Storytime with Luka.

I just realized I've posted kids a LOT lately. I promise I am still a wedding photographer, too. Posting weddings are a longer process so when I am in a time crunch, these are easier to share. :)

As we all know, young kids do not exactly sit still for photos. I think this is great! Because honestly, they're real personality shines through when they are being themselves. Moving, dancing, jumping, playing. This makes our jobs "harder" or more "challenging" but its all a part of the process of entering into their world and documenting who they are.
A fun trick I have used lately is to have the child dress up and tell me a story. Most of the time they get totally into it and not only are you entertained, but you get some fun shots of who they truly are versus "sit and smile and look happy" shots.

Here are some photos from StoryTime with Luka, I'll try to remember pieces of her story.

"This is the story of a fairy princess... and her kingdom"

"...She was SUCH a beautiful princess..."

"...And she would have balls at the castle and dance with her prince allllll night long..."

"...some of the people in her kingdom looked funny, like giants"

"...there was even an evil witch name Ellie..."

"...she was mean, but the unicorns were nice..."

THE END (total shoot time: approx. 8 minutes)

Bottom line... don't go into a kids' shoot with an agenda. Be flexible, enter into THEIR world, and allow them to unfold who they are. Those are the photos parents will truly want as a keepsake.

and baby makes three.

I have been apart of Abi & Ryan's photo lives since the year they were married when we shot her bridal fashion.

Then I shot their one year,

Then I shot Ryan's brother's wedding in Mexico.

Then it was their two year,

...missed their three year because of distance. :[

But now they have added a little man to their lives and we were at it again!

Abi & Ryan adopted little man Finley from Uganda this past November. I FINALLY got to meet him while out in California a few weeks ago and I remembered back...

I remember getting the phone call they decided to adopt their first child.
I remember the loooong agonizing process of waiting and waiting to be matched with a toddler
I remember getting the call they got a BABY! not a Toddler, a baby!
I remember getting my first text from Abi with his photo that his foster parents sent from Uganda.
I remember following the whole process via her adoption blog flooded with letters to baby... then letters to Finn.
I remember how much he was loved long before he was even born.

And now, I can say this... Finn, you are quite possibly the most loved child in existence. And the life you have been given will far exceed your expectations. The mommy and daddy God gave you are truly quite special. Some day when you are grown, whether you are the next football star, soccer star, or R&B singer (we have all made our wagers by the way), you will probably argue with your parents over who has made the most impact in each others life. You are all a gift to one another and the three of you combined are a marked gift in my life as well.


So cheers to family Q and cheers to fun new photos.

I chose to shoot the entire session in B&W so for all you color-blind blog readers, this post is for you ;)

you must know that neither of the below photos were posed. Finn did that all on his own. [my $ is on the R&B singer by the way - and the shot on the right will be his first album cover]

Amelie

Meet Amelie.

Daniel (the barn boy in the post below) is her uncle and I think the model-ness must run in the family. We had a little play date a few weeks ago and her little (or shall I say BIG) personality was easy to capture, I couldn't help by smile the ENTIRE time.
Looking at her frames STILL brings a smile to my face.

Enjoy!