Celebrating Abbey | Baby photography, Wilmington, NC

Sometimes it's nice to be wrong - and this time, Abbey proved me wrong. When her mom contacted me, asking for a newborn session - with her daughter already 5weeks old - I warned her that it would be difficult to get typical newborn shots at her age. You would think, just a month old isn't too old, but for newborn curliness - it often is - especially since I advise moms to get babies to me before they are 10 days old. Often times, I'll even encourage parents to wait a bit longer for the session until baby is actually stronger (holding head up and stuff). Well, it's a good thing we went ahead with this session. She was a DREAM to photograph.

I got there and she was already asleep.

And then she let me unwrap her - and continued to sleep some more - would you look at those eye-lashes and head of hair! This is pure sweetness!
And then she woke up - and tried to figure out what was going on - she wasn't too sure of me at first.

But then, oh my, she just started smiling and almost laughing - she was having a great time!

So, after some food - she konked back out - and look at this - I would NEVER have thought I could get an almost 6week old to do this!

Ahhhh - so sweet!

I'm so glad I got to meet Abbey and her parents - what an awesome experience. I can't wait to go through the rest of her portraits! Thanks mom and dad for giving me the opportunity to capture this time in her life! Don't forget, I love comments!

Celebrating Families | Beach Photography, Wilmington, NC

What a fun, fun, family! I love meeting new families and this family is no exception. Mom bid and won this session at an auction at a local community school - and I'm so glad she did. Her two girls were a hoot! So much character and energy. Youngest daughter, Miss B - was constantly striking poses - always ready for an audience.

And big sister, C - was a bit more reserved at first - very aware of the camera. Near the end of the session - mom and dad gave up keeping them out of the water - and I'm so glad they did - because then the real fun started. The girls LOVED it - and big sister C came out of her shell. Really - I love this image - I hope all parents let their kids "play" at beach photo sessions!

The two girls were really into it - mom, dad, and I just sat and smiled. Their breaks were only brief - but sweet!

This portrait cracks me up - so much fun! At this point in time I couldn't really get them to be serious- but it's ok - I think it's them!

Thanks so much for the awesome session! I can't wait to share them all with you!

Celebrating Harper - 2.5months | Baby Photographer, Wilmington, NC

I'll tell you - you never know what you are going to get with babies - expecially babies between 2-4 months (well, any age - but especially this age!) Harper's parents were in town visiting family - so it was the perfect opportunity for a beach session - or so we thought. It ended up being really HOT this weekend - so we opted to start the session in my natural light studio!!!! It's so awesome to have this space now to offer to families. We thought it would keep Harper happy - and cool.

Well, things started looking pretty good at first.
And then maybe not so good. It's hard to stay happy when you're a baby.

And what we discovered was that he was very tired.

So dad did his best to keep him awake for a little bit longer - and Harper managed to pull out a smile for us all!

And then proceeded to let us know that he was DONE with the studio! Check out the expression on his face - paired with the non-verbal communication of his middle finger. Ok, this is really an out-take - but I couldn't NOT include it.

So, we went to the beach. It was still HOT - even at 7:30. Harper still wanted to sleep - so we went with it - what else can you do with a baby on the beach?

Mom is just stunning in this one to me - being a mommy looks real good on her!

Such a beautiful family.

I hope you'll be seeing more of Harper and his parents. They come to the area often - and I actually go to their area often, too!

Don't forget.....I love comments!

Celebrating Birthdays - Happy 2nd Morgan! | Child Photographer, Wilmington, NC

Well, someone has certainly grown up! I met Morgan last year http://danajacksonphotography.blogspot.com/2008/06/lets-party-with-morgan.html when she turned 1. Well, today she turns TWO and look how much she has grown!!! She is still as beautiful as ever - and so fun to photograph. Usually 2yr olds can be a bit difficult - but we got to spend some one-on-one time (which makes a big difference most of the time) and it truly paid off!

Ok, I had to add one more - I was looking through them this morning - and her expression on this one just drew me in. I don't know if it's the eye contact - the slight smile - I don't know - but she looks like she's older than 2 - and that she knows more than she's saying!

I love her face here - this is her - looking at the door just as her daddy walked into the room. Sigh.

Running around after her party.

Trying to give me flowers! I had to be quick here - because she wasn't sitting too long!

When we first went outside - she wasn't sure what to think - so I broke out my umbrella - thinking it would help her warm up. Well, at first I was worried it would have the opposite effect - she got very serious. But then she started to have FUN! I love her stance and expression in the last one here!

What a fun party - and I was glad to be a part of it. Parents - if you haven't considered hiring a photographer to photograph your child's birthday party - you are missing out!

