Celebrating Grandparents | Wrightsville Beach Photographer

You've probably seen this sweet little girl on my blog before - back last fall. Well, her parents gave the best gift her grandparents.....a gift certificate for a portrait session! It was so fun and it was obvious to me (and I'm sure to you) that this little girl is loved, loved, loved!

A little playtime first!

Nothing like flying high!
Being silly
In this little grassy area - they found 1 flower - and she didn't pick it - she just looked and looked.
I want a picture like this of me and my grandpa. Sigh.
Endless LoveWhat a pleasure to have fun on the beach! Thanks so much for thinking of me when you were giving gifts!

Celebrating Newborns | Newborn photographer in Wilmington, NC

Do you remember the beautiful homebirth I was able to attend? Well, I went back to get some newborn shots of sweet baby I. I learned a couple years ago from the great http://millieholloman.com/ to go into a session "camera ready" because you never know where "the" shot is going to be. So, I was ready when I got here. Baby "I" was still asleep in her cradle - and mom assured me she was about to wake up (and she was) - so I pulled off her blanket to get a quick peek to see how much she'd grown since her birth - and awwww - this sweet little smile - dimples and all - is what I received. There's a lot technically wrong with this shot - but you know what - I love it anyway!

Then she got all dressed up for her debut. This is what daddy picked out for her. She was WIDE awake now!

Big brother E took his job very seriously. She really didn't want much to do with being put down - but did enjoy snuggling with brother.

If you remember from this family's maternity session http://danajacksonphotography.blogspot.com/2009/03/and-one-on-way-makes-4-maternity.html you'll remember what a happy, infectious family it is. Well, this pictures just proves it! Everyone is full of smiles - even the baby!

A quite moment with mom and baby. Ahhhh - this one melts my heart.

I think I'm all caught up on my newborns, now - well until next month!!!!

Celebrating Family | Wilmington, NC Family Photographer

Oh, my - what beautiful girls and an awesome family! I've been trying to photograph this family since last year - but weather and colds got in the way. When I first met this family, Little R wasn't even sitting up on her own very well - and now look at her - walking all over the place!
Big sister A was such a treat to photograph. So happy and full of energy!

I love it when a family wants family portraits done in a fun and candid style. This is totally my style - and what I love to shoot!

Although we were nearing the end of the session and Little R had pretty much let me know she was done - I still got a sweet look from her!

Man, oh man, watch out world - Little A is going to be a heartbreaker - look at those eyes. How could anyone ever say no to her?

Nothing like having a big sister to pull you around when you're tired of walking!

Thanks for looking! And, if you're thinking about booking your own family session - you might want to call now! I'm booking up fast - and am now scheduling into June!

Celebrating Preschool | Child photographer in Wilmington, NC

Cute, cute, cute kids! I love preschoolers! They are so full of laughter, energy, LIFE! I always have so much fun photographing this school in Kure Beach.

I always try to get pictures of siblings that attend - it's so fun.

And often quite a challenge! If you knew these two cuties - you would know this is totally them!

And the winner is.....| Family photographer, Wilmington, NC

Congratulations, Dana - you are the winner of the first ever Celebrating Moms Mother's Day Contest! All the moms were so deserving, I know it was a hard decision to pick just one. Thank you so much to everyone that nominated an awesome mom and everyone that voted. I couldn't have success if it weren't for all of you! Now you have all gotten me excited for my next contest. Yep - that's right - my next contest!!!! You'll have to keep a watchful eye out to find out the details!

I'll be sure to share the images from Dana's session as soon as we have it!

Celebrating Life | Birth Photography, Wilmington, NC

Wow - just wow - it's really all I can say. I've been wanting to photograph a birth for about a year and last week I photographed my first birth - and how lucky for me - it was a homebirth. You've seen this beautiful family before http://danajacksonphotography.blogspot.com/2009/03/and-one-on-way-makes-4-maternity.html. Being a part of the birth experience just makes them even more beautiful to me. I arrived early in the morning after she'd be laboring for almost 12 hours. I was excited and nervous about this experience. I wanted to capture it all - yet wanted to be out of the way and preserve the intimacy of a homebirth.


I love how supportive dad was during the whole time. She just melts into him.

I also loved how they included big brother whenever he wanted. I love how his arm is around them both - just melts my heart.

Several hours later - like almost 24 hours since her labor started - it's down to the wire. Mom was so tired, she was able to totally relax inbetween contractions - she is so beautiful here.

Just minutes away from the birth - and everyone in the room is pushing. Mom and dad are looking at a mirror - I love mom's face as she sees her new miracle.

