Holiday Photo Gift Ideas - Raleigh Family Photographer

Dec 23rd and I'm  just finishing up my last two orders of the season. Was so happy to hand this one over this afternoon. The albums came out beautiful. And knowing that one lucky Grandma will be receiving it all is very exciting. Thought I'd snap some photos of these great new products and gift ideas. 

Mini Accordion Album - 3x3 album with 12 photos front and back. Magnetic closure, a great affordable gift for mom & grandma's purse or dad's desk. 

 DVD - high resolution files and DVD musical slideshow. Personalized label and premium leather case with photo cover, packaged in gift box. 

Premium Leather Album - 20 5x7 images mounted and beautifully presented, custom photo cover and packaged in gift box. Comes in black, brown, blue and pink. Perfect for any occasion 

P Family Photography - Raleigh Photographer Cary

This session went as smooth as they go. The girls were in a great mood, excited for their photos, the weather was perfect and everything and everyone was beautiful. After all these great sessions this fall I'm really loving family photography more and more.

Declan First Birthday Photos - Cary, Ralegh, Photographer, Child, Baby

Declan's First Birthday Party was a blast. His family invited me over to his house to photograph the event. Declan was the star of his show. A super cute little boy with a huge smile and lots of adorable friends.

Elijah turns one - Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Baby, Child Photographer

Elijah came over for his one year photo session last week. I can't believe how much he has changed since I saw him last at 7 months. He has progressed from baby to big boy thats for sure. Though he's not walking yet, he's definitely a busy little guy. He was much more interested in all the electronics and gadgets in my studio, then having his photo taken.Of course when I pulled out the ladder we were able to get him to freeze for a bit. Then since it was a beautiful day in December we took him out in the grass and let him go!

Raleigh,Cary,NC Photographer -First Birthday Photography

It was such a beautiful November Raleigh day for this little guy's first birthday photo shoot that we were able to do it outside. We got off to a bad start though. Mom got his cake at Whole Foods and they messed up the colors. Then the weeds/grass kept popping his balloons, and when we pulled out his yummy cake he didn't like it nor did he want to smash it. So we bagged the whole cake smash idea and put his clothes back on to capture just him and his expressions. He is such a happy kid! And so cute in his little red chair and outfit

Raleigh,Cary,Photographer - Holiday Family Portraits

This was such an fun-filled work week for me. All the smiley, happy, babies came back to visit. Dustin, who will be turning one on Thanksgiving came over for a first birthday cake smashing session and family portraits. I am fortunate in my neighborhood to have a beautiful greenway trail and a few empty lots with evergreens and weeds(suprisingly a great photo backdrop).

Raleigh, Cary, Family Photographer - Make time for me

I am willing to bet working moms are all faced with a similar guilt. The challenge of putting in hours, making money and hopefully spending time doing what we love, is a balancing act between being their for our families and their needs.
I feel extremely fortunate not to have to clock into a 9-5 job. I love being my own boss and having freedom and flexibility. However sometimes working from home, scraping together work minutes here and there in between pouring cups of juice, breaking up fights, and bandaging boo boos is not always easy. Having to make business phone calls when my girls are home, locked in the bathroom is not always ideal either.
I guess if I really wanted to I could throw in the towel on my business. The thought has crossed my mind here and there over the last few years. However photography is my passion and one of the few things that excites me and brings me joy. My favorite time of day is when I sit down to review a clients session for the first time and I see all the adorable expressions and emotions my camera has recorded. Capturing people, and life as we live it is my calling. I am blessed beyond words, so throwing in the towel is not the right answer.

Tonight I asked my 8 yr old daughter to get me something, she responded with "ok but for that I get you & me snuggling for 2 whole TV shows"
she should know by now that Mommy does  not watch TV!
so I said to her
 "i will gladly snuggle with you but i don't want to do it while watching TV (especially the Disney channel) I have a lot of work to do Sophia. How about I come up after you watch your shows and then I'll snuggle with you for a little bit."
"aww Mom you never snuggle with me, you always have to work!"
ouch that one hurt! but then she added fuel to the fire with this,
"see Mom this is why I wrote that letter to the President about making a law that will let parents spend more time with kids, we need to spend more time together"
her class wrote letters last month to the President about enacting a new law, anything they wished for. Mr. President must think I'm a deadbeat parent after that letter : )
 So I said to her okay so if parents get to spend more time with their kids thanks to your new law how do they make money to pay for all these things. This is why we work Sophia.
Her solution without hesitation... "Well if you snuggle with me tonight Mommy I will set up a lemonade stand tomorrow so that you don't have to work so much"
 How could I deny her after that sweet and innocent solution.
She was right though what was I doing that couldn't wait one hour? My clients are understanding and family is probably their top priority too. If they had to wait an extra hour for their photo gallery I think they would be ok.
 Whats more important then spending time with your family?
 Tip of the day when your child is begging to be snuggled, you snuggle! Even if you have to suffer through The Wizards of Waverly place while doing it. Life is too short. We all need to press the pause button every once and awhile whether its to snuggle or to run through the rain.

