I was given the opportunity to photograph generations of a family coming together. It was very cool.
Grandpa got to meet his grandson for the first time and the older grand kids came to visit Houston and see Grandma. And my newborn LM has grown so big. He's such a beautiful baby! I can't wait to see him again.
This family was such a pleasure to shoot. They are always fun and the nicest bunch of people. I had the best time photographing this rare moment together.
My model baby is almost all grown! I first shot AGU when he was about 7 months old, and he was such a ham in front of the camera. He was so great, I used him for some of my product samples. Can't believe how big he is now; they grow so fast.
We also did a family session for his grandparent's 40th anniversary. They are such a lovely couple, you can tell they are still very much in love. All the siblings got together in a reunion of sorts and it was fun to see their whole family dynamic in action.
Well, the summer session for toddler dance has finally ended. Em had so much fun and it was great meeting all of the moms. I shot a few images of the final class. Not really a recital, but we got to watch. Of course my kid was the one that was just sitting there. Go figure. See you guys in the fall!
To view the entire album larger and order photos, click the circle logo in the bottom right hand of the screen, then click on the name of the album, Claire's School of Dance. Enjoy.
I was tipped of by a good friend that there was a new nasal aspirator on the market. She told me this after her hearing me pin down and torture my 8-month-old while trying to suck the snot out of her tiny little nose. I hate it when babies are sick.
So I searched around and found it. I think I just might buy it. I know it sounds gross at first, but I figure as much time as I spend with vomit in my hair or my hands dirty with poop its not that far-fetched of an idea after all. It's called NoseFrida from Sweden (first Ikea, now this, gotta love them!) and its more than a "hands on" process.
Yes, that's right. Different from traditional nasal aspirators, or booger suckers as I lovingly refer to them, this one doesn't utilize the hand pump, but a mouth suction. Nasty. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a good testimonial.
In other baby-related topics, I stumbled across this helpful site for expecting moms in need of some baby name ideas. Its called BABY'S NAMED A BAD, BAD THING. The author Diane Goodman is an editor and freelance writer in San Francisco with this sense of humor not unlike my own. She has compiled "a catalog of naming questions and suggestions posted on several different baby naming (message) boards."
She also comments on them, which is the fun part. Here is an excerpt from her site:
"I've suggested to my sister that she name her little girl to be - Manchester. She's not sure about it but she's considering. What do you think? [Diane's response] Clever. Like being named Pittsburg or Schenectady. Kid'll grow up to be beaten to death by Liverpool fans."
I just think its amusing. But then again, I may just be easily amused. Judge for yourself.
I videotaped Em's dance class. What an undertaking video editing can be! I think I'll stick with stills.
Part 1: Stretching--Em's the one wearing pink in the front with pigtails. Harlow is in black on the left.
Part 2: Warming Up...my favorite part
Part 3: Solo Performances
Part 4: Group Dance
Part 5: End of class and getting stickers for a job well done. The idea is that each child takes turns jumping over the carpet squares to receive their stickers. Apparently this is a challenge for a toddler.
If you would like a copy of the full video, please contact me.
Woo! It's been a while since I posted anything here. It's been ridiculously busy. I was going through some old files and came across this long forgotten video of Em when she was only a year old. Its really funny. I was trying to get her to point to her eyes and nose. She was watching herself on the video camera while taping.
I hope you get a kick out of it.
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| Emmy Video 1 year |
Meet LM...a day shy of one month old. He was so good; he didn't even mind being naked for the duration of the session. Plus he really knew how to work the camera...after he woke up, of course. I can tell he's just going to be a little ham when he gets older. I love these in black and white, especially the sleepy ones. Sleepy as a new little baby should be.
That first one is my fave. 
I'll call him flyboy because that is what he loves to do best. His Mom picked him up and swung him around the room and he loved it so much.
He has this one perfect little drop of drool right at the bottom of his chin. AH! Love that!
Teething?
How sweet is this little guy? What a happy baby.
I just finished watching yesterday's episode of Lost. Can I just say how glad I am that it's finally coming together! I was so dissapointed with the show since the season began. It was so slow and the episodes seemed to have no point whatsoever. I just can't help comparing it to Heroes. Somehow I get a greater sense of fulfilment when my Monday night hour ends vs. Lost nights.
