Raleigh Cary Apex Newborn Photographer - Owen

Owen's newborn session was perfect just like his mom's maternity session that we did in downtown Apex. So many sweet photos to fill up his album. Once in his milk coma Owen let me pose him anyway I wanted. Of course its always important to run a space heater to keep them warm and a white noise machine, just adds to the sleepiness. 

Newborn Owen - Raleigh Cary Photographer

Another awesome newborn photography session with a little boy from Durham. His parents brought this sign along to incorporate into the photos, what a great idea. Owen was an eight pounder and all cheeks. A good sleeper and so much fun to work with.

Baby Pyper - Cary Newborn Photographer Raleigh

Trying to catch up on all my session posts. This little Raleigh newborn girl was an angel to photograph. She was petite and slept so well for me. She didn't even make a peep when I repositioned her. Loved the way she constantly curled her lips so cute. Thanks for bringing her over Jen. 

Another Adventure with Avery - Raleigh Child Photographer

We ignored trespassing signs, braved snakes, got covered with pollen and cob webs, laid in itchy weed fields and sweated up a storm last Thursday afternoon. It was all worth it though for these gorgeous photos of Little Miss Avery. She cooperated so well and played along with all my tricks to get her doing what I wanted. We even brought along her super sweet little puppy Mia, an Imperial Shitzu, for her first photo shoot. When we realized she was getting lost in the tall grass and not easy to photograph we took her back to the studio for some closeups. I have been photographing Avery since she was a baby and each session is more fun than the last. 

Raleigh Baby Birthday Photos - Cary First Birthday Photography

Emme came to see me the other day for her first birthday portraits. First birthday photo sessions are my favorite, well second favorite only to the newborn session. They are definitely the most fun and bring the most laughs of any session.
Its especially exciting when the birthday girl/boy enjoys or attacks the cake. I'd say about half of the kids love the cake and have fun with it, and the other half find the sugar repulsive and we have to persuade them to play in it for show at least.

This little girl was a true girl at heart, she loved her sugar and TORE the cake apart! We simply stood back and watched, and laughed.
Mom brought some adorable outfits and props for her so we had lots to work with. Along with her big smile and bright blue eyes we were golden.

The last time I saw Emme she was 5 weeks old and VERY wide awake. Mom and Dad were hoping to capture her in the traditional sleepy, curly, newborn poses but she was way too excited to do any sleeping. So instead we captured her and her big eyes.

Now here she is at 1 year

Post Breastfeeding Days Workout - Raleigh Baby Photographer

I'm sure people reading this will think I'm crazy but I'd gladly return to the days of babies and breastfeeding. Maybe I was one of the lucky ones like Kelly Ripa that shed crazy pounds while breastfeeding. Or maybe it had nothing at all to do with breastfeeding but just the constant motion required when taking care of a newborn and a 14mth old. Maybe I didn't have time to eat, though eating is one of my hobbies, so surely I must have made time to eat.  I forget how it all went down because its already been seven years! Isn't it sad how soon we forget the details of those important days.

Anyway the moral of this post is that I wish I could go back to my post breastfeeding body. Really,  most of my life I've been a size 6-8 but for almost two years right after having my daughters I was wearing size 2 in everything. Oh and of course while I was breastfeeding I even had boobs. How I miss those things.

So now my girls are in first and third grade, life is somewhat calmer, but man I'm getting fat!
I enjoy good food and drink, however I do try to eat a balanced, healthy diet for the most part.  Unfortunately I have a bum knee that I've been struggling to fix the last couple years so my exercise has been limited. The days of lots of squats and lunges are over, running is tough too.
While reading Self magazine the other day I found this workout that the beautiful and very fit Katherine McPhee swears by. I've done it twice and LOVE it.

The hour goes by fast because you are changing it up so much. Its possible to do at home or in the gym, and so far its not killing my joints. They claim it burns 800-1000 calories not sure I buy that but I do have to say I am sweating like a pig and my heart rate is high throughout.  Do note I have yet to be able to jump rope 3 mins. straight. Who knew jump roping would be so hard?

A one-hour kick-ass cardio program with my trainer, Oscar Smith. He says the key is mixing cardio bursts with strength moves to confuse the muscles. Here's the routine:

