The last time I saw this little guy, he wasn’t even 1 yet. The crazy part is that he still looks exactly the same!…just a stretched out “big boy” version! Kayden is such a funny little guy….and has the most awesome hair color…that is the exact same color as his moms! We laughed A LOT during our quick mini session. Kayden was all over the place (like most 2 (almost 3) year olds usually are, and he thought it was especially funny to test us, just to get us to laugh. It worked….but what he didn’t know was that I myself am pretty darn funny. I had him cracking up like crazy. I can’t wait to see him again next month…and meet his new baby brother! :)

When this mom and I talked (starting back in January) about locations, she showed me a few photos of their past 2 family photo sessions (which were both outdoors/nature), and by looking at their perfectly styled clothing, I immediately suggested an urban/street shoot, not only because I knew they would look perfect in an urban setting, but because they had already done the outdoor/nature thing twice before, so I wanted them to try something new and different (for them). After a little coaxing and suggestion of beach photos to end the shoot, she was on board…and I knew it would be awesome.  Not only did they show up PERFECTLY dressed, but they were one of the most photogenic and easy going families i’ve met. Jillian (4, almost 5) is her mom’s mini-me. Totally adorable, totally talkative (she was a chatterbox, much like my PJ, the entire shoot – haha) and totally fun! Matteo (almost 7 months) was such a sweet and easy going baby. He greeted me with a smile immediately, and even though he hadn’t napped (and ended up being woken up from a *mega* short nap from urban to the beach (so all of maybe 15 minutes, since we let him sleep a little bit while they changed clothes), he was still in a great mood. This family was just perfect.

I love seeing my repeat clients (like the 2 newborn shoots (below) prior to this shoot, but didn’t get a chance to type anything up about, since I was on a time crunch to get the new site up. Both families I have been photographing the older siblings since before they were 1 (!!), so it’s amazing that I have now gotten to photograph the new babies in their families as well.), but I also love meeting new clients! This super sweet family mentioned during our shoot that they love that I have so many repeat clients and they think it’s so cool that I get to see so many kids grow up. I think so too! It’s one of the best parts about my job :) Hopefully i’ll get to watch Micah grow up as well….and maybe even meet a future sibling one day :) Micah was SO good. Such an easy going baby, although he did try and eat a few rocks, some grass, pull his mom’s earrings, his dad’s ear, etc. Haha. We had a fun little shoot around the park. I hadn’t done a shoot here in about 2 years!

As you all know, I LOVE in home sessions. I have been wanting to do more and more of them. With the heat approaching (ok, well heck, according to yesterday’s 100 degree heat, is HAS arrived! haha), what better place to shoot than INDOORS? Let’s skip the heat, the bugs, the sunburns, crowds…and avoid dragging/packing a bunch of clothes, etc in the car… and shoot in the comfort of your own home. A place where your family finds love and comfort, a place where your kids are happy, themselves, and silly. NO, you don’t have to have a model home. Yes, of course you’ll want to pick up a bit, but no, you don’t need to live in a mansion or dream home! Most people don’t *think* their house is ideal for shoots, but majority of them are wrong! Yes, i’ve been lucky enough to shoot in some amazing homes, but I know there are SO many of you out there that have YOUR OWN perfect little home. After all, every family is different, and your photos should reflect YOUR family and YOUR lives.

Soooo……
for JUNE and JULY (2013) *ONLY*, i’m offering $200 OFF of all *IN HOME* sessions!!! Yep, that’s how bad i’m wanting to do more of them. I don’t just throw out discounts (anyone who has been around Lot116 for the past almost 6 years knows that this is only the second time i’ve EVER offered any type of discount on shoots)….but yes, i’m in love with in home sessions and want to give some folks the extra push to give them a try ;)

Here are some examples of previous in home sessions that I have done (yes, I know, their homes are awesome (again, i’m super lucky to have such rad clients), but DO NOT be discouraged that your home “doesn’t look like that” (heck, mine doesn’t either)…again, this is about YOUR family, your beautiful children jumping around, you kissing their toes, you baking with them, you snuggling and cuddling them, etc. That’s what I love most about in home sessions….they are all unique because everyone’s homes are different. Variety is GOOD! ;) If you want, you can even send me pics (even phone pics are fine – just be sure to take them in the day, with natural light coming in) of your home *before* you book, if you want me to see if your home is ideal for a shoot (just to reassure you) :)