Another one of my loves.....

Those of you that know me well know that photography hasn't always been my first love.  I will always have a strong love and desire to work with animals!  Before starting my business I was working for the Central Oklahoma Humane Society and I will always have a love of working with them.  They do everything!  From spaying and neutering, adoptions, transporting animals, and much more!  

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I occasionally offer my photography services to them as having good photos that really represent the animal's personality is vital to finding them loving homes.  And it isn't always easy getting these photos!  These animals are wiggly, shy, and move very fast!  

german shepherd dog in the snow

 

Another group that I work with regularly is Nexus Equine.  They are a fantastic organization that is working to take horses that are still in the prime of their lives of all ages and they retrain them and find them suitable new homes.  

horse photography

 

I love to go spend time with these horses as they are all very friendly and happy for attention.  They aren't too bad on the eyes either!  

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So just when you thought I was all about babies and families......

 

If you are looking for a dog or cat to adopt or you'd like more information on the Humane Society, please check out www.okhumane.org 

And if you'd like more information on adopting a horse or how to get involved, then check out www.nexusequine.org 

Welcoming Atlas James

This precious boy and his parents visited my studio last weekend.  Isn't he just perfect?  

Newborn baby boy

I love a natural pose like this one.  You can tell he was similar to this while still inside the womb.  

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Who doesn't love a good pair of baby overalls?  Made by yours truly just in time for his arrival! 

mom and newborn baby boy

Motherhood is beautiful, don't you think?

newborn baby boy Edmond Oklahoma

Bundled up and ready for the world!  His face is just so handsome! 

baby fingers and toes

Gotta love those little details.  So small yet they already capture his parent's hearts.  

 

Welcome to the world Atlas James!  You are already loved belong belief! 

Just a couple things you should have (and not have) while prepping for baby

Don't fret momma, we've all been there!  It's almost time for little one to arrive and you aren't sure if you have all that you need.  Well, no worries!  Here's some helpful tips from someone who's been there a couple times and spends lots of times with others in the same boat.  

newborn Oklahoma city edmond

I'm not about to patronize you and tell you the importance of a crib and carseat. You've probably got that selected a while ago or at least have it narrowed down. 

Instead I'm going to list just a handful of things that you might not think you need or don't know the value of.  But trust me....these are vital! 

newborn oklahoma city edmond photographer

1. Halo swaddles: https://www.amazon.com/Halo-Sleepsack-Swaddle-Triangle-Neutral/dp/B01LAG1TOS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1506023831&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=halo%2Bswaddle&smid=A19NVE4G6SOT2C&th=1

These things are awesome!  They take the guess work out of swaddling and are nice and secure and will at least mostly keep those little escape artist's limbs in place.  We all know how important a good sleep is and swaddling is vital!  Helpful tip: try Once Upon a Child or Just Between Friends consignment for great deals.  

newborn oklahoma city edmond

2. Nose Frida: https://www.amazon.com/Fridababy-NoseFrida-Aspirator-Hygiene-Filters/dp/B00RP0GHBO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1506024181&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=Nose%2BFrida&th=1

I know, I know.  Ewwww!  But trust me, these things will be your best friend when allergy season and cold season hits at once and you just need....that....snot.....GONE.  And those bulb thingies? They don't do jack squat.  

newborn photographer oklahoma city edmond

And now a couple things to not bother with.  They aren't worth your $$$! 

1. A fancy swing.  Most babes I know either hate them or are happy with a cheap one.  So don't bother. 

baby Photographer oklahoma city edmond

2. Wipe warmer.  While it may seem nice to have warm wipes when cleaning that delicate area, it isn't all that necessary.  And they break.  A lot.  So just save the money!

newborn baby photographer Edmond Oklahoma City

So there you have it!  Just a couple little tips to help you as you freak out.  And momma?  Don't freak out.  Unless you live in Antartica all you need is a short store trip away.  You got this.  

See my new studio!

Here it is!  After over a year of building our house and then a few months worth of moving in (thanks to having a toddler and a newborn to juggle) I finally have the studio up to a certain standard!

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While there's a few more tweaks I'd like to make, I am very pleased with how it has turned out!  I kept it natural, bright, and comfortable.  There's multiple places to shoot within it.  A floor backdrop, a posing bag with backdrop stand for the little newborns, a comfy, classic bed for a more intimate approach to family pictures and a vintage couch for sweet families or even just a place to relax while you let me do all the work!  

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All of my props have their home and are within easy reach.  It really gives you a sense of what my style is.  This is really going to help each session go smoothly and lets me focus on perfecting the work.  

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And as always, if some in your family get a little restless and need to watch some tv, play with toys, or stretch their legs they are welcome to head down the stairs to my living room.  Fresh water, snacks, and place to put your feet up.  What more could you ask for?

Want to experience my studio in person?  Lets book a session!

There's more to it than just a shutter click....

I love just about everything about my business.  Of course I love shooting.  Getting to have families visit my home and watch them interact with each other is a lot of fun.  I love getting them to let lose and capture them at their personal level.  Seeing the connection within families is mesmerizing and capturing that connection, especially with families in the midst of growth and change is a big force behind what drives me.

But there's so much more to my business than that.  Education, marketing, people skills, financing, editing...oh my gosh the editing....., and another thing I really enjoy which is designing!  I love creating new little outfits for my tiniest models to wear.  Creating backdrops and props.  All of it!  I attempt to challenge myself regularly with new designs.  I never knitted before I started making bonnets for little newborns.  Now I am breaking out into new stitches, new patterns, and someday soon I'll probably do more sewing.  

Handsome Cash is wearing a bonnet I knitted for him.  

Handsome Cash is wearing a bonnet I knitted for him.  

I love flexing my creative muscles and I get inspiration from all over the place.  A lot of times it's other creative people, photographers or even non-photographers!  I once created a honeycomb style backdrop after watching a cooking show.  Why not?

Quinn is wearing a headband designed by me and the flowers on the backdrop were also created by me.  Being able to complete a setup from start to finish is very gratifying! 

Quinn is wearing a headband designed by me and the flowers on the backdrop were also created by me.  Being able to complete a setup from start to finish is very gratifying! 

It's a lot of work.  Especially when juggling the other demands of the business and two little ones of my own.  Sometimes the best time to work is after they've gone to bed...even if maybe I should be in bed myself.  

This was taken by my dedicated husband as we worked to finish a floor backdrop at 1am.  

This was taken by my dedicated husband as we worked to finish a floor backdrop at 1am.  

I tell you this so you understand what kind of experience you are getting when you come to my studio.  I craft all these things because I care about every detail and I want to see what I have imagined for your and your family come to fruition.  Many times it ends up surprising me with the results, but it's always unique!