{baby bump + two} Charlottesville Maternity Photography

Well Cville {and surrounding counties} the weatherman was correct again - we got hit with yet another snowstorm. Thank goodness this one wasn't as bad as the one right before Christmas though. Unfortunately I slacked this time and didn't venture outside for any snow images. Instead I spent most of my weekend glued to my office chair staring at a bright computer screen and editing photos. Painful? Maybe at times but I got SO much accomplished! Since I am a terrible driver in this type of weather my scheduled appointment came to me today! This sweet couple is expecting a little girl in a few weeks and I had a blast getting to know and photographing them this afternoon. To show you exactly how productive I have been today . . . their gallery is almost finished loading online! After hearing that they were expecting a little girl, I got the itch to log into Etsy and purchase something new to use for their session! Oh Etsy is oh so dangerous {but definitely in a good way!} Looking forward to meeting their little one soon and working with a calendar full of expectant mamas and itty bitty newborns these next two months.

{too stinkin' cute!} Waynesboro & Charlottesville Baby & Child Photography

I got to work with these two cuties {and their parents} this past weekend. So adorable and full of personality! Wanted to quickly share these two images while I edit through their session and get it online . . . gotta love the sneak peeks!

Totally didn't plan that pose, he did it all by himself!

{baby love} Charlottesville Baby & Family Photographer

Little "I" was a bit over 4 months old when I visited with him for his first professional photo shoot this past weekend. Born 8 weeks early, he was a little smaller than a typical 4 month old but full of baby goodness . . . sweet smile, little toes and oh so loved . I've been playing around with lighting more at my shoots and have definitely been pleased with the results. Now when going through my client's homes I look less at the amount of available space and home decor and more about the amount of light coming in through the windows. This of course means that I highly suggest a day shoot instead of an evening one. But back to Mr. "I" . . . . what a sweetie! A small feeding at the beginning and we were good to go for about an hour before the little model was ready for some relaxation time. Even though we didn't get the sleepy baby shots that mom and I were hoping for we definitely got some cute ones to treasure. Here is a little sneak peek for his parents - enjoy!

{snow babies} Charlottesville Newborn & Family Photography

The holiday season was filled with brand new little babies blessing the world! Two of them came right before the Big Blizzard of '09 hit, which of course messed up our scheduled sessions but thankful both families were safe at home with their new little bundles of joy and not stuck out on the roads or in the hospital. My session with Mr. "T" was only postponed a few days . . . as soon as the roads were cleared I was on my way to see him. I met this adorable little guy when he was one day old when I went to visit him in the hospital {his mommy is a good friend of mine} and got to do his photo shoot at 8 days old. He loved to be swaddled but once asleep in dreamland he was good to go with me moving him from position to position and getting some naked shots {or at least pretty close . . . we left the diaper on just in case he decided to have an accident on my white cloth}. What a little trooper he was, I got a great variety of shots for his parents!

I should rephrase my first paragraph a little . . . this next session actually took place at the very start of the big snowstorm. Thankfully my client was willing to pick me up in their Jeep so that I could capture their week old little boy before he got any bigger. Our main focus was a good family shot since the snow was piling up quickly and we didn't have much time to try out anything else. We made plans to reconnect after Christmas to finish the shoot and focus just on little "W". The distance between my house and theirs should usually take about 10 minutes but with all the traffic due to the snow it took my client 4 hours to get home after he dropped me off! Thankfully he made it back home safely.

I made my way back out to my client's house again this afternoon and couldn't believe that there was still tons of snow in their neighborhood. This now 3 week old little boy definitely loved to be held and fought with all his might to stay awake for most of the shoot. Between mom's "magic" side swaddle rocking, a pacifier and some patience he finally fell asleep and we were able to get some adorable shots. They had great natural light in the room we were using!

{giving is awesome - winner is announced!} Charlottesville Portrait Photographer

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" ~Winston Churchill

I am so excited to announce the 2009 winner of the Giving is Awesome contest. If you're new to my blog and have no idea what Giving is Awesome is, head over to THIS post for more details.

It was so difficult to choose just one from the pool of so deserving nominees, but after much deliberation I am thrilled to share with you the winner. One of the nominations came from Daisy Rojas Stevens. Her entry pulled me in and by the end had me in tears over the strength and unselfishness of the winning family. I'm happy to announce that her nominee, Cora, is the winner of $700 worth of custom photography! Cora and her girls have kept an upbeat outlook despite trials and tribulations. Daisy describes her friend in these words, "I am inspired by Cora and her amazing endurance, knowledge and selflessness. She has given so much to so many people in so many ways."

Cora and girls, congratulations and Happy New Year to you. Your strength and giving ways are shining examples of the human spirit and I absolutely cannot wait to photograph you. For taking the time and full heart to recognize Cora's strength, Daisy also wins $50 worth of photography. Thank you so, so very much to all that took the time to nominate the shining stars in their lives. It means so much. Happy New Year!

{my visit with Mr.C} Charlottesville Newborn & Family Photographer - Sweet Pea Photography

Mr. "C's" mommy contacted me a couple of weeks ago with the exciting news that she had just had a baby boy and wanted to see if I was available to come out to their home for a shoot. This 6 week old cutie had the sweetest eyes & stares and even though he refused to sleep he was definitely content in his parent's arms. I love how we incorporated their lab/great dane into the mix, I mean, c'mon she was the first real baby! Not only was it the family's first photo shoot but brand new mommy took advantage of my website suggestion and lined up professional hair and makeup services from the sweet Rachel of Bristles Hair Design & Spa to come out to the house before I arrived. Love how she pampered herself on this special day!

{giving is awesome!} Charlottesville Portrait Photographer

I am super excited to be part of a worldwide photographic event called Giving is Awesome! I have always believed in the importance of giving back, and I am so happy to be able to do so through the gift of photography. What is Giving is Awesome?

You know someone.

You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography - $700 worth, to be exact. The winner will receive a complimentary, custom session with me, a high resolution digital negative CD with print release, and $100 worth of prints. Tell me their story because it deserves to be recognized.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $50 print credit with a paid 2010 photo session. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

• You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make the annual trip to Disney World does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

• The nominee must reside in the Charlottesville area, within 15 miles of 22901 {or the session must take place at a location that is}. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself.

If you don’t know someone that could use this, pass the link on! Post it on your Blog, FaceBook, MySpace, email it your friends and family because I’m sure they could spread the love to someone they might know.

*You must e-mail me the full story: cvillesweetpea@gmail.com by Thursday, December 31st at midnight.

*The winning session will take place between January and March 2010 or July- September 2010. Happy New Year!

You have from today until Thursday, December 31st at midnight to submit your nomination.

I must be able to notify the winner with a surprise phone call on New Year's Day. I will also announce it on my Blog and FaceBook page that same day – so get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

The premise is simple: think of someone you know who deserves custom photography but can no way possibly afford it. Nominate them to win it. Enjoy the warm fuzzy feeling you brought to the world.

Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Learn more about Giving is Awesome project by checking out the website { http://www.givingisawesome.com/ } Want to nominate someone outside of this region? Check out the map { http://www.givingisawesome.com/photogs } for other participating photographers.