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Child photography

Eli 4 Years

hlopez86

My handsome little man turned 4 in May! I can’t believe how fast time has gone.  He is such an amazing guy, I am so blessed to be his mama!

Each year we take pictures with Daddy’s fire gear, this year he especially loved it since he is determined to be a fireman when he grows up just like his Dad.  Eli might be a handful at time and definitely knows how to push all the buttons, but I am so proud of him, he can be the sweetest little boy ever and I can’t believe I get the pleasure of watching him grow!

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Child photography, Me, Newborn

Gwen Suzanne

hlopez86

Gwen Suzanne was born on June 22nd at 7:18am after less than only 5 hours of labor!! She was 6 pounds 14 ounces and 19 inches long.  She was beautiful!

At 2:30am I had my first contraction, one I knew was the start of what would bring our beautiful baby girl into the world.  Around 5am we were on our way to the hospital anxious for what was to come.

At my 30 week prenatal appointment we learned that our sweet baby girl was breech.  Being our 4th and final baby (for real this time) I was so nervous that I would have to end my pregnancy journey with a c-section, something I have been so blessed to have been able to avoid.  After talking with my doctor we decided that even if our baby girl stayed breech, as long as everything continued to go well, we would deliver her instead of just opting for a c-section.  We tried everything to get the baby to turn but she wasn’t having it.  We were so excited and nervous as the days drew closer.  As we headed to the hospital the morning of June 22nd, both Patrick and I thought about all that could happen with delivering our baby breech, but at the same time as we drove a calm came over us as we accepted that the days events were not in our hands and that everything would be ok.

After checking into the hospital I walked around and labored in the room until it was time.  At a little after 7am the doctor broke my water and in minutes, after only about 1 and a half pushes, our baby girl was born, butt first!  Everything went perfectly and we had such an amazing experience watching our little one come into the world.  We all did great and Miss Gwen’s big sisters and brother were there to meet her just hours later.  We are so beyond blessed!!!!

It took a few tries but I was able to get some newborn pictures of our little girl. It is so different taking pictures of my own children, even as a 2 week old Gwen didn’t want to cooperate for me.  With the help of big sister Avery, I was able to capture some great pictures. Isn’t she just perfect?!?

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It has been a great summer as we adjusted to a family of 6.  I missed taking pictures this summer but I really enjoyed being able to take time to spend with my family.  Our little Gwen is now 2 months old and almost a completely different baby.  It has been great seeing her with her siblings and I am so glad were have all been home to enjoy her.

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Child photography, Maternity Session, Newborn, Photography, Session Types, smash cake session

Major Milestone Package 2018

hlopez86

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I have highlighted my Newborn and 1st Birthday/Cake Smash sessions but this one is a combination of both!!  If you are planning on getting more pictures of your little ones besides just newborn then this package is for you.

My Major Milestone Package includes a Newborn, 6 month, and 1st Birthday/Cake Smash session in one and at a discounted price.  For the newborn and 1st birthday sessions you get exactly what you would get if you booked them alone while the 6 month session comes with 1 hour of session time and up to 10 digital images.  I love the idea of getting pictures throughout the first year since we all know just how much little ones change in such a short amount of time.  The total of this package is $500, $300 is due at the newborn session, $75 at the 6 month, and the remaining $125 at the 1st birthday session.  Additional sessions can be added on for a discounted price as well since  I know some people like to have pictures done more frequently in the first year.

Additionally, I also offer a Maternity and Newborn package.  It is completely understandable that some parents want to just take pictures themselves throughout the first year.  If this is the case no problem there are still options for you!  My Maternity and Newborn session is $375 and includes a full standard session for maternity and a full newborn session.  A Maternity session can also be added onto the Major Milestone Package for half the original price.

The first year of your child’s life is so important, I am so glad I can offer options that can hopefully fit into everyone’s schedule and budget.

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Photography, Session Types, smash cake session

1st Birthday Cake Smash Sessions

hlopez86

Cake smash sessions for a first birthday are so much fun!  There are so many possibilities of other things to use besides cakes as well and I am excited to try more of them this year.

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Cake smashes are typically done for a first birthday so I offer a 1st Birthday Cake Smash session.  The session includes up to 1.5 hours of session time.  It does sound like a lot for a little one but I like to allow time to set up stuff and give the little ones a break.  The session is split up between essentially two different sessions.  The first part of the session is more of the first birthday session.  This is where I will take pictures of your little one in his or her birthday outfit, because everyone wants to get pictures of their 1 year old looking cute and adorable in a new outfit.  This part can be a different theme from the cake smash or just the more formal, don’t get cloths dirty, part of it.  For the second half, we do the cake smash part!  This is the fun part that gets super (hopefully) messy and the kids just have a great time.  Parents typically have a different outfit or no outfit for this part of the session.