Family Holiday Raleigh Photographer - What should we wear?

Every year the number one question when clients book their holiday session is "What should we wear?" That's always a hard question to answer because there are so many options depending on your family's style and personality. Here is my short list of tips to get you thinking while you are planning outfits for your upcoming session.

#1 Comfort
Pick something you are comfortable in. Dress like you normally would just add a little punch. In your session you won't photograph well all stiff and unnatural so don't show up in high heels and fancy dresses or suit and tie. Pick something you can move in. There won't be too much posing when we shoot. To get those real emotions out we'll be playing around, laying on the ground, getting on each others back, having fun. So with that said I always recommend casual! Especially for kids. Believe me I've seen kids come alive and happy once they've taken their formal attire off!

#2 Color
Add color! I find photos with colorful outfits stand out much more. So don't hesitate to add some color to your wardrobe. You don't have to match everyone, simply coordinate colors. I suggest first picking out the kid's outfits and then pulling colors from theirs to dress the adults.

#3 Layers/Textures
Layers and textures add dimension and appeal to photos. Mix and match jackets, sweaters, and scarves. Its also a great idea to plan for layers as we never know in the Fall what kind of weather we're going to run into. One thing's for certain a cold child is never a happy child.

# 4
Accessories
Fun accessories like hats, jewelry, tights, tutus, funky shoes, boots etc. liven up the photo and add character to your family's photos.

Here is the core of my family's wardrobe. I have two days before the shoot to finish up the accessories, find boots for us, tights and one more scarf for my girls, jewelry for me,maybe a hat for my husband? Guys are always the hardest to accessorize : ) At least I got him wearing purple this year, love it! Oh and we all still need haircuts and some discussion about whether or not to include our crazy dogs. I'm really not use to being on the other side of the camera can you tell?

Newborn Maternity Photographer Raleigh Cary - Best prop for the newborn photo session

New parents are anxious to show off their newborn baby;  display the happiness they share about their new gain with friends and family. The most prevalent way of sharing this special time is through newborn photography. While candid photos are always an option for sharing through social media sites there’s a special touch when done by a professional; one that creates a product with far more value and an at times even stronger emotion. 

Of course, there’s a certain standard that comes with such professional newborn photography. The price you pay includes more advanced equipment (most professional cameras cost about $5K), up to date technology (processing software can be another $1K+), as well as pricey props and backgrounds. In a field such as this, any photographer knows that without that certain prop for an infant, you may never get the especially unique photo that you and the parents are looking for. Most every client asks "what kind of props can we use". Props give an atmosphere to the photo and can help to convey the emotion that you as a new or upcoming mother are feeling especially when the prop is YOU.

A Prop You Can’t Buy
Though it seems uncanny, the best prop that any photographer could ever hope for in their newborn photography is the parent. 
A baby feels most content when in the arms of their mother or father, so it makes sense that with a parent in the picture, the baby would display its most content and relaxed face. Say you’d rather not be included in the photo, something and simple as your hands holding the baby produces a loving and gentle atmosphere and exemplifies the affection within the relationship that you have inherently established with your child. 

Apex,Raleigh, Family, Child Photographer - Downtown Apex Fall Session

Saturday morning I met the A family for their Fall, urban, halloween photos. I was at first a little hesitant to show them my gem of a spot in Apex (back alley with lots of brick, funky doors, junk and walls falling down!) However when Avery stepped out in her urban chick attire I knew we were on the same page. The session couldn't have been more perfect. Avery warmed right up to my camera and got a kick out of all my new toys and tricks and her daddy too. Then we decided to hit the main street for an ice cream cone but happened upon a cotton candy machine and a joggling board instead perfect for a flying fairy.

how cute are they? three of my favorite people! one sweet family. so glad i talked them into this shot : )  

I asked her to stand on my rock to get her where I wanted her. I love this one where she is looking down, maybe my favorite but I have different taste in photos. 

Then we had a little tea party with the random things floating around our junkyard location. 

It might be hard to tell here but she has the cutest pouty lips! Angelina Jolie watch out. 

the street side view of our alleyway. the hardest part was overcoming the smell from the garbage cans. it was definitely worth it though to get the great backdrops. these urban-ish spots are hard to come by around here.  

Cotton candy....strangely we couldn't get her to eat it. But it made a cute prop and we didn't have a sticky mess afterward.