Nov
21
2012
Meet the Connelly’s! This family is one of the two families that inspired the launch of Quiet Graces photography. They’re pretty dear to my heart for that reason. They scheduled two sessions with me to celebrate the birth of they’re new little girl Ivey. These are the images from the first of the two sessions: a lifestyle family session at their home. I would be in photographer heaven if I had this kind of light in my backyard at sunset every day. So beautiful!
Here’s a little sneak peak of Ivey’s sweet face!
I really adore lifestyle sessions with toddlers around Lydia’s age. I promise you, the only image she sat still for was the family image above. However, I was not stressed about getting her to sit still and pose. I literally ran around chasing and playing with her for a good 20 minutes to get the her images. She played tag with me and showed me her painted toes. We danced. We laughed and had a blast. And I love that I captured Lydia being who she is: an energetic two year old full of joy.
One of my favorite parts of visiting the Connelly’s is seeing Jacob (15) and Lydia (2) interact. I always wanted a big brother so it’s like glimpsing my dream come true. The way Jacob dotes on Lydia is heartwarming. And the way Lydia always invites Jacob into her world is precious.
Lydia has daddy Steve wrapped around her fingers (and I’m sure Ivey will too in her own time!). She adores him and just wanted to be near him. They played on the Ipad for a little while. Those snuggles are so precious.
But my favorite image from this lifestyle family session is of Tamara changing Lydia’s diaper. It’s so raw, so real, and so precisely those first days of motherhood.
Steve and Tamara, I’m so blessed to watch God grow your family! I can’t wait to see you all again next year for another session (and lots of play dates in between!) 🙂
Aug
07
2012Mom overheard me teasing Casey as I rocked her about being so nosy, and had to laugh! Mom calls her nosy too! She just loves to listen to people talk and be wide awake. I have never ever fought so hard to get a baby to sleep for one of my sessions!
Casey finally clonked out fully for 20 minutes of shooting at the very end of the session. Unfortunately, I had already taken down my beanbag set up. However, I got to try a lot of prop shots! I love the effect of prop shots, but rarely get to play with them so I really enjoyed doing this!
Casey was just a tiny little girl. 11 days new and barely 7 pounds. She brought back so many memories from when my twins were this tiny!
Casey, as the youngest of 4, I pray that you will bring peace and laughter to your parents.
May
24
2012I’ll be honest, I was a little anxious going into this session. Skye has a big brother Ashton who turned 2 in February. I really felt like the classic sibling shot was going to be a miracle, especially since I don’t think I have a single beautiful image of my own Sedryn with his sisters from the newborn stage. But we got our miracle! (Thanks to a promise that daddy would find Ashton a ‘special treat’!)
Skye Eliana was just beautiful. She had the perfect newborn skin just felt so tiny compared to my 7 month old almost 20lb hulk!
However, Skye did not want to sleep! We rocked and patted and bounced and fed her for nearly 3 hours! Finally, she drifted into a deep sleep for about 20 minutes of blissful photographing. Just goes to show that the newborn always calls the shots during a session!
Heather, Mike, and Ashton, enjoy these early days with beautiful Skye. They drift by so quickly!
Dec
27
2011Sedryn is my own “little wiggle” as we call the children in my home. You’ve seen a couple peeks of him here and here, but I wanted to showcase his full session. Or rather sessions…
This image was taken when he was five days old. It was actually the only image I took before my toddler twins came crashing through my backdrop squealing. I wish I’d been able to do a full session on this day… he was the most cooperative!
The little detail images of Sedryn’s mouth and eyelashes were taken when he was 3 days old. He was not okay with me moving or posing him at all, but he stayed still!
The middle images were taken at 12 days and either he was just too old or he didn’t like his food source posing him. He was my worst full newborn session to date! He ate 5 times, pooped or peed on my backdrops/props 6 times, and screamed for the first hour. Sedryn finished off this session by peeing on a laptop keyboard… a perfect little arc. I was through! However, I still got a few good images!
I think I took him outside in the apple basket about 7 days old. It was another one shot deal and he was perfectly cooperative.
The tire swing composite I took when Sedryn was 1 month old. If you look closely, you can see the little chunker grumbling and about to yell. Fortunately, his sisters are too cute for this to be immediately noticeable. 😉
Why am I telling you about all these sessions in detail?
First, because I want you to see how easy and relaxed he was in the earlier sessions (the two most difficult images: composite pose, apple basket). Newborns are most pliable to the photographers’ touch between 5-11 days so call immediately after birth to schedule your session!
Second, because I want you to capture a glimpse of this little fireball’s personality. Sedryn can be all sleepy and sweet, but when he’s finished with something he lets you know in no uncertain terms! He’s still that way… but now that he can smile… he’s added flirting to his repertoire! Watch out, little ladies, this one is going to be super dangerously cute!
Sedryn boy, I can’t wait to watch you grow and develop. It’s such a blessing to have you!
