More of Those Baby Blues

As promised, I have a few more photos from my Corvallis children's session a few weeks ago. I went a little overboard on shooting this one, so mom has plenty to choose from! But look at these faces... can you blame me?

I wanted to put up every shot from this session, but I will refrain. And you will notice that most of these are black and white so you can't see their gorgeous baby blues, but I was hoping you'd make the connection to the last post here!

Frankie = Mr. Independent

I had a session with Frankie two weeks ago, and I must have said "he's so CUTE!" at least 25 times during our hour together. He certainly is Mr. Independent, and our time was spent with me following him around. He only did something if he thought it was a good idea, and was entirely uninterested in the few poses or suggestions I threw at him. As much as I begged and pleaded, he had no interest in climbing into the prop-ready boat twenty feet away from us.

Such is life.

Instead, he appeased me for as long as he could stand. Letting Frankie be Frankie, I discovered two things that make him smile: bugs and his marbles. I discovered that he calls cigarette butts "cancer" (clever Mom!) and must point them out whenever he spots one. I also discovered that he loves climbing to the top of the slide... then turning around and walking back down without actually going down it.

We played the discovery game for a good amount of time.

Then, when he couldn't take it anymore, I got the magic shot. Frankie held his face in his hands in utter despair, probably pleading with God for the crazy lady with the camera to just go away.

And it is quite possibly my favorite shot of the day.

Frank's mom owns the cutest Etsy shop, aptly named Frank and Me, where she sells handmade, boutique-quality items for baby, including the infamous (and adorable) Burp Monster!

Frank, thank you for just being you. You're adorable.

Five Little Monkeys

I spent some time with these little monkeys as a surprise for their Grandmother's birthday present. Josh and I have worked for weeks to win over the two oldest girls. They are like fish tucked away in their coral. If you look carefully you might see an eyeball looking at you before it looks away. But once you get to know them, they are out of their hiding place and swimming all around you in their bright, vibrant colors.....

*insert scratching music stopping sound here*

(not the best description, but you know what I'm talking about, don't you?)

What? Did any of that even make any sense? Well... it made sense in my head. Yes, Megan, in one post I called your girls monkeys and fish. I'm also going on day four of 16 hour work days, working my tail off to get the August issue of True North completed on time, and trying to edit photos in between building articles. My brain is mush at best. And I almost deleted this whole thing altogether and started over, but what is this all worth if I'm not being real?

I think I'll just stop talking and let the photos speak for themselves. Enjoy the weekend!

Racie-Roo Sneak Peek

This sneak peek is just for Crys, who has been soo incredibly patient through this insanely busy season! I took these photos of her daughter, who I affectionately call Racie-Roo, nearly a month ago. I just happened to grab this in a rare moment of stillness as mom fixed her bow, man that girl was busy (as you can see below, in mid-run!) Lots of sugar plus no nap makes for a very busy toddler! Crys--thank you for your patience! You're the best!

Mother's Day Gift Certificates

Mother's Day is still 12 weeks away, but it's never too soon to plan for that special gift! Send your wife out for a few hours with a friend, and book a session to have portraits taken with your children. Every mother loves that shot of her baby sleeping on her husband's chest! Planning ahead will allow for plenty of time to turn your secret session into a custom-designed coffee table book she will treasure for years to come! Or, if you're a relative or a friend, purchase a gift certificate for a mother in your life, and receive a $50 coupon towards a portrait session of your own! With the 25% donation from every session fee to missions, the gift is two-fold!

Sessions are limited, so book early!

History Lesson

One of my favorite things is to take a photograph of something involving a story that has to be told! A friend wanted a photo taken of one of her sons, and she has an amazing old trunk in the entry of her house. I suggested we use it as a prop, and as soon as I heard the story behind the trunk, there was no question! Sharon resurrected the trunk from being stored in her parent's garage. The best part is that Zach is the latest addition to his family, sitting in a trunk that was brought here in a wagon on the Oregon Trail by his great-great-grandparents! Pair that with Zach's signature open-mouthed, toothless grin, and you have the makings for a great portrait. Also, I have to give a plug to Megan Caston. She's the creator of the amazing bandana blanket in a few of the photos. Check out her website: www.weebuckaroo.com. She makes bandana bibs too! Adorable.

True North Magazine

The photo I took of Ila a few weeks ago is featured on the Ages & Stages landing page of True North Magazine website this month! True North is a brand new parenting magazine specific to Central Oregon. They just debuted their first issue online last month, and will be moving to a print magazine starting in April, as well as a separate print directory of Central Oregon businesses geared towards families in June.

Which brings me to my next piece of news... both the print magazine and directory will be designed by yours truly. I'm freelancing with True North as they work to get their first issues off the ground, and I couldn't be happier! A print magazine is the perfect, complimentary combination of my love for photography and design. My relationship with True North began in early December when I received an email from them asking me to submit some photography to their publication. From there, it's grown into a graphic design partnership, with photography contributions where they might need it.

Anyway, go check out their website. And if you're in Central Oregon, look for the magazine on stands in April!

Lillyana

Here's a quick pic I took of our friends' daughter when we were in Sunriver two weeks ago. Isn't she adorable?

Mary Jane part II

I finally had the chance to play with Mary Jane's pictures. I was thrown back to my darkroom days, when I would spend hours burning in blown out areas and dodging shadows. I'm learning to appreciate the burn and dodge tools on photoshop. I love this first picture of Mary Jane--she was playing peek-a-boo in her crib. It's just a little more fun than the standard straight on (which, of course, I had to take!)

Mary Jane

I spent an hour with little Mary Jane on Saturday afternoon. She'll be 2 soon, and she is a very busy girl with a very cute personality. She kept me laughing a lot and she had on a rockin' outfit! Here are a few I couldn't wait to post. A few more will follow, plus some from the senior session I did on Sunday!

It's the Little Moments

Josh's mom and little sister were visiting last week. While they were here, we had two nights of amazing thunderstorms. During one of the downpours, Hannah ran out into the rain and enjoyed it as only a child can (while I sat safely under the cover of the front porch watching...oh to be a child again!)