From the moment Lara announced she was expecting twins, everyone was telling her how different her life was going to be and how this little guy was in for the shock of his life. At four months old, Lara attempted her first family portrait with the twins. She knew it was not likely that the session would go off entirely perfect so she planned accordingly. We met at a park Landon enjoys playing at. That way if one of the girls were fussy, he could run around and not get bored waiting. Lara also wanted some shots of them all playing on the playground together, because Landon loves the park so much. Getting your portraits done is really all about you, so take advantage of that! Dress, accessorize, prop-o-cize, location-ize.... I'm making up my own words.... all to fit your style. If your family likes to ride dirt bikes, let's go out to the dry lake bed. I've been hired/invited to a First Birthday party to witness that first cake experience. Bring me along on a family picnic, or on a trip to the ice cream parlor, or on your favorite hike, etc. There are limitless possibilities. What do you want your portraits to say about you?
One of my birth clients, Jamie, is an amazing woman. Not only did she have a homebirth VBAC with a 10 pound baby, but she goes running all the time, writes a fun blog, is super creative, is thoughtful and spiritual, and is an all-around Super-Mom!! And she made a slideshow out of my birth photography! I love it!
You know what I love about Sunny? She is always smiling! Her name fits her so perfectly. She smiles when she tells me her son has a giant bruise from a recent goose-egg on his forehead. She smiles when the two-year-old doesn't want to cooperate. She smiles when the baby is eating rocks. She even smiles when random ladies at the grocery store say "Are they all yours?!?!" refering to her four children. Sunny is so awesome. She knows the personalities of her children and knows that almost any family outing could turn into quite an adventure, especially a portrait session. Well, it turns out the afternoon was totally fun, and we got some shots that I think fit the family perfectly. Enjoy!
Zack and Brooke met a few years ago and "hung out" for a while. Then one day he brought her flowers and officially asked her to be his girlfriend. So sweet!! After hearing about then, I asked how he proposed and Zack said "I just asked her. I was afraid if I planned anything big, that she would suspect something, so I just surprised her and asked her." And she said yes! I've known Brooke for a few years now, and she's always been a pretty girl, but WOW she's gorgeous!
These last two are pretty awesome in color, but the vintage look is pretty sweet too. And Brooke is so fierce!
This birth is such perfection in so many ways. Dustin & I went to high school together. We ran into each other a few years after graduation and we had both become photographers. After a few more years, I had the thought to look him up. Thank you Mark Zuckerburg for inventing Facebook. :) Little did I know, the night before I found him on FB, Dustin's wife had spent an hour on my blog! She was looking for a birth photographer. Fast forward a few weeks. While gathering all the necessary info, I ask who their midwife is. Desi responds with "We've decided to do a freebirth" (an birth unattended by a midwife or doctor) and I got goosebumps! Desi's last birth was so fast her midwife didn't make it, and I can totally relate to that! After all the "coincidences" and the way things had happened so perfectly, I knew this birth would be awesome and felt honored to be invited to be a part of it!
So Wednesday night I get a call. In the birth business, you know even before looking at the phone, that anyone who is calling that late is someone who is in labor! Just minutes before, I had been thinking about Dustin & Desi, thinking "I should make sure all my gear is together" etc, and then I got the phone call! I hopped in the car and prayed I didn't get caught speeding on the way to their house. Desi's last labor was only one hour, and I live 45 minutes from her house! Luckily I made it, and without a speeding ticket.
Upon arrival at their house, I noticed felt a beautiful feeling in the home. It was a feeling of simplicity and love and is summed up by this quote plaque: There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort, by Jane Austen. There are many people who think homebirthers are crazy, but this plaque says it all. While applicable to nearly all situations in life, it is especially appropriate for this birth. No hospital or birth center room in the world can compare to your own house and your own bed. I want one of these plaques for my house!!
A few lovely details. This star is taped to the bathroom door. Mom is a star!
Many women often find the most comfortable place to labor is on the toliet.
These hands would soon catch his newborn daughter.
I love how these two worked together. Dustin was such a rock and Desi was so cool & collected. My friends say I make it look easy, oh no, Desi makes it look easy! She birthed this baby without making a sound!
