6-5, Another Cake Smash

There sure was a lot of cake eating going on in my 'outdoor studio' this weekend.  I had a second baby plan baby just celebrate his first birthday.  I think this little guy was already partied out (proof is in that first photo!).  (Ironically, isn't it us older ones who really want to react like that when it's our birthdays?!)  From bugs to dinosaurs, these little cake smash cakes were so adorable (good job, creative mommies!), and the birthday boys such proper little eaters.  With one final session, we celebrated the growth of Hudson over the first year of his life.  I've already placed the photo book order that accompanies the baby plan he participated in.  I hope this keepsake brings the family much joy over the years.  Thank you, "G" family, for continuing to support my growing business and letting me into this special time in your life.  It surely has been a year of milestones and memories!

6-3, First Cake Smash

It's been a crazy busy month-- not from a 'behind the camera' perspective but rather from a 'behind the scenes' perspective.  For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know I'm in the middle of a month-long studio renovation.  (My husband still teases me that I believed the original 2-4 week timeframe estimate meant that it actually would be done in 2 weeks.  Silly, silly  me!!)  Two of 'my' babies turned one within a week of each other, and I've been worried about getting their sessions done in the new studio in a timely manner.  The stress was lifted when I realized there was very little hope of these sessions taking place IN the studio any time close to their first birthdays.  So, as much as I would have loved to break-in my new studio with the fun of cake smash sessions, it wasn't meant to be.  Thankfully, the unpredictable (lately stormy and rainy) Colorado weather has mellowed out and I was able to get my first cake smash session in yesterday to celebrate Tony's first birthday.  The really special part about this session is that it actually WAS his birthday yesterday!  What an honor it was to be included in part of his big day celebrations.  The last few minutes of the session (which had officially been over until I decided to get my camera back out because he was so darn cute....) yielded the best payback of all..... the biggest smile I'd ever seen from this serious little boy (at least in my presence, anyway).  He loved the cake, but he really loved the clean up!  I'm so glad we were able to get this session on the books and carried out successfully.  With a renovation, summer vacation, and a family who isn't local anymore, it's not as easy as you may think!  Thank you "C" family, for your support as I have worked to build my business this past year.  I have thoroughly enjoyed our tri-monthly get-togethers and watching this precious child grow.  Please don't be strangers so I won't go through 'bug' withdrawal!  Good luck, little family!

5-6, Spontaneous Senior Session

I had an informal senior session yesterday-- too late for the photos to appear in the yearbook, but not too late for her mom to capture memories of her daughter before she graduates and heads off for college.  The session was originally planned for Saturday evening.  I checked the weather Thursday night and the forecast Saturday evening called for rain.  Based on that forecast, we moved the session up a day to  Friday evening.  I got a text early Friday morning from the mom who had just checked the forecast.  The forecast for Friday evening?  Windy!  So, in a rush, I packed up my gear, headed to their house and carried through with the session a day and a half before it was originally scheduled to take place.  How's that for flexibility and spontaneity?!  Watching the weather pass through Friday evening and throughout Saturday, I was SO thankful we'd been able to have the session while the weather was still good.  It was a treat to have a morning session for change!  Just as this beautiful senior spreads her wings, I too, will be gaining a little more freedom as my little one heads off to kindergarten in the fall.  No, it won't be quite the same level of freedom, but I'll take it!  Good luck, Cami-- I hope you enjoy all the adventures that await you!

4-21, Goodbye Family

Over the past 7 months, I've come to know this little family.   Baby Anthony is one of my original 'Baby Plan' babies.  I've enjoyed photographing him every three months, and watching as he continues to grow and develop.  I was surprised to get a call this week from Anthony's mom, "We're moving this weekend is there any chance we can get a family session in before we leave?!"  For you guys?  Of course!  As my studio is about to enter the demolition stage of a renovation, our best option was to head outdoors.  You'd think the 2+' of snow we've received in Colorado over the past few weeks would make for a beautiful setting.  Well, actually, factor in the near 70-degree temps we've encountered over the last few days.... then imagine the mush.  Yep, the slippy, sloshy, mush.  But, seeing as how we'd all jumped through hoops to make this session happen, no mush was going to stop us.  Time being a limited factor, our only chance of our schedules working was in the middle of the afternoon.  For those of you non-photography types, the middle of the afternoon (especially here with our bright, sunny sky) is the worst time to do an outdoor portrait session.  My obstacles?  Blinding snow, sun and slush!  But, where there's a will, there's a way.  A little hiking yielded some pretty settings in the open shade of pine trees.  The slushy mush actually complemented the setting yielding laughs as we made our way through the session.  I'm hoping these images will bring that 'feeling of home' to this young couple as they set out and make a new way for themselves.  I hope seeing the beauty of their 'Colorado backyard' in these portraits will remind them of the home and family that will always be there for love and support.  I hope the smiles on their faces will bring a warm memory of the special bond they shared with their extended family as they all lived under one roof.  I know when I look at their photos, I remember what it was like being a young family finding our way-- moving just being a natural part of that path.  Good luck, family, I will be thinking of you as you enter this next stage of your lives.  I'm already looking forward to your next visit and Anthony's final session of the baby plan-- his one year celebration session.  I'll be seeing you soon!

3-26, Precious Baby

I had the joy and privilege of photographing this little beauty when she was only 17 days old.  The squishy, sleepy baby she was not, the quiet alert 'hey, what's going on' she was.  She is beautiful and perfect in every way.  It was so special to have both parents present for the session.  Their glowing love for this sweet little girl radiated throughout the session.  I cherished the time I spent with this new, little family-- a sweet reminder of how hopes and dreams begin so small.  Thank you for sharing your precious baby with me and allowing me to capture this once-in-a-lifetime memory for you.

3-17, Ol' Blue Eyes

It's hard to believe that this little guy and I only have one more session together.  How can 9-months have possibly passed so quickly?!  It seems like just yesterday when he was in the studio, sitting in front of a Christmas tree.... and terribly upset about the whole affair.  This day was entirely different all together.  He had his first full night's sleep and was ready to let the spotlight shine on him.  It's trancelike staring into those beautiful blue eyes of his.  I had so much fun trying to reveal that inner smile of his.  What a doll!

3-8, The Quiet One

This little guy is such a 'tough nut' to crack!  Try as we all might, he does not associate smiling with photography.  I find that very humorous.  I'm all for the serious expressions, and this little guy has those down to an art form.  He has the sweetest eyes, and I love the way they 'pop' when he's wearing blue.  He can sure stare me down with those baby blues, too, hahaha!  Stay tuned until the end though and you'll see a glimpse of a different side of him.  Every time I see him I think (what others have said about me):  "Watch out for those quiet types!"  I wonder what the future holds for this little guy.  I know one thing for certain,  it holds a lot of love with a family who adores him!