This past weekend I proudly watched my eldest nephew become a man… His formal Bar Mitzvah photos were taken the typical Thursday before the big day at Park Synagogue… And the party?  Well, neither typical or formal would describe this event!  My sister-in-law had the idea to turn the dance floor into a giant foam pit!  Guests were told to bring a change of clothes, but the rest was a surprise!  Chick’fil’a filled tummies, while Rock the House had us dancing (and slipping) the night away in the spectacular foam party held at Force Indoor Sports.  There was soccer & basketball, too… but come on, we wanted the FOAM!

It was not only a very special weekend… it was SO FUN!!!

Here are a few of the photos… I’m still working my way through the 800+ images, so stay tuned to see more of the foam fun!

Bar Mitzvah Boy

I love this kid!

Foam!!

Sometime’s it’s hard keeping a 19 month-old entertained or distracted long enough to remain under the lights of the studio for longer than a split second… they have places they need to be, after all!  After a solid half hour of pictures, Little R decided running laps in and out of the studio was her new plan… with her Mom chasing her, of course (little kid photo shoots are also a great calorie burner!!)– So, we decided to repurpose the acrylic floor that’s typically used to provide a great reflection to the studio photos… With a dry-erase marker in hand (and at times, in mouth!), Little R had a blast creating her masterpiece as her Mom got a rest, and I got plenty of adorable pictures!

Okay, so in what should be the last of my family posts for a while (don’t quote me on that)… Here is the studio lighting installment of my niece’s newborn photos.  If you remember, I previously posted pictures I took of her at home with natural light, and discussed the benefits of a natural light newborn session against those of a studio session.  In the studio, we have the ability to create more dramatic, more fine-art newborn photos.  The striking look of the black backdrop leaves nothing but the baby for your eyes to lock on to.  Pillows, hands & parents can all be positioned under the backdrop to help position the baby in the desired pose.  This look is much more contemporary than the natural light option… Well, let’s hear from you… which look do you prefer?

Everyone wants to be a part of the show! That is, if they'll earn another lollypop!

The vast space around her gives an almost in-utero feeling to this image

When they sleep like babies, you can curl them up like little balls-- that's my favorite!

Okay, so I know my recent posts have been my nieces and nephew, but come on… look at them! Can you blame me?? My brother loved Paddington Bear when he was little… in fact, it was his nickname. My mom found his old tattered up bear this weekend, and decided to try Paddington’s clothes on his 6 month old son– a perfect fit! Now my brother has his very own live toy!! When I caught wind of this act, my thoughts instantly went into the studio where we could surround the baby with stuffed animals, and turn him into just “one of the guys.” He’s not quite sitting up yet, so some tricky positioning had to be used to prop him up, but the results turned out pretty darn cute!! I really have the best job… I honestly feel bad for anyone who doesn’t get to dress babies up, and photograph them in big piles of bears!

I am thrilled to say that I have a new little photo guinea-piglet, in the form of my 9-day old niece.  This little one will have plenty of picture time with Aunt Kim, because she sure is cute!  She hasn’t made it into the studio yet for her “official” newborn photo session, but we did have an informal natural light session at home.  No lights other than the soft window light (thanks to my wonderful camera, I can get fantastic results even in low-light situations!), a cozy blanket over a dog bed (yes, I’ll admit it), and the warmth of a space heater to keep that little 7.5lb body warm and happy.  I’m honestly not sure which I prefer– studio photography or natural light photography for newborns… each has such merit.  In the studio you can craft and create such works of fine art.  The light is controlled, and with the simplicity of the backdrops, the images are so striking!  Natural light has a softness about it that pairs so nicely with a delicate new baby.  The gentleness of the images, the personal touch of being at home, and the variety of locations & props also produce fantastic results.  So which should a new Mom & Dad choose for their new baby?  It really depends on the style you prefer– Take a look at these at-home photos, and then stay tuned next week when I get this little one in the studio for her studio shoot… make a comment– let me know which style of newborn photography you prefer!