smiles | columbus, ohio newborn baby photographer

This summer I had a lot of people sign up for my newborn package.  The package is so much fun.  I love getting to see the babies grow and I love getting to know the families.  Its kind of sad when the year is up.  I miss seeing everyone!!

Since I'm so behind on the blog updates, I thought it would be fun to see how the td photo babies are growing.  This little guy is all about the smiles.  Its funny because when I think back to our sessions, I smile.  His parents are just so sweet.  I can always tell when I'm getting attached to a family because I talk too much.  I suppose I always talk too much but, I talk about myself too much.  I always walk away from the sessions thinking that they're totally regretting hiring me.  They probably just want me to shut up and take more pictures.  I swear I could wrap sessions with this kid in five minutes.  He just smiles and smiles.  He obviously likes his parents as much as I do!

Fair warning, this is a picture heavy post.  He's cute, though.  Its worth it.

rich | dublin, ohio family portrait photographer

I'm a big Jay Z fan.  I'm sure you've heard that he and Beyonce just had a baby girl.  I cried when I first heard the song he wrote for her.  Is that really a surprise?  I cry when I read emails.  Sheesh.  There's a part of the song where he mentions that his daughter is magic.  Love.it.  

So I started thinking about how that baby is for sure not going to want for anything.  What would you even get her as a present?  I started thinking about it and came to the realization that the only thing that would really matter is something money can't buy.  I think a lot of times we measure happiness by things.  Big houses, expensive cars, nice clothes and lots of toys become goals and benchmarks.  Its not really about that is it?  Our best memories are usually moments.  Not the expensive pair of shoes.  Its the feeling.  Love.  Faith.  

I've known this family before they were a family.  They now have three under three.  I know, holy guacamole.  The thing is, you don't really feel flustered or nervous in their presence.  I, for sure, would be giving off some crazy mommy vibes.  Instead you feel this peace.  I'm sure they have their moments.  We all do but, the underlying tone is love and faith.  They're rich in love and faith.  Money can't buy it.   

time | powell, ohio senior photographer

2011 was a great year for me.  I really can't complain.  Both professionally and personally, it was a stellar year.  Professionally, I did have a few bumps in the road.  I suppose everyone does.  Thankfully I have some awesome clients that seem to know just when to email me.  I mean, seriously.  These emails bring tears to my eyes.  Ok.  I'll admit it.  More than tears.  I've cried while reading some.  I've had to get up and get a tissue.  I'm telling you, my clients just seem to know when I need to hear some words of encouragement.

The week after Christmas, I thought about one email in particular.  It was from a mother of a senior I'd taken portraits of a couple of months ago.  Her words were so heartfelt.  One part really stuck with me, though.  She wrote about capturing the expressions her son has had since he was little.  She told me to enjoy this Christmas because before I knew it, I was going to be taking senior pictures of my little ones.  

My first thought was...ummm...I'm crying while reading an email.  Like I'm really going to be able to hold it together enough to take senior pictures of my kids!  After I wiped away the tears, I was/am ecstatic that I was able to create a moment for them.  When she pulls the pics out for her grandchildren, she's going to remember the moment.  She's going to remember those expressions.  She's going to see them in her grandchildren.

Time flies so fast.  I can't grab the moments fast enough.

So these pics aren't of that momma's senior.  I didn't want to embarass him.  We all know how easily we moms embarass our kids.  

These are of the only senior girl I took photos of this year.  She was beyond sweet.  I just wanted to hug her and ask her to teach my little girl how to be a teenager when the time comes.  I remember most her making quiet responses to something her mother said...maybe something her mother said incorrectly...maybe.  She'd make a quiet response then give me the sweetest smile indicating that mom's aren't always right.  We're not always right, but we're always there.  The demeanor between these two told me she totally knew it, too.  Mom would always be there.

 

no chasing | powell, ohio senior photographer

When I got the email asking if I did senior portraits, I was a little hesitant.  I'm totally a person that likes it in their comfort zone. I know that a good kick in the pants is always worth it, though.  I decided to go for it.  At least I wouldn't have to chase the kids down like most of my shoots.  

I've done a total of three senior sessions this year and they all went just like this one.  I talked to much in the beginning.  The teenagers probably thought I was nuts.  Each and every session, I can think of the time when I got them to break and relax.  It usually involved a look and grin that something mom was saying was totally wrong.  Most likely when the conversation involved the opposite sex or a sibling.  After a bit, I think those teenagers might've actually started liking me a bit.  Now if only I can accomplish the same thing when my kids get older.

This graduating senior was so nice, sweet and honest.  He's a good kid.  Not going to lie.  My mind goes to the gigantic spider webs he ran into while we were walking down the path.  They were huge.  I had a good chuckle when he told his mom that she was supposed to be looking out for them for him.  I hope my baby boy always wants my help looking out for spider webs.  

the example | dublin, ohio newborn photographer

I've gotten a lot of questions about my newborn photography.  I think there's two camps.  Some like the props...which is way hard to do as a photographer so I give them a ton 'o credit...and some like a more lifestyle approach.  I prefer a more lifestyle approach.  

Being a mom influences that approach more than anything else.  I think the birth of a baby is such a...there's really no word for it...crazy, happy, exhausting, hectic time.  When my clients look back at their photos 20 years from now, I don't want them to remember the hat I brought and the three hours I spent trying to get that hand in just the right position.  

I want them to remember how their baby felt so tiny in the crook of their elbow while they cradled him.  I want them to remember just how soft a newborn's hair feels.  How the most content spot was against mommy or how daddy's football hold seemed to work wonders, too.  Of course, I certainly feel that you need individual shots of the little one...and lots of them!  I just like it a little more natural with the things that mean most to you and your family.  

This newborn shoot is probably one of the best examples of of my newborn style.  Its just all natural.  One afternoon hanging out in their house.  I just popped in to catch a few moments.  I threw in a couple of big sis, too.  She's pretty gorgeous in her own right.  Her baby brother is no slouch.  Believe me when I tell you, 6 months later, that he is HUGE.  A linebacker in the making.