28.6.11

[newborn: Milo.]

Milo has a big sister ... Chloe.   And an even bigger brother, Jayden.

But Milo is who he is all on his own ... and on the day that his mom and I met for newborn pics, little Milo really wasn't interested (don't you just LOVE his name??).  He had been up most of the night, making his mom ache for some rest - and his own little body refused to settle down.  He was just a few days old and was just trying to figure this thing called "life" out ...

His mom was so gracious ... having a baby scream regardless of feeding, cuddling, cooing, burping, changing ... you just need to go with the flow.

So. 

This is Milo's photoshoot *grin* ... Well.  Part of his first one ... 





Every photo, Milo screamed.   No matter what we did.

So.  Jamie and I decided that it'd be best to come back ... she'd let me know if mornings or afternoons were working better for Milo and we'd be sure to capture the perfectness of their little man.  

With other photoshoots and commitments, it was tricky - but I made my way back a few days later.  So ... Milo was just a week old, but as any mom knows, by the time week one is done - babies tend to stretch out, instead of curl up ... they discover "space" and that they can move and flail.  This can be tricky for cuddly looking photos ... especially if the baby was already past due when they were born ... 

And Nick and Jamie had decided this wasn't to be a "family" photoshoot - which is what I often do with newborns ... babies and their parents and siblings is a lovely way to document the first few days of life.  I love capturing "normal" things, as apposed to staged.  I love seeing the "love" through my lens.  But when it comes to newborns, most moms just want to remember the littleness of their bundle ... And with sleep being at a bare minimum for her, all Jamie wanted was one sleeping image of her little guy ... 



*laughing* ... well this little guy was determined not to sleep.  And he wasn't grumpy - just awake, much to his mother's amazement.  She was trying to figure out how a newborn could be awake for 5 straight hours ... *grin*.  


I told her not to worry ... and I let her attend to her other kids while I rocked and swaddled her little bundle.  He drifted off ... and then I delicately tried to pose him on my baby-bean-bag and he would wake up and cry.   So ... I bundled him up again - loosely this time - rocked him, cooed him ... and he fell asleep.  Quietly I set him down ... and BAM.  He was awake and not terribly impressed.

Jamie and I just smiled ... he was not going to co-operate with us, so we needed to co-operate with him *grin*.  She bundled him up and held him close ... his little face relaxed and he was off to never-never land again ... 

This time, I was able to get my camera ...








And Jamie has her own stay-at-home business called "Chloe's Bowtique" ... a place where little girls can get their fancy on with barrettes, tutus ... and now top hats *grin*.  Once Milo was asleep, we were giggling at how cute he was with this little prop ... 


Jamie (and you too, Nick *grin*) ... I have watched you grow as an incredible family.  You are blessed and highly favoured with three healthy, lovely children.  And as you adjust to a new little personality in the home, I pray you will have much rest ... and much laughter *smile*.

Love you guys.

For all enquiries, please contact me at my RedHanded Photography site HERE and click "get.in.touch."   Thanks!

23.6.11

[family: Steve, Nicole & kiddies.]

I have known Steve for a very, very long time.

He used to take piano lessons from my mom, and while his younger brother was getting his share of piano education, Steve and I would play video games.  Colico Vision.  Ladybug.  Yes ... I think I shall post a link HERE to explain just what that was ... See? A LONG time ago ... 

His family moved back east and there he met Nicole ... the two were married over a decade ago and hadn't had photos done since their wedding day.

WOW.




So they were feeling a little out of practice ... but Nicole wasn't afraid :-) ... she's SUCH a hoot ... 


They have two daughters.  Ashley is the oldest, blond and lovely.  She had been practicing her smile prior to our session - and it was like a permanent fixture on her face *grin*.  I




And Cierra was the opposite.  It took a lot more coaxing to get a smile out of her.  But oh my goodness, she's a cutie.





And the two of these princesses together?




The four of them together ... and their little dog too, of course - makes one perfect family.   And this is a family who cares about others, who are just genuinely NICE people.  In my own life, these two have shown up at our home - after my husband had leg surgery - with treats for our kids, little gifts - thoughtful gifts - for my hubby and I including meals that we could rely on for that week ... It was during a really difficult time for my own little family - and Steve and Nicole came to our rescue when we really needed it.

They are a truly wonderful family.





Steve and Nicole, it was an absolute pleasure hanging with you and your family ... thanks so much for letting me capture you with my lens.  I hope you all have such a fantastic summer ...

For all enquiries, please contact me at my RedHanded Photography website HERE and click "get.in.touch".  Thanks so much!

22.6.11

[portraits: Natalia. 6months .]

You've seen her little face before.

Little Natalia just keeps getting cuter and cuter ... and bigger and bigger.  As the littlest one in a family of three big brothers, her pink cuts through the blue.  She shines.  

She is so lovely.







Nicole had asked me to create a photography package for her.  It contained a bunch of mini-sessions throughout the year ... and I have so enjoyed this process.  And it totally takes the stress off of Nicole thinking, "... have I taken enough pictures of her??".  No need to worry about that ... I've got it covered *wink*.






And Nicole's family was in town, all the way from Australia ... perfect timing.  Well, more than perfect timing ... it was perfect planning.  Nicole's mom was here when Natalia was first born, but so much happens in the first six months.  It was so lovely to see how calm Natalia was with her Nana ... babies just "know" family, don't they.






Nicole (and Jeff *smile*), again, THANK YOU.  I hope to continue to give you the very best that I can offer you in priceless images of your little peanut.  It has been such a pleasure.

For all enquiries, please contact me by heading to my RedHanded Photography website HERE and click "get.in.touch".  Thanks!!

20.6.11

[engagement: Garrett & Kara.]

Garrett has only ever had eyes for her.  And the feeling is quite mutual from Kara.

Young love can turn out not-so-great, but not this time.  Young love was the perfect love, the perfect match, the perfect fit for these two.  They found each other when they were barely teenagers, and they weren't interested in all at "trying their hand at dating" with anyone else.

They were in love.




They've been together for close to five years, and Garrett just knew it was "time".  He made a path of candles ... that she didn't even notice *grin* ... popped the question and of course, she said "yes".





Honestly - these two just breathed each other.  Kara with her bubbly personality and  the most infectious laugh ... and he would just smile and watch her.  Totally smitten.






As I was taking the photos, I kept putting the camera down and said, "... I can't WAIT to blog about this!!"  and they'd laugh.  I was so loving every moment ... partly because they were just the sweetest couple ... partly because I was falling in love with the images I was capturing of them ... 





They're young - yes - and so committed to each other.  Some people just have all the luck.  Finding your soulmate when you're 14 is like winning the lottery ... no heartache, no drama.  And I hope I'm around to take pics of their 50th Wedding anniversary with their 4 married kids and 16 grandkids ... *grin*.





Hanging out with these two made the time fly.  And if you've ever had a photoshoot with me - you know that every nook and cranny becomes a new place for a pic to be taken.  And at some point, Garrett mentioned his car ... a car that he had waited for, searched for.  Awe man ... what guy doesn't want a pic of his car and his girl together??  *grin*.

Well.  We made that happen *grin*. 



Garrett, Kara ... wow.  You two are so lovely, so perfect for each other.  I cannot WAIT to celebrate with you on your wedding day ... thank you so much, for letting me be apart of such an important milestone in your lives ... it's gonna be GREAT! *grin*

For all enquiries, please contact me at my RedHanded Photography site HERE and click "get.in.touch."  Thanks so much!