Family Photographs at Canton Garden Center {F Family Sneak Peek}

Poor Linda had to jump through hoops to have this session.  She booked the date a few months before but as time got closer, her husband realized and told her that the Hall of Fame Game was the same night.  The Canton Garden Center is shut down for game night to make room for buses to park.

After finally finding a day that would work for everyone…she was not about to let a little thing like the Hall of Fame Game slow her down.  She made a number of calls and finally got permission to use the park.  We drove up to police guarded gates that let us right through.  {It’ s moments like these when I like to pretend I’m famous.}  What was I am sure a pain for Linda turned out to be quite a blessing for us.  We had most of the part to ourselves.  It was a beautiful evening and I think it shows.

I have no idea what kind of flowers these are but I loved how they just popped right out of the ground around the gardens.

This next one was for fun.  We’ve seen a lot of jumping wedding parties and decided to see if this family was up to the challenge.

Thanks {F} family for being such good sports as we traipsed all around the gardens.  And a special thanks to Linda and the Canton Garden Center for making this happen despite the game.

*One part of the family was missing from this session due to starting chemo.  Please keep him and his family in prayer.

First Birthday {P Family Sneak Peek}

I had planned to share more of a story but it’s almost midnight and I know the {P’s} are excited to see these.  Plus, I’m not sure I can keep my eyes open much longer!  :)  Little {L} here turned one a couple weeks back.  We headed to Sand Run to photograph some shots with a cupcake.

Here’a a victory wave with the candle.

…as much as he loved the cupcake, I think he preferred the grass.  {L} does this adorable scoot thing instead of crawling.  He scooted all over the blanket to pull out the grass.

We gave up on the blanket for a bit.  :)

Probably my favorite:

We caught a few shots of the fam before poor {L} got really tired of the whole thing.

Aren’t they adorable?

I rode with the {P’s} to the park and on the way back I think I scared poor {L} getting in the car.  He looked at me like, “haven’t we seen enough of her yet?!”

Thanks {P} family.  It was great to see you and realize we have so many friends in common.  Such a small world!

Akron Area Infant Photographer {Little S’s Sneak Peek}

It was just last summer when Dave and I were shooting Raj and Tami’s wedding.  We both felt like we’d known them for a lifetime.  They stopped by the studio a few months back to share their happy news with us…they were expecting!  Little {S} was born a few weeks ago and is one of the most precious little girls I’ve ever seen.  Raj and Tami seem to have settled perfectly into parenthood and {S} is one lucky baby.

She isn’t a huge fan of sleeping so it took some time for us to get her down…but I did get a couple awake shots that were pretty darn cute if I do say so myself.

This whole session was shot with natural light.  They have the best light coming through their windows.  I could shoot there all day.

Finally, she drifted off and we were able to capture this beauty…

Thanks so much Raj and Tami for sharing her with me.  She is precious and I am so happy for your new family!

Get Ready to Smile {V’s Sneak Peek}

This is going to be quick but I could’t wait to share this adorable little man with you all.  All of these photos just make me happy.

Do you remember a sweet little infant from a few months back?  Well, he grew up and look at him now.  I’m not sure he could be any cuter.

If this next one doesn’t make you smile…you may need a vacation.

This is one of my favorite father-son photographs ever.  Look at those smiles.  We just hope he doesn’t grow up to be a Celtics fan.

All he needs now is a remote:

Akron/Canton Baby Photography {I’s Sneak Peek}

Little {I} was the sweetest little thing and I think I know where she got it.  Her parents have been so patient waiting for this sneak peek!  With the Janie & Jack shoot and a few others…somehow this poor little girl had to wait.  Thanks {S} Family for your patience.  She is precious.

See…I told you she was sweet.

…and happy…

O.K.  Get ready for this.  I am in love with these next two.

Look at those toes!

Thanks again {S} family.  Give her lots of kisses for me.

