Innocence
Curiosity
Exploration
Defining
Adventure
Devotion
Perfection
Commitment
Excitement
Anticipation
A sweet thing.
Posted on March 5, 2010
The 3 month age is always challenging. So many physical things are a challenge at this age. When they are chubby and rolly-polly, they are almost edible. I love this cherub-ish physic. This little man was so incredibly sweet.
With his mother wrapped around him, he shares an expressive face. I appreciate expression of all kinds in young children. Smiles are like jewels, but all the others feelings are worthy as well. You’ll find no one more honest than a baby.
Big sister was eager to get the attention, typical of her age. When they want to lay down, I let them. I don’t fight with children. Sometimes the best images emerge when you go with the flow. She laid down and I playfully spread her hair across the canvas below. Somewhere between her silliness and laughing appeared this soft, serious expression. It was my favorite. Traditionally, this would be a very improper pose. Why fight it? She gave me something beautiful! I wasn’t about to scold her and ask her to sit on a stool and hold her hand up to her chin. Lying like this, she was angelic.
I remember a phrase I heard once…”if you listen, people will tell you who they are.” I try to be in the moment when photographing people. They say a lot. Even when there are no words involved.
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Our Journey.
Posted on March 1, 2010
One of the things I love most about photographing people is learning about their lives, and the journey they are on, and how they ended up in that moment with me. Newborn sessions (best in the first 10 days of life), are a great opportunity to learn about the parents.
This little man slept snugly in dad’s service helmet. A piece of protective equipment that has traveled quite a bit. Dad serves with the National Guard, and has been on active duty at times. This little man has a big hat to fill.
Men and women are still on active duty, all around the globe, serving our wonderful country. And remember that many of them leave behind a spouse and children. They too sacrifice for our freedoms. As a civilian, it is easy for me to go on with my life and not think about our uniformed friends over seas. This image has really stuck with me. It hits me in the heart. In this tiny new baby I see peace and calm. And the men and women wearing these helmets abroad helped to make this moment possible.
Hello color! I just had to try something new. He was so very cooperative.
And sleepy.
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All wrapped up.
Posted on February 23, 2010
This sweetheart, with her gummy smile, is wrapped in a hand made quilt. The fabric patches are special. Each taken from the clothes of Grandma’s children, nieces, and nephews. I would call it a story quilt. Can you imagine the stories that go with each little piece? There’s a lot of love tangled up in there. Heirlooms are great items to include in your photography session, particularly with children.
She was already six weeks old before I met her for the first time, yet she already knew her place in the family. It was usually in mama or daddy’s arms.
She’s healthy, and happy, and she’s part of a special minority group. Less than 1% of babies in the United States are born at home with a midwife, and she is one of them. Just one more reason why this on-location home session was meaningful to the parents.
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The challenge becomes the masterpiece.
Posted on February 11, 2010
She was a sweet newborn. She came to the studio when she was just a few days old. Mom had done a very good job being pregnant. So good, in fact, that she carried this little one many, many days past her due date. Her tiny newborn started her session with eyes wide open. I don’t see this wide-eyed look very often with newborns. It’s always a surprise.
This is my new favorite girlie-girl chair. Her little red bloomers were perfect for it.
I consider this image one of my masterpieces! She was the 5th newborn with whom I’d attempted this complicated display. There are a LOT of variables to perfect to actually make it work. With the 5th attempt, I was still up for the challenge. And finally, for a few short minutes, I was able to capture something I’d envisioned for months. My special delivery to you…
This image was part of a wall gallery grouping I had chosen for Open House a few weeks ago. The lab that printed it has since called and asked to use it, along with two others previous shown here on the blog, for one of their own displays. I was very honored. Thank you baby Abby.
Newborn Session Info: Newborn images are best taken in the first 10 days of life. Please schedule newborn sessions before the baby is born. We allow for some schedule flexibility with newborns and will be prepared to provide a newborn session in the few weeks before or after your due date. Days 5 to 6 of life are the best time to capture your tiny new baby.
Something old and something new.
Posted on February 3, 2010
Adding a studio space to Vanessa G. Photography has created the opportunity for indoor portraiture during these dreary winter months. The theme remains the same: authentic, modern, and beautiful. The space is new, but the signature clean, contemporary look is still the same. To follow are many examples. Mini session dates for the studio will be announced tomorrow.