Little Miss R is not so little! 9.5 pounds!
Congratulations on the gorgeous new addition to your family!
Remember! Freebirthing and even homebirth are not for everyone, nor does everyone agree with it. If you have a mean comment, please keep it to yourself. D & D did have a close friend a neighbor who is an incredibly experienced and knowledgeable doula & childbirth educator come over after the baby was born, I just didn't post a picture of her. :)
Oh yes. And right as the baby was coming out, this song came on... I love it. I think I'm going to have to learn how to play it.
I know, I know... You've been waiting and apparently I've been waaaaaay busy. On top of regular life, I have a birth I can't wait to share with you, a darling family session, a super fun wedding, and now my give-away winner!!
Quite a few of you had 4 or more entries (good job!) and one of them is our winner! Congratulations to Lara!!! You've just yourself won your self a mini-session!
I've got another give-away up my sleeve.... something for Christmas... and another trip to Utah planned. Email me if you want to book a Utah session!
Meet Cassius, or Cash for short. Oh, yes, you met him a few weeks ago, but these are his official portraits. Cash is one week old in these images. He is a fantastic eater, so much so that he too peed and pooed on nearly everyone involved. :) And he didn't want to sleep either. At my house we call that "determined." I think he's ready to tackle the world!
This little sweetie didn't want to sit still for us. But we got this totally awesome shot! I love it!!
Don't forget the give-away posted below!!! 3 days left to enter!!!!
No, not the baby... I just put her on here so you could have something cute to look at.
Win a mini-session! My friend Brooke is running a similar give-away on her blog, and since I want to win hers (photographers need portrait sessions too, you know!), I figured I'll run a give-away as well. :)
WIN: A half hour mini-session in Boulder City. Good for an individual up to an immediate family. Includes a disc of of your best 10 or so images. Book your mini-session before Thanksgiving!
WHO: Well Logic would say this give-away is open to people who are willing to travel to Boulder City, BUT I think I can make some concessions for people who live in Utah, since I will be travelling there this year. Go ahead, Utah friends, WIN THIS!
HOW: Lots of ways. Became a Facebook Fan. Post about the give-away on Facebook including a link. Post about it on your blog and include a link. You can even tweet about it if you want! Get an entry for each time, and another one for leaving a comment here. Tell me how many entries you get AND tell me what your favorite scary movie is!
WHEN: Contest ends Friday, Oct 15 at midnight PST. Winner will be determined by Random.org (The winner of my last contest maxed out her entry options!! It paid off!!)
WHY: Because I'm in a giving mood. Just for fun. And I'd want to win a portrait session right before Christmas. I totally need a family shot for my Christmas cards!
Lily has a rather interesting story. While visiting friends in Las Vegas, she goes into labor about 11 weeks early!! Ace was born, and Lily, a professional poker player, decided to put down some roots and call Vegas home. And the poker playing gig is super awesome, because Lily plays online which means she gets to stay at home with Ace all the time. I think any single mom would agree with me that that's incredible. Ace is pretty lucky. And he's got a really cool blanket handmade by a close friend. The best part is.... it's reversible! Ace has another special blanket made by Grandma at the bottom of the post. Welcome to Vegas, Ace! We hope you like it here!
Thanks for visiting! This is actually my old blog. Please visit my new website & blog at www.jessicabphotography.com Thanks and I hope to see you soon!
Please remember I am the mother of four young children. It may not be the most opportune time for me to accept a call or answer an email, so I thank you for understanding. I return calls and emails as soon as I am available. Although I will not likely return calls/emails on Saturdays, and for sure not on Sundays. :) Thanks!
Getting your portraits done is really all about you, so take advantage of that! Dress, accessorize, prop-o-cize, location-ize.... I'm making up my own words.... all to fit your style. If your family likes to ride dirt bikes, let's go out to the dry lake bed. I've been hired/invited to a First Birthday party to witness that first cake experience. Bring me along on a family picnic, or on a trip to the ice cream parlor, or on your favorite hike, etc. There are limitless possibilities. What do you want your portraits to say about you? 
This little sweetie didn't want to sit still for us. But we got this totally awesome shot! I love it!!
