This is the last session in a series, or at least until April when our next session is planned! If you missed Crystal & Gavin’s maternity shoot you can find it here! And if you missed the reveal of the baby inside the bump you can see that lil cutie here! Now I typically don’t shoot lil ones again until they are 3 months old & only if it’s a family session or a “mommy & me” session. In other words, someone has gotta be holding the baby. At 3 months they still aren’t able to “do” a whole lot, as in lift their head for awhile, sit up, etc. I’m personally not a fan of a huge looking baby in a basket at 3 months old…everyone knows they’re way too big for that as they aren’t a newborn anymore. So I LOVE to shoot them as a more lifestyle type session.

Well Crystal decided she couldn’t wait until 3 months for her next session! She just felt like the baby was growing & changing way too fast for her liking & she wanted it documented! We already had their family session set up for April so we decided to do this as a “mommy & me” session instead! I know Crystal doesn’t have a ton of pics of herself growing up & she definitely wanted to give lil M that! Once they’re past the newborn stage then I shoot the rest of the pics outdoors! With it being “winter” we waited & stalked the forecast for a perfect day…don’t want any sick babies! Annnnnd JACKPOT! Last Wednesday was GORGEOUS, as in 70 degrees kinda gorgeous! What a way to kick off the first day in February!

The weather was perfect for this kind of shoot! Now don’t let her fool you completely…she was a tad cranky when we started but just needed a snack to get her going & being she’s only 2 months old & hasn’t been in the sun for a long period of time…she had a hard time opening her eyes at first! But she knocked it out & was perfect!

Here are my faves! Started off with her really letting me know how she felt about the shoot!

Hoping her eyes turn the light colored blue like her mamas!

The dress is another fabulous Foxy Fawn creation! LOVED the pattern & bonus…it’s reversible! So the other side was a solid type print for Valentine’s Day! And her super cute headpiece came from My2lilpixies!

If you are interested in setting up your own “mommy & me” session please email me amy@stillframesphotography.com!

Just think of all the awesome memories your lil one can share with their own family one day!

xoxo

amy

I always have my clients get the house nice & toasty before I get there for their newborn session so baby will be more sleepy! When they’re cold they’re more alert & hard to get to sleep. It was so incredibly HOT in their house when I got there that stepping outside felt like stepping into the air conditioning! And we still had a lil heater blowing hot air around too! After some work & us sweating about 15 pounds off, she finally fell asleep & was an angel for the rest of her session!

Here are a few of my faves from the day! Started off with some classic black & whites!

I was in LOVE with this Christmas tutu from Foxy Fawn! She’s on my Vendors I Heart list located over to the left of this post so be sure to check her out!

Such a dollbaby!

Love how they often pose themselves! That’s the advantage of shooting them only a few days old! They still have that tendency to pull their hands & legs up!

We’ve had a super mild winter this year so we decided to take her out for just a couple shots even though it was December! It was really warm that day then the wind shifted right after we went out to blow in a cold front so back inside we went! Cutest lil snowgirl ever!

Love this one! I seriously love the stories behind all my sessions! This face was because she had just crapped, literally, all over the floor while her daddy was holding her! It was probably still dripping while I shot this! Such a proud look on her face! She did it not only once, but quite a few times…add that to an extremely hot house & recipe for a smell disaster! Ha! It wasn’t too bad though, I was breathing through my mouth & not the nose! I don’t do poop or throw up well at all!

Be sure to head over to the Daily Advance’s Baby of Year contest & vote for her! I think she’s the cutest baby ever…but then again I may be just a *tad* biased!

And because her mom is obsessed with photos & documenting this time in her life, she’s already had another session with me at 2 months old this week! That session will be up tomorrow!

I love, love, love when a client turns into a great friend! So thank you Crystal for being such an awesome friend & for trusting me to document one of the best times in your life!

xoxo

amy

What I love about Crystal is that not only did she scout while pregnant, but she took pics & put them in a Word document with notes & what time she took the pic so I could see what the sun looked like! OMG can you say AWESOME! She’s already done this for her next shoot in a couple of months! I’ve now done 2 other shoots for her since this one but wanted to share these first before I share the others!

