Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack

In case you're not a Robert McCloskey fan (the author of the classic "Make Way For Ducklings" book), those are (I think) the names of the ducklings. I did it from memory, because I'm too lazy to walk the seven steps to my daughter's bookcase and confirm it. But I think it's something like that.

I met these guys in the Boston Public Garden last weekend for their pictures - they'd gotten a gift certificate for a shoot a while back, and they'd been patiently waiting on my waiting list for weeks and weeks. Finally they nabbed an open spot, and we lucked out with the weather.

I had to post this picture first, even though we took it at the end of the session. Mom mentioned as we were packing up to leave that they had one of those classic Make Way for Ducklings frames, and wouldn't it be so great to get a picture of their Jack sitting on top of this duckling Jack? Big boy Jack wasn't so sure about that plan, but I actually prefer this one anyway, with him checking things out in the background with his dad :)


And this is my #1, hands-down, no question favorite from the session. Best smiles ever. Love how his hair matches his mom's hair.


Isn't he a handsome dude?


Oh yeah. Forgot this one. Love this one too.


Look at those CHEEKS!


Swing!


This one is perfect because all Jack wanted to do during the shoot was walk around. He'd just gotten his feet under him, and he was loving wandering all over the gardens. And what better to walk to than a ball from mom?


The weeping willows make such a great background here. Leaf in hand - what's more fall-like?


Wonderful to get a chance to meet you, I'm glad we got you in there!


One more. Love this pout!

Share this on Facebook.

A house of love and books

I started my day on Sunday with a wonderful little 2 year old girl. Her grandma called me months ago, and told me all about little sweet H. Her cerebral palsy means that she sometimes has a tough time in new environments, so her grandma thought an in-home photoshoot would be a great holiday present for her mom and dad.

What was wonderful to see was H and her grandma spending such nice time together... reading books is their favorite activity. H's eyes lit up as she looked through the books:


She did a great job holding her head up while they looked at books, too - pointing and recognizing her favorite sections of the books. This is really hard for her, and she did so well:


She took a break in the middle of the shoot to watch a bit of her favorite Mickey Mouse on TV, and I've found this with other children I've photographed who've spent a lot of time in the hospital - often for them, TV is almost a stimulant. It's really neat to see. Look at that grin!


Taking a quiet moment with grandma reading a book:


And Janet, you'll have to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think H is doing one of her signs here - am I right?


Happy girl!


And after digging through her toys, she found a favorite toy :)
It was really wonderful to spend time with you guys. Can't wait to show you the rest of the photos!

Big brother and his sweet new baby

I walked in the door of this family's house last weekend and big brother S was begging his dad, asking if he could hold his brother. Almost before I could drop to my knees, toss the camera bag to the side of the room, lift the camera to my eye, these guys were just sitting together, being adorable.


I love this - a big brother's smooch:


And of course, if Grandma and Grandpa are visiting when I'm there, we have to grab a multi-generational picture:


And a beloved aunt pic, too :)


Thanks to our mild November weather, we even slipped outside for a few pictures with the little guy:


The boys had some fun lying around, too:


Here's my favorite one of big brother alone:


And sweet baby brother alone:


This is such a sweet sleepy one, I love how quiet and close up it is:


It was great to meet you guys, thanks so much for having me!

Share this on Facebook.

Oh four, I know you well

I've been taking pictures of little Miss E since she was just one, and now she's a big girl of nearly four. I am sooo familiar with the antics of little four year old girls (I have one at home), and this photo illustrated a four year old moment so well I had to highlight it. Hilarious!


Crazy faces and all:


But she can't hide her gorgeousness:


I love this, as she giggles with her mom and dad:


And runs around with them a bit:


But Dad caught her. I love this hug, it's so real.


And one more four year old expression, just to make you laugh... Great to see you guys!

Share this on Facebook.

Energetic, fun and three

I arrived at C's house this past weekend to find her standing on the coffee table, undressed, doing a fun dance. I knew when I saw her jumping around that we were going to have a great time taking pictures. Her mom had mentioned to me before the shoot that C is hard of hearing and therefore doesn't speak - but you would never know it when you play with her. She's just like any other three year old: crazy! :) Here she is on her tricycle, with a mischievous look in her eye:

While we were still inside, C took me upstairs to her room and showed me her jewelry - I love this profile one of her:


She and I played some games on her couch:


And she was fascinated by my shiny lens. I love this one :)


Here we have the crazy 3 year old pic:

And then we went outside to the park. It was 3pm, and at this time of year we get wonderful shadows and side lighting at 3pm... look at the energy in this photo as she zips around:


Peek-a-boo!


Slowing down for a moment:


And this is one of my favorites on the swing. So much fun to meet you guys. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Share this on Facebook.

Playing around in the South End

I love the background here of the brownstones and the signature South End street lamps... not to mention the cool 9am shadows, showing how tiny B is compared to her parents as they lift her up and swing her:


Isn't she perfect in her mary jane's?


We went to the playground to play and had so many neat opportunities for sweet photos... B's amazing curls and long eyelashes were gorgeous!


I love this frustrated face. She's riding on a riding toy at the playgrond here, and giving her mom or dad a face to say - not so sure about this...


But within moments she was bouncing on it like crazy, loving every minute:


Then there was this teenie little see-saw that B was enjoying with her pretty mama. After her mom had a turn, B motioned me over, asking me to bounce on it with her. What a quad workout!


And even though I was super close to her (sitting across from her on the see-saw), her face was so joyful I had to snap a quick photo. It's a little distorted because I was so close to her, but I kind of love that about it - it makes her cheeks even more delicious!


Fun to spend a sunny fall morning with you guys - I'm glad we finally got the weather to cooperate!

Share this on Facebook.

