Shooting Christmas Portraits

This is the second time that I've photographed Olivia. She was really just a baby when we did our first session. Kind of like shooting a doll that you place somewhere and move around to get a good shot. Well hello toddler! Now she's on the move and has a very busy agenda. Shooting little kids is always fun and a challenge. Sometimes I totally love the so called "out takes". I got a few of those shots with Olivia where they almost seem dreamlike. Maybe it's just shooting a little person in a white dress in an open field that I have fun with. Don't worry Mom, we have plenty that are suitable for Christmas cards too. It's pretty hard to take a bad picture of this little beauty. Here are a few that caught my eye.

It's Celebrate Moms Month!

Since I've got quite a few Birthday parties in the line up lately, (yeah, weddings and birthdays all seem to be scheduled during the warm weather), I've been thinking a lot about the importance of having photographs that we cherish of our loved ones. I have so few photographs of my son, and virtually none of he and I together, since I'm the one always taking the pictures. I'm on a new mission to overcome his resistance to being photographed. After all, if I can shoot him, I can shoot anyone! And on Mother's day, I am going to take my Mom somewhere special and photograph her! For several years I've wanted to do a series on my Mom. She is an incredible woman.

So, I am running a special all month for Moms! I'm talking about Moms having a sitting with their kids, children (like me) who want photographs of their Moms, expectant Moms, Grandmothers etc..It's all about the matriarchs this month and we are celebrating with any on location shoot for $225, including an 8x10 fine art print of one your favorites. This is normally a $350 sitting. You can email me at info@cynthiabrownweddings to schedule a sitting or to ask any questions. This is a busy month, before a busier Summer season, so I would urge anyone who's interested to inquire before dates fill up. Your Mom will thank you and if you're capturing your own children, you won't have any regrets, just cherished memories.

Liam's Birthday Party

Yesterday I shot a Birthday party for my friend Jenny. She has several Grandchildren and since she doesn't take digital photos of them, she never has any images. I think that this is a common problem in the digital era. Unless you are great about sharing your photos on flickr or you print out your own 4x6's, all those great images just tend to sit filed away somewhere on your hard drive. Try explaining that to Grandma when all she wants is some updated pictures of her Grandchildren. Well Jenny wanted to do something nice for her daughter and get some pictures at the same time, so her Grandson's Birthday party was the perfect opportunity. Liam just turned two and has a sister who is just sixteen months older than he is. Quite a handful for any Mom to have two so young. What is so nice is that usually the kids end up being very attached because they are so close in age.

It was nice to see Jenny and her two daughters and their children all together. Three generations and some really gorgeous kids. Not much to worry about when you're two years old and people are throwing you a party. Liam was just wide eyed and excited to see his friends.

Mina is waiting patiently for party guests to arrive.

In fact, I think that Mina was more excited for Liam's birthday than he was.

This is Amy Rogell. She provided the entertainment for the children and had their complete attention. She brings instruments, parachutes, bubbles and has a beautiful voice and soft way about her that the kids just love.

Liam was into the bubbles!
Then it was on to more important things, Pizza and Cake!

This is Liam's gorgeous cousin. Watch out girls, I think that this guy is a budding babe magnet.

Thank you so much for including me Jenny, it was a pleasure to photograph your gorgeous family.

Soccer Season has Begun

You got it! I'm a Soccer Mom! Corban has played recreational Soccer for many seasons now and really enjoys it. I love the fact that he gets to meet other kids from different school systems and be part of a team. We have a great coach this Spring and just two games in, we are undefeated. I'm thrilled for all the boys but you can't win them all and that's part of being a good team player. The guy you lose to could end up being your best friend at Summer Camp or on your team next season.

Then it was on to get a much needed haircut!

This is one of the only ways that I can get a picture lately. Stuck in the chair!

Oh the dreaded scissors!

Had to tame the mane!

Beautiful Olivia

A huge reminder to me of how fast our children grow. I had a blast shooting my friend Joanne's little girl yesterday. She is just six months old and I believe that she has had three haircuts already. My son was bald for a year! Thankfully, he now has a gorgeous head of hair at seven and we're into the losing tooth faze.