• 5-minute warm-up run on the treadmill at 6 mph
• Total-body stretches to loosen up
• 10 jumping jacks; 10 push-ups
• Upper-body circuit: Using 5-pound weights, perform 10 one-arm rows; 10 lateral side raises; 10 front raises; 10 biceps curls to an overhead press.
• 5 push-ups; 5 burpees
• 30 seconds of alternating jump lunges
• Run up and down a flight of stairs; repeat twice.
• Pedal on a stationary bike for 5 minutes at resistance 10 or 15.
• 10 jumping jacks; 10 push-ups
• Abs circuit: 10 crunches; 15 crunches with hands under tailbone, curling knees to chest; 15 crunches with legs extended; 15 full sit-ups with feet planted; 30 seconds straight-leg flutter kicks; 30 seconds of leg scissors; hold plank for 15 seconds
• 3-minute run on treadmill at 7 mph
• Repeat abs circuit.
• 10 jumping jacks; 10 push-ups
• Assisted pull-ups: 3 sets of 10 reps
• 3 minutes jumping rope
• Repeat upper-body circuit.
• 3 minutes jumping rope
• 30 seconds hold plank
• Repeat stair run.
• Pull-ups, 3 sets of 6
• 3 minutes on bike at resistance 10
• 10 push-ups
• 3 minutes jumping rope

You're done. Phew!

Left: McPhee's trainer devised her workout to burn 800–1,000 calories and build endurance for long days on-set.

Cary Baby Photographer - Mini Album

Working on lots of orders this afternoon. Mini Accordion albums are very popular! A perfect item for mom's or grandma's purse, dad's desk or even the fridge as they have a magnetic closure. They are sold in sets of 3 and are a steal at only $99/3 albums.
Had to share this one with you another sweet little newborn and his family. This is how it looks in my ordering system, hence the red lines.

Referral Photo Gift - Raleigh Photographer Baby

Here is an example of one of my referral gifts. A 12 photo accordion mini album. Lauren received this album of her adorable little girl after referring a friend to me for her daughter's newborn photos. Thank you Lauren. Referrals are my best source of marketing. I truly appreciate my client's spreading the word.

Newborn & Baby Studio - Photographer Raleigh

Many photographers in the Raleigh area that photograph newborns and maternity work exclusively on-location, meaning they don't have a dedicated studio space. Because studio rental space is not cheap many photographers can not afford the overhead of their own studio.  I am very blessed to have extra space in my home that I have been able to convert into a studio and office. Having a dedicated space is important to me because it provides my clients with options.  If they are more comfortable in their own home and would rather not drag baby out, I can pack up my stuff and become a portable studio. However if they'd rather not have someone come into their home and set up shop, they can come to my in-home studio. About 75% of my clients choose to come to me, which says a lot.  Most people seem to prefer studio based photographers.

My studio is located in a development near the intersection of Ten Ten Rd & Holly Springs Rd. We have often been referred to as living in the "Bermuda Triangle of Raleigh" Our mailing address is Apex,NC however we technically reside in and pay taxes to Cary, NC.  We are about 10 miles from downtown Apex but can practically touch the city borders of Holly Springs & Raleigh. Not sure why they chose to map the area so strangely?

This morning I took a few photos of my new and improved studio and office space. I am so happy and so much more productive in my new workspace. Within my studio I now have an area dedicated to newborn photography, a few places I use for maternity photos and many options for baby photography.
I have several different canvas backdrops for boys and girls, and an area with a large backdrop for shooting families.

My office has moved upstairs right off the studio. The office is spacious and allows me so much flexibility. I can have a desk with my baby (27inch iMac) for displaying session slideshows, a comfy couch for parents to relax in, breastfeed baby,etc. during the session and another area for sitting and viewing all my albums and products during the photo ordering session. There is even a large closet to store my packaging materials and display items. Within the office is a full bathroom for clients to change and for the one year olds to wash up in after they've made a mess smashing their birthday cake. Best of all I have decorated the office in my logo colors browns and blues.

Raleigh Baby Photographer - baby's skin and photoshop

I'm not sure if people realize that newborn photos don't come out of the camera looking flawless. Very rarely do I get a newborn with perfect skin. Usually they have lots of milia those tiny white bumps and often peeling skin. Because their skin is so sensitive they are also prone to red blotches and scratches from clawing at their face with their sharp little nails. Here are two photos that demonstrate what the photos look like straight out of my camera and the improved photo after lots of photoshopping and tweaking. Digital photography is wonderful for many reasons but a curse as well. Photographers are now consumed with perfecting photos. We live in front of our big Macs and play and play (a.k.a) work.

Newborn Photos Emery - Raleigh NC

Meet Emery - I had the opportunity to photograph little Ms. Emery and her big sis Ella a couple weeks ago. Emery was so adorable and much preferred to snuggle in someone's arms than be put down to be photographed. We let her roll with it though, of course I don't mind holding a newborn at all! Fortunately she did let me take some photos here and there between all the snuggles. Her sister was such a trouper and look at those eyes. Beautiful sweet girl.

Lawson Newborn Photos - Raleigh NC Photographer

Newborns like Lawson are the reason why I absolutely love what I do. She was the softest, smiliest, squishiest, most bendable, beautiful little baby. Mom said when entering the studio, "she doesn't cry", and she didn't, not a peep. I had so much fun posing and playing with her. I was really hoping Mom would take me up on my offer of keeping her for a couple weeks.