{sleeping like a baby} Barrington, IL Newborn Photographer

Some days, the newborn photography gods smile down on me. Today was one of those days... my babies were happy, my parents were friendly, my nurses were helpful, and even the lighting was great. I had a new basket to try out and these babies gave it a resounding thumbs up... tushies up? I'm getting more confident with these babies and find that I actually really love working with the itty bitty 5 pounders. So different from my Millie...

Anyway, we got some good ones today and I just have to share. Enjoy!

{The Greatest Gift} Elgin, IL Newborn Photographer

In my work with Bella Baby Photography, we usually photograph baby on her second day of life. For this sweet girl, I was called in just hours after she was born. Although Mom & Dad were concerned that she would be uncooperative after a stressful day, she was putty in my hands once I laid her in my super comfy cozy basket and let her have her pacifier for a few moments. Tears flowed in the room both during the photo shoot and while viewing the photo gallery. Moments like this make up for all the times the work of a photographer goes unappreciated...

Thank you {L family} for allowing me to photograph your sweet baby girl. It was an honor to be a part of such a special day!!

Honorable Mention...

After waiting until the very end of April to hear word on the Bella Baby photo contest for March, I was disappointed to see that I didn't win. However, after looking through the gallery of entries, it was apparent that this was the best month so far for our photographers! Some of the entries were just breathtaking!

I did receive honorable mention for my photo! That was enough to brighten my day... so thank you to those who gave me some input on which photo to submit. I sent in my entry for April without consulting anyone else... Since I only photographed a handful of babies last month, I knew my "winner" right away.

To see March's winners - and my honorable mention - visit the Bella Baby Photography blog!

The Best Of March '09 - Help me Choose!!

Every month, I submit my favorite photo for a contest held among the Bella Baby photographers. And each month, I am neither the first nor second place winner. In light of that fact, and now that we no longer have a monthly theme, I am having a heck of a time picking my potential winner... so I'm asking for help.

I have to submit my photo by midnight tomorrow, March 31. So, look through the pictures below and either email me or comment below... which would YOU submit?!

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7

Just because I have a moment... {Little Ladies}

I haven't shared any Bella pics in a while, so seeing as I'm sitting here waiting on a baby to photograph...

Introducing {Miss T}...


And introducing {Miss M}...


And finally, {Miss L}...

In Training... {Bella Life!}

A little over a week ago, I began my Bella Life training. I'm learning from our senior photographer (Kim), how to photograph families in their own homes - or in our "homey" studio in Naperville. Although I have "studio experience", this is different. We don't use stationary lights. We don't shoot on a backdrop. We shoot real people, in real light, in real poses... not unnaturally squeezing everyone into the frame. Its creativity to the max...and I love it. As the owner of Bella Baby Photography says, it is free training that we can use to better ourselves not only as Bella Babes, but also in our own photography biz ventures. Thanks, Kelly...for being so generous! I TRULY TRULY mean that... I've learned so much in two sittings!! (And thank you, Kim, for your patience and willingness to let me try my hand at this!!!)

So, in this sitting, we had mom - who is 36 weeks pregnant - dad, and 4 kids - 7 and under. Awesome family. Lots of fun. And such a great looking family too!! They totally "fit" Bella Life. They ARE Bella Life. My trainer let me shoot behind her - shooting when she wasn't, taking pics of the kids while she focused on Mom, etc... It was great. I was able to play a lot with my lighting, posing, camera settings...knowing that Kim was doing the important stuff and if my shots worked - GREAT!

Here is a pic of the whole family... Kim was shooting, took a break and I just snapped away. There's no, "Everyone look here", "Smile for the camera", or for heaven's sake, "CHEEEEESE". I just snap while you BE. You sit and talk and laugh and look at me, or at your kids and if we get everyone looking up - its natural... If we get everyone looking at each other...its natural. Basically, I said it before and I'll say it again... Its BELLA LIFE!!!

I've got some awesome shots of the kids, as well, and I'll share them once I've had the opportunity to edit them... having problems with the old (or, not-so-old) laptop again... so we'll see when that will be!

Let me know what you think... Let me know you're visiting my blog!!

{Sisters}

You might think this is yet another post full of bug & lou pictures, but its not! Today, I got to photograph an adorable set of twin girls, and also a baby girl with her big sister! So, I wanted to share... Enjoy!

Some Baby Love...

In light of my recent computer problems, I haven't had the opportunity to share any of my work in a while...but yesterday I took some photos just just beg to be shared...

Look at this adorable little guy with his full head of hair, chubby arms & squishy lips. He slept through the whole photo shoot...even when I turned him this way and that and posed him!

