White Bows + Twinkle Toes + 10 Things Mom and Dad Were Thinking | Louisville, KY Family Photographer

I really think this adorable family nailed it.

It is certainly not their first time in-front of my camera, and they are pretty much pros by now. I mean look at that baby, doesn't get any sweeter.

If you follow me on facebook, (see the little circle F link to the right --------->) you might remember this little one from a couple months ago. She was the gorgeous girl in her momma's heirloom dress, EATING HER OWN TOES. Gah so sweet!

And now here she is with her beautiful big sisters just hamming it up for the camera.

But you will see they are laughing at something just to camera right. Mom and dad were doing a great job of cracking them up and I wanted to give you just a little peek into mom and dad's brains during the before during and after the shoot.

1. How did you feel before the photo shoot? Did you have any concerns?

Great! Only concern was if the baby would make it through, always tricky with naps!

 2. Did you prepare for the shoot? If so, how?

Just some shopping for the girls dresses and of course hair!

3. Did the girls undergo any smile/giggle practicing?

No!

 4. What makes your family giggle the most?

Unfortunately it's poop stories. Haha!

5. Was any member of the family bribed?

No!

6. What were your hopes for the session?

Sweet pictures of the girls

7. Based on the few images you've seen, do you think we accomplished goals?

Yes!!!!!

8. What were you thinking during the session?

I hope the baby cooperates.

9. Is there anything you would have done (or had Michelle do) differently?

Nope, everything was perfect!

10. Mark, What advice would you give other dads before their family photo shoot?
Do whatever your wife tells you to :) 
 

I'd say the baby cooperated, and this sweet family did such an amazing job. No giggle practice needed.

Xoxo,
Mich

P.S. Have you done a family portrait session recently? What other advice do you have for a successful family photo shoot?

Leave me a little love note below in the comments, shoot me an email with the "Contact Me" link at the top of this page, and as always, go ahead and share this post with your family and friends.

They are too cute not to!

Lillies + Puppy Kisses + How to Make Your Newborn Session Awesome | MHP Louisville, KY Newborn Photography

I am sitting here thinking about a way to share these photos of the sweetest little family, and of course I do what most others do while procrastinating focusing on the task at hand, I jump on Facebook.

Would you believe that it just so happens to be the little mama's birthday? I cannot think of a better way to celebrate, than with posting and sharing these sweet newborn photos of her new baby Lily.

This little family was sent to me by another friend (I LOVE referrals) and I am so glad that we could fit sweet Lily in to the schedule.

Isn't she the most gorgeous little girl, and that name, fits her so perfectly. We even found some yellow Lilies blooming in the backyard. How PERFECT! 

There are so many great images from this session - we were able to shoot indoors and out! - and I felt so bad that mom and dad were concerned about Lily being upset and having to snack a little during our session. Which is COMPLETELY NORMAL and expected! Just look how beautiful!

SO I wanted to share what to expect and I put together a few tips to make your newborn photo session go as smooth as a baby's... well you know buns ;).
   

 1. Start Early - Be sure to start contacting photographers at lease a couple months before your due date. I usually use your due date as a place holder and then confirm with the little one arrives. I will always try to fit in any session, but I can only schedule so many sessions per week because newborn sessions can take some time, see #2.

2. Be Prepared for a 2-3 Hour Shoot - Babies are amazing, cuddly, adorable, squishy, unpredictable little creatures. But, they are on their own schedule and have to eat pretty often. We may have to have a few mini feeding sessions in the middle to calm down baby and make them sleepy again. The photo shoot will stress them out and feeding helps to soothe them too.

3. Feed Before your Session - It is best to feed a good big meal about a half hour before the shoot and loosen the diaper if you are interested in naked baby photos. Makes baby milk drunk.

4. Avoid Crazy Days - I know it sounds ridiculous with a brand new baby, but get as much sleep and take it easy the night before and morning of the shoot. Lots of visitors wear baby out, and can make for a more cranky pumpkin for the session.

5. Young Babes are Sleepier - I suggest photos in the first 10 days of life and first 7 is ideal. It is not always possible for various reasons, but try to get photos done as soon as you get home from the hospital. Younger babies are sleepier, which is usually better for photos because they will be more content. Babies eyes haven't developed strong muscles yet, so they often look cross-eyed if they're open.

6. Don't Skip It - If you are concerned about timing, or baby comes early/late, or has a little stint in the NICU, don't cancel. Even if the photos end up being 1 month photos, do them anyway, you will be glad you did later. 

7. It Won't Be Perfect - But we will get perfectly amazing images that will last more than a lifetime. Behind the scenes always looks a little messier than you would imagine. The photos will be gorgeous even if your house is a mess, you haven't slept more than 30 mins and your pants have dried milk on them. The photos show only where I point the camera, and I can hide a lot.

8. Include the Important Stuff - Be sure to collect heirlooms and objects that mean something to you and have them ready for the shoot. In fact, I often ask what you have before hand so I can get the ideas rolling.

9. Consider Priorities - Sometimes the little ones just aren't having it. They may be growth-spurting, or fighting sleep, and just don't want to do much. We have to have a plan. So tell me what is most important to you and we will do that first. I always suggest family photos first, just in case we get some projectile matter on our clothes (also completely normal, no worries).

10. My Models Tell Me - My models, large and small, always tell me when they have had enough. We will go by the way the little one responds and if we have enough and little one starts freaking out, we are officially wrapped up. This is why #9 is so important. 

