Maternity Photos with Baby #2

Truth be told, I wasn't really looking forward to taking maternity pictures this go-around.  It just seemed like yet another thing I had to do on my ever-growing maternity to-do list.  But every time I thought about opting out I knew that I wanted to capture this special time in our lives when we were a family of three waiting for our second baby boy to make his arrival.  In all likelihood this will be my last pregnancy so I wanted some pictures to document it.

Boy did Amanda of Momma's Gonna Snap Photography hit these out of the ballpark!  In just a short 30 minute or so session, she grabbed tons of beautiful images between me and Jack, me and Jason, all three of us and just me.

I wanted to take pictures at Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston since it's within walking distance of Jason's office and is close to where we took our engagement photos.   I love how we were in the middle of the city we love yet in some it looks like we are in the middle of a country field. 

I waited to the very last minute to pull everyone's outfits together (Ashley can attest to this) but I'm so happy with how it all came together!

Here are just a few of my faves...

 

Checkout our maternity session with Jack a few years ago! 

Watermelon Summer Session :: Jack at 27 Months

A few weeks ago I took Jack for a "Watermelon Mini-Session" with Momma's Gonna Snap Photography through Houston Moms Blog.  I wanted to capture a few professional images of him at two years old since I didn't do a formal two-year session for him.  I love how they turned out and really captured his silly and sweet personality, skinned-knees and all! 

And since I'm carrying around my own watermelon right now, I jumped in a few shots too even though it was hot and muggy as heck and my hair wasn't dealing well.  Vanity goes out the window when your little model is just so sweet and handsome. 

Hope you have a great day!

Spring Has Sprung

Happy Monday!  Who else is enjoying this weather lately?  We spent the majority of the weekend outside and all loved it.  I'm excited to get our yard looking pretty again.

About two weeks ago we took Jack for some "Easter photos" with Amanda of Mommas Gonna Snap {same photographer who took the recent Houston Moms Blog Headshots}.  We love Amanda and she works great with Jack who happened to be super cranky that day for pictures.

I was about to throw in the towel, but Amanda just knew it would happen and patiently kept trying different things until voila!

Houston Moms Blog Photoshoot & Tips for a Good Headshot

Last week all of the Houston Moms Blog contributors met at the end of the day for a little photoshoot at Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston.  Our photographer extraordinaire was Amanda from Mommas Gonna Snap Photography who is so wonderful to work with and I now consider her a friend.  I was bound and determined to get a good headshot this time as I wasn't thrilled with last year's shot...I'm blaming it on the sun being in my eyes, but I was actually just not prepared that day months ago.

This year, I am so happy with the results!  I love the colors and think everyone looks so great!  

Below is our "prop" picture.  We were told to bring an item that represented us.  I originally brought a Starbucks coffee cup since you can usually find one attached to me, but at the last minute I threw in two hairspray bottles {both for function and prop use}.  I'm happy with how this turned out and think the hairspray, dry shampoo and frantic look on my face truly captures all that is me!

And a normal one.  I'm so excited about the 8 new contributors that have joined our team.  They each bring a totally unique perspective into the mix that I feel was needed. 

 And our Executive Team below...

Thanks Amanda for all of the great shots!  It's sad that I'm actually the heaviest I've been in a long time in these pictures, yet I'm happy with the result.

So what does it take to get a headshot you are happy with?  I'm chalking this up to a few things including:

1.  A good photographer who will make suggestions on your best angles

2.  Knowing how to dress YOUR body 

This one is thanks to my mom for teaching me how to dress to hide my {many} flaws!  I know that a flowy top, skinny pants and heels - always heels - will make me look the best.  Flats make me look stumpy and fitted tops are currently showing too much of my fluffiness.  Longer tops that go past my hips and butt are the best.

3.  Knowing your good colors {and the background colors}

 At the last minute we were actually told to wear neutrals since our backdrop was the color wall, but I stuck with my gut and went bold.  Neutrals tend to wash me out and accentuate my flaws.  And you sure can find me in the crowd {oops}!

4.  Practice, practice, practice 

I will admit to practicing smiling and posing in the mirror for a few minutes prior to this shoot - ha!  It was so helpful though because I know knew to keep my arms down since I was wearing a dolman sleeve and not give my huge, full face smile since this kills my eyes and gives me a double-chin.

5.  Feeling comfortable in what you are wearing and your hair & makeup

I changed my mind several times I what I was going to wear and also ordered too much online.  The good news is that you can take back everything you don't use - it's better to have options.  I grabbed this top at Nordstrom at the last minute after my online orders didn't work out.  I was about to buy without trying on another top and the Nordstrom associate urged me to take the few extra minutes to try.  So worth it since I ended up with this rather than a hot pink number that would have wrinkled too much.

Now it's your turn!  What is your tip for taking a good picture?  

Before 8am

Last month I had an amazing opportunity to have photographer Karen Jacot come to my home and take pictures of our typical weekday morning routine.  I tried to be as authentic as possible (hello frumpy PJ's and no makeup) and just let her shoot what we do everyday. 

The pictures are beautiful and if you are in Houston, I highly recommend you checking her out for a little "Before 8am" photoshoot. 

See the rest of our morning over at Houston Moms Blog! 

 

{And P.S. Houston Moms Blog is currently looking for new contributors to add to the team}

 

Capturing Jack's First Year of Life :: {Studio Ainsley}



 Maca, the photographer extraordinaire {and baby whisperer} of Studio Ainsley came over to our house last week and took pictures of Jack.  We are working with Studio Ainsley to document Jack's first year of life.  It is CRAZY to see how much he has changed from his newborn session just four months ago. 

 

The best advice that Maca gave us when we were planning when to schedule pictures was to photograph the milestones rather than by the month.  This particular session documented Jack lifting his head up.  The next one will be scheduled when he can sit up independently...whenever that happens. 

 

If you are having a baby soon, I recommend finding a photographer who you feel comfortable working with during that first year: from maternity to the first birthday.  If you are in Houston, I highly recommend using Studio Ainsley.  They have the cutest studio, friendliest staff and will come to  you...how convenient!  They do a formal presentation of each session you have.  These always feel like Christmas to me!  The team assists you from planning the session to wardrobe questions to choosing the right images for how you plan to use them.  They just take extra special care of you and your family...I mean Maca gave me a bag of Cadbury eggs (my absolute fave) at my maternity session presentation.  She gets me. 

 

Check out their website, read their blog and follow on Facebook so you can learn about specials and upcoming holiday mini-sessions!

 

See images from our maternity and newborn sessions!  Jack will have quite the portfolio by his first birthday. 

How is this the same baby???

 

 

I almost cry looking at these images every single time.  Love. 

Thank you Studio Ainsley for capturing our most precious moments.

Jack's Newborn Pictures

The fabulous Studio Ainsley took Jack's newborn pictures when he was 5 days old.  Studio Ainsley also took our maternity pictures so we already felt comfortable working with them.  Maca, the photographer came to our house for the newborn session and Jack was a champ!  Oddly enough he was awake during most of the shoot so we didn't get as many "sleeping baby" images as most people get doing a newborn session.

 

That's just Jack!  He was the exact same way when he was born.  Wide awake and full of energy!  That explains all of the kicking I felt while he was in my belly.