This sweet family of five just returned from living in Geneva, Switzerland for a few years. They are now back in Cincinnati living in temporary housing while their gorgeous new home is being built, and just couldn’t wait to squeeze in a session before their baby turns one year old. I’m so glad they didn’t hesitate! We had the most fun session, and I adore the images we documented of all three kids. This first photo is the very first one I took of our summer evening session. Yes, this baby was simply tickled pink to be placed in the thick soft grass. Of course at that moment, I knew we’d have a good time together and hit it off.

The older brother and sister had fun running around playing together too. This whole family was so good to each other, it was a joy to be around them all. I just love their happy little faces!


Here are some sweet black and white ones of the littlest sister. She was all over the place exploring the grass, my camera, mulch, and anything she could get her tiny hands on. I loved her energy and spunk and go-with-the-flow attitude. What a sweetheart! I am so glad we got these baby portraits in before she starts walking and becomes a full-fledged toddler. There’s nothing quite like the first year of life.


We ended the night with a splash in the baby blow-up pool and a few cool treats of popsicles. And, it was mommy’s birthday, which made it all extra special. Thanks L family for having me over. Your full gallery will be finished this weekend!
I have been very quiet on the blog lately as I have been doing some summer travels and busy creating memories with my own family. Of course while I absolutely love documenting special moments for families year-round, I have taken a little break to spend extra time with my kids and husband. It has been a pure joy to get away and refocus. We have been to Chicago for the weekend, visiting grandparents and long-distance friends in Philadelphia, and now here, at Bethany Beach in Delaware (our yearly place) for a week. Yes, traveling around has been a wonderful break and I’m happy to share a few photos of our favorite local beach hangouts.
The beach was wonderful, and we couldn’t believe how perfect the weather was during our stay there.

This is our favorite place to get candy and salt water taffy. I have been coming here since a little girl and there’s nothing like getting sweet treats on the busy boardwalk at night. Love it!

And here is where we love to shop for special treasures like sea shells and fun little trinkets. Again, it’s another place I’ve been frequenting for about thirty years and it still warms my heart to step into such a sweet little souvenir shop.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summers and doing some fun family activities too. On a business note, we have a few summer sessions to finish up, and then we are starting to book for the busy fall season. So, if you’d like to have a session this fall, let us know soon. Thanks!
This little baby boy was the sweetest thing ever. He just slept and ate and cuddled throughout our time together. Mommy was super relaxed too, which made for a wonderful session. I love the beautiful portraits we created for their new family.



Mother’s day is this weekend and I just couldn’t wait to share this beautiful gift a dad of five boys ordered for his wife. He wanted to do something really special for her, and wow, did he ever! Isn’t this canvas wall gallery simply divine? It’s 7 individual canvases displayed together for a clean, modern look. I know it’s a gift his wife will treasure for years to come. I’m so happy to have photographed their family, and helped pull together such a magnificent surprise. Enjoy K family, and happy mother’s day to all the fabulous mommies out there.


Posted in blogged: studio, • children •, • family •, • inspiration •, • photography •, • products • | Tags: canvas, cincinnati child photographer, gift, mother's day, product, wall gallery
I was really happy to photograph these adorable twin sisters shortly after they celebrated their first birthday. These sweet little girls and their mommies were so much fun to spend the day with at their lovely home. We had tons of fun playing with toys, tickling on the bed, and going outside to pick dandelions. And, while these twins don’t exactly look alike, I still can’t get over their stunning blue eyes. These girls truly are beautiful in more ways than one.


I love this family portrait in front of a fun yellow wall. In fact, it’s the outside of their mid-century home. Gorgeous.

I also couldn’t stop snapping away at all the fun artwork in their home. I love the above piece titled “sisters” as it’s so fitting for these two girls. I also love the “rowdy” sign that prominently hangs in their baby nursery as well as all the other unique collections they have displayed on several walls.

This smiling sister was the quiet, reserved one throughout the session. I love in this image that she just can’t contain herself and starts to giggle. She really shines in this family portrait and I love that. Can’t you just feel the fun?

We lucked out with a beautiful day where we got to go outside and bask in the gorgeous sun streaming through the trees. We sat the girls in a wonderful patch of dandelions — some were picked, some were eaten. I love sweet memories like that with one-year olds.

Thank you ladies for a perfect day.
I had the joy of photographing a beautiful spring baby girl the other day. At only 7 days old, she was so happy to snuggle, sleep, and eat. My kind of girl! Thanks B family for inviting me into your home during these special early days. It was an honor to be one of the first meet her and welcome her into this world.
This first image is one of my very favorites. I can’t stop looking at it. She’s so beautiful and peaceful. And, oh how I love that baby skin. Those cute cheeks resting on her tiny hands while all bundled in a soft pink blanket. Swoon.

And I love those tiny fingers and toes. Does it get much sweeter than this?

Some beautiful black and white portraits. I love that she was both awake and asleep — we got some great variety in our shots.

And I love mommy and daddy kissing here with their newest addition in their arms. What a loving family. You’re off to a fantastic start as a unit of three!

