Busy boys are the best kind. Liam and Aidan stopped a few times and I grabbed those images. But some of the most fun are when they were running and playing.
Their mom, Eileen said "We had an incredible experience working with you and we look forward to future photo sessions. Thank-you for capturing my kiddos adorable personality. The photos are true treasures that we will cherish forever...."
I finally shot some Little Models images of Chilton before we cut his hair for the summer. I'm such a sucker for long messy hair. He wasn't exactly enthused or cooperating, but I've finally moved past the normal parent worry. I can always get great images even if the little ones aren't cheesing it up the entire time. I actually love the feeling of this session. You certainly can't stage these poses.
Our first ever Summer Fun Day for portraits is scheduled for July 9. Break out the tank tops, shorts, swim suits and summer dresses and come play. I can't wait to try out all the fun ideas we have planned. My short list includes playing in the sprinkler, bouncing on the floaties, eating ice cream cones, blowing bubbles, running in the grass...
The session fee is only $75 and packages start at $250. It doesn't have to be just the kids, bring mom and dad as well and make it a family event, too.
Well, I said earlier that I was doing a Little Models session with my kiddos. I've accomplished it with the girls, and I wanted to share a few of my favorite shots. They were so pumped to have Meredith do their hair and to get to wear the new outfits that I'd put together from what they had as well as shopping sprees online and at Mady and Me.
I also did some scouting for new backgrounds around town and we had some fun driving around for part of the session. Unfortunately, everything that I find to shoot with gets sold, moved or changed right after I photograph it. Seriously, the blue vine-coved wall is now gray stucco and a rusted out car with fins went driving out of town a few days after the session. So, a few of these images are "one of a kind", but not all.
Brothers never seem to enjoy their sisters' snuggles as much as the sisters do. Well, especially not in public. But, if you have a brother, sneak in a kiss today. It won't hurt him and you might just get him back for some of the ornery (I love that word) things he's done to you in your life.
We had a great time during this session. Their mom, Brenda, told me, "I couldn't believe how much fun the kids had with you. They really enjoyed the whole experience."
And, we even settled down for a loving serious portrait.
One of the reasons we introduced the Little Models sessions was for us to be able to photograph new ideas and backgrounds. As you can see, there are some fresh, new looks here in Elizabeth's session. But more than that, we wanted to be able to do a children's session that is more like a senior session - lots of fun outfits and a chance to really show each child's personality. What's so great about these sessions is that everyone involved has a great time - the darling child, the mom and me. Yay!
Here is what Elizabeth's mom said after she viewed Elizabeth's session:
"All of you at Antisdels are a delight to work with and I continue to be impressed with your quality and freshness. Elizabeth had so much fun with the little models session--it was like being a real princess for the day! She will definitely want to do that again!
Please tell Kia thank you for the gorgeous pictures! They are so full of life and color and once again she was able to capture her personality completely. I am so grateful to have them as they will forever remind me of who she was as a Kindergartner and for me, those memories are priceless!
Also, please pass on my thanks to Meredith at Twist. She gave Elizabeth a beautiful curly do that really complemented her outfits. I can't wait to pick up my pictures and bring them home!"
We are now booking our Little Models sessions for 2008. We have so many cute new sets and ideas. I can't wait to show you some of the darling images we've already made for our first Little Models session.
If you are checking out the blog to get more information, I will try to expound (I'm pretty sure that's a word) a bit more.
Here is what is on our Little Models postcard. I'll interject more explanation throughout:
1. Free Little Models sessions and 15% off April and May print orders. Yes, the session fee is free. To book the session, there is a $100 deposit that will go toward your order.
2. Must be photographed by 5/21/08.
3. Limited to one child per family. We would love for you to bring in all your children. The free session is for one child per family. Just book an additional session to include all your children.
4. Bring in your Little Model for a fun portrait session showing all sides of his or her playful personality. This session is great for all ages under 17 (those would be senior portrait sessions) and for boys and girls. Be sure to bring in a variety of outfits and any fun items that your kids love.
5. Get your hair done with Meredith at Twist. Boys and girls love the experience of being pampered. When you book your session, just let us know that you would like us to schedule an appointment with Meredith as well and we'll take care of setting it up it for you.
6. Come see our Little Models portraits on display at Oak Park Mall. Outside of Nordstrom's, we will be putting a selection of fun images from the Little Models sessions on display throughout the year. Also, watch this blog for fun Little Models images. We will also be putting these images on the website, in our newsletter, at the Junior League Holiday Mart booth in the fall and on display in the studio. How fun is that!
I do have to admit that I'm a little jealous of the Little Models sessions because I've not done them for my kids yet. So, this year I am putting it all together for them. I'll share some of the process I'm going through. First, I've gone through their closets to choose some of both the kids and my favorite clothes. I've pulled a green and white polka dot raincoat and boots for Sephine, a pink houndstooth coat with matching hat for Kessa, Sephine's pink ballet leotard, a blue dress from Mexico for Kessa, and bright dresses I bought from baby petunia online (I always get their holiday dresses at Wooden Soldier or Nordstroms), but his was a great site for cute, fun clothes.
I've picked out a few things for Chilton, but he's going to be tougher. I have that polka dot shirt I used as a background for Beale (I still haven't worked up the nerve to make him put it on), some plaid pants that match a Beatles shirt and that's about it. Here are some cute sites that I checked out for other fun clothes for him - knuckleheads (I think the underwear are adorable) and tough cookies.
I'm posting some fun images from our Little Models last year and here is a link to other sessions from the blog as well.
When I was pulling images for the Whispers and Kisses entry, I came across these of Chilton from that session. I thought he was so cute in his little floral shirt and shorts. This year, he has a polka dot shirt to wear. I'm going to have to do some bribing to get that on instead of a shirt with a truck, ball or dinosaur.
and we are excited to celebrate springtime with our Whispers and Kisses™ sessions, next Wednesday, March 5. If you don't have a session booked yet, there are still times available. As you can see, the bunnies are such a delight. And our children dressed in Easter Finery is so much fun.
You know what's funny? Little boys love bunnies. As you can see, they like to snuggle with them and they love to watch the show of their images when they come back to view their sessions.
Also, I've included one image without a bunny. It's one of my favorite images I've shot. Even though Little Will does not look happy and isn't giving us a big grin, I would still have to say I love it. What I think I really like is that his mom loved the image, too. She wasn't worried about capturing something that wasn't there. She trusted me to photograph who Will was at that moment. I do have a lot of wonderful smiles of Will from other sessions. I'll share those someday, too.
Some of us at the studio dressed up on our Little Pumpkin day and we had some fun outdoors in our costumes.
Here is Tressie as superman ready to take off in flight.
Jay, your friendly neighborhood retoucher hippy, contemplating a leaf.
Our darling little ladybug, Brooke, climbing a tree.
Michelle, our feisty little mouse kitty.
and me, being piled on by a herd of little animals.
