We all say it, every time, but truly it is one of the best parts of the job...watching babies grow and getting to capture it all along the way. Baby E lives just down the street from me and I was so happy to take her itty bitty newborn photographs. So when her Mama emailed a couple weeks ago to ask if I would take do sessions for her throughout Baby E's first year I was delighted! And oh what a year it is going to be. Just look at those eyes (can you say heartbreaker already!?!). What a joy she is to photograph, can't wait to do it again in three more months!

Christmas Blessings

On this Christmas Day I am overflowing with love, joy, and thankfulness. God has certainly blessed me with these two amazing boys. Someone asked me a couple weeks ago if 10 years ago I pictured my life today to look anything like it does. The answer is absolutely not. I was single, and happy to stay that way, no idea if I would ever have children, and told everyone who asked that I would NEVER be a stay at home mom. Today, I have been married to an amazing man for six years, am blessed to stay at home with my two beautiful boys, and would do any and everything in my power to keep it that way if pushed for some reason to take an office job. I love the life I have been blessed with, but no, it is not anything like I planned, thankfully.

I pray that on this Christmas Day, among the Santa hats, gifts, chocolate and cookies, you are able to take a few minutes to reflect on the blessings in your own life.

And since I don't seem capable of posting here without a photo (or a few ;) Here are a few of my own Santa Boys....

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, in November

OK, I admit it, I LOVE Christmas. And, in particular, Santa suits, on babies. I know I know, as photographers we should work on timeless pieces of art to grace the walls of our clients homes...and I work hard on that too. But those Santa hats, they are just so darn cute! So I own Santa suits in every size from 3 month to 3 year and enough adult size santa hats that everyone gets to wear one on Christmas eve. And then I stick them on anyone who will come over and get in front of my camera!

Well today we had a double treat (or double trouble?!?). What a fun very first twin session for me! Mom is an inspiration - she juggles these two little 8.5 month olds like a pro! And the eyes in this family - holy cow! The blue you see is true - no photoshop needed to make these eyes pop!

And, I promise we got some great photos of each of them (sans Santa gear), but I had to share the fun in red :)

And ps, Merry Christmas (in November).

All About the Belly

I feel a little silly not showing you this Gorgeous couple's faces, but as she is a local teacher, I feel I should respect her privacy (but believe me, an absolutely beautiful young couple!!). These two had already done an fun outdoor maternity session with another local photographer, so I took advantage of the opportunity to try some new studio work. Thanks for being so willing to let me try new things!! Their precious baby is due in December, so I look forward to seeing them again soon!

Toute Sweet Notre Dame

If you know my husband, you know about Notre Dame. He is what some would call a 'double domer' He attended the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate, then returned for Law School. Sooo, he loves all things ND of course. (we even had a ND grooms cake at our wedding!) This year for his birthday I asked our friend Larry to use his creative genius and whip us up some oh so delicious Notre Dame themed cookies. And, as Always, he came through.

Thanks to Larry, and TouteSweet Cookies, for this amazing gift!

Be sure to check him out at http://toutesweetcookies.com/

I love his attention to detail....

And the packaged product....

So, you all know that I love to do First Birthday cake smash sessions, right. And you know I have the cutest baby, ever, actually living in my house (well, come on, he's MINE :) And so, of course, I had the best time ever doing a cake smash session with my precious baby Jonah!! I have to be honest, he was not too hot on this eat the cake thing (not did he want to get frosting on his hands, or feet, or belly....) but he was still ADORABLE (again, give me a break, he's my baby boy!). Here are just a few of the images I was able to capture on the day before his official 1st Birthday. Thank you for joining our family baby Jonah Bear - you made my already joyful life full and running over. I love you.

I had a great time photographing a new friend this week. She is the local photographer behind Sweet Pea Studios and was ready for some new headshots for a new and improved (soon to be revealed!) website. I was honored that she asked me to take them for her. We had a great afternoon 'talking shop'. Maybe she'll need some more so we can do it again soon ;)

Growing Family

I love meeting new families through my photography! I had met this beautiful family once this spring at a Birthday Party and had grabbed an image or two of these sweet boys. But what fun to get to play in the yard and spend a morning with this growing family. They are already busy with two little boys - and a little girl will be added to the mix soon. I can't wait to meet her in November.

Yes, I said THIRTEEN!

This is a bit of a 'catch up' day for me on the blog. I have invested in a new computer. And while I am super excited about the possibilities it brings, it really slowed me down on the last couple sessions. I am now a Mac user - with PC habits! Time to break them down and build them back up :)

I did this session for an amazing family in August. Seven children, four parents and two very proud grandparents made for a fun session of 13 - my largest group yet! What a fun afternoon with this family. I have had the priveledge of photographing various members (and combinations) several times over the last couple years - newborn session, a Happy 1st Party, a Happy 1st Cake Smash, a small family session, a 15 month session....and now the whole family together! I know I say it over and over, but watching children and families grow is the very best part of this gig :)

Seven grandchildren...

The whole beautiful family...

http://reddoorphotographyblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-love-birthdays.html

http://reddoorphotographyblog.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

http://reddoorphotographyblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-had-joy-of-photographing-baby-c-few.html

http://reddoorphotographyblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/giggles-and-smiles-dimples-and-curls.html

Sweet Baby E

Welcome to the world - and to the neighborhood - Baby E. This precious little bundle is the newest addition to our now little neighborhood. Our household is particularly excited, as my boys have been the youngest by a couple years since we moved here three years ago. Seriously, every time a house goes up for sale I pray "let it be a family with babies"!

Sweet little girl was not too happy in the begining, but once we got her sound asleep she just kept letting me play - change the hat, change the location, change the blanket....Very fun!

Thanks for coming over to meet us - and we can't wait to see more of you and your beautiful Mama!

Oh, and I got to play with my new basket...

OK, I am all done, please turn off the camera now....