{Say Cheese}

So, do you think this little man is happy to be heading home with mom & dad?! I'd say YES!!!! And after he flashed me that smile, he stretched out his tiny arms and legs...as if to say, "Ahhhhh...let's get OUTTA here!"

Little ladies...

Today I had the opportunity to photograph three beautiful little ladies... and in one case, the little lady & her daddy. As well as a little lady with her gorgeous big sister! I couldn't help but share...

{Miss N & big sis E}

{Miss G with daddy}

{Baby Girl} (mom is working on a name!!!)

Sharing the {love}

Today, I asked the dad of this baby to "cup baby's feet" so I could photograph the soles...and this is what he did. Love it, love it, LOVE it.

Happy New Year! Ending 2008 on a high note...

I'm welcoming 2009, Bella Baby style. To me, today is just another Thursday. Sure, its New Year's Day...a new beginning...and all that, but I knew that today I'd be photographing the LAST babies of 2008, since we always shoot the day after they are born. And boy (or GIRL!), was today a treat.

I got to photograph one of the most beautiful babies I've seen. So alert and happy and posing for me just like a pro. Mom & Dad were great too (which really, really helps). I'm so in love with this little lady that I had to share immediately.

So, here's to 2008 - it was fun while it lasted - and to 2009... may it be a year of beautiful, happy and healthy babies (including my own, of course!).

{Miss C}

Double the fun!

I had my 3rd opportunity - in as many weeks! - to photograph newborn twins. These two - {Mr D} and {Miss N} were just a day and a half old! Hopefully, I will be assisting on a family sitting for this family in the near future - Mom, Dad, the twins and their 4 year old brother.

Are you jealous of my job yet?!

Hands-on dads...

Although my main priority at Bella Baby Photography is to photograph the baby, I try to take it above and beyond that if 1) the baby cooperates 2) mom & dad are interested and 3) the situation to take some beautiful pictures presents itself. Not all parents are interested in participating, while some come with ideas of their own.

Like {C} and her dad... Mom wanted this shot, and I think it turned out pretty darn well...

However, with {R}, mom & dad knew they wanted to be in the pictures, but I chose the "posing" and I personally love this. I hope mom does too!!! And I know that some day, when {R} is a little lady, she'll be so thrilled that I captured this moment for her.

{Miss R} - Worth the wait

Although I had to wait until near the end of my day to photograph this little lady, it was totally worth my while. I looked at her with a little doubt that all 9 pounds would fit in my basket and then said, "Screw it! Let's try!" She fit. She filled my basket perfectly. And she was so happy to sleep in there. Mom & Dad joked that they would have to buy one, especially given the fact that her nursery furniture (ordered in July!) was not in yet!!!

Some cheeks are just begging to be smooched. This girl is gonna be smooched silly by her wonderful parents!!!!

While I'm waiting - {M} & {S}

Today is a better day. The baby gods are smiling down on me. So far, two happy and gorgeous little ones. One more to go (he's lunching now, hence the wait). So, I thought I'd share a couple more...

I actually set out to photograph {Miss S} yesterday, but she was NOT having it. So, I told mom & dad I'd return today and suggested wrapping her in a blanket from home and keeping her tee-shirt on. SCORE!

Once {Mr M} let out a baby belch, we were all systems go. He did wonderful, even catching my eye in a couple of the shots.

What keeps me going...

Let me start by saying, I LOVE working for Bella Baby! LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Adore it. There's not a day I don't look forward to going in. But...that doesn't mean I don't have tough days. Days when my eyes are tearing up in frustration as I leave the hospital. Days when I just want to go home and delete all my files from that day. Days when I just want to run as far from the hospital as I can. Because I'm so passionate about the pictures I take, I expect the same response from the parents...and I can't help but take it personal when they don't love the pictures like I do! And when I have a day when the pictures don't turn out as I'd hoped, that's even worse!

Today was a rough day. I went into the hospital with high hopes and walked out with hopes dashed. I faced obstacles throughout the day and come 5pm, I just didn't have the heart to deal with one more. But, out of a rough day, there was still a ray or two (or three!) of sunshine. And that's what inspires me to go back in tomorrow, optimistic once again... sure that TODAY will be the day I make a mom cry tears of joy! The day a mom stares in awe at the images I've captured!

Anyway, here are some of my favorites from today! Thank you to M & J for allowing me to photograph their sweet 3 day old twins! As soon as brother & sister were side by side, both were comforted. While baby boy looked around the room contentedly, baby girl quietly snorted in her sleep. It was such a precious sight.


And my last baby of the day {V}. What a cute chubba!!! He was a doll! Mom had asked me earlier in the day to return just prior to closing up for the day, and I'm glad I was able to. This little guy had endured a busy first day of life, but slept through all my fidgeting and fussing with him. Even slept through a wardrobe change! I just wanted to cuddle him!!!