Don't forget to leave birthday wishes for the birthday girl!

Celebrating Kona | Newborn Photographer in Brunswick Co

Meet Kona - just 5 days old - and such a cubby, sweet little girl! I thought at first that she was going to be a challenge to get to sleep - but with enough food, she konked out!

I love the way her hands are by her face - and I love, love her pouty little bottom lip. I'm sure she will use it to her full advantage as she gets older!

And she was awake for a little while - and was sooooo cooperative.

I can't wait to get through the rest - it was such a great session. Please leave comments - I love them and so do the new parents!

Celebrating Jeremy | Newborn Photographer in Wilmington, NC

I just love babies! Meet Jeremy, just 3 weeks old. I was a little worried before heading to the session about how sleepy and curly he would be. Typically newborns photograph best when they are under 10 days old. Well, Jeremy proved to be the perfect baby! He was still curly - and slept, and slept, and slept. I've been getting very lucky with sleeping babies lately.

I really struggled with whether to show this image in color or black/white - and finally decided that b/w - but really - it was a hard choice! And believe it or not - I didn't pose him this way. I was trying to move him into a different position - and I started adjusting the bean bag he was laying on - and there he went - just being a perfect newborn! I love this image!

This is just the first of dogpiles I'm sure these boys are going to have growing up together - but none will be quite as sweet. Big brothers were so good. They got all their giggles out - and then were very still making sure their baby brother was safe. Thanks boy!

What an awesome session! Thanks for all the blog love I've been getting lately - I've been busy and I've had some busy readers, too! It means a lot to me and the families!

Celebrating Ballerinas | Carolina Beach Photographer

The first year of dance. It's almost a rite of passage for every little girl. This session was all about celebrating that milestone for Abby. Her mom wanted more than just the studio portrait provided by the dance studio - she wanted to celebrate - and that's what I do!

I had this shot in my head before the session - Abby on the hill - backlit - holding the parasol - but what I didn't anticipate was that the wind would be off the hill making it way too difficult for her to hold the parasol herself. So, luckily, big brother was there to help! This shot might even be sweeter!
And then, although I don't have pictures to prove it - right after that picture - Abby ran down the hill, tripped, and fell right into a cactus plant! Yes, that's right - into a cactus plant. She was covered in cactus prickles. I've never seen anything quite like it. The only way we could get them all out of her was to strip her down - all the way - and pull them out one by one. It was quite a site. But if anyone knows Abby, you know that she is the most accident prone little girl - and that she is really a trooper and can typically shake most stuff off.

So, cactus prickles gone, clothes back on, tears wiped away......The Show Must Go On!

What a fun, fun session! I love it when parents think about the little things to celebrate.

Celebrating a New Space (and a cute baby) | Carolina Beach Photographer

I'm so pleased to announce that I have a new natural light studio! Back in March I started renting a space above LeSoleil http://livebythesun.com/ in Carolina Beach to use as a gallery/showroom. It's been working great as a place to showcase some of my work, and also as a place to meet with clients (since I'm now offering in-person proofing!) Well, I've been thinking for a while that, although small, there was some beautiful light in the room most of the time. I think it could be the ideal location for mini-sessions for older kids (that don't need a lot of running room) or babies that aren't running yet! So, I went looking for a subject to photograph - I needed a baby that was sitting up, but not yet crawling - and I found the perfect one. You met P back in December when she was just 4 weeks old http://danajacksonphotography.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html. She was the perfect candidate - she is almost 7months old - sitting beautifully, and lives right around the corner from me and the studio! Perfection!

So, if you're still reading.....welcome to my studio! These are all natural light portraits - and I'm sooooooo excited!

Now, P is a very serious girl - but finally by the end she let the smiles out! Thanks so much Laurie for letting me borrow P!




I'd love to hear what you think - so please leave comments! And if you want to book a session for this awesome space - just let me know!!!!

Celebrating Pregnancy | Wilmington Maternity Photographer

I can't believe it was 10 years ago that I was married and this beautiful mommy-to-be was my flower girl!!!! While in Boone this past weekend for a quick vacation with friends, I was able to catch up with other friends and see Candace for a super quick session - and I mean quick - ummmm maybe 15 minutes!!! She is due with her first baby in just one month. I so wish I wasn't 5 hours away - because I would love to photograph her new baby girl.
When I saw this expression on Candace's face - it was like a blast from the past. It's how I remember her. Anyone who knows Candace - knows this look!
Maybe one of my favorite belly shots! Typically I do this shot with mom sitting down - but in this one she was standing up - and I was very carefully perched on a bar stool - I like the shape of her belly!

It was so good to see you Christie and Candace - I can't wait to see you again!