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Category Archives: Children

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An evening at the apple orchard.

A couple years ago, my husband and I had spent a morning alone walking amongst the paths of a nearby apple orchard. It is hard not to be struck by the beauty of spring amongst a myriad of apple trees in full bloom and glorious fragrance. The photographer in me saw…. opportunity. Since this walk I had not been able to get the idea out of my mind for a portrait of my children in these picturesque surroundings. My chance came this spring as I gathered my children up freshly bathed, adorned in new finery just for the occasion, and headed out to the orchard.
From the moment of the first shutter release, I knew that prehaps my grand image might not come to life. See, we had recently celebrated the second birthday of our youngest daughter. For all of you mother’s out there, I imagine you can see where this may be going. Genevieve wanted nothing to do with her mother’s dream portrait opportunity, not with her five siblings. She wanted merely to run amongst the trees independently.
Can we really blame her? No, I suppose not.
Will I admit to great disappointment at the loss of my vision? Absolutely.
I will not admit failure though, and will be back at the orchard next May to again chance bringing my vision to fruitation. (Just don’t tell my kids yet!)
Even on this occasion, all was not lost, and I was able to capture individual images of my children.

Last week I was able to photograph some of my very favorite people (that aren’t my own kids!). My wonderful best friend brought her family in for some christmas photos. These kids have the most big beautiful blue eyes, I swear! I know they’ve been anxiously waiting to see if this session was fruitful (yup, I was a blog slacker), so here they are…..

What do you think, fruitful?
(me? definitely!)

 

 

 

 

 

And the parents of the gorgeous kids. :) They’re lovely too. 

 

sweet….sweet….sweet.

October 29, 2008

Three beautiful sisters in the studio this week. We had hoped to do this session in the park, but in October, suitable weather can definitely be hit or miss. This day was a miss! We’ve had some really cold days lately. I have turned on the fireplace a few times but haven’t brought myself to using the furnace yet. That looks like it’ll come soon enough! I have put away the flip flops though. Wow, does it feel weird to wear socks after a log summer without them. :) Hope you each enjoy a wonderful weekend. Happy Halloween!

And, on to the girls…… Enjoy!


Happy Birthday, Baby! the sequel

Another day, and another birthday. Hardly do we absorb that our William is a year older and here we are yet again……
Our first princess is 8 today. All of our children are so special to us and we treasure each of them for many reasons, some that vary.
There was a time 8 years ago, when life and the future for Kiera was uncertain. Those of you who are close to our family may remember that time. For those of you that are reading this without knowledge of that time, I won’t rehash all of the events, but to say that Kiera was born with an undiagnosed digestional birth defect that nearly took her life shortly after it had just begun. Three years later we relived some of the same events, only then she had the misfortune to be aged enough to realize her predicament. God is always good though, and at times that could have been our lowest points, He lifted us up, held us close and protected our family. Which brings us to today, celebrating our sweet little girl (healthy in every way), thankful for every day we share with her and the endless joy she brings to our lives. 

Our princess…..

Happy Birthday, Baby!

6 years ago today was a big day for us. It brought the arrival of our son, William John. Although he came with a surprise nearly a month before his due date, he came to us perfectly healthy, hearty and handsome.
Wow, I can hardly remember 6 years back.
Sometimes it seems as though time stands still and the future will never come soon enough-
and then there are children-and you’d hold time still if you could, just to hold them a little bit closer, a little bit tighter, and a little bit longer.
But that’s not how it goes and before you have a chance to really let it sink in, they’ve grown wings…. 

Here’s our birthday guy today, cute as ever and patiently awaiting his birthday celebration this evening. I asked him if he felt any different today. He said, “Nah.”

September 28, 2008

Well, ready or not, fall is here. :) I was made most aware of this yesterday evening as I headed down to the lake for a family portrait session. Now I can appreciate a breezy day along with the rest of you, but I don’t know that breezy would suffice to describe the wind conditions at this location yesterday evening. Since we had already gotten everyone there, this family totally stuck it out with me to get some great shots. A large family portrait did prove elusive, but I feel great about what we did get and you’ll find my favorite image at the end of the post.
What beautiful families (even a *bit* wind blown)….  

Enjoy!







This just cracks me up……… I love it!

And my favorite from the session. I just love the tenderness in this shot……

The Bailey Kids

It’s that time of year again…..the annual christmas card photo endeavor. Let me tell ya, this is no small task in the Bailey household. I know what your thinking…..”This should be no sweat for you, Jenna. ” It just ain’t so. Seriously people. I don’t know what comes over the kids and me. And honestly, I don’t know whose worse…..the kids…..or ME. I just can’t explain it…When I get all of my kids in front of the camera together, I turn into someone (or something) even I can hardly recognize. I get so flustered, stressed and (I’ll admit it ) downright cranky. I truly must sound like a raving lunatic out there trying to demand the attention of all my kids, who are determined to look anywhere but into the camera or at their mother. Seriously, when Ginny sees the camera point her way, she cries. Okay, maybe not always…. 

I headed out today with a list of ideas in my mind, a plan of attack, and of course the kids too (though I think they would have rather been left behind!) We even had Grandma and Grandpa there for a bit of extra help.
But, as these things generally go…..nothing went quite as planned. But it’s done now and we can all take a deep breath, relax and be grateful that it’s over. :)

And here they are…..all the Bailey kids….smiling on the outside…..counting the minutes till they are free on the inside.

I also spent a few minutes with each of the kids getting some individual shots. (A much easier and more enjoyable task)

Doug, 13 1/2

Jason, 12

Kiera, 8 (in 1 week anyohw)

William, 6 (also in a week)

Maddie, 4

Ginny, 19 months (and a mouth full of smarties)

Nope, not my kids. :) But gosh aren’t they adorible anyhow!
meet my parents…….

September 20, 2008

Today brought me down to beautiful Lake Villa to photograph a couple of equally beautiful families. The kids were all cooperative, the parents helpful, and these families were just totally fabulous and sweet to work with.
The weather was lovely but felt about 100 degrees (seriously-I wasn’t a pretty sight to behold by the end!) I’m not sure of the actual temperature but surely it was HOT!
Everybody held out though and we got some great images! Here are some of my favorites….. 

Enjoy the peek!








Blue Chair

Recently I had the good fortune to find a great new prop at a steal of a price. It really goes to show that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. No, I didn’t pluck it from a trash bin. Not that I wouldn’t have it deemed necessary. :) On the particular day that I brought this fab blue chair home, Maddie just happened to be wearing the perfect outfit to match. (Sometimes my luck really is good!) Thus, a photo opportunity was born in our driveway one late afternoon. 




September 7, 2008

I’ve had a few occasions to photograph this family in the past, actually portions of this family. This was our first opportunity getting the whole family together (never an easy task I imagine with grown children) They are just the sweetest people!
I really enjoy when my clients return regularly for portraits and I’m able to see the changes that time has brought to them and their children. Its always a blessing to share in theirs lives, even in this small way……..And it just makes my day that they do keep coming back. :) 

Enjoy!