Sneak preview: Keilani and Kellen

Boy, was I excited to get back to shooting! In case some of you didn't know I took January off to focus on my life and where I wanted this business to go. I didn't book any shoots for that month, but have a few lined up in the next couple months.

My first shoot for 2010 was a real treat! Baby Kellen was born recently in January, and his mother had contacted me way back in October to let me know she'd be interested in a newborn shoot. Talk about taking action! She also has the most adorable, talkative, curly-haired toddler known to mankind - Keilani. Oh, Keilani... you are too cute for words.



She makes me wish I had curly hair!

Austin: San Francisco newborn photography

Do you ever wonder if most women are born to be mothers? Is there a gene we're supposed to have that make us good parents? I often ponder this when I think about my own future as a new mom. I can hardly make myself a decent meal every day let alone take care of a child who is 100% depended on ME! If there is a good-parent gene, I know my next two parents have it. It's a daunting task, being a new parent, but it's people like Michelle and Billy who make me think with a new baby comes a whole new set of genes that are flipped on and make us fully prepared to nurture and care for a newborn. I had the pleasure of photographing 18-day old Austin last week, and not only did I get a handful of oh-my-gosh-this-is-the-CUTEST-BABY-EVER photos, but I learned a lot about what it takes to be a new mom. My friend Lynn assisted me this time since I realized it's a tad challenging juggling a newborn, holding up blankets, posing them, and snap the shutter just in time for that millisecond of a smile. Phew! Too bad I didn't get that millisecond smile. Maybe next time, Austin. ;-)

Michelle wasn't like most new mothers I've seen, and I mean this in the best way possible. When we first got there I thought, "there is no way this cute girl is the new mom. She's so...so tiny!" I will warn my husband now, it's not the norm for most new moms to whip back into shape and look at stunning the way Michelle did, but now I have proof it happens. :-) Secondly, there was such an ease to the way she held Austin and changed his diapers and fed him and soothed him; you would think this was her second or even third child! There is much excitement about this little guy because he happens to be the first grandkid on both sides of the family. In fact, his grandma from San Diego was there visiting, and she was beaming with happiness and pride. There is no doubt Austin is going to grow up in the most nurturing hands and be surrounded by love, laughter, and lots of football. Michelle and Billy, you created such a beautiful, sweet little boy, and I'm so grateful you chose me to have the honor of photographing him and your good-looking family. You two are doing an amazing job as new parents; keep it up!

This Thanksgiving the Geddes family has one more thing to be extremely thankful for - a gorgeous, healthy baby boy. I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy eating and shopping!





My favorite of the day because he's so alert and staring right at me!



Peaceful...



Not so peaceful...



Daddy and his little football player.





Told ya I had proof this new mother is gorgeous!



He had his boxing fists up when I first got there. Don't worry, Austin, I don't bite!



I was going to do all monochrome for this post, but I thought I'd end it with a colored photo just to twist it up a bit.

Leo Zahn 7 days old {Bay Area newborn photography}

Leonidas. Such a courageous and manly name for such a teeny tiny newborn. However, this name is bound to be a self-fulfilling prophecy as my time spent with little Leo proved he's got more strength than his itty bitty body can handle. At only seven days old he was trying to crawl, lift his head, and had quite the soccer kick. His sweet mother Mai is in over her head with two very active and inquisitive boys. :-)

Mai and I go way back to junior high school and continued our friendship through high school. I remember Mai as an extremely bubbly and sweet classmate, and she was the glass-half-full type of girl. Well, you know how they say some people never change? I'd have to agree with that one because in her mid 20s Mai is just the same sweet girl I knew when we were barely teenagers. The only difference I notice now is that she's a mother, and she's an amazing mother at that. As we caught up she would tell me endearing stories of her oldest son Max and of what it's like to be a mother of two. Her eyes continued to smile as she told me what it felt like the first time she saw Leo after his birth, and what it's like to have your life revolve around a growing family. As I listen to her I sense my baby fever growing by the second. But uh...easy there, readers, it's growing, but it's still a wee lil "baby" itself. ;-)

Thank you, Mai, for opening up your home and family to me. I can't wait til we get to hang out again!

His mom knit this cute little beanie just for this photo session!



Zonked out







"What's up, guys?"









And finally one more of Leo in his giraffe costume. It's too cute!

Evan: Six weeks old

As soon as I walked into the apartment I saw Evan in the corner of the room kicking and squirming. I thought to myself, "Uh oh, I think this is going to be a very long session." To my pleasant surprise, Evan was the perfect little model as soon as we took him outside to enjoy the end of yet another beautiful summer. It was an extremely warm day, so Evan started out a little irritated with the heat and body contact, but as soon as I stuck him in my basket he was happier than a clam! I even got to take portraits of their super energetic and goofy dog Turbo. Have I ever told you how much I love dogs? I do. A ton.

Christiana and Doug are first time parents, and observing how they handled this six-week old with such ease and patience clearly demonstrates how Evan is going to be in great hands for many, many years to come. I had a great time getting to know you and your family and hearing your cute story of how you both met. Thank you for letting me into your lives to photograph your beautiful son Turbo. Ooops! I mean Evan. :-P

Ladies and gentleman, meet Evan!

Is is Halloween, yet?







Knock knock! Special delivery!





Mommy and Daddy married, and then had me.





And we can't forget Turbo, Evan's older brother. How pretty is this dog?! Christiana adopted Turbo when she was in college, and he's been a huge part of their family ever since. :-) I instantly knew I would love this family when they told me they were crazy about dogs.

Sneak preview: Evan six weeks

Meet Evan! This little guy was so awesome! He was a little squirmy wormy at first, but as soon as we took him outside he was as happy as a clam. Here is a sneak preview of his photo session. Yep, he's yawning A LOT in my photos because my camera bored him out real quick. :-P

**Update: I was told by my friend Michael said Evan is actually singing, not yawning. :-) I like that much better!

Mikaella 21 days

As I click my shutter, pose Mikaella, click my shutter a few more times, pose her again, I think to myself, "If all parents can be so lucky." Mikaella is the baby all first time parents dream to have - she is beautiful, extremely calm, and very observant. After spending over four hours with this new family it becomes clearly obvious where she gets her gentle demeanor from. Daddy and mommy are so attentive and nurturing, they comfort her when she's squirming and cheer her on when she's "smiling" for the camera. Their soft voices tell tender stories of when they first met or how excited they were to name their baby girl and how long it took them to make sure the spelling of her name was perfect. Because every parent knows their child deserves everything that is, well, perfect.

I truly believe if photography enables me to continually cross paths with people as genuinely kind, hospitable, and humble as Mike and Claudia are then I could do this job for pennies and still find it fruitful. Well, okay, maybe not pennies but you know what I mean. ;-)

I was testing out my mock-studio skills with this photo shoot in case I get my own one day in the far, far future. :-D

Her mother is sooooo pretty!



You're pretty, too, Mike.





I don't think a baby shoot is a baby shoot without them lil toes!



Chillllin'