I love shooting for Amber and Justin.  In addition to the fact that their son is Adorable (yes, with a capital “A”), they are amazing parents who have no trouble loving on their son as though I’m not even there.  Which makes capturing that love a piece of cake.

How’s this for the definition of “Little Boy Blue”?

If there’s a problem with having a smiley baby, its that you come to expect that winning grin all the time.  I learned that Eli is an uber smiler at our beach shoot not too long ago so I think all of us came into this session expecting to see dimple.  Eli, on the other hand, wanted to mix it up a bit and show us his more serious side.  And this wasn’t a bad thing…

…because it made us play harder.  Which made everyone else grin a little bigger.  Well played, little man.

Most of the time I edit out the drool.  But in this session, there were two drool shots so impressive that I couldn’t bring myself to Photoshop a thing!

Perry the cat made cameo appearances throughout the shoot.  And as cat people know, you just can’t make this stuff happen:

Just like baby chub peeking out through summer dresses on little girls, I’ve got a special love for tiny feet hanging out of pant legs on baby boys.  Baby pants might be the most ridiculously adorable invention.  Especially when they have functional pockets so that babies have a place to keep their keys and their smokes.

Here’s the shot where I said to Eli, “So, man, what are you in for?”

Then he got the joke:

Eli still naps best in someone’s arms.  So nap time became a special photo op.  I especially like the suitcase in the corner, it makes me wonder where slumberland took him.

Here’s a slideshow and the gallery and many, many thanks to Amber and Justin for their hospitality, especially the “broken” sugar cookies.  An accident?  I think not but I was clearly a beneficiary.  Be good until the next shoot, you three.

Posted by Mel @ 6:48 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | 1 comment | Permalink

By popular request, I’m running a holiday card portrait session special this year!

$150 bucks.  30 minutes of your time, tops.  2 day turnaround with up to 20 pics of your crew.  One high res file included in the price for your card.

Sweet.

There are some parameters:

- Offer valid only through the months of October and November 2011.

- Portrait session must be scheduled on a week day.  If it rains, its back to the drawing board based on my availability, back up rain dates can’t be held so schedule soon…

- Session must be scheduled outdoors and within Richmond city limits.  Libby Hill Park in Church Hill, for example, is the perfect spot with both a city and river view. (Please note, some privately run parks such as Maymont and Ginter allow portraiture but require a sitting fee or donation for use of their property)

Contact me for more details at samandmel@worthington-photography.com.  Hope to see you soon!

Posted by Mel @ 2:45 pm, in News, Portraits | No comments | Permalink

I think Amber wins the award for “best daughter-in-law ever”!  For Tracey’s birthday, Amber had the idea to give her the gift of a family photo shoot during their yearly beach vacation on lovely Chincoteague Island.  My  favorite photos of our parents with my son were taken on a beach vacation so I know what a great gift this really is.   I was very excited to tag along for a day.

I met the crew at the house to take some preliminary shots before we made our way to the beach.  Joining Eli’s parents and grandparents for the shoot were his aunties, Kiley and Simone, as well as Kiley’s boyfriend Noah and Simone’s friend Eliza.  It was here at the house that Mark, Justin’s dad, made the discovery of the flapping burp cloth.  Eli couldn’t resist giggling at anyone waving the burp cloth around in the air.  Actually, no one else could resist either!  For the rest of the day, everyone took turns entertaining Eli with that burp cloth.

Tracey, a.k.a. Eli’s Nanna, won my heart right away because each time I took a picture she would say, “yay!” in a small voice with such sweet excitement.  Eli was due for a cat nap when I arrived so it was the perfect time to get some sleepy shots with Nan in a onesie she gave him.

Then it was off to the beach.  We started on the marsh side where water channels weave through tall sea grass, making up much of Chincoteague’s distinctive landscape.

I love this shot with the aunties:

And of course, his grandparents:

As the sun dropped lower into the sky we shifted to the ocean side to enjoy the beautiful blue water.  I like the reflections in this big group shot:

My favorite part of the shoot were all the candid shots of family just being… family.

As I drove over the bridge off the island on my ride home I witnessed the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.  I’ve been to some exotic places but it happened right here in Virginia, my own home state.  Here’s a slideshow jam packed with way too many photos (all in the gallery here too) but what can I say?  You guys are pretty good looking.  I’m so excited to take Eli’s “official” six month photos at the end of the month so stay tuned for more of this little cutie.  Happy Birthday to Tracey and thanks to the whole family for making it such a fun shoot!

Posted by Mel @ 8:44 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | 1 comment | Permalink

I’m hoping this post finds everyone safe, damage minimal, and one day closer to regaining power and getting back to life.  This past week has given me a lot to reflect on in terms of what’s actually important.  Its easy to take our family and the four walls that keep that family safe for granted.

A home, no matter whether you own or rent, is more than four walls.  First you make it your own and then you set about to the task of making memories there. Its hard to believe that Kelly and Pete just moved into this house with Kelly 37? 38? weeks pregnant during the big move!  Its remarkable on many levels, especially to those of us who have experienced the power or nesting instincts during that last trimester.  They have already made their house look like home and made some amazing memories within it.

Nurseries are an amazing way for parents-to-be to connect with a being they already love so much but only know in an abstract way.  For this reason, I love photographing nurseries and seeing all the creative and wonderful things that people do to welcome a little being.  Baby Benjamin’s room had teal walls when they moved in, a wonderful blessing, and I love happy whales and navy blue accents that conjure up dreams of sailing adventures on the great ocean blue.  My personal fav item was an old side table that the couple painted a bright shade of lime green, I love the idea of sprucing up a flea market find!

It isn’t usually too hard to coax a two week old baby to sleep but sweet Benjamin was determined to stay awake!  No amount of milk, swinging, or swaddling could deter this wee one from staring into his proud parents’ eyes.  I was all over it…

I hate it when I can’t decide between moments.  OK, maybe I could have worse problems.

Check out Marley, the family’s Golden, wanted to keep close watch over the newest member of the pack.

Its strange to call this a newborn portrait since you can’t even see the newborn but I still love how Benjamin is implied by all his family members in this shot:

Congratulations to Kelly and Pete on such a beautiful little boy, I am so excited to watch him grow!  Here’s a slideshow (love the music choice, you guys) and the online gallery to see more…

Posted by Mel @ 6:24 pm, in Newborns, Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink