Tag: Child photography

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

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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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Child photography, couple/engagement photography, Family, Maternity Session, Photography, Session Types

Standard Sessions

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Every Friday it is my plan to highlight the different sessions and products I offer.  I will be giving information on what is included in these sessions, tips for them, how and when to book, as well as the price or prices of each session.  I’m hoping this will give everyone a detailed overview of what I offer in order to make the right decision on choosing a photo session that fits your needs and budget.

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The first session I would like to highlight is my Standard Session.  This session is my most booked session and is great for families, milestones, maternity, engagements, or holiday pictures.  As with all of my session, the location is completely up to you as long as it is within an hour’s driving time for me.  I do have a couple favorite spots if you do not have something in mind and an indoor location to use for those cold winter months or newborn sessions.

Standard sessions are up to 1 hour long.  I say up to one hour because there are a lot of little ones who decide after about 30 minutes that they are done.  If this is the case, no big deal, I will work with your child until he/she is ready to be done.  In some cases your little one might just need a break, a few minutes to run around could make a big difference.  I will never force your child to take pictures.  I have learned with my own children, the more you force, the less they will do.  If your child does not want to cooperate that is ok, I have spent many hours chasing kids around and trust me sometimes these are the best pictures!

During the one hour session I will take as many pictures as needed.  Sometimes this means we get a lot or it could mean that we only get a few.  I will do my best to get as many different poses and a different variety of images for your gallery but I like to tell those with small children to have low expectations, you just never know how your little one will act that day.  After your session I will upload all your pictures and pick the best 25-30 to upload to your gallery.  Galleries usually take around 2 weeks to be available, a little longer depending on the time of year.  The Standard Session includes 15 fully edited digital images with print release, meaning out of the 25-30 images in your gallery (maybe less depending on how the session went) you will get to choose the 15 YOU like the best .  Once you have chosen your images, I will send you their files along with the print release.  I do offer professional prints through a photographer only print lab but I do not require you to print through me.  If you happen to like all of your images or a few more than 15 you can purchase additional digital files for $10/image.  You can also purchase prints of images not included in your chosen 15.  You will not only receive the print but also the digital file for the image as well.  So many options!!

So to summarize my Standard Session is up to 1 hour of session time and includes 15 fully edited, high resolution images with print release.  This session starts at $150!  You can add on extra digital images or prints at an additional price.  If you have a large party or extended family you would like photographed I adjust the package a little bit to include 1.5 hours of session time and 20 digital images for $250. I can also customize your session to include more if needed.

I book Standard Sessions throughout the year with fall being by far the busiest.  If you know there is a certain time you would like pictures taken of your adorable little one or your beautiful family, contact me to book at any time!!

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Child photography

Rylan 2 years|Villa Grove Child Photographer

hlopez86

My little girl is 2 years old!  I want to cry thinking about how fast it has gone and although I am with her everyday, it doesn’t seem like enough time.  I am so beyond blessed that I have gotten to see my babies grow, I just can’t believe how much they have grown in such a short time.  Rylan especially has grown a lot this year, although not in size (she is still only in the 3rd percentile) she is so smart and talkative.  She has gone from barely being able to speak to holding conversations with full comprehension.  I think she is going to be like big sister and be ahead of her age.

As I say every time I post about my children, I am so thankful that God has blessed me with this little girl.  She is a beautiful ray of sunshine in all of our worlds, she is a little comedian, so very lovable, and makes everyone around her continually smile.  She of course has her moments, but we love her through them with all our hearts.  I always wanted to be a mom and cannot thank God enough for blessing me enough to be the mom of these amazing little ones.

Happy Birthday Miss Rylan Jo!  Our world is so much better with you in it.

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