So when she sent the locations & her ideas I was in LOVE! Cotton fields, barns, junk, & old houses…anything country & rustic! And of course we had to include Sam, their sweet dog!

Look at that belly bump & 2 more months to go!

This one was my fave & the one she ended up getting for her print! LOVE old houses! I like to imagine the people who might have lived in them & the stories the house would tell if it could talk!

I loved this black/white cause it felt a lil spooky & it was October after all!

Geez there were these things that people call “tagalongs” that were stuck to our clothes! Like an insanely ridiculous amount of them! I picked those things off my clothes & shoes for DAYS! I even found some of them months after this! They literally “tagalong” & don’t want to go anywhere!

Sam posed so perfectly! Couldn’t have asked for more!

Up next on the blog tomorrow is the baby’s newborn pics! She came almost 2 months after shooting these! I know then that Crystal was ready for her to be here already! Now that she’s here she’s sad time is flying by so quickly! Can’t believe she’s already 2 months old Crystal! Many thanks to you & Gavin & Sam!

So glad I was able to document this special time for y’all & to have documented a few more since!

Love you all!

xoxo

amy

I’ve been steadily working away on business stuff (ughhh quarterly taxes, yearly taxes, new side of the business) in my down time & have updated one of my policies! Just wanted to inform everyone that NC sales will now be applied on top of your final total when applicable. It used to already be included in your final total but in trying to simplify things in the biz & make things run a lil smoother I’ve decided to change this.

So for an example: If your final total is $200, it’s now $200 plus NC sales tax & not just a flat $200 anymore.

I know, I know! It used to be so much cleaner for the client to just write a check for $200 & tax already be included vs now $200 & some change! But things change & hopefully this is just a small one everyone can live with!

Even Rosoce approves!

Thank you everyone! 2012 is going to be a fun year!

Now get outside & enjoy today! It’s good for the brain! I’m going to go take Prissy for a nice long walk!

xoxo

amy

Some FAQs about newborn shoots:

1. How old do you shoot them?

I only shoot newborns between 3-7 days old, 10 days MAX! The only exception is if you have had a preemie. They tend to do very well for shoots the first 2-3 weeks of life since they’re still so tiny! They often have more checkups than full term babies as well so mom & dad are usually shuttling back & forth to the pediatrician for a few weeks!

2. My baby is only 17 days old, why won’t you shoot him/her?

Because after the first week they tend to sleep a little less, are harder to get to sleep, often start to have baby acne, are way more alert & are way less pliable for all those cute poses! I have shot babies older than 10 days & they typically stayed wide awake! My comfort level with getting the shots you want is within the first few days of life! The earlier the better! There are plenty of other photogs who shoot them at any age! So if you’ve missed my age cutoff, don’t despair! There are others who will do it!

3. Why don’t you put down a definite date on your calendar for my newborn shoot?

Neither you or I know when your baby will arrive! Predicting a babies exact due date is impossible! They come early, they come late, they come when they want to! Therefore I put your tentative due date on my calendar & keep in close touch with you closer to the end of your pregnancy! Retainer fee wise I do things differently for newborns than others do. I require a retainer for ALL of my sessions except for newborns. A retainer guarantees a definite date that we have picked out to do your shoot on. I don’t require a retainer for newborns since they come when they want to & a variety of issues can come up & we don’t actually book a definite date in advance like I do with other shoots.

I don’t want anyone thinking they have secured a certain definite day when they have not, so that’s why no retainer is due up front. There have been a few times where I have not been able to get to a newborn within 3-10 days because my schedule was so tightly booked. I didn’t have to refund a retainer since it’s not required for newborns. So I do have you note that I try as hard as I can to find a time when baby is here to shoot him/her, but I don’t promise it as I shoot weddings, portraits, etc. that have been booked for definite dates for months in advance. Newborns shoots are scheduled around my other sessions. Out of 2o something newborn shoots last year, I was only unable to make it to 2 due to my shooting schedule. It helps to let me know quite a few months in advance if you plan on booking a shoot & what your tentative due date is. That way I’ll have it marked & can try to plan things around a few dates before, a few dates after your due date in case baby is early or late!

