Well, this is obviously not from our morning, but when I think about this smile, I think about our mornings. Now, this picture was taken just before we left to go out to eat. We haven’t been out of the house a lot lately and he loves being out and about. This is one of maybe two times he’s ever had a collar on. Oh…my…doesn’t he look like a big boy?

Soooo….here we go (note that sometimes I will say a lot and sometimes I will say nothing at all)…

Week 1:52

Starting solids. Ask the parents you know, read books, read online sources, they all have a different opinion. Once our pediatrician said to not start solids until 6 months, we were dead set on following his advice. But then Steff’s sleep (which hadn’t been great for us) started getting progressively worse. Then he started giving us the “give me your food or die” eyes. Then the Mommy guilt set in for eating in front of him. He was already showing all the other signs of being ready for solids. That’s when we decided he was ready. He wasn’t ready before that. It was nice because we felt completely confident in the decision once we started. We celebrated his 5 month birthday with sweet potatoes. We’re cooking and pureeing all of his food in batch and freezing it in little cubes. When we’re ready to feed him, we take a cube out and heat it up. Easy-peasy. So far we’ve tried sweet potatoes, avocados, rice cereal, butternut squash, peas, and now bananas. He hates peas unless it’s mixed with squash and cereal. He LOVES bananas and says “mmmmm” every time (which he hasn’t done with any other food). We love making his food. It’s so easy and so cheap!

I adore this picture. Love the way his hands are folded and the way he’s looking up at Bret. I especially love those big blue eyes and the sweet potatoes all over his face.

Week 2:52

Okay, so you have all seen this first picture. It’s the official 2:52 picture. Steff got to see his first real snow. He sat in his bouncy and just stared out this window. I also love Bret and Steff’s relationship. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

Week 2:52 option 2

I was torn between the picture above and this one. This picture was taken moments before he rolled from his back to his belly for the first time. I put his favorite toys just out of his reach (I know…evil mommy). Who knew that’s all it would take. He had been rolling from his belly to his back for a while, which was causing lots of sleepless nights. There was a big celebration in our house this day.

3:52

I love him. And his slobbers.

1. YES…I am still working. To tell the truth, I wasn’t sure if the business would survive my maternity leave. I was so nervous, but knew it’s what we all needed. We made it through and I was crazy busy with one thing or another right up to Christmas and after. Determined to fit in as much as I could. We’re now in the slow time that all photographers have and I’m getting ready for rest of 2012…which is already looking to be off to a great start.

2. MINI SESSIONS ARE UP ON THE CALENDAR! I have a couple locations blank. I wanted to finalize a couple things before announcing those locations. Don’t forget that some mini dates book up faster than others. April, July fair sessions, any Keeneland sessions, and October holiday sessions (I know…October is early for the holidays, but it’s truly the best time to do it and I have an AWESOME location this year). See the calendar HERE.

3. If you are wanting a Signature Session in June, you should be thinking about booking now because that month is going to be jam packed. We have minis, a bachelor/bachelorette party, my sister-in-laws wedding, and vacation. Busy…busy month.

4. Have you seen my new assistant lately? He’s getting chubby. I keep telling him to lay off the chips and chocolates, but he just won’t listen.

5. He’s sitting! He’s sitting! We like to say “go Steff…go Steff…go go…go Steff”. Yeah…he’s pretty much celebrated 24/7.

6. We’ve started solids and we’ve so loved making his food. It’s easy. You know exactly what’s in it. It’s healthy. It’s cheap. I have to admit, Bret has done most of it. I came home one day and he was steaming and pureeing up a storm. I didn’t complain.

7. He loves to bounce and occasionally passes out while bouncing. Sleep has been a struggle for us from the beginning. Granted, not for anyone else, but he hates to nap in this house. I *think* we’ve kinda figured it out now. Steff isn’t the “needs wind down time” type of baby. He’s the “party until I pass out” type of baby. And party doesn’t just mean nice, calm playing. It really means dancing, singing, wrestling…with mommy and daddy…while also wearing them completely out.

8. I love these two. I could cry just typing that. Yes, having a baby can make things a little more stressful between a husband and wife, but goodness, I wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s the daddy I always thought he would be. Steff adores him. He even wimpered when Bret was leaving for work the other day. It was so cute and so pitiful at the same time. I never imagined how much my heart would grow with the birth of Steff, but my oh my has it.

Now…I promise to try and be the blogger I’ve always wanted to be too . I’m working on it…I’m working on it. Just hang in there with me. I’ll love you for it always.