Thanks again for a lovely morning. It was a perfect start to the weekend.
I am so excited to share my new camera tote bag with everyone! I spied it last year online and just had to have it. Well, so did everyone else apparently because there was a waiting list. Nonetheless, my husband told me to get on the list and said he’d buy one for me as an anniversary present. It was just too perfect for taking around town, on trips, and to all those school events. And I was right, it’s absolutely divine! I used it the other day when out and about with my family and it worked like a charm. Thanks emera, and hubby! See the images below and then my more specific description of how everything fits so neat and tidy inside (and the scoop on how to get one!)

Here’s the nitty gritty on these awesome camera totes:
• the outside is a classic, yet modern black quilted material
• the top has a super zipper enclosure. it zips while still allowing you the space to shut the bag. smart design.
• the inside is made of a sleek canvas material that holds so much stuff — you’ll see I put in it my camera with lens attached on one side (protected by all the velcro padding that comes with the bag) and then my wallet, sunglasses, keys, and whatever else I needed for the day on the other side.
• the inside even comes with a sleeve for your laptop (or in my case, baby wipes and bibs) and a zippered pouch which housed all my extra batteries, cleaning supplies, and compact flash cards.
• on each side of the bag is a pocket. i found one side perfect for my iPhone and the other side perfect for a tube of lipgloss. easy access to both!
• and then I just love the little strap that fits beautifully on my arm.
Now, where to get these lovelies? Check them out at www.emerabags.com. And, Nathiya, the brilliant designer, even has them in stock. So, grab one up fast!
I have a confession to make. It’s been a long, gloomy winter for me. One of my best and oldest friends, my Grammy, passed away. We struggled with the decision on whether or not to move across the country (we’re not, we’re staying!) And if I’m truly honest, my beautiful home simply got messy and chaotic. So, with the warmth of spring on the horizon and the sun that is finally starting to shine again, I’m feeling quite optimistic and more like my old cheery self.
Then when I saw these lovely flowers today at the market, I just knew the clouds were lifting. This tiny bouquet of simple daffodils made me so happy. I knew I had to have them. The moment I got home I pulled out a favorite small glass vase and placed them in a special spot where I can see them all day long. The color. The freshness. The bright green stalks. The sweet aroma. The yellow. Ah, I love everything about these little flowers.
So, now that I’m back blogging, I have to get back to my new year’s drawing. I had promised to send out ten gift cards to ten amazing blog readers as a thank you for a wonderful 2009 and to kick off the new decade. So, the winners of this contest are: rachel olsen, ann westerman, melissa surprise, jane combs, cindy chen, sharon mccafferty, tracy larsen, gwendolyn waite, jen roberts, and rachel clare. The ten dollar gift cards are to my favorite places, including: starbucks, ann taylor loft, trader joe’s, sephora, and the gap. You will each be receiving an email from me notifying you of being a winner, asking your mailing address, and seeing if you have a gift card preference. Maybe we have a few loves in common! Thanks everyone for a wonderful last year, and for a great year ahead!

I loved entering into the peaceful home of this precious 15-week old baby girl and her mommy and daddy who have just been over the moon since her arrival. Sweet miss o was so enjoyable to photograph. Documenting a baby’s early days in her nursery with those who love her like crazy, well, it was a wonderful way to start the new year.

This new mommy is so calm, loving, and gentle with her new baby girl. Images of a mommy and her baby are so special.

This daddy warmed my heart. His adoring eyes and tender love for his little princess is so amazing.

Love these tiny hot pink socks.

Can you believe this little knit dress and lace tights were the mommy’s when she was a baby? I love family heirlooms and when things have special meaning. This is the dress miss o plans on wearing to her upcoming baptism. How beautiful!

In just the hour and half I was there, I felt the strong bond these new parents share with their baby. They adore her and it’s easy to see why!

Such tiny toes and feet.

One of my favorite moments was at the end of our time together when baby was so worn out and tired. Mommy scooped her up in her arms, wrapped her in a blanket, and rocked her to sleep. I was so happy to stay and photograph this behind-the-scenes event that is now so regular and routine in their home as a new family.

It was so wonderful to meet all the kids of this amazing family. They are so charming, kind, sweet, and fun! And I couldn’t believe how excited they all were for our day together. Truly, they made my job so super easy! We started off in their home as the kids proudly showed off their adorable bedrooms and fun toys such as guitars and cameras. Budding photographers we have here in the making! From there, we all jumped in the big mini van together and drove to the quaint town of Lebanon, Ohio. It was a brisk day, and mom was ready with the cutest ensembles of scarves, hats, and sweaters. We sauntered down the streets—pausing for photos in cool alley ways, in front of gorgeous brick walls, and all the textures the town has to offer. Then, when we couldn’t take the cold anymore, what did we do?! Stop for ice cream! It was a welcome treat for all. The kids finished the day playing in the leaves, running on the sidewalks, and just having fun being outside together. I left feeling so inspired and loved and happy. Yes, these four kids can make you feel that way. They are simply that amazing.

It was so fun to be on the other side of the camera! They would each take a picture of me and excitedly show off the portrait.





These kids are so good to each other. I loved documenting their tender interactions.


Could this mom and dad be any more stunning, or in love?! I can feel the romance oozing through these images.

by Carolyn
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