day 325: sometimes you just gotta get the sillies out...

subject: the brown family
why? I recently did a family photo session and although we were having a great time, we got to the point where the boys were just being silly. I wanted them to get it out of their system so that I could get the shot I wanted. The littlest of the boys kept sticking his tongue out in photos and being only 3 years old, it was funny to him to keep doing it. So we went with it. The first photo is the before when they were not really giving me their best smiles. The after photo was once I encouraged them all to go ahead and be silly and if they were silly for some photos- then we could get the photo we needed. It's always a negotiation with kids......

the before: being silly is contagious, when the youngest brother did it, the older one followed suit- being funny of course.

the after: when I said make yous silliest face so we can get this out and move on.... the husband said, I didn't know I was supposed to make a silly face.

day 312: tough cookie

subject: tough cookie little man "L"
why? This is little man "L" and let me tell you, he was NOT happy to have me looking at him from behind my camera lens. He was probably my toughest cookie this season. But, I knew I had it in me to get him to warm up. He just needed a bit of time. The before are the first two photos. Can you see him throwing darts at me?  The last two photos are the AFTER: look at how much fun he started to have!!! He became a total show off.

day 307: beginning and the end

subject: family portrait
why? I love how this family went from pretty ready in their first photo and then just darn right giddy big smiles for their last photo! 

day 303: beginning and the end

subject: holiday portraits
why? I forget sometimes how two little ones can be a bit challenging. You know, to try and get everyone looking into the camera at the same time?  But this was the first and last of the session. I photographed this family a few years ago when the oldest was about the age of the littlest girl (who was not even born yet). It was so much fun to see how little gal F has grown and to meet baby M.

day 301: the beginning and the end

subject: holiday portrait
why?  honestly, as you can see, I am totally impressed with all of these family's who look great out the starting gate when it comes to taking their portraits. I even love how we finished the session. Sure our little lady got a bit distracted but I still think it was a sweet moment

day 299: beginning and the end

subject: holiday portrait
why? Seriously, these kids are stunning! The first photo of the session and we ended with a sweet father daughter photo. Dad was quite tall, so he got down to their height.

day 297: beginning and the end

subject: holiday family portraits
why? Another family, this is the first and last photo of their session. They were ready to go when it came down to taking their photo. But of course I must admit that the little 1-3 year olds always have the hardest time making it though a session. They definitely tell me when they are done with the camera. Believe it or not, I take the clue and stop taking their picture. But little guy H really did a great job enduring my lens in his face.

day 295: the beginning and the end

subject: holiday portraits
why? Apart of my beginning and end series, the first photo I took in this session and the last photo I took. I always like to try and get a picture of mom and dad alone. Because how often do you (as a parent) get a picture of the one you married. After all, you are always so buys getting pictures of your kiddo's.  I should swap these photos to show the before- the couple... and the after.... what they created... You can see how the little guy resembles them both.

not bad for the first picture of the day...

mom and dad sure look great

day 294: beginning and the end

subject: family portraits
why? I am sure you think I have been slacking on my posts but really I have been truly blessed with a lot of work. I have been photographing many families for their holiday portraits. It has been fun. And a lot of work, I have probably taken close to 5000 photos in less than a months time. I thought it would be fun to do a series on the FIRST and LAST photo of each session. The FIRST= BEFORE and the LAST= AFTER. And maybe I will share with you a few of my favorite photos in between.

the first photo, almost every one is ready to go!

the last photo, the kiddo's got a bit distracted....

day 267: family

subject: family photo shoot
why? Sometimes setting makes a difference for a photo shoot. This was an area I saw that I really wanted to try out. I was so excited I had a willing family who was up for taking their photos there. We had a good time.  Before and After are the first two photos. The rest are just bonus!

Before: Ms. L & Mr. L

After: all the L's