My cake smash sessions include props, background, and cake.  Yes I do provide the cake for these sessions!  I have a good friend from Special Occasion Cakes by Pam who will work with you on what you would like for your cake.  You will be able to talk or meet with her to get your cake ordered to your specification.  The price of the cake is built into the session price so it is one less thing you will have to worry about.  I do understand if you have a good friend yourself who makes cakes and would like to bring your own, this is perfectly fine by me, unfortunately this will not change the price of the session.

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These 1st birthday cake smash sessions can be done either inside or outside depending on your vision or time of year. We can even do an “indoor setup” outside if that is something you would like to do.  There are so many possibilities!

If you are looking for a 1st Birthday Cake Smash session you can book any time! The session is $250 and includes 1.5 hours of session time, 20 fully edited digital images with print release, all props/backgrounds, and the cake.  As with any session a $50 non-refundable retainer fee is required to book your session.  If you have any questions or some great ideas you would like to try, contact me today!  I can’t wait to see what this year brings for the amazing little ones.

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Newborn, Photography, Session Types

Newborn Sessions

hlopez86

ModlifeMarketingBoard-5x5Newborn sessions have become very popular and there are so many different ways to do them.  From styled to lifestyle I can do them all, they are so much fun and I just love all the different visions everyone has for their pictures. Newborn pictures are such great ways to remember all the details of your little one and to have memories to cherish for always!

This week I have put together some information and tips if you are looking to or need to book a newborn session this year.  I am booking for spring now but I am unfortunately not booking for the summer months June, July or August 2018 as I am expecting my own newborn sometime in June! Contact me if you would like more information on sessions or booking.

When scheduling a newborn session please remember that newborns have a mind of their own and do not always follow the schedule we would like them to have.  This is why my newborn sessions are up to 3 hours of session time.  This allows plenty of time to set up different things, feed and change baby, and get baby back to sleep if needed.  These sessions also take a LOT of editing sometimes because not every baby has perfect baby soft skin.  Baby acne, jaundice, scratches, redness, and bruising are all common and are things I will gladly fix on your precious baby.  Because of this I will say that newborn sessions do tend to cost a little more than regular sessions and tend to take the entire 2 weeks or more to finish and get into your gallery.  My newborn sessions include up to 25 fully edited images with print release.  As long as we are able to get a good amount of images I will try to include around 30-35 images in your gallery for you to choose from.  Unfortunately there are not always that many to add into your gallery, I will do the best I can with your little one.

Scheduling: It is best to schedule your newborn session for about a week after your due date to ensure you have a spot on my schedule.  I understand babies do not always wait for their due dates and like to come early.  If this is the case, let me know when baby arrives and we can try and schedule you sooner.  It is preferred to take newborn pictures in the first 14 days of life when baby is still very sleepy and easier to work with.  Do not worry if we are unable to schedule you right away, newborn sessions can be done at any time, an older less sleepy baby may be a little harder to work with when it comes to wrapping them but they may be awake more and therefore we might be able to get more pictures of them with their eyes open!

Location: The location of your newborn session is entirely up to you!  I am happy to come to your home if you have good natural lighting or I have an indoor location to use if you prefer.  During the summer months when the weather is warm, outside is always an option.

Props:  If you would like to do a specific theme or color scheme let me know beforehand.  I will have props and backgrounds ready for your session.  I do have wraps, blankets, baskets and some other various items for you to pick from.  You are also welcome to bring your own props you wish to use.

What to wear:  Newborn outfits, diaper covers, blankets, wraps are all good things to put your baby in for your pictures.  Outfits do tend to be a bit big and can cover baby’s face, just something to think about when choosing which ones to use.  Baby can be naked for some, if not all, of the images so please keep that in mind when deciding what to get.  If you choose to have others in the images, baby, mom/dad or siblings, it is best to put them in more solids or neutral colors.  It is important to keep focus on the subjects.

If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me.  Newborn sessions for 2018 are $300 and include the 3 hours of session time and 25 fully edited digital images.  A $50 nonrefundable retainer is required to book.  I understand not everyone feels they need that much time or images but if you are wanting to do newborn pictures I do ask that you book the newborn session, I will not be booking newborn sessions as standard sessions.

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