Anyhow, I don't know where I find the time, but I am really a TV addict. Mainly to my shows...Housewives, Lost, Heroes, Grey's, Betty and most recently Notes from the Underbelly. Now that is a funny show. A little over the top of course, but its still funny to watch and relate to.
Now 24, I just can't get into. Sorry, but I am the biggest Kiefer Sutherland fan ever (it started at a very early age with a giant, life-sized movie poster of The Lost Boys on my bedroom wall), but that show is just way, way, too far fetched for me. I try every season, but I just can't get into it.
I also take in the occassional Crossing Jordan, ER, CSI and Law and Order from time to time, but nothing beats a good episode of Grey's. Just a bunch of psycho, horny doctors...what fun. There are many more shows I watch, I'm sure I forgot a few.
Anyhow, I also have to make note that I have both Tivo and the DVR from the cable company, and Tivo just rocks, hands down. So much more user friendly and does so many other cool things. It's latest trick is to play images and slideshows from your online photo album account. So I can get my pictures on the tv while I lay in bed. Ha! Brilliant! Just what will they think of next?
I was looking at a few photos of my kids the other day and thought how nice it would be to have some pictures of me with them. I'm sure there are lots of moms (and dads) out there who feel the same way I do...always behind the camera and never in any pictures. It's pretty sad.
To celebrate Mother's Day (and Father's Day), I will be offering 10% off a la carte print pricing for all sessions booked through June 30th. I figured since I started late, I might as well keep it going for a while. Better late than never, right?
So grab your little ones and let's get shooting. Oh, and if anyone wants to take a picture of me with my babies, please feel free. You should see how crazy our self-portraits are!
As I've mentioned to everyone, I have had issues with updating my website. One of these days I will get it down.
In the meantime, I have created a small gallery of my most recent newborn images and birth announcements. I am currently looking for newborn multiples to photograph for my portfolio, so if you know anyone, please tell them to contact me. I classify "newborns" as babies under the age of 1 month...preferably less than 15 days old.
You can access the gallery here. Please use the arrow keys to advance the images...it makes for nicer viewing. Thanks to my model babies in the gallery! Enjoy.
Here is a "Sneak Peek" at little Miss A's recent photo session. She was such a doll and awesome to work with. What a beautiful family!
I am working my way through countless proofs and selecting the best ones. Almost ready to post the entire session online, but first here are a few of my favorites off the top of the heap. Trust me, it was hard to choose.
The red dress is one of my favorites. It amazes me how much she looks like a little collectible baby doll with perfect porcelain skin.
It was very hard to decide, but I narrowed it down to just one favorite image from the three sessions last month.
This is K at 6 months old, my little model. I also shot her one month portraits and my how she has grown.
This one is Kat at 10 days old. I love newborns, they are usually so sweet and sleepy...except for fiesty Kat.
JP is such an adventurous boy! He was so active and curious. A pleasure to photograph.
So I've folded all the laundry. Hard to believe, but the thing I hate worst about doing the laundry is putting it away. Is that weird? I don't mind the washing, I actually like the folding part, but its the putting it away that really kills me. Hate it. Much to my husband's dismay, he ends up putting it away. And whines the entire time...ha ha.
Anyhow, I digress. Notice how I have started blogging like the rest of the world. Trust me, I have resisted it to the best of my ability, but they got to me...darned bloggers! I suck at blogging. I've tried it once before and ended up posting like once a year. Sad, but true. So, let me start by outlining the purpose of this blog:
1. As part of my photography business, I will post regarding general information, new products, sneak peaks and other stuff for clients.
2. Hmmm...this seems to be a great place to chronicle mommy-hood. Plus my Dad keeps bugging me for more pics of the kids..."Ok, Dad!"
3. I love a good challenge...well, ok not really, but I'll try to keep up with this. Its good for me..like a mental exercise. It should be fun, right?
Note to self: watching Leno while blogging does not work. Ok, I'll stop now. See, I told you I sucked at blogging.
