Tag Archive for: baby

Backyard Family Portraits

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This summer, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing several families in their backyards and it’s been so much fun to capture the sweetness in a space that is special to the family. It leaves me with two thoughts: I hope more families will opt to be photographed in their backyards. And it makes me want to work on my own backyard so that my family can do the same! With beautiful morning light and an adorable family, this latest session was a real treat!

Pittsbugh-family-portrait

I should mention that these cutie pies are smiling in unison at their grandma and grandpa who were ever so helpful at coaxing some smiles.

Pittsburgh-childrens-photography

And while I say that this session inspired me to want to work on my own backyard, I should also point out that you don’t have to have a perfectly manicured lawn or landscaping for a great space for portraits. Although, this yard had some spectacular spots for photos!

Backyard-portrait

Childrens-portrait

These two in this treehouse. Goodness!

Family-photography

And this little guy’s mama knew that he’d need a blanket for photos on the grass because he was ready to eat it the moment they laid him down. I’m not sure if he was excited about the grass or all of the hullabaloo behind the camera! Just kidding, it was his family, of course!

On-location-baby-photography

Sentimental Maternity Session: Megan and Rick

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I’m always pleased to received referrals from past clients and when Megan and Rick called, it was clear I was in for a special treat. They recently bought a farm and are in the middle of restoring it and then some! And they wanted their maternity photos to take place in the space that’s most special to them, where they are making plans to raise their son.

Here’s a belly shot that we did by the window in their bedroom.

We scheduled for June, about five- to six-weeks before Megan’s due date. The majority of the session took place outdoors and Megan was a trooper, navigating the terrain in the heat. And Rick was so attentive, driving us from location to location and helping us in and out of the SUV. They had some locations in mind and we went for it. Here are a few favorites from their session.

husband and wife maternity portrait

This next image was my idea, we were driving from one location to the next and I was struck by the beauty of the woods. Plus, I love walking shots!

outdoor maternity session

And here they are in their rye field. How cool will it be for them to look back at this someday? I love how snuggly they are with each other.

expectant parents portrait

More to come from their newborn session in the future!

If you or someone you know is interested in maternity or newborn photography, please contact me. I’d love to hear from you!

Newborn Session – It’s a Girl: Baby Cosette

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It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of photographing a baby girl, after a what seemed like the season of baby boys (including my own little sweetheart!) So when my friend, Susanna, found out she was having a girl, I was super excited to meet and photograph her darling baby.

baby portrait

Baby Cosette was a charmer. She actually seemed to be posing for the camera!

baby photography session

And here is one of the (many) first family portraits! I had a hard time choosing, so this is the image that they chose to print. I think they couldn’t resist this one because it looks like she’s smiling. Such a sweet moment! I love this family!

Pittsburgh-newborn-family-portrait

A Mother’s Boutique: Local Business Feature

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I’m pleased to kick off a new series featuring some of my favorite local businesses that cater to new moms. As a newborn photographer and a mom, I love to pass on great finds like this first local business feature: A Mother’s Boutique. It is the byproduct of owner, Judy Masucci’s transition into motherhood, as she saw a unmet need for clothing for breastfeeding moms. While there are lots of chain maternity stores, Judy noticed that nursing tops were very limited and after countless hours of scouring the internet for stylish nursing clothes, she decided to do something about it and launched her business in 2007. Today, she continues her quest for the best products for new mothers including nursing bras, breast pumps, and baby carriers. And she’s become a real expert in bra fitting and even offers virtual bra fitting online for moms who aren’t within driving distance to her Wexford store.

a store for new moms in Wexford

One of the things I really like about Judy and her store is that she only employs moms so when you are there with questions, there’s always someone with helpful insight. And her team of experts includes birth and post-partum doulas and a certified lactation counselor. One of the reasons Judy decided to leave her corporate job and venture into small business was to help other moms with breastfeeding. She had some difficulties getting started with breastfeeding her own son and wanted to offer support to other moms interested in breastfeeding. Each purchase online or in person comes with very helpful and beautifully-designed informational pamphlets about breastfeeding. From the boutique’s blog, to the facebook group, to the mom’s group that meets at the store, A Mother’s Boutique is much more than a retail store. The store also hosts childbirth classes, and a cesarian support group called ICAN.

owner of A Mother's Boutique

Since the start of her business, Judy has developed a niche in nursing bras and offers an extensive selection. Oh, how I wish I knew about this store before. I am definitely looking forward to shopping there for our next baby. I told Judy that I felt like an absolute slob the whole time I was nursing because I just tried to make it work with the clothes I already had and really didn’t know there were so many great products out there that make it so much easier to nurse in public and still look good! Anyway, back to the bras, she offers sizes up through N cups, so everyone can find a cute, well-made and functioning nursing bra.

stylish nursing bras

Her products are made all over the world—from Australia to Singapore, and are mostly offered by other small business. Judy said, “they’re all moms who became a mom, saw a need, and did something to solve it.”

“We try to focus on things that moms need,” she said. “My goal is really to support the mom in what she wants to do. I try to carry products to empower moms to meet their own goals.”

Just this week, A Mother’s Boutiuque was featured on NBC Nightly News in a story called Built for Success about women-owned businesses, which I think is a just one more reason that this store is worth checking out! You can check out a YouTube video of the show here. Congrats Judy!

Custom Newborn Photography

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Having a baby is one of the most wonderful events we can experience in this life. I remember feeling like my life had really just begun when I first held my son in my arms. I also remember feeling a lot of pressure to make sure I captured all of the wonderful details of my newborn son and how exhausted I felt. And it all happens so quickly, so it’s really important to have a plan in place before your baby arrives so that you can be sure to capture this special time in your family. And once you do have your newborn session booked, it is a major weight off of your shoulders, which is a particular relief by the time you get to that third trimester!  If you’re expecting or in the process of adopting and looking for a photographer, check out some of my recent posts to see what custom newborn photography by Captivating Imagery is all about.

Newborn Sessions in the Convenience of Your Own Home

father and newborn son portrait

Capturing Relationships and the Essence of Everyday Life

newborn portrait with parents
Revealing Personality Through Lifestyle Photography

baby close-up
First Family Portraits to Treasure Forever
first family portrait

 

Hiring a photographer to capture your baby’s first year is one of the best investments you can make. As time goes by, your photos will become more and more precious to you and your family.

Check out this video below to get a glimpse at a custom newborn session from start to finish:


During the post-session consultation, I like to introduce clients to some of the products I recommend for preserving their memories, like framed prints, custom-designed albums, and image boxes.

image box from a newborn session

Image boxes are a great way to display your favorite images, especially when you’re low on wall space. And they’re perfect for holding images from multiple sessions, like the newborn session, sit-up session, and baby’s first birthday. I’ll be sharing more products that are available for custom newborn photography in the coming months.

If you’re interested in booking a session with me, please check out my contact page and give me a call or send me an email. In order to ensure my clients have the best service possible, I limit the number of sessions I accept each month, so it’s best to contact me during your second trimester.