Friday, April 29, 2011

Maternity Shoot~Jeri

Jeri is another MOMS group contact that I have. She served on leadership with me a few years ago and since then she's also attended. She caught me one day saying how much she liked my photography and would love to try to do a newborn shoot once baby #3 comes. I suggested to her that I'd love to do a maternity shoot with her, too, to help build my portfolio and experience. I'm so glad she agreed, and wanted to make sure I got this post done before her third little guy makes his appearance. Jeri is so sweet, calm and quiet, and seriously, are pregnant women ALLOWED to be this gorgeous? I say it with love... :) Enjoy!


I love how she added her bow saying she was wrapped up like a package!











Here's to a speedy delivery and another healthy, adorable baby boy, Jeri!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Maternity Shoot~Close to my Heart, my sister, Shonda and baby Surprise

This photo shoot is very special to me. I drove up to visit my older sister, Shonda, who is due with her second child in about a week and a half now (about 4 weeks at the time of the shoot). She is my only sibling and as kids we had the usual sisterly spats but we always came out loving each other. I remember how devastated I was when she went to college, leaving me all alone to brave high school. But she's always succeeded at what she sets her mind to. Ever since I can remember she wanted to be a teacher. I was NEVER allowed to be the "teacher" when we played school. :) She went on to teach for 12 years before becoming a stay at home mommy to her son Shrade. She is so blessed to have a hard working hubby so she can enjoy motherhood.

After trying for months to get pregnant the second time, she went in for some tests to see what was wrong and the doctors had no answers. Relying on her faith in God and continued prayer that His ways are not our ways, she continued to pray and do her best to move on. If another baby wasn't in their future then so be it. After and short visit with me, she called me and said, "I guess we should have been shopping for maternity clothes while we were out because I'm 15 weeks pregnant!" What?!?! How exciting.

Next Friday I have the joy of being present as baby Surprise makes his/her way into the world. I love my sister very much and it makes me feel even closer to her to be able to share in this event. I'm sure there will be some newborn photos to come soon, but here's some of her pregnant belly before the new one arrives.
My nephew, Shrade, a typical two year old, not really wanting to sit still for the camera. :)

I wanted to highlight some interesting features of their home that is from the turn of the century so that's why I have lots of door knobs and windowsills featured!

Typical northwest rainy weather.







Congratulations, Sis! You're almost done!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Family Photo Shoot~The "B" Family

I know Kellie because I go through the wonderful coffee stand she works at, Revive Espresso and Tea, pretty much every day. It's just so darn conveniently close to my house and their chai tea is my drug of choice. Oh well!

Her little girl is now 6 months old and having seen my photography on Facebook, she asked me to take some family pictures for her. Well, of course! The day we met was very touchy, a little windy, cloudy, sunbursts, more clouds, oh wait, here's some rain for ya! :) Kellie, her husband, Shawn, their adorable little girl, Elise, and two pug dogs were so great though. We met at a local park but it was a bit of a walk to get to a little bridge and barn I wanted to take their pictures at. We trudged along, got sprinkled on but ended up getting some wonderful photos of this sweet family...




This barn was such a great prop, a bit of a walk, but well worth it!








Thanks you guys! I'll see you in the drive-thru...

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Mini Maternity Shoot~Hanna, Kyle and baby Jackson

I coached Hanna in volleyball at our mutual college, Multnomah Bible College (now Multnomah University) about 6 1/2 years ago, when my son Ethan was still in diapers. I loved hanging out with her (and her twin Shelly), travelling together and playing ball together. Now she's married and about to have her first baby, a boy, Jackson. Hanna called me to see about me photographing a wedding she's helping plan (June 4, so excited, my first wedding shoot), when I asked her if she could help me grow my portfolio by doing some maternity pictures for her. We needed to wait a couple months for the belly to grow, and then we got together with her hubby, Kyle, to commemorate this special time in their lives...
Every new daddy should do this...who's belly is bigger? :)








Congratulations you two. I can't wait to meet Mr. Jackson!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Family Photo Shoot~The "F" Family

First of all, I'm WAY behind. Second of all, I LOVE that I've been so busy that I'm way behind. :)

Referrals always pack a little bit more pressure. You know your friends or family will love your work no matter how it looks because they love YOU. I feel bad for some friends that were my first guinea pigs just a few short months ago and I'm sure I'll look back in a year on THESE photos and feel like I need to give refunds straight across the board. But I'm learning, growing, LOVING!!!! The "F" family are friends of my friend, Beth. I corresponded with Kari via facebook and met them a couple weeks ago at their lovely home to do some family photos and some of their little girls.

What a warm family, so fun and relaxed. I'm learning that the 2 to 3 year old age brings it challenges, and I face it head on. I'm not easily offended, I've got my own kids so I've seen it all, and now I've learned to pack some special treats for little ones that behave for the nice lady with the camera. :) I can be sneaky, too.

Their home was so nice, bright, and airy, great backdrops for a fun photo shoot. At first, miss Kate wasn't too into me but then she saw it could be kind of fun. Baby Annie was SO adorable. While Mom and Dad were helping Kate into a wardrobe change, I had my own fun with baby girl on the bed and came up with some fabulously adorable photos of her.


I love these soft, sweet photos of Kari with Annie. A mother's love!
This is one from when I had Annie alone on the bed! Oh that bow on her head was divine and she was so cooperative! :)


Kate's room was decorated so beautifully, even just a picture of her wall was adorable!

Love this: "I'm so over it"



Thank you so much Nate, Kari and girls for welcoming me into your home. Many warm blessings to your precious family!