Now I Get A Treat
Roxy was adorable at her session! She did a great job sitting, staying and looking at the camera, but only for a short while. I would snap the shutter a handful of times and she would be up and moving! She would head directly for the cabinet where her bag of treats was sitting, stand there and look at you. I could just tell she was saying…”I did want you want, now I get a treat!” The look on her face was so innocent, you could not help but give in! Once she received her treat, she would be ready to do it all again!
No More Teddy!
Ardyn & Eli have been coming to see me since they were 18 months old. At their 18 month session, I brought out a teddy bear in an attempt to get participation from Ardyn. Ever since then, Ardyn has remembered exactly where Teddy is kept and will not participate unless she is clinging on to Teddy with all her might. Teddy made an appearance in their family portrait at age two, he got hugs and kisses at age three…even if you can’t see him, he’s there somewhere!
This year, for their four year session, I was determined to keep Teddy hidden. I went so far as to remove the cabinet where Teddy lives from the room. Wouldn’t you know, Ardyn did not even ask for him! She was all about performing for the camera - from spinning, to cheesing, to striking poses. It was the Ardyn show!
Of course, wouldn’t you know, Teddy has been replaced by Blanket. Eli did not have the best of mornings, and was not into the session like his sister was. So, to get participation from him, out came his favorite blanket. Every once in a while, we were able to get it away from him, but for the most part, just like the Teddy, it is in there somewhere!
Eli definitely wanted to challenge me that morning, but we pushed through, and blanket or no blanket, we still captured some adorable images with some great Eli expressions!
Wild Woman?
Izzy is a pretty shy and reserved little lady. Her five year session started out like all her other sessions - she was calm, reserved and quiet. I start asking question after question to get her to relax and open up to me. Though I do have to say, some of her answers this year were very interesting!
Her favorite animal is the snake! Eww! She’s already a mathematician genius! She can add, she can tell me what number comes after another, she can count in Spanish…very impressive! Her favorite princess is Sleeping Beauty. AND she’s a burper!
As the session progressed, she slowly opened up and relaxed more and more. By the end, she was a wild and crazy woman. Moving this way and that way, laughing at me and hiding from me - making me laugh and smile right back at her!
Being Real
I love the realness of being a kid. There is no trickery, no deception, no falseness. It is the “What you see is what you get” mentality.
During Parker’s session, Mom and Dad went to the other room, so Parker and I could work one on one. Afterwards, Dad said to Parker “Did she make you smile?” Parker replied with, “Yes, that’s her job.” Just matter of fact, no ifs, ands or buts, that’s her job! What a great answer!
That is how he was the entire session. I would ask questions and I would get real answers! It was great! Parker and I had a blast talking about animals, sports and a little bit about girls, though he would not admit to being interested yet. We just relaxed, talked, joked and had fun!
Blooper Reel
I couldn’t resist…I had to post the bloopers from our family craziness session!
In the middle of the session, AJ figured out how to take his arm out of his sweater. He completely cracked himself up, and the girls were more than entertained by his new found talent!
The Poser, The Rock Star & The Blur!
Family Craziness
In my head, as I was preparing for the family session, I figured my biggest challenge was going to be little man, AJ. He is 16 months old and should be at that stage where he does not want to hold still and it can be difficult to keep his attention. Boy was I wrong!
AJ was a rock star! He was smiling and giggling, sitting in place and looking at the camera. I could not have asked for anything better from him.
Now, his two sisters on the other hand, that was a different story. I can assure you that I was exhausted by the time they walked out the door. Gabriella, the middle kiddo, would not hold still for anything. She turned, she twirled, her dress was up, her dress was down, and she refused to look at me. She would always look just to the side of me.
Madeleine, the oldest, is in that stage where she thinks she knows what looks good. It’s a painful, forced, unnatural smile along with an awkwardly cocked head. I had to work super hard to get her relaxed and natural looking.
We take all that, the rock star, the blur, and the poser and put them all together, and what do we get…pure craziness! But, with a little bit of magic, lots of patience, and many, many clicks…it all came together!
Princesses
Natasha and Sophie love the Disney princesses! They can name every princess, almost as if they are saying their ABCs. Natasha was Ariel for Halloween, and she had a princess party in December. It’s princess time all the time!
They are definitely full of energy, excitement, giggles and laughs! Their session was tons of fun as we talked about sledding and swimming in the snow, and of course, the new Disney Princess movie!
We all laughed and smiled the entire time!
Ethiopian Babies
In September, Camille & Henry made the long trip from Ethiopia to Kansas City to join their new family! They were welcomed with open arms and loving hearts! Though the last few months have been an adjustment and a transition, Henry and Camille have already grown SO much. Not only in size and weight, but in physical, mental and emotional abilities!
I know coming to a strange place (especially since it’s one of the few times they been away from home for something other than the doctor’s office), changing clothes multiple times, and having some strange woman holding this big contraption, asking them to perform, was weird for them. Despite the newness of it all, I thought they both did great, and we really captured who they are at this stage.
Henry is an easy going, laid back, happy little man. Camille is full of sass, and is going to be fighting her Mommy every day for control of the house!
She’s A Poser
Angie was totally into, and loving, having her photo taken. She was striking poses right and left. Hand on the hip, hands on the knees, tippy toe…it didn’t matter what it was, she was posing it to extreme!
Of course, in addition to posing her body to the extreme, she was taking her smile to the extreme! Totally cheesy! We had to work extra hard to get her to let go of the cheese and just give us her nice relaxed, beautiful smile! In the end, we got a little bit of everything, which is exactly what I want!
What is Today?
The first person to accurately guess what today is will receive a surprise gift!
Any guesses? Make a comment below.
EDITED TO ADD:
Congratulations goes to Shawna!! You are correct, today is the anniversary of Photography by Brandi! Eight years ago, I had my first session!
Wow, where does the time go? As we begin our ninth, I am just in awe of all the babies I have photographed; they are growing so quickly. Now, my high school seniors are getting married and even having babies of their own!
Thank you all for your support, business and friendship over the last eight years, I look forward to many, many more!
Shawna will be receiving one of our new custom made photo keychains…not even available for sale yet! Of course, I loved everyone’s answers so much that everyone has to get a goodie. For all you who commented, watch your mail. You will be receiving a Blog Addict Gift Certificate! Thanks for all the awesome guesses. You all made me feel very loved today!
There are a few guesses that deserve special attention:
- Most Creative goes to Dara for her “National Squirrel Day” guess
- Most Accurate goes to Anne for knowing that it was eight years
- Most Guesses also goes to Dara for her three very unique guesses
Thanks again, you are all awesome!!