41
Let me be real for a minute.
If someone were to have asked me a few months ago if baby shoots were our "thing," I would have replied with a firm "definitely not."
It's not that we can't photograph babies, because we can. And we have. But interacting with babies - there's the catch. We have no kids of our own (yet...;)), so it's difficult to know how to connect with one in a shoot. I look at it this way - it's easier to capture something you've had experience with. Been a high school senior? Check. Engagement? Check. Wedding? Check. Portraits? Check. Trashed my wedding dress? Check. Baby? ...nope.
I like babies. I think babies are precious. But I don't have one of my own, so I have yet to grasp the concept of being a parent. Additionally, I'm not a baby whisperer (have you met people like that? Seriously - how does that magical power work? It's like they have some hypnotic, nursery-rhyme voice or something).
Despite my feelings of inexperience, I am starting to think we can chalk baby shoots up as one of our "things." I'm becoming more comfortable with chubby cheeks and tiny feet. And who knows? Maybe this practice will make me more prepared for mom-world. Maybe. ;)
Ben and I photographed adorable 2-week-old Kaylee yesterday. Her parents, Yanelys and Randy, welcomed us into their home - a perfect, intimate setting for the shoot. Kaylee was a fabulous little model. There was only a brief moment of crying, and one unfortunate accident on the bed (and Yanelys' hand :)) during the entire hour and a half that we were there. I think she may have a future in the career - she didn't flinch once while our two huge lenses were shoved in her face. :)
Check out a few of our favorites below. More to come soon!
Kissy-face? :)
It amazed me to see how alert she was at only 2 weeks.
Proud parents. :)
LOVE this.
She looks like a little doll here. :)
Beautiful!
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34
"So, when are you guys having kids?"
If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked this question since Ben and I got married in July of '07, I wouldn't be writing this blog right now - I'd be in Barbados or Australia, vacationing in one of my 5 homes across the world. ;)
It's true, right? Those kinds of questions come with the territory, I guess. Your fiance of 2.5 seconds has just brushed off his knee from popping the question, and someone is already asking when the wedding date is. You barely get through your first dance at the reception before someone is tapping an imaginary watch and teasing you about the "clock ticking" for reproduction.
I always have every intention of concocting some awkward response ("We were actually planning on adopting a 32-year-old - we figured there would be less responsibility"), but in the moment, I simply smile and repeat for the 107th time, "Not yet!"
Even though Ben and I aren't quite ready to have any of our own, I do love babies. So fortunately, some of my friends have reached that stage in the game. It's nice practice to be able to hang out with your friend's kids (and give them back when they start screaming ;)). One of those friends is Cami, and her precious, full-of-life daughter, Callie.
You may remember this adorable little face from a recent Sneak Peek. While visiting Cami and Clinton (her husband) at their house in South Carolina, I had an ongoing impromptu shoot with Callie. It was nice to have the flexibility to be able to grab shots of her throughout the weekend, documenting different days, and different things that she did while I was there.
I'm excited to be able to provide a timeline for Callie's life (as I'm sure there will be many more photo ops in the future), but I've made Cami promise me that I won't be labeled as the crazy-camera-lady-who-always-has-a-lens-pointed-in-Callie's-face. Because really - who wants to be that person?! ;)
I also hope that Callie doesn't grow up to resent me for a couple of these shots below (namely, the bare butt moment). I've already decided that once she reaches the age of embarrassment, I will blame the entire set-up on her mother. ;)
Callie Lou:
Thanks for the love Auntie Amy! & don't worry about posting my bare bum on the internet, I think my Daddy won't mind for at least a few more years! I love you!
(05.21.09)
Beth:
you did awesome!! i love the last one on the left, she seems to be done with pics and having people in her face!!
(05.21.09)
Yanelys Benito:
I LOVE THEM!!! BTW... this was so weird... I see your blog date is 05-21-2009, that is our baby Kaylee's birthday and then her name is Callie??? WOW!! :) can't wait to see Kaylee's pics!!
(06.04.09)
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31
I have heard the phrase "he/she will go far in life" used many, many times to describe someone who is motivated, driven, or passionate.
When I was little, I used to take that saying pretty literally - Where is that person going? How do you know how far they'll go? Now, are we talking across the state, or across the world??
I also got confused about the phrase "we're in it for the long haul," but that's another story for another day...
Carolann will go far in life. Maybe not in my 6-year-old reasoning of physical distance, but in her goals, her accomplishments, and her successes, she will go far. As her older (but obviously not necessarily wiser ;)) cousin, I'm extremely proud of her. Ben and I had a blast photographing her senior session, and we can wait to see how her future will pan out. :)
And a little extra from the day....
I played paparazzi while Ben was in his zone. :)
tina:
Beautiful pics! Carolann is so photogenic - and her sweetness shows in the pictures. :)
(05.17.09)
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28
I'm feeling especially ancient today. My little sister is graduating college tomorrow morning. College. Seriously? To me, she should still be wearing her pink glasses and begging me to pull her around the neighborhood in a laundry basket (a Santa/Rudolph game...and yes, I'm a sucker).
