And the sneaks just keep comin'...

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can... Just about caught up.  Another wonderful family that I love seeing each year!  The forecast was for mostly cloudy skies so I hadn't anticipated so much sunlight for their session Saturday morning.  We had to find a different spot in the park we were meeting.  I was pretty excited to find a section of it that I didn't even know existed and the light was gorgeous for that time of day.

Celebrating Baby Brother...

This sweet little guy came in with his family last week to celebrate his arrival 3 weeks ago.  New babies are always special around JP Studio but I especially enjoy them when it is a family affair- when we celebrate not only the new life but how that new life adds to the family dynamic.  In the case of this family, someone's title change to "Big Sister" and I think she wears it well!

Congratulations on the birth of your sweet, handsome, perfect little man!

Family sessions make me happy!

Especially with families like this... The girls are so full of personality, as so SO sweet.  And together they are all just lovely.

Yay for family portrait season!  Have you scheduled yours yet?  Don't wait too long- I'll be in Senior Portrait mode very soon!

Adorable pair!

It is always amazing to me how siblings can be so very different from one another.  This little duo could not be more opposite!  One loves to have her portrait made:

Happy faces, staying right where I found the light, cooperatively sitting or standing.

The other, not even a little.  Bird watch?  sure.  Listen to MP3s?  absolutely.  Sort Crayons?  Why not.  Play peek-a-boo through a window with Dad?  That is big fun!  The trick is trying to make it seem like we are just doing things that she wants to do without her realizing that the camera is clicking away to catch that illusive grin.

She makes me work for it, but what I get is absolutely 100% genuine.  Love that crocked little smile!

Thanks for playing with me ladies!  You are growing up so fast!

And Baby Makes 3

One of the best things about my job are the relationships that I get to build with my clients.  I first met Amber and Matt when they were planning their wedding.  They chose me to photograph their engagement and wedding day a couple of years ago {and we had a ton of fun doing both!}  Recently, they came back in to capture their pre-baby joy.  They still remembered all the posing rules, followed my crazy hand signals and again we fell right into our easy conversation (I think we talked after the session for longer than we actually made photos).  I am so blessed to have shared all these special moments with them and I cannot wait to share even more as their family grows!

Another cute fall family...

We had some rain delays but I was finally able to get out in the meadow with this family.  We go back quite a ways, I used to watch the oldest little man when he was tiny, before I picked up my camera and I've known Dad since, well, forever it seems.  And they live about a block away from my family so we see each other out and about from time to time.  It has been fun to watch this family grow and their little men develop into silly little guys always ready with something funny to say {can't imagine where they get that from}.  I had so much fun chatting with the boys, getting reacquainted with big brother and learning a little more about little brother.  They are both pretty neat little guys, and their parents are fun too.

Isn't she beautiful?!?

This lovely little one was so happy!  Mostly smiles from the time she came through the door until we turned off the lights.  I love the Giggles and Grins sessions at 3-4 months!  They've started interacting with people other than their family and their little personalities start to develop.

She also came in with an adorable diaper cover, which was very timely for the event I am teaming up with Baby Time for next month.  If you haven't had a chance to check out her site filled with great cloth diapers, baby wearing accessories and more, you really should! http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.babytimeia.com%2F&h=IAQFg1ZLd

A few details about the event:  We will be holding a photo contest at JP studio on April 27th & 28th.  The proceeds will be going to Families Helping Families of Iowa (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Families-Helping-Families-of-Iowa/29340451379) an organization that helps foster families meet basic needs of the kids they care for, a truly amazing group of people over there doing incredible things and I'm so happy to be helping them out!

The categories are Cloth Diaper Babies (1 yr and younger), Cloth Diaper Tots (age 1 and up) and Slings/ Carriers all ages.  Don't worry if your little one hasn't worn cloth diapers before, Kristen will have some on hand to try on and use for your photo!  And if your little one isn't so little anymore and isn't in diapers or slings, bring in their favorite doll or teddy and we'll get them all decked out for the photo!  Each entry will receive a 5x7 of the their image and there will be lots of great prizes from Baby Time and Jungling Photography.  I'll be sure to post more details as we get our plans finalized.

The last senior for 2011...

I usually have one or two sneak in after the holidays so there may still be some for the class of 2012.  As far as closing out this year, I couldn't have been happier to have any other subject than my youngest cousin!  G was born after I graduated from high school (boy that makes me sound old!) so we hadn't really spent much time together before her session.  What a hoot!  I can't speak for her, but I had a wonderful time spending the day with her!  She is so beautiful, talented, bubbly and fun, I'm so glad I had the opportunity to learn those things about her!

Precious baby girl!

Babies are always so amazing to me.  Just the wonder of new life and how quickly we fall in complete and utter love with them.  This family is so enamored with their sweet little addition!  And why shouldn't they be?  And isn't there something extra special about a baby around Christmas?  The perfect early present and the perfect reminder of what the season is all about!

I know I'm going to enjoy getting to know this family so much more over the next year!

sweet boy...

I can't believe it has almost been a year since I met this little guy for the first time!  Happy birthday, little man!

Family Christmas Session...

I love my annual families!  It is so nice to see them come in each year and to catch up on what the year has brought to them.  This family usually chooses and outdoor location but this year, weather just wasn't on our side for that.  I was so excited that the ceiling tile back drop came in just in time for their session, it was the perfect compliment to their outfits!

A short little sneak peek...

I have been trying to get to this sneak for far too long!  My kids and I were sick last week and this week there have so many things to catch up on and other project deadlines quickly closing in so today I finally got a chance to sit down with this lovely family's images!  Sorry you've had to wait, I can't wait to show you the rest of your images!

Family Fun with a Fun Family

I was so happy to do a family session for a dear friend of my sister.  I am always so taken by her when I get to spend time with her.  Not only is she a gorgeous lady, she has such a beautiful heart.  And seeing her with her family just makes me happy!  They are silly and there were lots of outtakes but also lots of fun.  K man- I owe you 15 tootsie rolls when you come into the studio, I won't forget!  My sister is very blessed to have her as a friend & I am too.

This one just makes me smile.  Amid all the crazy silliness there is so much love.

Lovely, lovely, lovely!

This girl has it ALL!  She is beautiful, smart, funny and so so sweet.  The last time I saw her was at her brother's wedding last fall so it was very fun to catch up with her and her mom and hear about the rest of the family.  I adore that my job allows me to build real relationships that last beyond the session!  I think I found a bit of a kindred spirit with Miss J.

As I talk with the senior girls that I work with I'm always surprised at how different their self image is from what I see.  I hope that by the time we wrap things up they go home seeing themselves in a more realistic light.  I've said before that, through the camera's lens, I get to see people the way that God sees them and I love that these images show just how lovely Miss J is, inside and out.  We should all know just how fearfully and wonderfully we are made.  That we are cherished, beautiful, loved and lovable!

Thanks again for sharing the day with me!  I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to see you again.