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It’s totally cool to post pumpkin patch sessions in January! I can’t believe I’ve been too busy to show off all of my fabulous fall clients! Well, we’re finally getting a chance to settle in a bit. And I’m getting a chance to blow the dust off my computer and actually pay some attention to this little business of mine.

This family is one of my favorites. Actually, I think this happens with all of my Baby Cakes families. Since I see them once every few months, we get to know each other pretty well. To me, they are like family. One very crisp October morning we got together to share this little guy’s first pumpkin patch experience. It was chilly, but he was a trooper . I think the smooch picture is one of my favorites of the year. What do you think?

Speaking of, keep your eye out for the 2nd annual Anastasia Marie Photography Photo of the Year contest!!

This is the absolute best way for your little one to see Santa. Last year we went to a morning with Santa at Not Your Average Joe coffee shop in Dunlap. (woah, I just went into shock a little when I looked back at last year’s post!!) It is a blast for the little ones. The owners dec out their coffee shop in the most adorable Christmas decor and invite Santa to come spend the morning with your kiddos. We did a cute little Christmas craft, decorated adorable wreath cookies and got to sing songs and read stories with Santa. And Santa was so patient. He waited until each and every child warmed up enough to sit on his lap and tell him just what they wanted for Christmas. And we think it is way cute that Hailey actually has something she wants very badly from Santa. She’s been saying “mommy, I want to ask Santa a question” since November. And it’s especially adorable since her question comes out more like keshion….that girl melts my heart.

Happy holidays everyone!

Before we left she just had to double check Santa got what she wanted .

I’m sorry…has she taken modeling classes? Look at that perfect little ‘not-smile’! She wins the best model gaze in a  2 year old. Hands down.

I got to take a break from all the moving and holiday craziness the other day to photograph this sweet little girl. I am so honored to have been asked to photograph another member of this family. We’ve worked together several times and these guys have become good friends. I adore your entire family .

If you’ll notice, this little girl was photographed up in Morton, IL. Even though we’ve moved a bit south, I am still booking sessions in the Peoria area! I haven’t abandoned you guys completely .

Happy Holidays all!

  I do not recommend moving during the holidays. Life literally stops. Not cool.

I just wanted to pop in and let you know we’re still alive! And to tell you that it always turns out much, much better when you are willing to act like a goob at your photo shoot. Be silly, make some funny faces, and laugh Just let it all go. You will be so much happier with the results . Much love.

   

Sorry, I really just couldn’t resist posting another one from Sunday’s session. Much love.

At the end of October I had an amazing opportunity. During our family vacation, we got to do a photo session with someone who has been a quiet mentor to me for a long time. I’m not gonna lie…I definitely planned this trip around Michele Anderson of PinkleToes Photography. It seems that, lately especially, photographers are a dime a dozen. They’re popping up everywhere. But Michele is not one of those…something about her work almost literally jumped off the computer screen and grabbed me. I don’t remember how I came across her work, but for the past few years, I will admit…I have been a serious PinkleToes blogstalker. So I convinced Justin that Texas was the perfect place for a family vacation . It actually worked out really cool. We planned to start our trip out at the beach, and I about passed out when Michele said she was actually up for joining us down there! So she packed up her family, we packed up our family and met down at the beach! Since we were all down there anyway, we met up for dinner the night before our session. She has an adorable family. 2 boys and a little girl about Hailey’s age that entertained Hailey to no end. It was great. The kiddos got to play while the parents got to make new friends. After dinner we headed down to the water for a night time beach walk…which was amazing. It was beyond great watching the kids play in the water and the sand together. Such a fun night with new friends J.

It was so strange being on the other side of the camera. I have such a better understanding for what my clients go through! It always makes me laugh when a client says to me “I really hope you got something out of that!” after a session J. I’m walking away thinking “of course I did! Wait until you see the gorgeous shots we got of your beautiful family!!” and they’re thinking “Good grief! That was a disaster! My child was running around screaming and doing anything but being cooperative! We couldn’t even do the casual, anti-pose, candid stuff!!” Well folks…that’s exactly what I thought walking away from our family session. But, I knew Michele and I knew her work and I knew she got gorgeous images. But holy moly…why in the world did I imagine Hailey would be any more cooperative for a total stranger than she was for me when I try to photograph her.

Anyway…we are beyond ecstatic with our photos from the session. It was so great to meet someone who has been such a huge influence on me as both a photographer and a person. We plan to make this a tradition. I am so looking forward to taking family trips to different parts of the country to meet new, amazing photographers. I already know who is next …I’ll just say California J. And we’ll absolutely have to make another trip down to Texas to see Michele!

 So now that I’ve gone on long enough….our sunrise beach session with the remarkable Michele Anderson.

I just absolutely adore this family. When I arrived yesterday morning, baby girl was just waking up. Lucky for me because baby + bed head + jammies + yummy bedroom light = happy Stacy.

Side note: we start the move tomorrow!! I cannot even believe it’s happening. It feels like it’s all happened so quickly, it just hasn’t hit me yet. You all have no idea how much I appreciate your patience through the holiday session season and this big move. I have the greatest clients. Much love!

You’ve heard the saying “stop and smell the roses”, no? Well, this is the photog version…sometimes you just have to stop and take advantage of great light. We took a trip out to New York to visit my parents over the Thanksgiving week…and from Illinois that makes for quite a little drive. And with a 2 year old and a dog along for the ride, we made quite a few rest stops. This particular one was pretty early on our trip, the sun was just rising and I tell ya….it was gorgeous. Possibly the most beautiful light I’ve ever seen.

The 20ish degree weather was unfortunate though and my little family was not up for cold weather torture. Psshh….punks. PS….please ignore the fuzzy animal growing on Justin’s face…it’s hunting season…he’ll get over it .