4. How do you know when to book a definite date for me?

I have you or your husband/family member/whoever text me when you are in labor & on the way to the hospital or right after you’ve had baby. Granted all goes as planned I put you down for exactly 3 days later as long as my schedule allows! If by chance you’re not home yet, baby is jaundice, etc. then we just try to figure out another day that works within that 3-10 day age range! This process has worked extremely well & I get super stoked when I get text messages saying mom is on her way to hospital! It’s your responsiblity to let me know when you’ve had your baby & if you’re still planning on doing a shoot!

5. What does my baby need to wear? Do you bring outfits/props?

Your baby is shot au natural, with their private areas covered of course. So no Dads, you don’t have to worry about any of *those* parts showing! My Dads are the most particular about their babies being shot in the nude for some reason! I do suggest headbands/tutus for girls, hats for lil boys & cute lil bowties! I have a few headbands/hats I bring but keep in mind I’ve used them before for shoots so if you’re looking for something different then there are a number of people you can buy these items from locally or on Etsy! I suggest you get your items way in advance! These sellers are often booked for months with orders so please don’t assume you can have something handmade the week baby is due!

Some of my favorites are:

Foxy Fawn

Totally TutuLicious

Tiny Tags by Tiffany

Kriner  Creations

I bring a huge bean bag to lay them on, blankets (feel free to have your own though), etc. I like to use things from around the client’s home if possible & I absolutely LOVE to get more lifestyle type pics of mom & baby lounging around or dad & baby, etc.! I do have other props but use those mainly for outdoors!

Babies also need to stay super warm so I do have a heater I can bring if you don’t have one! It helps to crank up the heat before I get there! If we’re sweating then baby feels awesome! I have a white noise machine that resembles the noise in the womb but I’ve honestly never used it. Once baby is out, they’re out!

6. What kind of location or studio do you use?

I come to YOUR home to do the shoot! I don’t even have a studio & I don’t do shoots in my home. Besides, I don’t think you’d want my piggy jumping up to nestle for a nap beside your baby!

It’s more convenient for me to come to you so you don’t have to go ANYWHERE with a new baby & all their stuff & they’re more comfortable in their own environment! I have to have a space with a lot of natural window light! I always tell people, I don’t need the “sun shining on your floor” kinda light…just that soft, natural bright light! If your house doesn’t have good light, then I suggest you ask someone can you borrow their home. I’ve had people do this quite a few times & it worked out perfect! They immediately knew they didn’t have good light & found a spot that did!

With that being said, that only applies to LATE FALL/WINTER/EARLY SPRING babes! Once it’s warm outside, I shoot them outside at a location of your choice! Newborns love it when it’s hot outside! They were nice & toasty inside your womb so outside feels like heaven to them! I find a shady spot & shoot away with fun props like bowls, suitcases, chairs! If you have an issue with taking your baby outside you need to let me know well in advance. I don’t shoot them inside during the summer when it’s warm out. So if that makes you uncomfortable then I do suggest finding someone who will shoot them inside for you. Yes there are bugs, yes it’s hot outside, yes you’re going to be sweaty. I don’t lay your newborn directly on the ground though. He/she will be on a prop or on some blankets & bring one of those personal bug repellers to keep bugs away!

7. How long will the shoot last?

I am at your home anywhere from 3-4 hours. The majority of the time is spent nursing & getting baby into a nice deep slumber! Newborns are a lot of fun but a lot of time/work! So don’t expect me to show up & be done in 30 minutes…guarantee it’ll take that time plus another hour sometimes to get your baby to sleep…promise!

For my summer time babies, it takes a tad less time (sometimes) because once they get out in the heat they usually fall right to sleep & stay that way. They wake up way less than my indoor, winter babes for sure!

Keep in mind all babies are different, some are going to cooperate & some are not. It’s a chance you take with newborn pics! I work on their time, they’re not working on mine!