Ben and I also photographed my younger cousin's senior session this afternoon. Carolann is graduating high school this month. She is not the baby of the family anymore - she's a beautiful, mature, independent young woman.
And the fact that I just called her a "young woman" makes me feel old.
Adding salt to the wound, I took one of those dumb Facebook surveys that tells you to list 5 movies released during the year of your birth. Footloose was on my list. Footloose! I think I just found my first wrinkle.
Let me move past my self pity and give you a glimpse at Carolann's session. There will be a bigger post later, but for now, this sneak peek is all my emotions can handle. :)
Did I forget to mention that Carolann is insanely gorgeous?
Well, she is. :)
Outfit change!
More to come soon! :)
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24
Meet little Callie (not to be confused with "Big" Callie - who is not the mother of little Callie, or "big" in any way, really).
Since this is a sneak peek (and it's past midnight), I'm not going to say anything more. There will be a bigger post later with details, but for now, check out the photos below and be prepared to say "awwwwh" at least 37 times.
The hat is a tribute to her daddy's occupation...
Who doesn't love little baby rolls?
Or little baby feet?!
My favorite. :)
tricia:
amy, these are amazing! everytime i look at your pictures i am constantly inspired!
(04.30.09)
Cami:
Oh Amy!!!! I could not love these more! Thank you so much for giving me a peek!!
(04.30.09)
Big Callie:
Ahhh oh my gosh these turned out sooo precious! Little is so photogenic! Precious
(04.30.09)
YaYa:
Thanks Amy for not making us wait 2 weeks to view these...i can hardly wait for more...i just love - love - love her!
(04.30.09)
Anonymous:
AWWWW, these are sooo awesome!!! Of course look at the subject!!
(04.30.09)
Nana:
She is just too cute!! isn't it amazing how many comments baby photos bring?
Love, Nana
Elaine Weldon:
you guys do great work... Who wouldn't want to give this little one a hundred thousand kisses... what a cutie
(05.02.09)
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OMG!!!!! they are AMAZING!!!! I can't express how grateful I am for this experience... Thanks soooo much! I look forward to seeing the rest of them. Much love to you both, Randy and Yanelys
(06.04.09)Beautiful baby -- beautiful pictures. Espcially love the one with her face in her Daddy's hand. Precious!
(06.04.09)These pictures are so incredible! They make me melt. You two are truly talented, and Kaylee is absolutely gorgeous!!
(06.04.09)Oh, wow!!! What beautiful pictures! What a beautiful baby!
(06.04.09)OMG...Kaylee is absolutely precious and your photography captured it in an absolutely great way. I think u did an awesome job!
(06.04.09)I am in absolute awe!!! Cant wait to see the rest of the pictures. Despite the lil model being as close to perfection as we can get, your shots were able to capture it. Great job! I love it! ♥
(06.04.09)I love them all. Excellent work but especially precious baby girl. my LADYBUG!. Gorgeous! :)
(06.04.09)I am in absolute awe!!! Cant wait to see the rest of the pictures. Despite the lil model being as close to perfection as we can get, your shots were able to capture it. Great job! I love it! ♥ Sandy ♥
(06.04.09)I Am speechless, & for those who know me , You'll agree that till now I thought it would be impossiable to ever leave me SPEECHLESS!!!! Your work is AMAZING!!! & My Precious Moment Doll "Kaylee" Is Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I LoVe Your Work!!
(06.04.09)OMG - Amy, I knew I forwarded your email to Yanely's but didn"t actually know they booked you until yesterday. LOL i'm soo happy and I knew you would do a great job. I'm sooo happy with your work and you will soon know most of us here... The pictures are AMAZNG!! Isn't Kaylee soooo freaking cute... UGHH she is precious!
(06.05.09)i have to leave another comment... LOL (I am aloud, cause I am the mommy) ;) I cannot stop staring at these... OMG! I feel like I am not getting anything else done because I find myself on your site every half hour... I am soooo Excited and can't wait for the rest... I may have a heart attack... :)
(06.05.09)the pictures are BEAUTIFUL...great shots.
(06.05.09)I must say, perfect baby for the ART;)..My GORGEOUS niece!
I LOVE YOU KAYLEE...from tia Yami and Mikey
These are the pictures I wish I had of Levi when he was that small... Love them.
(06.06.09)ok I was looking through the TRA recipies website and came across one of your images that was submitted of a beautiful bouquet. Then I saw that you are a local photog! So glad to have stumbled upon your blog! Your work is really cool :)
(06.08.09)She is beautiful God bless her and your family.
(06.12.09)Soooo beautiful! She's Noah's future girlfriend ~ :-) They are like Ying and Yang. I don't think we could get Noah to stay still for pics like this unless we sedated him. xoxo
(07.01.09)