Peace and so much love,

Cilla

Now…what was so awesome that it broke my streak of not blogging? The birth of two beautiful baby girls! For months I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby L 1 and Baby L 2. When momma called a couple days ago saying they wanted to induce the next day, I couldn’t wait. I wasn’t able to go inside the actual room during delivery, but was able to capture everything surrounding the moment. I so loved getting to experience this with their closest family members. It was truly magical. Of course, it made me think about Steff’s birth constantly. I was so excited to cuddle him when i got home. I’m pretty sure I kissed every tiny spot on his face.

Thank you all so much for including me in this more than special day! Here are a few of my favorites (side note…I planned on just showing one quick image, but I just couldn’t do it.) What a great way to kick off 2012!

The first couple images is just after we heard the first cries…

So so so much love…

Cilla

* November 19 Mini Sessions are full, but there are a couple spots still available on the date that was just recently opened, November 12th (in Gratz Park).

* I am considering offering a workshop exclusively for parents wanting to take better pictures of their kiddos. Not too technical, just the basics (angles, finding the best light, etc.). Just how to get the best out of your every day photos. It would be late winter or early spring. Email me at priscilla@priscillabphotography.com if you’d like to be on the list for more info.

* And…most importantly…a cute little baby laugh to make your day….

Oh how I love that beautiful baby of mine…

Peace and so much love,

Cilla

I’ve always loved the little things about newborns, but since having Steffen, they just mean even more. I know these are the things I always want to remember. Every..square…inch.

It goes without saying, the M family definitely had it together. I was so impressed. They were calm. They appeared to know what they were doing. And not to mention that K was so calm and sweet. I so wanted to go home and squeeze Steffen.

I’m almost in tears just thinking of what I’ll write to you. Today, October 7, 2011, is your 2 month birthday. I’m sitting here watching you sleep in your swing (trying to decide if I want to move you to the crib now or the next time you eat). Your Daddy and I love to watch you sleep. There’s absolutely nothing more peaceful. You don’t know how many times in a day one of us can be caught saying “oh he’s so cute”. The best is when you’re sleeping in my arms. I’m in Heaven and your Daddy always comes over and just stares at both of us and talks about how perfect you are. Happiness is written all over his face. I can feel it so strongly that my heart wants to jump out of my chest.

I’m sure you’ll hear the story many times growing up, but we tried so very hard for you. There were times when I wanted to give up and Daddy was always right there to pick me up and remind me of how much we had dreamed of you. Even then, we couldn’t imagine our lives without you. Now that you’re here, on one hand it feels like we’ve always had you, on the other it feels like just yesterday we were at the hospital. I still pinch myself and think “wow, we actually have a baby”. In just 2 short months you completely flipped our lives around. Saying that we love you more than life itself feels so small compared to how we actually feel. The love I had for you from the beginning was so overwhelming that it almost made me sick to my stomach.

You have even managed to strengthen the love I have for your Daddy. Now, there are times (like those middle of the night diaper changes that he sleeps through) when I’ve wanted to choke him. But gosh…seeing him with you, it melts me. In the hospital he would sit and rock you and tell you stories about who we are, who your family is, and make up stories about sleepy town. You fell asleep on his chest and he was so proud of how he hadn’t seen you sleep so hard. He said he was so happy that he felt like he was going to burst and he was tingly all over. He said it was the happiest he had ever been. Steff, let me tell you, you were created out of nothing but pure love. We knew, from the beginning, that we wanted nothing more but to share the love we had of each other with a baby.

Since you’ve been around our living room has transformed into Babies-R-Us, we have learned how to survive on less sleep, we always consider going home and sleeping instead of going on date nights, our dreams have become bigger, our hearts have become stronger, and our home has become complete. In the last month you have started smiling so much and it’s seriously the best thing I’ve ever experienced. You love it when I sing to you (you seem to think it’s hilarious…your Daddy thinks the same about my singing). You love kisses. You now love it when I hold you up above my head like an airplane. Your favorite place is in my arms or on my chest. A very close second would be your changing table. You have been an excellent nurser from the beginning, with a few rough patches along the way. Now, I don’t know how I’ll be able to give it up. We recently realized you have your Daddy’s smile, chin, nose, brow, and probably temper (ha). You have my eyes…which is good to me. Your Daddy happens to be pretty handsome. Your favorite “toy” is your wubbanub. It’s a paci with a blue horse attached to it. I love when hold it’s legs with your tiny hands and rub it with your little fingers.

Holding you, nursing you, smelling you, has been like a drug to me since day one. You seem to just melt into my arms. There have been days when I’ve felt like I was doing everything wrong, but those things, my drugs, always made me feel like everything was right. We are learning and growing together. You teach me every day. I am slowly becoming the kind of Mother I always dreamed of being. I’m not quite there, but I know that as we grow together, I will get there.

Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your love. Thank you for the lessons you teach me.

I love you more than “life itself” could ever measure.

Love,

Mommy

With my very unproductive maternity leave over, I am now working to finalize my fall/holiday schedule. Yeah…I normally have this set in stone and am trying to get everyone holiday focused in August, but not so much this year. I loved every bit of my maternity leave, but am so excited to see each of you. Now’s the time to book your fall/holiday session if you haven’t already! Here’s a little more info about the upcoming months…

• September mini sessions are this Saturday (the 24th) at Gratz Park and there is still a spot (possibly 2) available (please see below how to reserve your spot)
• Signature sessions are still being booked on Fridays and Saturdays (morning and evening)
• October mini sessions are the 21st (Constitution Square; Danville, KY) and the 22nd (Downtown Lexington). This will be the last chance to shoot for holiday gifts/cards.
• November mini sessions are the 19th (Keeneland)
• Holiday order deadline is November 23rd (except for digital files)
• No mini sessions in December

Please be patient as I sort through all the oh so fun emails Remember…I’m now cuddling in between.

Let the Kids Dress Themselves is a blog that I was instantly in love with, just from the title alone. A question I’m often asked is what in the world to wear to a session. I don’t feel like my answer ever helps. I tell them that they could seriously come in their pajamas and the pictures would be great. Not because of me, but because they would be comfortable. My goal is to tell them not to stress over it. The only thing I ever request is that everyone NOT wear the same thing. Now, if you’ve hopped over to their blog, you will see that “Let the Kids Dress Themselves” is nothing about what to wear to a session, but celebrating REAL images.

So, I’ve now been inspired to share with you all how to get that perfect lifestyle session. I’m pretty sure you’re going to be surprised by some of the answers.

1. The absolute number one thing I tell EVERY one (especially after I get the “what to wear” question) is to RELAX and JUST BE YOURSELF. I  know it’s so much easier said than done. I’ve been in front of the camera and know how vulnerable it can be. But there is truly not one other aspect that is more important than relaxing. Worrying about what to wear, their hair being just right, they act a certain way, everyone’s looking at the camera and smiling just perfect, etc. etc., will do nothing but make you uncomfortable, the kids uncomfortable, the hubby’s uncomfortable, and you even more stressed from all of that.

2. Truly, let the kids dress themselves. Seriously the best advice ever. There’s nothing I love more than seeing a kiddo at the store and you can tell they dressed themselves and that Mom could not get them out of their goggles or their favorite boots. And I know ultimately, 20 years from now, you’re not going to care about that cute little outfit you put together, but the outfit that they wanted to wear every day and refused to take off.

It doesn’t even have to be that outfit. It can just be something they’re comfortable in. Why look like you’re going to a photo shoot? lol…and I’m being serious. Dress like it’s just another day and everyone’s personality will truly shine.

If you’re not comfortable with this (and I completely understand this…remember I’ve been in front of the camera…recently), have a portion of the session with the clothes you prefer and then end the session with something they’ve picked out. It can even be a reward. “We’ve just got a few more and then you can wear your outfit”. It can be something exciting we talk about during the other portion of the session.  Oh and what better way is there to get them into the session? Now, with that said, if you are wanting them to wear anything else, you should probably hold their outfit to the end because we most likely won’t be able to get them out of it.

3. Don’t worry about looking at the camera and smiling perfect, instead worry about spending time with and loving on your family. My goal as a photographer is not to get everyone smiling and looking at the camera, but to capture your family happy, relaxed, and in love…with each other. My favorite pictures are always the ones where everyone’s looking at each other, loving on each other, and just taking a few minutes out of their day to enjoy each other. I even do this with weddings, when I was doing weddings. I would say to take this time to enjoy each other because they wouldn’t have much time to do that during the day. You will never catch me telling someone to say cheese. And my “loose” directions may even be confusing because I don’t want to give a lot of direction. I want to sit you in a spot and let you be YOU. If something is totally off and ruining the image, I will shoot it as it is (because that’s the most natural to you…not all the best images have the best light, the best settings, etc.) and then make a small adjustment and let things unfold again. This is why I shoot so much and this is why I allow a couple hours for sessions.

4. Be in the images. Don’t let time and life pass you by without being in images with your children. Best thing about this type of photography is that you DON’T need to look perfect. In 20 years will you really care that your hair was in a pony tail for that picture? No, you’ll care that you have images of YOU with your kiddos. YOU loving your kiddos. YOU playing with your kiddos. And if it makes you feel any better, I do happen to know all the best angles to show the best you!