Most of all, I know it is scary and uncomfortable. But, PLEASE try not to worry. I have done this many times. Pee, poop, spit-up, breast milk, boobs, I have seen it all, and it doesn't freak me out. I will not be offended or injured if it happens during our shoot. I have a washing machine and I know how to use it :)  

Plus babies can smell fear, and their mom, so sometimes I'll make you go away :D

XOXO, 

Mich

P.S. Send me some love, or tell me what I missed, in the comment section below. And please shoot me an email - using the contact link above -  if you need some art made of your new addition.

Bow Ties + Baskets | MHP Louisville, KY Newborn Photographer

To start off today's post, I just want to say how thankful I am to each of you.

Even if you haven't booked a session with me yet, or are taking a peek at a friend's photos, I appreciate you so much! Without each and every set of eye balls looking at this blog, I wouldn't be who I am or be doing what I'm doing today.

And I am oh so blessed.

So THANKS!

And that was brought to you by my new blog design.

 As a creative person, when I sit down to write, it is sometimes difficult. I have to yank stuff out of myself that I normally keep tucked inside. Words are not nearly as much of my forte as say... images :)

So my new blog wasn't going to write its own welcome section - See right sidebar------>
- and I got to thinking about what makes me tick, and it might sound corny, but its all of you.

When I was growing up and my mom asked me to draw her a picture, I would always respond, "a picture of what?" My imagination had tons to draw, but I needed something to inspire me.

You inspire me.

I want to make art that you ADORE. Art that speaks to your soul and captures your heart. And I cannot possibly do that in my line of work without your gorgeous families, kids, pets, and YOU.

So thank you and with out further ado, little Mr. Jack.

He is oh so loved too.

 Mama had a super long delivery, and little Mr. Jack was too comfy to leave hotel Mama. The morning of Jack's shoot, I arrived and he had just eaten, usually a good way to make itty-bitties milk drunk and groggy. Well, we started the shoot and had a few of a very alert little Jack.

We got a few yawns and I thought we were getting groggy, then Boing, eyes were back open.

And this photo about half way down, he was literally laughing at me. Haha I am not sleeping for you!

His little Lullaby Lambs Soother helped quite a bit, and he talked me into snuggling and bouncing him for a while (geez twist my arm:)). Jack finally fell asleep and let us pose him with Bow Ties + Baskets like the little blond-headed doll that he is.
 

I sure hope mom and dad are able to enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed making Jack's first bit of art.

 He did great, after being slightly over interested that he didn't miss anything, but we will call that determined.

 Oh my word... those sweet little toes. Those snuggles ended up being pretty dang sweet for me too.

Xoxo,
Mich

Cowboy Boots + Kisses | Louisville, KY Family Portrait Photographer

This little family was so much fun, I cannot believe how long I have gone without sharing some of these photos!

When mama said she was bringing her little boy I was excited to meet them, as I always am with new friends - Stacey was one of our giveaway winners from last fall. But when she told me COWBOY BOOTS, I got a little giddy.

I knew the perfect spot was over at a local farm and historical home called Blackacre. After a ton of awesome idea emails and a crappy rain out day, we found a beautiful morning, and boy did we get some great shots.

I may be a bit quirky at times, and during our shoot you may feel weird when I ask you to do something. But, there is usually a prize for putting up with me, awesome photos like these :)  (Disclaimer: As long as your kids - and I - have had a nap :))

 

This little cowboy though... oh my gerd!

Long Grass and Gardens [family] | Louisville, KY Family Photographer

This special family is the epitome of the client turned friend. I cannot tell you how many times this sweet family has been in front of my camera and I must say it is such a joy to watch then grow. Just look at these sweet girls and the love their amazing parents share.

We started the ideas for this family shoot at their house via text, like so many times before. But when I heard of Randi's idea for photos of the girls playing in the garden and on their new playground, I thought... how fitting. These girls are growing like the tomato plants in compost, tall and healthy in the element they were intended.

I was delighted that we would be capturing some amazing lifestyle photos of the family being authentic, in their element. It is how I hope to photograph every single person I have the honor to shoot - REAL - in their element, their comfortable, authentic selves.

I look forward to our shoots and ordering sessions not because of any monetary gains or business advances I may make. But because we get to talk about David's business and the fun things the girls are doing in school. I make plans with Randi to visit the parish picnics for some games and fun.

This wonderful family is not only an amazing client family that I enjoy working with a few times a year, they are friends and I am so blessed to call them that... Dusty and all.

The Smith Clan [Established 1930] | Louisville, KY Family Portrait Photographer

This family was so much fun and they came with some great ideas.

I couldn't wait to share some sneak peeks of them but there were so many great photos of this amazing group I had a hard time figuring out where to start.

We had some amazingly meaningful pieces to this shoot - just look at that gorgeous frame made by G-Daddy.

I am so honored to be able to create some lasting art for this family to enjoy and pass along for many generations to come.

Reid [10 days new] | Louisville, KY Newborn Photographer

Will you take a look at these sweet boys? They are the cutest with their new baby brother Reid. At one point Dad said putting Reid in between his two big brothers was like putting him in a lion's den, thank goodness everyone came out of the shoot okay :) Being the youngest, I know he is going to be extra strong thanks to that lion's den training.

 Ahhhh the cuteness... Meet Reid!

Axel [14 days new] | Louisville, KY Newborn Portrait Photographer

This little heart breaker is going to be a world traveler... and might hit a few tennis balls in his time too. Such a sweet little man with a very cool name --he knows it, check out the sunglasses -- and a couple of studly fur-brothers too.

 Meet Axel!