This guy was so perfectly “newborn”.  I don’t know how to explain it… you’ll just have to check out the pictures and you’ll see what I mean.  The way he stretched out his perfect little fingers, the way he puckered his plump little lips when he slept, the way his hair tufted over his little ears…  I found myself missing this stage just a little too much during the session.  I’m sure his mama was thinking, “Why am I paying money to have this chick snuggle my baby!?!  SHOOT, woman!!!” : )

He was just *so* warm, snuggly, and perfect.

Sigh…

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A quick little note about newborns:

This year I’ve paired my schedule down to one newborn per month.  Quite a few of the next nine months are already booked, so if you’ve got a little one baking in the oven right now : ), and you know you’ll be wanting newborn shots, it’s a good idea to contact us as soon as you’re able.

Our newborn package includes the session itself, a disc of all the high resolution, edited images from your online gallery (with full printing rights, of course!), and your choice of either 1) a beautiful 10×10 leather keepsake album, custom designed by me, or 2) 100 high-end, custom birth announcements.  The price also includes a maternity session (no cringing… I’m know all the flattering angles and Photoshop!!!) so you can capture the precious season of anticipation that comes before your little one arrives.

YAY!!!

To book a newborn session, click here to contact us!

This bucket list update today is a big deal.  Why, you ask?  Ok, I’m gonna admit something that’s seriously shameful, as long as you promise not to judge me too harshly.  Oh, the guts I’m mustering just to write this:

I do not write thank-you notes.

No, not just “I don’t like to write them…”  I seriously haven’t written a thank-you note in years.  I want to write them.  I love pretty stationary.  I tell myself I’ll do it ALL the time.

But do I do it?  No I do not.

It’s so weird… I almost have this mental block about the whole thing.  When my kids were little babies, my problem would be that I wouldn’t get to writing them for awhile, then I’d just feel so bad that it had taken so long that I’d freeze up and not do it at all.

But after living in that pattern for quite awhile, I’ve found that, even when I do have the time to write a thank-you note right away, I’m still frozen about it.  But no more, my friends.  No more.

Yesterday I wrote a thank you note to my studio landlord and his wonderful wife, because they sent us a bag of amazingly yummy-looking canned and pickled things.  Seemed like something that needed a thank you note. : )  HA!!!  Bucket list accomplishment!!!!!

And just so you believe me… I had my little guy (he’s 4… more details on him soon!) take a shot of me popping it in the mailbox.  And no, this isn’t *exactly* what I look like.  Photoshop is awesome.  I teach a class on all that, you know.  If I showed you the before picture, you’d go sign up this very moment. ; )  But my bravery only goes so far in early January right after the holidays.  I know you get it.

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Yeah, that’s my girl.  She’s two.  And she knows how to say “Cheeeeeeeeeeeze!!!!!!”  I swear I did not teach her that.  Anyway, when I pulled out my camera yesterday to take my picture of the day, my sweet and darling baby put on her best cheesy smile.  Ugh.  I wanted real, so I stuck out my tongue and went “pfttthhht!” (how do you spell a tooting noise?).  And look what happened.  Her real smile… MAGIC!!! : )

Which just goes to show ya’… there is no such thing as stooping too low when getting great pics of your kiddos.

One Sweet Shots class of 65 eager, snap-happy parents at Emmets on Saturday morning, seven sweetie sessions on Saturday afternoon, a newborn this morning, followed by three full sessions and two sweetie sessions.  Welcome to the busy season!!! : )

I must say… everything went perfectly.  The class just rocked, for many reasons… but the BEST thing about it is that my husband… YES, MY HUSBAND!!! actually came to learn about taking pictures and it absolutely made my day.  People have been sharing their thoughts on the class… here are a few:

“Amy, I LOVED the class today – you are inspiring! Thank you so much, I can’t wait for the Level 2 class on the 13th ;)”

“I’m not over-stating this… Yesterday’s Sweet Shots was life-changing! I am so so excited by all I learned. I went out IMMEDIATELY bought a new lens. This was one of my first pictures. Totally Thea and a really happy memory. Thank you thank you thank you!”

I even bumped into a few moms out in the forest preserve today putting their new knowledge to use… YOU GO mamas!!! : )

There’s another one coming up on Saturday, November 12, you know… click here to check it out!!!

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And finally… just one for today.  This family looked so complete this morning all snuggled on the bed:

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Having said that, I’m often questioned about the joy, hope, and determination that Jonathan and I seem to have.  While we are ALWAYS the first to admit that we are *incredibly* far from perfect, I would also venture to say that we both view being “perfect” as incredibly far from the point.  We’re people who see life from a certain perspective… and that perspective has made all the difference for us as parents, friends, business owners, and members of our community.

Our church, Redeemer Church of Downers Grove, has recently moved to a truly awesome location (Emmetts in downtown Downers Grove, only half a block from the studio!) as well as to a super-great time (we were meeting on Sunday afternoons and now we’re meeting on Sunday mornings at 9:30!).  And no, I don’t know of many other churches that meet in restaurants (especially breweries!), but so far it seems to work *perfectly* for us because it’s a great fit for who we are as a group… casual, comfortable, and authentic.

 This Sunday, August 21, I’ll be speaking for the first time, and I’m really excited to share, in detail, about what gives me joy and keeps me going.  Because so many of you have asked about those things, I thought I’d extend the invitation…  please come if you’re interested, because I’d LOVE to see you!  And please don’t feel any pressure to come if you’re not… weekend time is precious and there’s already so little time to spare.

If you’d like to come, here are the details:

Emmetts in Downers Grove, 5200 Main Street

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

childcare provided (but not required… whatever works!) : )

Now… onto some *truly* wonderful families…

(you’re gonna LOVE these!!!)

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This morning I began at a super-sweet location in Hinsdale with a brother and his little sister, ages 5 and 2 and a half:

LOVED them!!!

Then I high-tailed it over to the studio where I captured sweet and perfect Mr. “H”, with his loving family:

and THAT was my day…

total sweetness all-around : )