They did it! It's a girl!

Safe in mama's arms - so sweet - just minutes old.

This family is so full of love. Mom, Dad, big brother, new baby sister, and both grandmas. Perfection.
Big brother was the one to cut the cord - he took his job very seriously.
New, new, new.
Time for a snuggle with grandma.

I hope this is just the first of many births for me. I'm still smiling from the whole experience. If you, or someone you know, is interested in preserving the birth through photography, please don't hesitate to call me. I'd love to do this again, and again, and again!

Meet the Moms - it's time to VOTE!

The time has come for the voting to begin! I’m so excited about this. There were so many awesome moms that were nominated – so many stories shared – so much love in Wilmington alone. It was so difficult to narrow it down to just 10 that the panel of judges just couldn’t do it – so now we have the Top 11. Who am I to argue with the judges!

Now, the rest is up to you! You have a tough job ahead of you because all these moms deserve to win. And remember – the winner receives a $400 portrait package, hair cut and style, personal training, dinner out, and gifts.

Here’s how the voting works. Below are the 11 contestants, each with a picture and brief description written by a loved one. If you want to read the whole story, you can click http://danajacksonphotography.com/stories.txt
and read all of the stories on one looooong page. If that’s a bit overwhelming for you – you can just click on the link next to each picture to read just their story. Then, once you’ve made your decision – you need to focus your attention on the poll to the right of this blog. Yep – right there on the right! Now, all you have to do is click on the contestant you think deserves to be celebrated.

Have fun, be fair, and celebrate life with me!


Contestant #1
Dana A - nominated by her friend, Betsy.
Quick stats: mother of 3 - one teen and two in their 20s.

"She deserves to be celebrated because she would never acknowledge that who she is and what she does, is extraordinary."

Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/dana.txt





Contestant #2
Tre C - nominated by her husband, David.
Quick Stats: mom to 1 child - under 6 months old.

"She is a wonderful mother, who wants all the best for our son and a wonderful wife who is willing to do anything for me."

Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/tre.txt




Contestant #3
Jessica E - nominated by her husband, Andrew.
Quick stats: mom to 2 - ages 1 and 3

"Just thinking of what she does for our kids motivates me to be a better father."


Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/jessica.txt




Contestant #4
Liz G - nominated by her friend, Jessica
Quick stats: mom to one 3yr old son.

"Above all, I think that Liz winning this contest would mean that she would be putting herself first for once. That is the greatest prize of all."

Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/liz.txt





Contestant #5
Sun Ye H - nominated by her daughter, Victoria.
Quick stats: 2 grown children, 1 grandchild.

"I am so proud to call her my mom! Her example of motherhood is one that I will strive to live up to for the rest of my life!"


Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/sun_ye.txt




Contestant #6
Elizabeth J (Beth J) - nominated by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth.
Quick stats: mom to 3 - 17, 16, and 12.

"Beth's unselfish nature has required her to save her pennies for her kids and not spend on herself. The pampering gifts you offered would be a fabulous way to give back to such a compassionate lady who is so deserving."

Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/elizabeth.txt


Contestant #7
Jennifer K - nominated by her son, JB.
Quick stats: mom to 5 - ages 4-18.

"She is a constant insperation to me and the rest of us. We want her to be recognized as who she is, a truly awsome mom."

Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/jennifer.txt


Contestant #8
Sandra M - nominated by her daughter, Jaimee.
Quick stats: mom to 18yr old twins

"I think of my mom as one of my best friends and someone I can always come to for anything.....she lifts me up when I’m down, mends my broken heart, and always has advice to give. I thank her so much for it, and I thank God so much for her."

Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/sandra.txt




Contestant #9
Jenn T - nominated by her husband, David.
Quick stats: mom to two boys - ages 2 and 3.5

"I am truly amazed at the balance she is able to provide to our family. Jenn is the most energetic and unselfish person that I have ever met."
Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/jenn.txt



Contestant #10
Brenda W - nominated by her daughter, Melissa.
Quick stats: mom to 4 grown children - "grammie" to 3 - ages 1-5

"She is also a wonderful "grammie" to my kids and gives them more love and attention than a child could ever imagine-even if she has just worked all night long and hasn't slept yet!"
Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/brenda.txt

Contestant #11
Allyson Y - nominated by her mom, Connie.
Quick stats: mom to two - ages 5months and 5 years.

"As a daughter, I see love, mercy, caring, and all the characteristics of God in her! Just simply by the way she lives."

Read more: http://danajacksonphotography.com/allyson.txt