven't blogged about, sessions near and dear to me, babies that were born premature, children that have made me laugh, whose sessions I look back on with a smile. So I will try to catch up with the old and continue on with the new... Baby boy L was the cutest, sweetest boy with an amazing head full of hair! He was the second newborn that I have done in my home- basically because all my moms had their babies at the same time (naturally), so I feel like I am working around the clock trying to get all my sessions in. To L's mom and dad, I truly enjoyed hanging with you both, and thank you for a great session. He thought he was going to win by staying awake- but doesn't he know I am a Virgo, and a perfectionist, and I just won't give up? ;-) Thanks L, for letting me win.

this pose never seizes to shock me- newborns and their flexibility!


I love first putting them on their belly, and they kind of just fall into a cute pose...


something new, a twist on the thinking pose...