YIKES! It's been almost a year since my last blog post, and what a year it's been! We've moved, we are slowly beginning to start the next steps to my dream studio, and I've had the honor to photograph so many newborns, babies, children, and families since I last wrote! While you're here, check out the new website look and let me know what you think!

I'm going to *try* to be better about blogging each of my sessions once their gallery viewing & ordering appointments have taken place. But, for now, let me start with these new upcoming Limited Edition sessions that I am super excited about! As soon as I saw this backdrop released by one of my favorite backdrop companies, I knew I needed to have it! It basically fits the theme of our house, and is neutral enough for both boys and girls in the spring. My kids were dragging their feet about cooperating for me, but once they did, it was magic! I was worried that they might not though, so I had adorable 2 week old baby Thatcher model for me. He clearly approved since he flashed a few smiles! Should I open these sessions up to newborns too?

*NOTE: I do not and will never use live animals for my sessions. Despite all kids' best interests, it is completely unfair to use a live animal. Seeing Lila, who absolutely loves all creatures, hold the fake chick, further solidified my decision. One too tight squeeze, which she gave several times, and the poor chick would have been injured. Plus, animals sometimes bite and cannot control their pee and poop, so using fake, although realistic, stuffed animals is the way to go!

I know they say twins are double the trouble and double the fun. They are also double the sweetness, double the cuteness, and seriously give me all the heart eyes!!! 😍😍😍😍

Teeny tiny Sloane and Scarlett were such a dream to cuddle and photograph. They loved being snuggled up to one another and in their mom and dad's arms! There were so many favorites from their session, and I'll try not to share any from their birth announcements, but I need to share all this adorableness with the world!! Enjoy and you're welcome! 😉

On this first day of spring, what could be more appropriate than sharing an adorable session filled with florals? Of course it's way better than looking out the window, which is showing nothing but sleet and snow. :( Where is spring?! It sure seems like the never ending winter here.

Miss Penelope came in for her session session the other week and it was so fun to see how much she has grown since she was a newborn! She's now full of smiles and personality and it was nice her big brother, Jamison, was able to get in a few pictures too. I can't wait to see her again in just a few short months for the cake smash. The first year really flies by way too fast!

When this family announced they were expecting twin girls, I was so over the moon for them! I have been photographing big brother, Adam, since he was a newborn, and was hoping I would get the chance to do so for these girls. Jacqueline Stella and Katherine Emma were born into the sweetest family and are truly a wonderful addition! They are such cuddle bugs and LOVE being next to each other. Also, LOOK AT THEIR LONG LASHES! I have total lash envy ;) I know mom and dad are soaking up all these newborn snuggles and Adam is handling all the changes like a champ while being a sweet big brother! This family is so blessed!

I.can't.even! The rolls, the cheeks, the big smile!!! There simply aren't enough words to describe how adorable and yummy sweet Emersyn is. Such a good baby and I love the colors mom picked out for the session - blush pink, whites/creams, and mint. Here are their favorites from her session. LOVE!

Another perk of my job (besides snuggling babies!) is that it has allowed me to connect with people from my past. I've gotten to photograph old friends' babies and in this case, the teacher who took over for my second grade class when I went out on maternity leave with my son. I am so happy for Colleen and her husband, Dan, on their newest addition. Dylan is just the sweetest little thing and I hope these pictures go wonderfully in his navy, gray, and elephant themed nursery and play room. He is one lucky little guy to have such amazing parents, and they are lucky to have him too!

It's really amazing to watch a tiny baby I've photographed grow up, but it's even more incredible to watch them become a big sibling. Cruz is officially my first newborn turned big brother. There are so many more of "my" newborns who I will get to photograph as big siblings with their littles scheduled on my calendar this year, but Cruz will forever be a first! And, Cruz's little sister, Capri, was just as amazing as he was for his session. She slept like a dream and was simply adorable in pink, white, silver, and gold. Capri, you are such a wonderful addition to your sweet family and I look forward to watching you grow as well!

This fall, okay year....,was BUSY!! I've completely neglected the blog, and don't even get me started Instagram and Pinterest (yes, I have both, follow me!). But, one of my New Year's resolution is to be better with my social media presence. I'm really going to try hard and blog all my sessions this year after each gallery viewing, so parents can share their beautiful images.

First up is Brielle and her first birthday cake smash! Here are mom and dad's favorite images and her slideshow from her hot pink and silver princess themed cake smash!

Finally all wrapped up with my 2017 limited edition sunflower field sessions! We had amazing, although hot and humid, weather. Here are some more sneak peeks of all the beautiful families and adorable kiddos that came out. I already can't wait for next year!

And, a special thanks to the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance in West Chester, PA for allowing me to photograph at this gorgeous location. If you aren't already a member of the BRC, please please please consider joining. The BRC is committed to conserving our watersheds, protecting natural resources, and inspiring and teaching the next generation. They host many programs and events as well as summer camps too!

