Liriodendrin Mansion goes Hawaiian this summer!

On a sunny, warm summer day at Liriodendrin Mansion, Peggy and Mark brought the charm of the islands to Bel Air!  Peggy's dress was handmade in Hawaii, perfect for the summertime tone of their wedding. Mark wore a beautiful Kukui Nut Lei, the first prayer beads of the Hawaiian people, and often worn during wedding ceremonies.  The bride and groom were meticulous in their planning, from the amazing flowers by Nancy Smith to the food selected and created by Dean and Brown caterers. The couple exchanged vows at the two centuries old St. Ignatius Church.  The guests were encouraged to join in with light and summery beach attire.  Mark created wonderful table cards, a lava rock display, among many other touches that brought Hawaii to Bel Air in July!

 

Babies are going to the dogs!

Every portrait session I am challenged to expand  my vision and creativity, but when a parent recently threw done a major challenge,  had to step up!  The goal was a portrait of their "first child", a beautiful and sweet Rhodesian Ridgeback family pet, mom and dad's cowboy boots and their 11 day old baby.  The dog (sorry, I forgot her name!) essentially cooperated with a firm hand which was retouched out, but she gave a lovely, soulful look into the camera!  It was a beautiful portrait session and baby mostly slept through the whole thing!  Thank you to mom and dad and welcome Anna Mae!

Teddy Bear is my new best friend

 I actually want this teddy bear!  He looks so comfy, so I guess that is why Finn is sleeping away his first portrait session!  I love this portrait, but I took many of him and his proud big sisters!  You would think newborn portraits would be the easiest to create, but if the baby is not inclined to sleep soundly, then this session can easily spiral away into a several hour photo shoot!  A soundly sleeping baby is very easy to move around within the session, but it does not always happen.

Here are some pointer for your newborn's portrait session.

First, remember that your baby's first portrait is really while you are pregnant!  Don't forget Maternity portraits since they are the first and last portraits of a time when you and your baby are the closest you can be.

Don't decide to have your baby photographed AFTER the baby is born!  Schedule this session while you are pregnant,,,read on!

Try to have your baby photographed within the first 2 weeks if possible.  If you are having maternity portraits made, schedule a flexible session date with your photographer.  I typically have my portrait clients put me on their email list to be notified when they have the baby.  I then call mom to firm up our date.  You could also assign this email task to the baby's godparent or one of your friends.

Keep your environment as warm as possible.  Babies don't sweat, so you probably can't have the room too warm for baby.

A white noise machine is great for keeping baby asleep during the session.  This is also a great idea for babies who are light sleepers.

Have your portraits created at home so that you can take all the time you need to feed, change and soothe your baby.  Remember that this is a truly special session, so you should be as relaxed as possible, enjoying this time with your child.

Buy some interesting hats, head bands, soft blankets, etc. ready for your shoot.  Your photographer will have props, but the items you buy will be in your style, colors, etc. and can be kept as a keepsake for your baby.

Be ready to be photographed!  I know you are not feeling your prettiest after giving birth, but THIS IS IMPORTANT and your child will not care if you need highlights in your hair!

One last thought.  Babies are one of life's most precious gifts and I handle babies as the precious, fragile little humans that they are.  I think the images of babies hanging out of slings and off of tree branches, etc. are interesting and pretty, and I know that the baby was safe while being  photographed, however, I don't view babies as props.  The portrait is about this small new human, and I always focus on the child and not the background or the things that are in the picture.  This is not to say that I don't photograph babies in as many poses as possible because I do!  I just like to make sure my babies look safe, snug and contented.  Just my idea about newborns!

These are just a few suggestions and your photographer will have more.  Relax and enjoy this special time.  They will not look like a newborn after about 3 weeks, so make plans while you are still pregnant and have a flexible appointment time scheduled with your photographer!

Robin

Welcome to Images of Sommer!

This is my first blog post!  I know, I know,,,,long overdue, but I would love to invite you to follow my blog as I post images from  my portrait sessions, weddings and travel.  I specialize in photography of children and their families created at home or in the beauty of  nature.  Newborns and young children are my hearts desire as a professional photographer, but I have grown to really love high school senior photography as well.  My wedding style is documentary or photojournalistic as I work alongside my husband and professional photographer, Bill Rettberg Jr. of Positive Images by Rettberg.  We are partners in life and in business and have found that our styles have a great synergy when we shoot weddings together.  Here's some of my Children's photography.  Stay tuned!

Thanks for joining me!