Capturing Jack's First Year of Life :: One Year Photos

I can't believe my little man has been on this earth for a year now.  He is my everything and changed my life in such a wonderful way.  What better way to celebrate his life than by capturing this moment on camera to remember forever.  Plus it was a great excuse for cake!

 

We were lucky enough to find Studio Ainsley back when I was pregnant.  I can't say enough wonderful things about Studio Ainley's amazingly talented photographer turned friend, Maca.  I can give countless examples of why she is so wonderful, but the biggest one is that her ideas can get even Jason excited to take pictures...this is huge people!

 

Plus, getting a teething, cranky one year old to smile and laugh is a huge plus.  At 6pm. With multiple wardrobe changes. Miracle worker she is. 

 

Check out our other sessions with Studio Ainsley for Jack's First Year of Life:

Maternity - Newborn - Tummy Time - First Christmas - Sitting Up

I prepared more for this shoot than for any of the others.  I blame Pinterest for this.  We had so much fun using the props and banners, yet my favorite images are some of the more simple ones - this is where having a professional photographer with just plain natural talent and experience makes a huge difference!  Anyone can get a cute photo with banners and props.  Not everyone can get a stunning picture of sweet and simple moments. 

But then again, the props are fun too! 

 

This setup below was so amazing and 100% dreamed up by Maca.

 

But I think my absolute favorites are of the sweet moments of Jack sharing his cake with his parents who love him to the moon and back!



 

Check out Studio Ainsley's Website and be sure to follow them on Facebook!

If you are interested in booking Maca for a future session, watch for a post coming later this month on Houston Mom's Blog about throwing a first birthday party. 

 

Hint, Hint: Studio Ainsley will have a special offer for the readers!

 

 

Capturing Jack's First Year of Life :: Sitting Up

I'm working with Studio Ainsley to capture Jack's First Year of Life through professional photography.  I'm so happy to be doing this as Jack is changing so quickly every day.  I know I will look back on these images and be so grateful that I took the time to properly document these moments. 

I love how Maca, our photographer, recommends scheduling our sessions - not by months, but by milestones.  We already had a maternity session when I was about 32 weeks pregnant, a newborn session at one week old, a "head up" session at 4 months when Jack was able to lift his head up and we just took a "sitting up" session at 8 months after Jack was sitting up unassisted.  Our final session of the year will be for his big One Year birthday.  Studio Ainsley also took our Christmas card picture in our Christmas jammies.  Don't worry...this isn't a time suck.  Only the maternity and newborn shots were full sessions that lasted over an hour.  The other ones are just super quick mini sessions that took all of 15 minutes from setup to walking out the door. 

I highly recommend finding a photographer that you feel comfortable with and using them throughout your child's first year.  I don't have to worry about getting certain shots or themes because Maca already knows our personality, what we like, our home, and how to work with Jack.  Because of this relationship, you end up with perfect pictures like these:



 

Five on Friday

This has been a booger of a week so if I haven't emailed you back, responded to your blog comment or even called you back - I'm sorry!  My normally happy baby has turned into a fussy, grumpy, not ever wanting to sleep little guy.  I'm taking him to the doctor today to see if we can pinpoint the cause...teething, allergies, my diet...I have no idea and its the worst feeling in the world.  We have a busy weekend and house guests so I can't promise I will do any better on responding, but I will certainly try!  Sorry to be Debbie Downer today, but I always appreciate when bloggers are real about things...womp, womp! 

Here are 5 HAPPY things to focus on! 

--ONE--

It's been a week since I cut and colored my hair and I am 110% happy with my decision.  I love it and love how easy it is!

--TWO--

Houston Moms Blog just announced the Cutest Texans Fan Photo Contest.  The prize is amazing and I will be super jealous when you win.  It includes a ton of cute Texans items for mom, dad and kiddos, plus a photography session.  Good luck and Go Texans!

Can you spy Jack and Tucker in the post? 

--THREE--

In TV news, The Walking Dead returns on Sunday night.  Is it weird that the theme music to Walking Dead reminds me of being pregnant?  All of those Walking Dead marathons last spring stuck with me!

New shows that I'm loving so far are The Blacklist and Trophy Wife.  Still loving Parenthood and The Voice so much!  Did anyone watch the Cory Monteith tribute on Glee last night?  I have it recorded and hope to watch (with a box of tissues) this weekend. 

--FOUR--

Ashley from Everything's Hunky Dorey sent me a sweet email yesterday nominating me for the Sunshine Blog Award.  Thank you Ashley!  You made my day and I look forward to posting my responses soon.  I love new bloggy friends!!!

--FIVE--

Jack's 4 month pictures that I ordered from Studio Ainsley were ready for pickup today.  Not only are the images amazing as I've already discussed here, but the studio does such an awesome job of packaging everything up.  They always throw in a special surprise!!!  Even their USB Flash Drives are precious!  It's like Christmas!

Funny how God works.  I've had such a crazy week, yet look at all the good things that happened in the past few days to lift me up.  Special thanks to Ashley also for all of her helpful texts this week too.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping by!

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.