If they haven’t fallen asleep in the first 3 hours I’m there or are just plain out cranky…then it’s highly unlikely the shoot is going to work. I pack up & head on out before baby gets anymore ill & before mama gets anymore stressed that her baby isn’t cooperating the way she wants him/her to. In an instance like this, if my schedule allows, then I come back the next day to try again. If that isn’t possible then I usually set something up with you for when they’re around 6 months old! I love happy clients & I don’t like seeing moms feel horrible that their baby wouldn’t sleep or cried the whole time! They feel like they’ve wasted my time & that isn’t true! You cannot predict how a newborn is going to feel on any particular day!

8. When’s the next time you will shoot my baby?

I suggest to people the milestone markers…newborn, 3 months, 6 months & either 9 or 12 months! I only shoot them at 3 months if it’s a family/lifestyle type shoot! Someone has to be holding baby! I don’t shoot them by themselves for an entire shoot because frankly, they don’t do anything at that age but lay there & how many pics do you want of your baby just laying there. I like to give clients a variety of pics! They’re super cute but usually can’t hold their head up, sit up…all the fun stuff starts happening around 6 months…which is my favorite age to shoot! It’s right when they can sit up but can’t run away yet!

9. Do you shoot maternity pics?

Yep! I suggest booking those for when you’ll be in your 7.5 to 8th month so they are done & over with before anymore water weight gain & so you can relax that they’re done before baby arrives!

10. Do you shoot births?

Absolutely! As long as you’ve cleared it with your doctor first! Each hospital policy is different so that needs to be checked in advance! Do note that I don’t shoot “down there” during the process. My goal in shooting births is to shoot them from the mother’s perspective, so I shoot the birth from behind the bed! Kinda like a “through her eyes” type thing! Because quite frankly, we all know what it looks like down there & it’s not like you’re gonna blow it up to 16×20 to hang on the wall for everyone to see as they walk in the front door!

And because posts are no fun without a picture…here’s one for y’all that I shot before Christmas! Her post is coming up soon so be on the lookout, it’s a good one!  She also does a killer Elvis impersonation…I’ve seen the proof on Facebook! She’s a lil over a month old now & her mama can’t wait for her 3 month shoot that’s already scheduled & is dying for some more pics! So if it stays warm this upcoming week we’re heading out for a “mama & me” shoot! Maybe she’ll do Elvis for me!

To book a newborn session please email me!

amy@stillframesphotography.com

I typically respond back to everyone within 24 hrs so if you’ve heard nothing back after that point please email again!

xoxo

amy

I LOVE when a bride is willing to think outside of the box, go someplace outside a 10 mile radius of our area & do something FUN! That’s exactly what Amber did! When discussing her bridal pics I wanted to shoot something different, a different location! I personally do not like shooting in the same locations over & over. A few times yes so it pushes my creativity, but more than that & I’m over it & not afraid to admit that! Why do you want the same location as every other bride in this area? BE DIFFERENT, BE YOURSELF! Amber did not want what everyone else had!

I make ALL my clients be a part of the location scouting. I tell you upfront that I do not pick your locations for shoots! I do make suggestions as to what backgrounds are more appealing but that’s it. It makes the images that much more unique & makes them proud that they found an awesome location that no one else has shot at! It’s been awesome seeing some of the spots people have found & asked permission to shoot at!

So we loaded up in the car one afternoon & headed up to Richmond, VA to shoot her bridals! She had been scouting locations on the internet & found her spot! How many other brides rock hop over extremely fast moving water in a wedding dress BEFORE the wedding!? Not many! How many climb trees, barefoot in their dress for a shot!? My brides do! I love when I suggest something & the bride doesn’t hesitate & trusts me!

LOVED looking back through these! Good times!

Their were actually some boys on the other side…scared the crap out of us when she got up there & poked their head through!

Now to get on these rocks where we were was no easy task! Literally, you had to jump across rocks & pray you didn’t fall in the process!

One of my favorite shots! This tree was way up in air over the water!

Thank you Amber & your awesome mom too (who sat back & let us do our thing!) for such a fun day!

Time for a trash session or boudoir Amber…don’t ya think!?

Stay tuned, their wedding is the next featured one!

Happy Friday!

amy

She did amazing for her pics once she got to sleep! The ones in the end are some of my faves! I LOVE shooting more of the lifestyle type pics! Bridget & her husband have an amazing home with *the* best natural light!

