I had the pleasure of photographing Kenzi's parents when they were expecting her and then again when she was just a few days old and then I got to see her at 6 months old and WOW, she has grown! What a happy, chunky little buddha baby! I can't wait to see them again in a few months!
Kenzi was *almost* sitting up on her own but just not quite there yet so we used an accoutrement of tricks of the trade to get a variety of different shots of her. She is very expressive and her facial expressions were constantly changing and making us laugh. I don't think I got the same face/look from her twice during the entire shoot. She didn't fuss or cry once. Total zen baby.
Here's a few favorites from the shoot:
So, we propped her in the tub with blankets all around to get some tub shots....
But all she wanted to do was lean back and grab her feet! So, we went with it!
Mom got this adorable tutu and polka dot onesie! TOO CUTE!
I need to mention that mom had her hand on the chair at all times and I photoshopped her hand out on the ones where I didn't crop it out in camera. I feel VERY strongly about safety and even in a stable chair, I do not allow any baby under 2 to sit alone without a parent stabilizing it. Babies are known for sudden, strong, jerking movements! I'm really picky about this. And I think photographers have an obligation and responsibility to their viewers to let them know when a shot has been altered due to a safety consideration so that others don't think it's OK to put a baby in a chair unattended! Safety first!
I just adore that we got a shot of her sucking her thumb. LOVE!
I loved this spot but the light was TERRIBLE. So I worked around it. I know this lighting looks like flash but I pinky swear that it was just my reflector positioned about 20 feet away in the one only super sunny spot left, leaning against the stroller at JUST the right angle. Problem solving at its best!
A cute quick story here. I was editing for a few hours on Sunday and the rule for the kids when I edit on the weekend is that they can be in my home office with me ONLY if they are not being disruptive, ie: not talking! HA! Ok, only kinda kidding. But, basically, they are allowed to be in my office, on the floor by my desk, reading or coloring or doing a puzzle etc... QUIET activities so I can focus on what I am doing and they can still be near me etc.. So, Ellie was coloring on the floor and she looked up as I was editing these next few shots and she says to me: "Wow, that mama is really pretty, she must love being a mommy because she looks so happy!" I loved that. Yes, Elisa is definitely a glowing, happy mama! :)
Here are some of the many expressions of Kenzi!
Don't think for one second I missed the matching sandals!
Kenzi and daddy!
We tried one last time to get some sitting in the tub shots....
But when she kept trying to eat the flowers we figured maybe she was trying to tell us something! Ha! :)