I knew instantly that I wanted to use the below image for this one (even though I just recently blogged this session ). Not because there’s anything wrong with the way momma looks (because I know she looked perfect), but because she didn’t intend on being in any images and was nervous when I suggested it. She went with it and trusted me and this ended up being one of her favorites and my absolute favorite. Probably one of my favorite momma-daughter shots ever.

5. Let them play. I often joke that my job is to chase kids. I’m only half joking. We get the best images when the kids are able to play and have fun. If this means me chasing them and sweating my tush off by the end, then so be it.

6. Laugh. Don’t worry about the way you look when you laugh. Again, don’t worry about giving that perfect smile. I LOVE a good full body laugh. Pull out whatever you can to get it. Tickles, gross body noises, words they think are hilarious and you don’t usually say, jokes, funny faces…truly whatever it takes. Oh, don’t worry…I’ll do whatever I can as well (and, despite what Bret says, I am pretty darn funny…well, it may usually be when I’m not trying to), but you know your kiddos best. You know what makes them laugh and, even more so, what’s NOT suppose to make them laugh (which is usually what works even best).

7. Sing. I always ask if there’s a song that they like to sing. I can tell it catches some off guard. So, be prepared with a song you know that they like. If it’s something they normally love, they’re usually going to love it at the session. Perfect way to not only make them smile, but also to calm them and make them feel more comfortable. Now, if this stresses you out, go back to number 1 That’s more important.

8. Remember imperfection is perfection. Confusing? Our lives are imperfect. But, my goodness, isn’t it so perfect that way? Yes…I’m talking tears, the way ice cream got all over their face when they ate it, the scrunchy face you make when you laugh really hard, the way her fly-aways constantly get in her face, the mud on his jeans…all the little things that truly make up life. Those are the things I want to capture and remember.

9. Make it personal. Bring the blanket or stuffed animal they just can’t live without. Your family love to travel? Bring maps or a globe. Love to go on picnics? Bring a picnic or have the session at your favorite picnic area. Is there a book they want you to read over and over again? Bring it. Everything can be personalized. If this stresses you out…go back to number 1 and just bring yourselves

10. Plan an activity. Some of my favorite sessions have been focused around an activity. It’s a great way to take the attention off of the camera and on each other and the activity at hand. The key is for it to be a personal activity. One of my most favorite recent sessions was at the Farmer’s Market. It’s something this family did together often. We went to vendors they usually went to. They brought their bags and bought foods they needed. We found a spot on the street where there weren’t many people and grabbed some shots of their interactions with each other. Then went for a little breakfast at their favorite bakery. And finally played in the fountains downtown. It was perfect for their family. It was fun for everyone. It was natural. That same day, another session got out the sprinklers at the end of their session, which was fun and a great reward for the kiddos (and momma). How about taking me along with you while you pick out your pumpkins for the year or pick apples. A session I’ve always wanted to do was an outing picking up a families live Christmas tree. I love the white lights, trees, and signs you always see at these little spots. Another idea for Christmas is baking cookies. Have an artistic family? How about an art project? Musical family? Break out the instruments. There really is no limit. Just think about what your family loves to do!

11. Don’t fuss too much with their clothes, hair, etc. This is something that I would say most every Mom does. You want their clothes to be perfect. Their hair to be out of their face. Them to sit up and give the perfect smile. I get it. I completely understand. But, want to wear the kids out quickly and test their patience? That’s the quickest way to do it. Happy kiddos are SO much more important than everything looking “perfect”. If it’s something really bad that will completely ruin the shot, I will probably ask to fix it, but most of the time, it wouldn’t ruin the shot. Now, there are times when something won’t bother me, but would bother you. You just kinda have to find a good balance and think before you fuss too much. I guess “pick your battles” is the best approach to this one.

12. Pick a location that is comfortable to your family. Don’t think your home is a good spot? I can almost promise that it is. The way I shoot, the background is normally not the focus. You may not even be able to tell where most of my sessions are held. As long as you have some window light (and you’d be surprised what will work), then we are good to go. There’s nothing more custom and personal than your own home. Not crazy about that then what about a family farm, or an ice cream shop/bakery/pizza place/park/book store/music store/comic store/library (you get the idea) you frequent?

13. Don’t forget to snuggle!

Now…with all that said, if any of it just stresses you out more, go back to number 1! lol. The goal is to truly capture the essence of your family, without all the stress that some photo sessions can bring. Your job is to have fun and play. My job is get that on my camera. I might have a little fun while we’re at it

Hope that helps for your next session! And…hopefully I can remember all of this at our first family session!

Peace and SO much love,

Cilla