This session was done while we were in Michigan a while back.  I was so excited when my dear friend asked me to shoot her family photos in her neighbor's barn.  Where I live, there are not many barns around, so this was really a treat.  I have to say, this is the largest borrowed photo prop I ever used.  Fortunately, the neighbors use it for entertaining, not for keeping animals.  Whew!

Aren't they sweet?  This fellow did not want to cuddle up with his sister at all.  But he gave us a smile anyway.  Mature beyond his years I think.  Closeness like this might feel awkward at the time, but it's so moving when you actually see the final photo.

The mom in this family happens to be a friend I've known always.  We grew up together only a few doors away from each other.  I consider myself so blessed by her friendship growing up and now too.  This photo above reminds me of how easy it was for us to laugh as little girls together...at anything...at nothing.  Ah the bliss of childhood.  Such fun memories.

This pose of the happy couple above is a reenactment of a photo I took of them while I was starting art school taking a photography class and they were dating.  I'm not doing the math on how long ago that was.  They still look fabulous, though, don't they?

...please sit down.  I've borrowed this couch before from my very generous friend Julie.  This time, we swapped photo shoots.  I took photos of her and her family and she, the brave girl that she is, took photos of my crazy family.

Here is her oldest daughter posing for some test shots for me.  Since Julie is an amazing artist and photographer herself (check out her etsy shopand her blog), her kids are used to the camera.  I've found that it can go either way with children of photographers.  Either they love the camera and fall into poses almost naturally, or they treat the camera like the little sibling they never wanted.  Mine tend for the latter.  

Ah, some time on the couch without the kids.  Lets not think about how to get that couch back home.

This lovely lady is my very sweet grand niece.  About a month or so ago, we all took a trip a state away to see her at 5 weeks old.  I've recently seen pictures of her and it looks like she already has grown out of the newborn stage. 

I decided to show all of these photos in black and white.  Because there were so many quiet and sweet moments, I thought black and white would reflect them best.  Reminds me of college days when I worked with black and white film.  Kinda miss that. 

The sleepy baby was lulled into REM by my husband - the baby whisperer.  Because our first baby never wanted to sleep, my husband learned this crazy technique from a video called "Happiest Baby on the Block."  Now, every chance we get, we give this video to new parents.  And we get the same response from them all.  "Oh we didn't need the video, we had a sleepy baby." They didn't even need to open and watch the DVD - it's that good.

This little girl is a hoot.  In the photos below you will see these genuine smiles.  That's not me, being oh so clever, coaxing them behind the camera.  It's this little one year old who was inspiring all these smiles.  I have to say, I found myself supressing laughs so I could hold the camera still while clicking away.

Obviously, this was taken in the spring time at one of my favorite locations, the Morton Arboretum.  There are no end of beautiful scenery there - especially in the springtime.  For a photographer, that can be good or bad, depending on the ages and temperaments of little ones.  Fortunately, this happy little lady did very well transitioning from one location to the next.

This family did such a great job, I felt so fortunate to not only work with them but get to know what kind people they are.  This photo was taken right in the area of where I lost my car keys.  Ugh, how professional, right?  But this couple was so great they helped me look for my lost keys and wouldn't leave until they were found. 

Here is one happy little guy.  And we haven't even added the cake yet.

Yay cake!  So, so, good.  Such a lovely day for a cake picnic too.  Warm weather, no wind, and the light was just beautiful.  I love good light.  Just before sundown is one of my favorite times to shoot.  The sunlight is soft so people are not as prone to squint.  The light is also low, so it's alot of fun to play with the sparkle of the highlights at that time or the long shadows.

A teachable moment here.  Mom was trying to teach baby how to share.  "Share yummy cake?  Just give you a taste?  Hmmm, I'll have to chew on that."

I'll always ask if a parent wants to be in a photo or two with the child or children even if the shoot is just for the kids.  It's a good memory for everyone.

Hope this post leaves you with a smile :)

This brother and sister are all about fun.  Can you tell?  I met up with them back in the fall when the colors were still so beautiful.  We all went for a leisurely stroll around a quiet, beautiful pond.  With such outgoing personalities, it was great fun trying to keep up with all the different looks they'd shoot me.  I just wish I could show you the whole session!

Let me introduce you to the most girly-est girl I know.  She loves princesses, babies, flowers, and as you will see, dress-up...  I know all of this inside info on her because this pretty girl is my niece.  I try to pay close attention to her feminine ways because one, I was a tom-boy, and two, my youngest of three is a girl - she needs to know this stuff.

Of course, I have to include one photo with Princess Jasmine in there too.  Doesn't it make you want to sing the theme song from Aladdin..."a whole new woooorld, and new fantastic point of view, no one to tell us no, or where to go, or say we're only dreaming..."  I've learned so much already!

Recently I had a chance to capture this beautiful family among the changing fall colors.  The weather can be tricky this time of year.  It could be hot, cold, snowing, raining - you name it.  And bad weather was approaching as the time of our scheduled session was drawing near.  So we decided to get together a day earlier.  What a difference a day makes.  I was able to observe the perfect match of quiet, sweet moments and beautiful scenery.

These two did such an amazing job, didn't they?  Click, click, click...I was getting so carried away with snapping pictures of them.  When their dad called them, they smiled even before they had his full attention.  Love that.  He made my job sooooo much easier.

I have to mention that the park where we were going to meet at was overtaken by a high school cross country race.  Teenagers as far as the eye could see.  Their mom suggested this location and I'm so glad she did.  Quick thinking on her part.  We pretty much had this quiet, beautiful park all to ourselves.

I think it was pancakes and a pumpkin farm promised for these guys after their photo shoot.  Well earned I'd say.

One day my three year old and five year old quickly gullped down dinner and quietly ran out our front door.  Why were they in such a hurry?  And, now that I think of it, where are they going?  After a few minutes, I knew where they were - at our neighbor's house.  They love it there.  Recently, I had a chance to take some family portraits of them all and a few fun snaps of just the kids.

The kids are a lively group which makes photographing them A LOT of fun.  Their personalities just shine right through.  For example, the pose below on the right side, the kids kinda came up with that themselves.  I'm still amazed at their team work and coordination.  Just love that shot.

I also have to give their oldest daughter credit for the photo below.  She saw their shadows and thought it would make a good photo.  I believe she was right.