Category Archives: Children & Family

Meintrup Family – {Godfrey, IL Family Photographer}

When I show up for a session, I’m usually nervous, but confident. I know my camera. I know my lenses. And I have a tentative plan for what I want to capture from each session. When asked to photograph another professional photographer’s family, well, that confidence is slightly shaken. As I think back to the day of Anne’s maternity session, I remember text messages like, “I’m a nervous wreck!” and “I’m not a prop girl!” Oh! and “I hope you don’t mind, but I do a lot of posing with intentions of getting the moments!” Over the course of the day, my nerves were getting the best of me. How on earth does a professional photographer photograph another AMAZING professional photographer without feeling insecure?!

 

Anne was great. Her replies were similar to things I say to Kadence when she thinks she’s never going to eat again, “RELAX!!!!”:)I knew Anne had a specific vision in mind for her session, and I simply wanted to capture exactly what she wanted with quality she’d be proud to showcase in her home. Once the session was under way, the Lord proved to be with me once again. My nerves were left back at the house and I was completely in my element. When the Facebook comment, “this is going HUGE in my house. THANK YOU SO MUCH!” popped up in my notifications, I smiled. Not because I was proud to see such a comment, but rather incredibly blessed to be able to do this for Anne and her family.

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Now, a little personal request… Anne’s baby boy, Lukas, is trying to give her gray hairs. He is sick of cooking and ready to come out and greet the world! Problem is, he still needs another 3-5 weeks with mommy. He has been trying to make his big debut since week 32, which has landed both he and mommy in the hospital three times… with the biggest scare coming this past weekend. I know I’ve asked many of you for prayers already, but again, please say a pray for Anne, baby Lukas and the entire Meintrup family. And if you are praying (or willing to pray), please leave a comment letting them know (with your location!) of all the love and support they’re receiving from across the country. I just want to find a simple way to bless her today…

 

Thank you so much.

 

An afternoon at the park

With this unusually nice weather we’ve been having, it seemed only fitting to go to the park as a family last week. We’ve been trying to treasure our one on one time with Caison as we know it will be few and far between all too soon! He was so much fun to watch play and run around like he was a ‘free man’! Of course, because it was such a nice day, the park was completely PACKED with kids much bigger than him. He desperately wanted to do everything the big kids were doing…including play football. Several times he would take off at a dead sprint for the football game taking place over in the open green grass yelling “Ball!” It brought tears to his eyes when we said, “No, Caison. You’re too little!”

 

Doesn’t he know that I only get to enjoy him little bitty for so long?? I mean seriously, how on earth is my baby boy almost TWO?!?!

 

Here are a few of my favorites from our afternoon at the park.

 

My favorite from the day…

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He thought this was Barney…

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“Too high daddy!”

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Happy Tuesday!

7 Day Old Carmiah – {Godfrey, IL Children’s Photographer}

I had big plans and high hopes for this week. Since my diligent effort to blog 4 days a week in January, I’ve basically fallen off the deep end. The sale is now over and we’ve been prepping for the arrival of our newest addition later this month! So things have been a little busy – leaving me quite fatigued and ready for some rest come naptime!:)

 

We had some unexpected things come up this week, which basically put me ‘out of work’ for a few days…hints the reason all these blog posts I have to publish have been set aside for the week. But now the week is almost over and I’m dying to share my most recent newborn session with little Miss Carmiah. This sweet 7 day old arrived a few weeks ago and slept through basically the entire session – which I’ve NEVER had happen before! She is a complete sweetheart and did beautifully as we posed and switched blankets and tried different things. When it was time to eat, we prepped big sister Micara and wrapped up the session with a little sisterly love, which proved to be a great idea – some of my favorite images to date!

 

Congrats Mike and Caroline! I love you both and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to photograph Carmiah. Can’t wait to announce whether she will have a new best buddie or a future arranged marriage…;)
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HAPPY FRIDAY!

 

 

Vivian – 9 Days Old! – {Godfrey, IL Children’s Photographer}

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to photograph this sweet little bundle of joy. Her parents joined our LIFE Group at Calvary Baptist Church in the fall, and it was fun to finally see them become parents over the last couple of weeks! This precious little girl has brought them so much joy already! Makes me excited to welcome my little one NEXT MONTH!

 

Welcome sweet little girl!
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Behind the Scenes – in Photoshop

For those of you wondering what goes on after the session, here is a QUICK version of what I do to each and every image I showcase to my client. It takes a little work, but I love the final outcome! This is in ‘fast forward’ mode, so that you aren’t bored to death by the end.:)

 

 

 

Before Photoshop (after minor Lightroom adjustments)

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After Photoshop!

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Happy Monday!

 

 

C o n n e c t