It is so hard to believe how fast babies change.  It is literally right before your eyes.  For me, the problem with that is it is so hard to remember what they were like.  Even as I look back at pictures, I find it hard to compare because the pictures themselves are so different.   So, I love doing comparison pictures like the one below.  They do require some planning to ensure as many of the details as possible stay the same – but I encourage you to try something like this.

Here are some tips:

1. Always take the picture in the same exact spot of your house, and during the same time of day so the light is similar.  The best spot would be right near a window so you don’t need to use flash.

2.  Clear out all the background clutter possible so the focus is on the baby.

3. Ideally you want the clothing to be the same.  So, you can do a naked baby/diaper shot, or if you are really thinking ahead – buy an identical clothing piece like a onsie in 3 different size.  I like to keep as much skin showing as possible though.

4. Keep your camera angle the same.  When doing the second picture, print out a copy of the first picture so you can refer to it as you take the second one.

5. Try and get a shot where the baby is in a similar position.  I wouldn’t recommend you doing what I did because both of these shots are photoshop composites. A 3 month old cannot sit up by them self, and I wouldn’t leave a 7 month old alone on a stool.  :)  The easiest thing would probably be to have your baby sit up against a couch or chair, or have them laying on their back.   Another idea is to have a parent  hold the baby.  You would want to make sure things like your outfit, hair style, and the position you held the baby in remained the same.

Drop me a line if have any questions!  (bonnie@cbportraits.com)  I’ll be posting a 12 month old shot soon (as sad as it makes me…why do they have to grow so fast?)  I just need to knit a bigger diaper cover.  Poor thing was losing her circulation I think! :)

So, yes, this pretty much speaks for itself!  Please contact me if you have any questions.  Also, just a heads up to be on the look out for a really great Father’s Day gift idea.  More info coming next month!

Here’s little Josiah, or J-man as he is lovingly called by his parents.   I could not have asked for a sweeter, sleepier, more laid back little guy.  His parents warned me when they came that he constantly pees and poops.  Well, little Josiah didn’t have a single accident!  And, what a sleeper!  We did pose after pose and he just slept right through it.   I do feel bad though for mom and dad who groggily laughed about their nocturnal baby.   So, J-man – your reversed sleeping habits were very helpful for your photo session, but please start to sleep better for your mommy and daddy!

Mommy indirectly paid me one of the highest compliments when, describing to her husband what it was like to watch me pose her baby, she said “It’s like watching art.”   That really is my goal with each precious little baby I photograph.  I want  to create very personal art that families can proudly display in their homes.   So, here is is – the adorable J-man.

I was so glad the F family called me to do their maternity and infant pictures!  They were up for any idea I had and I think I moved almost every piece of furniture in their living room. :)  Isn’t this mommy-to-be beautiful!  She didn’t even act pregnant either.  I had her in some positions that most pregnant women would find very difficult, but she hardly seemed bothered.  I kept asking her if she wanted to stop and take a break, but aside from a little huffing and puffing, she kept right on going! :)   I think that happens when you have an older child to take care of during your pregnancy.  Well, there’s that, and this mommy is a Kindergarten teacher who is working right up until she has this little baby.

Thanks so much F family – I’m so excited to meet your new addition.  And, just so you know, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a red-head! :)

**I really loved all the pictures – and I couldn’t have decided which one was my favorite!  I think everyone in the contest deserves something special.  So, each of the 6 families in the contest will get 25% off their total print order; to be used with any new session.  This discount must be redeemed by 10/10.  Thanks again!

I know many of you love taking pictures of your kids, and probably often wonder how you can get your pictures to look better!  I came across this website that has come good articles on how to take better pictures of your kids.  Check it out!

I’m also thinking about offering a “Photography 101″ class where I’ll give tips and instruction on how to take better pictures with whatever camera you have.  It would just be a few hours, but it would be hands-on, with live “models” to practice on.  It will be very basic – it isn’t for anyone thinking of becoming a photographer; it is only open to moms (or dads) who just want to learn how to take better pictures of their kids.   I haven’t decided on the date yet, but I would only be able to take a very limited number of people. So, if this is something you are interested in, email me at bonnie@cbportraits.com

Oh, and I’ve been updating the blog contest each day with a current tally – so feel free to go check!  I’ll be announcing the winner on Friday morning!

Happy New Year everyone!  I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted.  The holidays are such a busy time!  I’ve also been updating and organizing much of my business.  I’m not finished, but you will probably notice several changes both to the blog and website.  I’d love to know what you think!  My goal is to showcase everything in a simple, classic format that is easy to navigate.  Feel free to send me some feedback on what you like and what you see could use some improvement.

Well, I thought I’d start off the new year with a  look back at some of my favorite images from 2009!  I wanted to put together a slide show, but that didn’t happen. :)  So, it was really hard, but I went back through all my images from this past year, and picked out a handful of my favorite ones.

I thought thought it would be fun to have a CONTEST where you all could vote for your favorite image!   The mommy from the family whose image wins will receive a really cool prize!  Check it out – it’s stylish bucket bag that will display a gorgeous image from their session.

So, here they are, in random order, some of my favorite images from 2009!  Leave a comment on this post with the number you want to vote for.  The contest will end at 11:59 pm on Thursday January 7th, 2010 (woohoo – my first time typing the new year! ).  So, comment away and invite all your friends to do the same!  I’ll post the winner on Friday!  (Just a note:  Because my blog is set up so that I have to approve comments,  your comment won’t show up instantly after you vote, but I’ll make sure it gets up soon!)

Update on Thursday 1/6/10 – top 3 pictures

Picture #2 -42 votes

Picture #4 -38 votes

Picture #5-20 votes

Voting will end at Midnight tonight!

We just got back from a family trip to a place you may have been to before, but it was brand new to us.  It’s pretty amazing!  Basically, you put a wildlife museum and a retail store together and you get Cabelas.  A dream come true for a hunter…or kids.   It was quite an adventure for them – and a cheap family trip for us. :)

So, here is our experience…

Don’t be fooled by those cute smiles above.  Be prepared for some scary stuff!  Poor Ellie was so scared of the polar bear, her hair stood straight up!

And, they even have a food court area with delicious entrees like smoked ostrich, and buffalo burgers.  Here’s Brian trying to decide what he thinks of the buffalo burger….

They also had an aquarium area, pond with fish, shooting range…plus everything you could ever imagine for the outdoors.  It was really a fun time!  Go and create some memories with your family!

These two are just two of the cutest kids I know!   It is amazing what a few months will do though.  Little Barrett, now 3 months old and a chunk, was just under 5 pounds last time I saw him!  He was actually the tiniest infant I’d ever held I think.  Take a look. This is the reason I can’t stress enough how important an infant session is.  Newborns change so drastically in such a short, fleeting amount of time.  And, try as you might, those precious memories  fade quickly and are forever forgotten.

His 3 year old big brother is still getting used to the idea of a baby, and I *think* this picture of the two of them together might be the first time he has ever “held” his little brother.   What a fun little guy though!  He is an energetic, happy  little guy who loves anything with two wheels – especially Thomas!  I cracked up when mom and dad told me, when driving, they take detours  to cross over train tracks and *hope* that a train crosses.  :)

Happy 1st birthday to this little cutie pie!   This little guy was on the go, and I mean he literally never stopped moving for more than a second.   He had just learned to walk the week before, and was totally more interested in walking and climbing than paying attention to me.  I think the one thing that worked to get his attention was to sing, “If you are happy and you know it.”  So although I, along with mom and dad, were exhausted – I just love this age!   His 2 1/2 year old big sister was ready to pose for the camera also.   Aren’t they a pair of cuties!