The beautiful collection of newborn products I posted on my Facebook page the other day belonged to this family. Sweet Gavin surprised everyone, making it PAST his due date, and I had the pleasure of photographing him the morning before we left for vacation. He made my job SO easy that day, curling up into all the poses, showing off his adorable rolls, sleeping straight through the 3 hour session, and even giving me a few smiles!

Admittedly I'm very bad at making time to write blog posts, but then I always feel guilty about not sharing more from each session once the gallery viewing is over. So, here is blog post #1 from a long line of newborns I'm dying to share!

Meet adorable Penelope Jay!

Today marks a milestone in Little Blooms, my official 2 years in business. What started as a side job to help contribute to our family, has blossomed into something much larger than I could have anticipated. We are thinking of moving so I can expand my studio/office or I'm looking into renting an outside space instead. So many things to consider. I'm also looking to hire an assistant or someone to help with editing, as I am feeling so guilty about having to turn down potential clients because I'm booked. All of these are AMAZING problems to have, especially after only 2 years, but it still weighs on me heavily. Then, I look at these 2 amazing humans and it reminds me why I do what I do. Blake is such an imaginative little boy, preparing to enter Kindergarten at the end of the month, and Lila, who is smart as a whip, will attend preschool starting in September. The years keep going by faster and faster and as much as I'd like it to slow down, it's just not going to happen. I need to make sure I keep capturing them, despite their protests, because soon enough they will be moody preteens/teenagers, then off to college, and then out of the house for good. I know these years are coming and I don't want to forget their innocence, their sweet smiles, Lila's beautiful curls, and Blake's gorgeous blue eyes. I want my clients to have these same memories in printed images. They are also my why I work. I want them to see that women really can do anything they put their mind to, as stressful as it is sometimes. We also need my income to help support their college funds, put them in sports and activities, put food on the table, and all the other expenses that come with having children.

A big THANK YOU to my husband, for his unwavering support and to EVERYONE who supported me from day 1. Especially those of you who took a chance on a "newbie" photographer. You'll never truly know how much all this is appreciated. Thanks for supporting a small business, and therefore a small family, who are my why.

The M family is doubly blessed - they are welcoming twin boys into their family this fall! Little Maddie is soon going to be a big sister, and what a fabulous one she will be. She's already giving them kisses and cannot wait to cuddle them. I only wish my (soon-to-be) 3 year old was as gentle as Maddie! We will miss this family as they move out-of-state, but I'm so glad I got a chance to capture these memories for them.

Oh sweet McKinleigh! What a pleasure it was to see you and your family again. You have grown so much since your newborn session 7 months ago (and I can't believe you are already on the go!), and I cannot to wait to see how much more you grow in the next 5 months. With those adorable chubby cheeks, big brown eyes, and such an easy-going demeanor, I'm sure your parents wish they could keep you little forever! I hope these pictures will help them freeze this small moment in time and that your own children look back at these with joy.

It's been so long since I've shared some of my latest sessions. But, that means things are busy around the LBP studio, which is always a good thing! However, I need to make sure I share more images from this beautiful girl's newborn session. She's also one of my Watch Me Grow babies, so you'll be seeing more of her throughout this year, yay! Mom and Dad wanted baby's gender to be a surprise (which seems to be the trend with many of my clients lately, it's about 50-50 of finding out these days) so we couldn't do a whole lot of planning for her session beforehand. The one thing that was a guarantee was hot air balloons since that was the nursery theme! Then, once miss Emilie arrived, we decided on yellow and peach and the result is a beautiful gallery of images that everyone will treasure for years to come. Although Mom and Dad will get to enjoy the images now, Emilie and future generations will also enjoy them. Never forget that photographs aren't just meant for the current generation, but for the generations to come. Photographs are truly priceless treasures!

My last post wasn't as upbeat about taking my children's pictures, but this time was a different story. Gummy bears after every pose for the win! (Hey, I am totally not above bribery, especially when it works...) These are the images that make my heart melt as a mom - seeing my kids together and being nice to one another (ok ok, so there were some hitting and angry faces involve, but those don't get edited). They don't even need to be looking at the camera, as long as I can tell they are in the moment and enjoying themselves. These were also taken at my FAVORITE place to photograph in West Chester, such background diversity, and an overcast day, which made for the perfect, soft lighting. My schedule is filling up quickly (VERY limited spots left in June and July and October, like 1 or 2 spots each) so if you are planning on outdoor family sessions, please get in touch with me asap so we can starting making memories and creating beautiful art for your home!

It was such a pleasure to have little Ellie in the studio this morning to celebrate her first birthday with a cake smash. She has the biggest, most beautiful brown eyes and longest lashes ever! She is also so full of personality and smiles and had no problem digging right into her cake and getting messy! I'm sure with two older brothers that getting messy is a normal occurrence. ;)

Happy first birthday, Ellie!

Miss Brielle is exactly 7 months old today and came in for her sitter session. She is one of my Watch Me Grow Plan babies and I was SO excited to have her back! Bree has gotten so big and has quite the personality! I'm sure she will be just as much of a hoot when she has her cake smash session.