Be sure to head on over to Facebook & like Bridget’s page…Totally TutuLicious! She made the tutus you see below & does some awesome givaways! Such a talented mama as she has 2 other girls too! So imagine a houseful of girlie things & lots of tulle! You’ve got to feel outnumbered Trey! Wait till they all reach teenager status!

I can’t wait to watch her grow! She’s such a dollbaby!

Thank you Bridget & Trey! She’s amazing & such a beaut…as I’m sure you already know!

xoxo

amy

Get ready for a super long story!

Now I was already super stoked when Sam had emailed inquiring about her maternity session & had mentioned she was having twins! Imagine how stoked I was after I found out one was a boy & one was a girl!

So we had been going back & forth via text one night about her maternity pics after I had shot them…her mentioning she had thought about doing more risqué type shots but wasn’t sure how comfortable I would have been…to which I replied I had shot 2 births so nothing shocks me!

At some point the topic of me shooting the birth of her babes came up & I was insanely happy when she let me know she had cleared it with her doctor! Woohoo! I wasn’t sure if she was going to do it or not! And then wasn’t sure if I’d even get cleared to do it since at that time a C-section was still up in the air! It takes a special kind of person to have you share & document one of the most important memories in their life..when they’re giving birth! Now we all know that most hospitals only allow one or two in the room when mom is actually giving birth. To know that I have been picked as “the chosen one” when there are numerous family members who would’ve killed to have been in the room too is something I do not take for granted & consider sacred to my heart. It is so humbling to stand there & document someone’s child coming into the world & taking his/her first breaths! Life is truly a gift! It bonds you to that family forever!

The babes were due in February & we were all hoping she could hold out till end of January! Well she almost made it! And the fact she could still work & move around so good & wasn’t bed ridden was a blessing in itself! Knowing Sam in the short amount of time that I have…I don’t see her as someone who could’ve sat home doing nothing all day! She’s a workaholic like myself! About 2 weeks ago we had a full moon & I saw her the day after & she had not had a good night…contractions had started! But she went to WORK the next day anyways! Then she texted to let me know that she felt like they were going to come SOON!

My response…you’ll love this..”well I have a workshop to teach on Saturday, 2 shoots on Sunday & a meeting with a potential new bride on Monday at noon”…so can you keep them in till at least Monday afternoon after my meeting!? JOKING of course! She texted “I’ll see what I can do!” Lo & behold I had my meeting at noon that Monday, booked an awesome bride & then later on that early evening I got a text from Sam saying she had had contractions all day & if they got worse or didn’t stop before bedtime they were going to take a trip to the hospital just in case! I couldn’t complain, she kept them in until after my crazy weekend!

Long story short, she went to hospital, was already at 4cm, baby boy was about to fall out, told her to tell them to stop poking him enticing him to come out, they stopped labor to give them some more time…then she text early the next morning saying she had been checked & was at a 6! Now for some reason I wasn’t in a panic to get on the road (the hospital is about an 1 hour and 15 min away) because I know that one can stay at a 6 forever! But I went ahead & got on the road because with twins they thought they would come fast. WRONG!!!

I arrive & no change! Two hours later, slight change & they told us (me & her husband) to get suited up (because we’d be in the OR in case of an emergency c-section) that “it’s almost time.” If I had a dollar for every time we heard that in 2 hours I’d be rich! Nurses…please stop saying that every 5 minutes to families! Then another TWO AND A HALF hours later, dying from starvation (thank God her mom had some M&Ms for me) they finally wheeled her to the OR to get the birthday party started! Sam was insanely calm & quiet during the entire day! It was like a day of laying in bed watching TV at home!

After waiting all that time my only wish for her at that point was to be able to deliver both babies vaginally & not one vaginally & one C-section..how bad would that suck!?

Then right before we’re on the way to the OR the doctor turns & says…”well you know that once baby boy is here it might be hours before baby girl decides to come.” What the what? We might have to wait around for even more HOURS!????? I was not prepared for that one! I thought they both came out fairly quick one after the other!

Well God answered ALL of our prayers that day! She delivered both vaginally, no surgery!! And baby girl came 15 minutes after her brother! AMAZING!

