Here are two super cute kiddos from a family we’ve really enjoyed getting to know recently!

I just LOVE newborn sessions.    As parents arrive and unwrap their baby and I peek inside the blanket, it almost takes my breath away.  To know that this is a brand new little miracle, one that has never before been seen by the world…. is just amazing.   And it feels like such a privilege to be the first to capture such a perfect new life.  Those things such as how they can curl as if they were still in their mother’s womb, their smooth creamy skin, tiny little peeling toes and fingers, wispy hair, and little  rosebud mouth.  All these things that are so fleeting as they change so quickly in the first few weeks of life.

This little sweet pea was born with an infection and had to stay in the hospital for a while.  She had a rough start to life, but was such a little trooper!  She wasn’t too sleepy during the session, so we spent a good amount of time trying to get her to fall asleep.  But, when we did, she was just a little angel!

Thanks to everyone who voted in the “Let Me Decorate Your Nursery” contest!  We had over 1,000 votes from all around the world!

Congratulations to Nursery #2, Sophie Strick, who won!  I love her “we love you to the moon and back” nursery theme!  I’m looking forward to seeing you at 6 months Sophie!!!

It was good to see Miss Katie and her little brother again for Katie’s 3 year old pictures!  We had a great time playing on the swing set, chasing bubbles, dancing like a princess and riding on her hot pink 4 wheeler!  I love being able to see my little clients grow up!

I think I’m starting this contest a day later than I had said  – so sorry about that if you have been waiting!

Here are the 4 adorable nursery rooms you can vote for.  Remember, the winner receives a free newborn (or 6 month) session and (4) 11×14 mounted prints to decorate their baby’s room!  Each person can only vote once, but please send this link out to friends and family so everyone can vote!!!  The deadline is July 6th.  The room with the most votes by that date will win.

You can see each of the rooms below – the poll to vote in is under the pictures.

Introducing our newest product – Mini Albums!   They are adorable 3×3 (inch) albums that are custom designed with your session images.  They come in sets of 3 identical albums – so they are perfect for giving away to grandparents!  They have a hidden magnetic strip that keeps them closed, so the pages stay better protected as you carry it around.

You can choose an album with either a custom photo cover, or a variety of leather and fabric options {see below}.   They are just too cute – you really have to see them!  During your ordering session, we can instantly create your album just the way you want it!

Okay, the session is booked and the date reserved.  Whew, you do a little sigh of relief – until suddenly, the day before the session panic sets in….what are we going to wear?!?   So, that night you frantically pull piece after piece of clothing out of everyone’s closets.  It’s all strewn around the room and piled on the bed.  Dad’s shirt goes with sister’s dress, but brother has nothing that matches.  The baby recently grew out of her shoes and the only ones that match have Elmo on them…and of course you have nothing to wear!  So, you shrug your shoulders, and throw what you can together.

That is a situation I hope to help you avoid!  Figuring out what to wear is probably the toughest part about having a portrait session done.   It is especially tricky when trying to coordinate outfits for the whole family.    You don’t want to look matchy-matchy, yet everyone needs to somehow “go” together.

The reason I’m doing a post about this is because your clothing is VERY important.  It really has a large impact on your portraits.  I always tell people – you are spending a good amount of money on a session.  Your clothing is a part of that.  Take time to plan ahead and go shopping if you need to!

I do have specific tips/suggestions in the packet of info I send out to clients, but sometimes you just need to visualize.  So, I did a little online “shopping.”  And, let me tell you – it was really fun!  I almost never shop online – but wow – what a time saver doing it this way!

As a general rule, your clothing should be comfortable and allow you to move around easily.   And, when you are putting together outfits, pull out the colors from one person’s outfit, and dress other family members in those colors.  Try to stick with clothing that is simple (not busy), but incorporate layers (jackets), textures (like ruffles) and jewelry for a great look!

And, if you are unsure, feel free to bring a bunch of outfits along with you to your session and we’ll decide together what looks best!

So, here are the details!   To enter the contest, send me a picture of the nursery that awaits your little one.  The deadline to send in your picture is June 26th – you have little over a week!  You can email them to me at bonnie@cbportraits.com

I will put the pictures up on my blog and we’ll let the voting begin!  {You can send all your family and friends over to vote as well!!}  The picture with the most votes will win!

So……….the prize!!!

The winner will receive a FREE newborn (or a 6 month session, if your baby is already born) AND (4) 11×14 dry mounted portraits from the session to hang in the baby’s room!   So, spread the word to all your friends!  Remember to send me a photo of your baby’s room by June 26th.  The voting will start sometime on June 27th, and the contest will end on July 5th!  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me!

Oh, and don’t worry if your room isn’t finished yet – send it anyway!  It might inspire people to vote for you!

So – let’s see those nurseries!!!!!

I was so glad to be able to photograph this precious little guy!  Little Luke was so sleepy and calm – he was a perfect little model!  His family is friends of ours, but they are overseas missionaries, so we don’t see them very often.   I’m so glad they are able to spend the summer back here in Lancaster!

Well, the first ever CB Portraits Mini Session Day was a big success!   The weather was just perfect, and all the families and kids were just too stinkin’ cute!  Only one little guy was sick, and he still came and smiled so nicely for pictures.  :)    I had a lot of fun…but whew – I was ready for a nap!   Trying to get kids to open up, laugh, and be themselves to a stranger in just 20 min. (over and over again with each child) – is definitely a challenge!   Thank you so much to all of you who came!  It was so nice to see some of you again, and to meet some lovely new families.