This handsome little fella was a recent visitor to the new space. He came with quite an interesting story. The christening gown he’s wearing has been worn many times before. It’s made of cotton. Cotton that was grown on the family farm about 140 years ago. A fine, talented woman, his very great-great (maybe greater) grandmother, spun that very cotton into thread and carefully crafted it into this very gown. It has been handled with care for many generations.
When you come to the studio, bring something special with you!
Hats are great on little heads. This one came with him. Like a bonus of cuteness.
A little silliness is always allowed and encouraged.
At 7 months old, babies can, and usually do, play with their own feet. We were waiting for that moment. Often I take the cuteness in whatever form they are willing to give. This little white shirt and curled posture worked for me.
Babies communicate in every way they know how. Making funny faces comes with the catalog of expressive tools. Handsome little stinker.
One more makes four.
Posted on January 30, 2010
A family grows a little at a time…
Baby number one was a beautiful little girl. She is so smart! And by that I mean she had just turned four and she could fill in the missing numbers as I counted to 20. That was a little counting game we played as I followed her around the yard. 
Here she looks a *little* older than four. It wasn’t part of my master plan. There she was, in this adorable dress, and all I said was “go ahead, climb up there and get comfortable.” We were at Grandma’s house and she was a little concerned that the old red chair wasn’t picture worthy. I saw in it great potential on that very cold day. It was perfect.
I love watching parents interact with their kids. The games on this day included hide-n-seek, a who-blinks-last game, and this toss-the-kid fun. I’ve only done this a few times and it always amazes me how high they are in the final image! It’s like dad helping his angel fly.
Baby number two arrived a few weeks early. So even at a few weeks old, she was still about the size of a newborn. I love that she stared at me. Maybe it was the big camera that she was trying to figure out.
Capturing the hands and feet and adorable little parts is always part of a baby session for me. I love how moms fingers spread to display her new baby’s little hand. I had never captured a baby’s hand in this way before. It is always rewarding to capture something new.
In honor of the half inch of ice on my patio, here is one last image. I love how sweet they look together. Two sisters who will spend a lifetime together.
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A little nap.
Posted on January 12, 2010
Mr. Cutie Pie here was not a happy camper when I arrived for our session. Within a few minutes he had melted into tears. Poor little thing. He was hungry and sleepy. Like always, young children require me to have a certain amount of patience. So I suggested we let him nap. Yes, during our session. Mama fed him and took him inside for a little cat nap. Boy what a difference it made.
That colorful shirt worked out great in both color and black and white prints.
This expression is so cute.
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A little laugh.
Posted on December 15, 2009
Babies aren’t able to laugh out loud at first. That skill develops somewhere around the three month mark. This little darling brought his newly developed laugh to the studio with him. And it was completely adorable. Mom said I was witnessing day two of the new laugh. It made me feel all warm and fussy inside to do something resulting in a little cackle. It’s so rewarding to be ridiculously silly and have a baby think you’re funny.
Here is the serious face. Still makes ME smile though.
During his 10 minute cat nap. We captured this one. There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby.
Currently, I reserve the studio photography for babies four months and under. Although there are some fun new things in the works for the studio that you’ll be hearing about soon! If you crave those itty bitty newborn images, please schedule your session before the baby is born. Most of the images here on the “Innocence” gallery were taken before 10 days old. Yes! That’s early!
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God’s art work.
Posted on December 11, 2009
It’s amazing how a few cells come together and during a 9 month incubation they multiply into a beautiful little being like this one. She was carefully crafted through a process we may never fully understand. Her skin is perfect. There are ten tiny fingers and toes. Her hair is soft and wispy and her lips a perfect pink. Everything about her is amazing. A heart that beats and lungs that breathe. She knows her mothers voice and smell. Completely helpless in every way, but still so beautiful.
She is a work of art. God’s perfect creation.
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The smallest things.
Posted on October 23, 2009
Newborns are so shiny and new. So innocent. When they sleep like a rock, these are the kinds of images I end up with. These types of images are usually only possible in the first 10 days of life, with day 6 being ideal. Why? Because babies were curled up in womb and will happily curl up in those first two weeks. They also sleep more readily and more soundly.
I do prefer newborn images in black and white for several reasons. One is because most newborns, while completely beautiful, are also usually sporting purple feet and a few other shades of color that will disappear in the first few weeks. BW images have the ability to take away our perception of color (which naturally draws in our eye) and allows us to focus on the expression, contrast, and simplicity. She’s just perfect.
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