Again, I haven’t known Sam too long but know that she always has her hair up like she did that day & with sunglasses on top of her head! So her friend let her borrow hers for a signature look pic! Does this look like a woman in labor!? I think not! She promised to make it look easy for me!

Proud Daddy getting suited up! There may or may not be a pic of me in the same suit floating around somewhere on Facebook! After wearing this thing for HOURS I now know why dads pass out during the birth…that suit was hot as hell! Literally! And then your face is covered with a mask! Geez!

Finally about to be wheeled down! FINALLY!

Healthy Baby Boy!

One of my favorite pics! Daddy holding his lil man! Although if I was baby that suit is probably pretty scary looking!

Baby Girl making her debut 15 minutes later! Thank you lil one!

Baby Girl being weighed!

Lil man looking at daddy for the first time! At this point I found out that Baby Girl had some fluid get into her lungs so she wasn’t brought into the room & was sent to the nursery for observation! So I stayed around to get pics of family meeting Baby Boy for the first time then they took him away to the nursery too! Not knowing when or if they were going to bring them back I went ahead & left for the day so mom & dad could get some much needed rest! It had been a long day! I went back the next day to officially meet Baby Girl & shoot her & her brother together! Luckily she was A-Okay!

Meet Baby Girl! Oooh & is she a diva already! Sam wasn’t going to have any lil diva girls…well she totally jinxed herself!

Touch her the wrong way & she lets you know! She’s adorable!

Sam’s mom ran out & bought every preemie outfit one store had!

Don’t ya love his milk mustache?!

I usually photograph them in the hospital with just a diaper on…but being early & preemies the nurse had said the day before how they can get hypothermia super quick…so we left the clothes on! Don’t want any sick babies just for a cute pic! The crying faces are because we undid the buttons & you would’ve thought they were being tortured! So pititful! And their cries were like some kind of tiny wounded animal!

Yesssssss! I can finally stretch! Sissy cramped my style!

Holding Colin’s mom’s hand! Love!

Wait, no kissing! Isn’t that how the process started & why you’re holding TWO babies!

Sam & Colin I cannot THANK YOU BOTH enough for letting me share in your very special day with y’all & your families! You are both amazing people and are going to be awesome parents! I cannot wait to watch the lil ones grow & see Kassidy throw diva tantrums on her shoots while Keegan stands there shaking his head at her! I’m glad our paths in life have crossed for whatever reason that may be & so glad to call y’all friends!! Love you both…and the babes of course! Not to rush time or anything but cannot wait for them to have a kick ass one year birthday party!

I shoot their newborn session next week so stay tuned for more cuteness!

xoxo

amy

I apologize for how small it is! Hopefully you all can see it! Next time I’ll have my Flip camera ready instead!

Enjoy a taste of my crazy animal life on your lunch break! I’d have it no other way! Life is never dull in my house!

Pups & The Pig

xoxo

amy, loretta, leroy & prissy (I think Deebo makes a brief appearance trying to get out of the way!)

Fire & EMS are a huge part of her & her husbands life! So no surprise when she ran her shoot locations by me that one included the firehouse! We set a date for their shoot & of course it was insanely cloudy, dreary..not ideal for a happy maternity shoot! We rescheduled and whatta ya know…it RAINED! So we planned for a third time…woke up & it was sunny..then when it was time for me to leave the sun went away & it got cloudy again! Oh well! I was on my way & we were on borrowed time & didn’t want to push any more reschedules in case the babies came early!

Now not all husbands like taking pictures in general, let alone maternity pics! But Colin did awesome! And the best part came when I got a post on Facebook from Sam saying Colin said I was going to shoot all their pics from now on! Score! Won over another husband!

First stop…firehouse! Now I thought she was just going to pose beside the truck, etc…nope….she climbed up on top of the truck to shoot! To have 2 babies in there she moved around like a champ! Then we headed over to her in-laws gorgeous house to shoot & wrapped up with some finger painting on the belly! Oh the stories the belly could tell during the finger painting session! ;D

One of my faves! Yes, she’s in her own gear!

My other fave! She got this one for their nursery!

Tomorrow will be a very special post! You’ll get to meet those babes! They’re here, they’re here!

xoxo

amy