Perfect rollie pollie cutie pie

I was so excited to see how big this guy had gotten since his 3 month pictures, and he was gorgeous! Chubby little arms and legs... look at how strong he is, holding himself up :) He'll be crawling momentarily.


I love this with his sweet mum and dad:


This one kills me. Too perfect.


And a handsome smile:


Cracks me up:


In a hand-knit sweater with the cutest hood ever:


Doesn't he look like he's posing here?


Perfect tootsies!


Holding on to his Da's hands:


This one says so much, even though no one is facing the camera. I love it. Great to see you guys. Can't wait to see your big boy at 9 months!

Share this on Facebook.

A sweet boy in a sa-weet hat

I got to go back and see this handsome guy last week for his 3 month pictures - and he's already getting so big! I love this one smiling with his mama and the two pups in the background:


Check out that head control!


His lashes are super super long and light - I loved catching them:


And some tootsies with a pup background:


This one is actually out of order - it was the very first frame I shot of this guy. Do you believe what a great mood he was in the moment I walked in the door?


Sitting up like a big boy:


And of course, had to include his big handsome grin:


Now this is the sa-weet hat I referred to in the title of this post... isn't it awesome? Not to mention his scrunched up smile :)


He's already so good at standing. I loved seeing this big guy again. Have a great Thanksgiving this week!

Share this on Facebook.

"You guys really want more pictures?"

Doesn't this expression say so much? Mom, Jess, are you guys serious? Are we really going to take MORE pictures of me and my brother? I have to admit, I look at this picture and at this time of year I kind of feel like this ;) It's making me giggle just to look at it.


But here's younger brother B, hanging out inside during last weekend's rainstorm:


And Janet, this one is my new ALL TIME favorite of the boys. I adore adore adore their expressions here as they look at each other. Just too perfect.


With this one a close second. Love.


Happy guys in cute shirts :)


What's a brother picture without one tongue sticking out, after all? Wonderful to see you guys as always.

Share this on Facebook.

Rockin twins

I've been taking pictures of these sweeties since they were just couple months old. Now they're big and running all over the place! I love this frozen moment with piles of leaves in their hands:


Is that a leaf on your head?


In mommy's arms:


Giggling with daddy in the leaves:


And this next one cracks me up so much. It's not possible on this couch for the two of them to get further apart.


But give them a minute and they're all scooted over next to each other telling secrets:


Lovely lady in the sun:


And look at this handsome boy:


And off they go!


Great to see you guys again!

Share this on Facebook.

Fun in the leaves

These guys had gorgeous piles of leaves all set in their front yard when I got there - and the leaf fight that ensued was full of fantastic moments for pictures:


But then this mama told me there was no picture that had ever been taken of her with all four of her kids. We had to remedy that. I love this one, all wrapped around her:


Dad and one of his little guys, in a nice hug. Great smiles:


Dad and his biggest guy - so handsome:


Mom and the other little guy, cracking each other up:


And I just love this one of the two girls, nose to nose in a smooch.


What a good looking group!


And we had to just grab a parents pic quickly at the end. The kind of picture we never take of ourselves, but it's so nice to have.

Share this on Facebook.

A threefer!

I went to college with these three cuties' mom and dad. Their dad gave their mom a gift certificate for this shoot last Christmas, and after a few reschedules, we finally did it! It was so much fun to get a chance to meet them at their uncle's place in the North End. The oldest (A) and youngest (baby C) had a blast watching their brother bounce on the bed (look at those thighs on baby C!):


Not to mention the lashes on lovely A:


C has incredible eyes. How do his parents ever say no to this face?


And C loved looking at his mama. The big toe in this shot is my favorite.


Then we went outside and had some fun in the leaves at the park:


Running around:


Playing on the playground:


Peek-a-boo!


So great to meet your little guys! It was a great fun shoot, thanks for coming to Boston for it.

Share this on Facebook.

Four times the fun

At 8:15am a couple of Saturdays ago I sent out an email to my waiting list letting them know my 11am appointment had just cancelled due to illness... and this fast typing mama replied right away. She had all FOUR of her munchkins ready for pictures less than 3 hours later. I think that might be a world record :)

Not only were they adorable, they had tons of fun with their parents:


Running around outside:


The newest addition, handsome G:


Sweet W:


Lovely R:


And beautiful C:


All four in a pile :) Great fun getting to know you guys. Can't wait to catch up with you another time!

Share this on Facebook.

Daddy, can I chew your nose?

My six month old is doing the same thing little Z is doing here in this picture - she's chewing anything and everything she can get in her mouth. It's as if she's saying, "Daddy, I've got these teeth coming in, and they're really hurting me... do you have anything at all that I can chew on to make them feel better?... Really?...Definitely, I'd love to chew your nose."


Isn't she gorgeous? Do you believe the eyelashes?


And we had to get one in the winter hat, of course. The tongue here cracks me up:


And when grandparents are nearby at photoshoots (these ones generously lent us their house for the shoot), I love to grab a picture of them, too. The back of granddad's hand is as big as Z's whole face here!


And can't forget pretty grandma, either:


Do you recognize the polka dot pattern in this next picture? Yes, it's Z's coat, that she was wearing in that picture with her grandma right up there. And her silly dad has it on his head. Anything for a giggle! (And as you can see, it worked.) I love that you see the whole scene here :)


Giggles, a cute belly, and mama.


And then we popped everyone on the couch for a quick shot before we headed outside.


And Z needed an outfit change before we went out. I love this moment of two daughters and their moms. Everyone with a grin.


I love all the smiles in this one:


And here we have four generations of beautiful women! Amazing. What a treat to grab this shot. I loved meeting you guys, thanks so much for having me out.

Share this on Facebook.