A much happier boy!

Remember the sad boy a couple weeks ago?  He came back in to give it another try and this time he was having a MUCH better time!  I'm very thankful to my studio neighbor who held off on some yard work for us to use this cute spot on his lot.

Don't they look like they were having fun?!?!

Birthday Girls...

These sisters came in to mark their 1st and 3rd birthdays...  Little Sister's good nature didn't last long but we did manage to capture some grins before she turned sour on us.  Big sister could have stayed in front of the camera all day!  We also found a great little spot just outside the studio for a few in a different setting.  What a fun morning!

Silly Little Monkey...

It is such a fun stage when little ones begin to interact with the world around them.  This little guy was all smiles the day he came in!  You can tell his heart really belongs to Mommy because his attention is easily distracted by her voice.  Such a sweet little snuggle bug!

I love that crazy hair!

Engagement and Family...

I have known this couple since I first photographed their oldest when he was 6 months old (he is now 4).  It has been such a pleasure to get to know them over the years and to watch their family grow!  Now I get to be with them when they tie the knot next month and I cannot wait to share that special moment with them.  Here is a little sneak peek at their engagement/ family session.  I don't want to show too much because they will be using many of these images at the reception but I just had such a hard time picking only a FEW.

Photo Contest/ Families Helping Families of Iowa Benefit

Baby Time and Jungling Photography are hosting a photo contest to help raise money for Families Help Families of Iowa!

For those of you not familiar with Families Helping Families: they are a wonderful non-profit that fills immediate and basic needs of kids in the foster care system.  Before I heard of FHF, I was under the assumption that kids "in the system" are taken care of by the "system".  What I've learned is that many of them arrive in their foster homes with little more than the clothes on their backs.  What financial aid the foster families do get is slow in coming.  FHF fills that gap so these kids have clothes to wear to school and the supplies they need to be successful.  Please check out their Facebook page or website (www.familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.com) to see a little more of what they are about.


Here are the details of the event:
Friday April 27th & Saturday April 28th. 4341 1st Ave SE #121 (JP Studio)
Call Jungling Photography (319)389-0596 or Baby Time (319)270-6328 to schedule your time.


You may enter as many times as you like, each entry is $10.  That WHOLE amount will be donated to FHF!  And in return you'll get a 5x7 print of your entry.
The categories to enter are:
1. Babies in Cloth Diapers (age 0-12 mos).  If you do not use cloth diapers, we will have some covers available for you to use!
2. Tots in Cloth Diapers (age 12 mos & up).  If your tot is no longer in diapers, bring in a doll or teddy that could be diapered or put in a sling for the photo!

3. Slings/ Carriers (all ages).  This could be Mom or Dad using a sling with little ones or, again a little one wearing their favorite 'baby'

4. Baby Bumps Maternity- expecting a little bundle soon?  We'll get a photo of your bump- Dad and/or siblings welcome in this one!


Voting will take place on Facebook May 1-6.  Winners for each category will receive a $25 gift certificate to Baby Time and an 8x10 image from Jungling Photography (can be used with the contest image or a later session)


Door prizes!  There are several ways to get entered into the drawing, no limit on how many times you can enter!  Entry requirements:
* Sign up to walk in FHF's walk-a-thon on May 5th
* Bring gently used clothing or baby items to donate to FHF's closet.  Get entered once for each item!
* Get the word out!  Go to my FB page www.facebook.com/junglingphotoblog, find the note or other posts about the event and share them on your own FB page then leave a comment below that you did to be entered into the drawing.

* buy additional copies of your image to boost your donation.  Additional 5x7 will be specially priced at $10. Half of that will go to FHF

* donate a drawing prize.  Are you a small business person that loves to get involved in the community?  Give us a call if you'd like to donate a little gift to add to the prize pool!

If you aren't familiar with Baby Time yet, check out her website at www.babytimeia.com.  Kristen has LOTS of great products for babies and kids and is adding to the inventory all the time!

I'm very excited about this event & I hope you'll all help us make it successful!  Families Helping Families really is an amazing thing for our community & I'm excited to help the out!

More cute kiddos...

I was so happy on the morning of this session that each time I looked out my window, the sun was shining!  Such a welcome difference from my Saturday morning excursion!  Rain was in the forecast so I was also very nervous that it wouldn't last long enough, plus I knew that this one was going to take a bit to get set up:

We set up camp!  What kid doesn't love making forts?  And when I was a kid, getting to make them outside was even more exciting.  I've been wanting to try this with a session for awhile now.  A few weeks ago I went shopping for some props to make it happen when this trio's mom called to set up their annual session (I love when moms are up for my crazy ideas!).  The kids loved it too!

My favorite new prop is this wagon!  I could not believe what a find it was.  Before I could get the shop owner dig it out for me, I was already imaging all the fun I'm going to have with it over the summer!

Isn't it just perfect for family moments like this?

I've got other crazy ideas for fun, vintage inspired sessions this spring so don't wait to call so we can start planning one for your family!

Laughter and tears

I love working with kids!  Part of what makes it so great is they bring their own little personalities to the sessions, making it work for what I have planned can be a challenge but when it does, it is magic.  These two brought a mixed bag.  Sister was ready before Brother was so we started with her.  Through chattering teeth on that chilly morning, she chatted with me and we started to have a little fun.  We made a game of covering her legs up with a blanket then taking it off for a few to help her stay warm.  Magic.  When Brother joined us, he was less than thrilled, much preferring to have mom hold him (and who can blame him as he is still recovering from being sick a few days before).  But we managed to get some laughs in between the tears.  I can still see the tear stains in his eyes though, so I'm thinking we'll be taking another crack at it so he gets to have fun in front of the camera too- a little magic of his own.  Still, aren't they darling kiddos?

St Patty's day wedding...

I had the great privilege of spending the morning with this lovely couple and the bride's kids on St Patrick's day!  The wore their green, they are so in love and they have a LOT of fun!  There were tons of giggles, lots of little nuzzles and kisses were certainly not in short supply.  Here is a little peek at their special day: