i've been workin' on the railroad.

Ryder's Mom, Jennifer, wanted a unique setting for their Christmas card pictures this year. We headed down to a little known patch of railroad tracks and had a blast! Ryder's dog Marley was all ready for the shoot and even brought his own matching puffer vest. Nice touch Marley.

Ryder and Mommy wanted some pictures to give Dad for Christmas so our next stop was an out of the way farm. There we found an old horse stable, a tire swing and lots more to explore. Jennifer was pregnant with baby Chanley at the time of the shoot so we had to get a few belly shots in the mix too. (Chanley is here now, yay! Her newborn sitting is this weekend, look for those pics on the blog soon.)

All of the images we captured that day evoke a Norman Rockwell-esque feeling to me. See if you agree...

(BTW, the shot above is one of my all time favorite pictures. Ever.)


















Here's a peek at the finished Christmas cards...

breaking them in.

His parents that is. Baby Jack managed to "christen" every photography prop we used during this sitting. Only weeks old, his mommy and daddy hadn't been quite initiated into the part of parenthood where you get pooped and peed on... enter Linley.

While I didn't capture any of Jack's finer moments making new stains on his blankets, I did get some of the most precious newborn pictures that his folks will cherish long after the accidents have been forgotten. Babies grow and change so quickly at this age, newborn sittings are my favorite way to memorialize every little line and wrinkle in their pudgy little faces, hands and feet.

Meet Jack.

Ooohhh my goodness!

"Christening" the baby basket...

snips, snails and puppy dog tails.

Now that the holidays are over I can finally post all of the Chirstmas Cards that my clients ordered this season. I try to wait until a good month after Christmas before I post them here for everyone else to enjoy. All of my Christmas Cards are customized for each client making them truly unique and special to each family.

This post features Hagen's Christmas sitting. These are cards were sent out by Hagen's Grandma and Grandpa using pictures from a beach sitting we did earlier this year. The baby and the pit bull wishing peace on earth. Such irony... you gotta love it.

Delilah was prepared for her sitting with all the makings of the classic Christmas picture. Precious little boy, check. Adorable puppy, check. Red wagon, check. Miniature Christmas tree, check.

Delilah's family property made the most beautiful backdrop and the amazing morning light was the cherry on top. Happiness...

there you are!

Well hello there.

The holidays were amazingly busy and I am so thankful for all of the families who trusted me to capture their memories this season. I am finally catching up on all of the housekeeping that I have neglected over the last month and that includes my much neglected blog. I am so excited to post everything that I have been up to so without further adieu...

Patrick and Mandy.
(and bump makes three)