Upcoming Sessions to Benefit Haiti {We need your help.}

I remember hearing in college that Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.  My heart broke as I listened to some of the stories of extreme poverty.  When I heard of the earthquake I didn’t want to think about it at first.  I am ashamed to say that the older I get the more I want to shut out terrible things.  I want to close my ears and pretend that nothing’s happening.  But that’s not right.  It is happening and people desperately need help.  Desperately.  When I heard of Photographers for Haiti I felt led to participate.  Please join Heritage in helping these people in a time when they can’t help themselves.

On Saturday, February 27 we will be holding mini sessions for Haiti.  All session fees will be donated directly to Compassion International.  (You will make checks payable to Compassion so that your donation will be tax deductible.)

Family and Child Mini Sessions

• Cost: $75 (check written directly to Compassion International)
• When: Saturday, February 27
• Where: Heritage Studio (2381 Locust Street #3, Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614)
• What: a 20-25 minute session and 2-5x7s are included in the mini session price that will be donated
• What else: You will be able to choose from 10-15 retouched images.  50% of all sales from any other products purchased will be donated by Heritage.
• GOAL: $1000 for Haiti (Will you help us make it possible?)

The winner of our January contest prize (a 16×20 Gallery wrapped canvas) is…drumroll please….Brian.  Congratulations Brian.  We will be in touch to let you know the details.

And, since a blog post without a picture is like popcorn without butter, here’s one of my favorite landscapes that Dave has taken.

Gabby’s Corner {What to Wear?}

You may have heard me talk about Gabby.  She is the super fun girl that helps us at the studio.  Here’s some pictures of our favorite intern.  (She’s wearing the blue dress.)  Cute, huh?

Gabby has agreed to write up a fun feature a couple times a month–”Gabby’s Corner–What to Wear?”  She says she has no fashion sense…but I think you’ll see she’s wrong. 

This is the first installment of “What to Wear?”  Enjoy.  (Oh…and comment and tell her you like the picks.) 

This blog’s inspiration is turquoise.  This week I’ve put my focus on ideas for a session for a family of four.  All of these items can be found at Target.com.  Click on the item photo for the link to buy.

A bright shirt combined with dark wash jeans are perfect for a rowdy boy. The white sneakers tie in the design from the shirt giving it that complete look.
    

This cute look seems perfect for a sweet little girl.  For me, this dress symbolizes carefree youth.  =)

 

This sweater offers a more sophisticated look.  While it’s professional it is still modern and cool.

The classic black dress pretty much speaks for itself, don’t you think?  Dress it up with your choice of a bold scarf or elegant earrings.  The colors tie in with the rest of the family creating a fresh and coordinated look. =)

Christmas Stress & Akron Child Photography {Little E’s Sneak Peek}

I know I said I wasn’t going to get stressed this year for Christmas…but I seem to be failing at calm.  We have so much to get done.  The frame shop and studio are buzzing.  And then, there are albums to finish up, CDs to burn, sessions to edit, cards to make, gifts to buy, meals to prepare…  OK, deep breath.  :)

All that to say: hold on with me.  The next couple weeks may be a bit of a crazy ride but I will have so many fun things to share:

• Bryan and Michelle’s wedding
• Dave and Sylvia’s final album
• A number of senior shots
• A few family sessions
• My family Christmas card (I hope!  I love making it but time is slipping away!!)
• and more

For today, I have a sneak peek for very good friends of mine.  We were pregnant together and this little man was born just 10 weeks before my Zeke.  They are friends and love playing (i.e. wrestling, tackling, and nearly killing one another) together but somehow a year has gone by and we haven’t seen each other.

I’ve taken his pictures since he was a baby.  (I wish I had an old one handy right now to share but they are archived at the studio.  Trust me…he was a cutie!)  I can’t believe how much he has grown.  He is his father.  As I photographed him…I couldn’t stop laughing as every expression he made looked just like his dad.  (There is definitely some of mom–a nurse– in there too though…as he asks for “Purell” before eating and wouldn’t let his food touch the table.)

The poor guy fell asleep on the ride to the studio so it took him a little while to warm up…but I still got a few cute ones in his first outfit…O…H…I…O.

And here he is all ready with smiles.

…and then he turns on the cuteness!

I love this next one.  So grown up!

Love you {H} family.  Not so long this time.  I promise.