Innocence
Curiosity
Exploration
Defining
Adventure
Devotion
Perfection
Commitment
Excitement
Anticipation
Posted on July 19, 2010
Recently Vanessa G. Photography has been honored with an invitation to display some of our distinct newborn artwork at a beautiful boutique store. The name says it all! Baby Swank, of Wilmington, NC. There you’ll find everything you need to set up your new baby’s nursery with a stylish and unique touch. Big brothers and sisters can find fun things there too! Furniture, decor, bedding, and toys fill every corner of Baby Swank with beautiful ideas. It’s hard to walk away without something.
There are over a dozen Vanessa G. Photography images on display with a few more to come soon. Visit Baby Swank next time you’re near! And tell them we sent you. And don’t be surprised if you’re planning your next visit before you get back to your car.
Posted on June 14, 2010
This little man is the apple that fell from Daddy’s tree. You can guess dad’s occupation. When mom brought in this awesome little prop for her sweet little boy to use in our session, I was so excited! Our little one here is about seven months old, the perfect age for sitting up and holding onto something. He was a happy, chunky delight. His expression here is perfect. Curious, like all babies at his stage of life. If you can capture them before they start to pull up and walk, you have a perfect model for the studio.
Mom and I sang and acted all kinds of silly to get those giggles out of him. It was so worth it. I love that he grabbed his feet!
Father’s Day is right around the corner. Does ‘daddy’ have a great image of his ‘mini-me’? If not, then you might want to give him that something special for this year. It’s true, that men are a little reluctant to schedule photography sessions on their own desires, but they sure do love to show off their little pride and joy’s once they have the great images in hand. I have had one little exception recently….a DAD who scheduled a secret session with me for his kids, just to surprise his loving wife. Awwwww. If only all men were so thoughtful, right?
(Moms, now would be a good time to click on that “send this post to a friend” or Facebook button at the bottom of this post and send it to your wonderful husband who needs some ideas for how to make you super happy. 
Posted on June 7, 2010
Please sign up for the new NEWSLETTER! First issue distributed this June. Sign up three ways: 1) The Newsletter tab above; 2) The Newsletter tab on Facebook; or 3) Click here: Newsletter Sign Up
Introducing the newsletter for me today is this recent newborn little man. He was a true challenge. I think it’s important to recognize that some baby’s arrive with “tummy issues.” As much as we’d like to think that all babies are peaceful and quite and at ease, they sometimes are not. But we love them just the same. And they are just as precious and beautiful. I am fully prepared to work with any baby, any size, any temperament, and any ‘issues.’ My job is to take into my hands this new perfect little being and capture all that wonderful perfection. I take this very seriously. I know that what I’m doing will last forever for that family. True history in the making!
Lucky shots are those that happen spontaneously. Newborn smiles, frowns, or in this case, yawns. They make us laugh and remind us that even though they are tiny and new, they are very much like us.
On rare occasion, a new baby will stare out into the room trying to figure out exactly what is going on. At this age, he can not see clearly beyond about 12 inches from his face. Ironically, about the same distance between him and his mother’s smile while feeding. When you think of it like that, a mother is the first face a baby really sees. A face he loves from his very first day on earth.
Posted on April 18, 2010
This lovely lady holds a few records with Vanessa G. Photography. The first time we met, she was just a tiny newborn. No one has ever accused me of not being a patient person. To date, hers was the longest newborn session I’ve done. It was worth it. My favorite image from that day can be found in the galleries. Hint: She wore a flower hat on that day too!
Recently we spent a little time getting reacquainted. Since the famous flower image of her as a newborn is on display in the studio, I couldn’t resist trying something similar. That baby girl in the giant pink flower hat is the most asked about image. Everyone wants to know where I found that hat. I didn’t. It was a baby shower gift that belonged to her.
This next one is my new favorite of her! You can almost hear her laugh just looking at her chubby cheeked smile.
A non-traditional family portrait is a fun way to show a little personality. If you look closely there are lots of little details that reveal things about this family.
We spent the last few minutes of our session in this pretty chair (mom’s pick). As luck would have it, baby girl turned on the charm and gave us tons of expression, laughs, and few diva-ish looks.
Posted on April 12, 2010
The first days of baby’s life are full of new experiences for baby and for parents. I remember what it was like to have a baby in my home for the first time. Each cry was concerning. Every breath was important, especially those first few nights when you’re afraid that the tiny baby sleeping in your room might suddenly forget how to breathe. And learning how to make a seemingly huge diaper fit that tiny little waist was only the beginning…of the explosive end…if you know what I mean. Ahhhh. The challenges that come with those tiniest of people.
This baby seemed somewhat different than all the rest that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. His name is Noah. Usually I leave out the name, but it’s important in this case. “Noah” is Hebrew in origin and means “peaceful.” He was exactly that. He’s the only baby I’ve ever photographed that didn’t cry. For two hours, he barely made a sound. The most perfectly peaceful newborn ever, even with his eyes open.
What! You can barely remember your baby/toddler/child/teenager being this small? Time flies doesn’t it? Another reason why I LOVE newborn photography. It takes place in the beginning of all things new. Ten days old or less is ideal.
Posted on April 4, 2010
This little guy is easy to love. Big blue eyes and a sweet personality. And he was easily entertained. He’s just the kind of baby that makes you want to go adopt a half dozen more of your own.
This was our second session together. Here he is at the perfect age for portraits. At about 9 months old, he could sit up well and independently, but not yet crawl with intense speed. This meant that we weren’t trying to hold him down. He could be himself and we enjoyed dressing him up and being the silly adults.
Like most babies, he was thrilled to be naked. In one slow moving get-a-way attempt, this image emerged. Mom continued to try and get his attention and I stayed ready. It paid off.
He looks like a doll, or a tiny model, I can’t decide. Either way, I loved every minute with him.
Posted on March 27, 2010
I first met the mother of this recent newborn a few years ago. Little did I know the struggle she was going through at that time. She gave birth to her first child, a son named Joshua, at 5 months gestation and he lived only a few hours. It seemed like a situation from which I wouldn’t have recovered, yet she was strong and positive. I remember being so amazed that her faith in God seemed to multiply instead of divide.
When she called me a few weeks ago with the news that her second child was on the way, I was overwhelmed with happiness for her. She had waited several years to have the chance to try it again. Even more surprising was the story behind the scenes. Because of issues related to infertility, she had been scheduled for surgery about nine months ago. During the pre operation test, it was discovered that she was pregnant with her second child. Now they are delighted to welcome a healthy, beautiful baby girl that has fulfilled many dreams.
Dads can participate in newborn sessions as well. He makes her looks so much smaller than she was in real life.
Mom and Dad both share a strong foundation in their faith. When they brought a Bible to their session, this is the image I had in my head. The book is opened to their favorite scripture in Psalm. In their lives, a miracle has happened, and their prayers were answered. It was appropriate that we captured an image of their baby girl in this place. Sometimes things happen in our lives that we cannot control. It’s how we respond to them that makes all the difference.
Infertility is a term familiar to a lot of women. I myself spent many, many unsuccessful months waiting for that positive pregnancy test. It is a lonely journey. One that makes you feel inadequate. When the rest of the world seems to be reproducing on a whim, it hurts to the core to feel as though you are not blessed with that talent, a seemingly natural event that you have no control over. Every one’s journey is different. You never know what other people struggle with behind closed doors. We should all be more sensitive to matters of fertility. Sometimes, it’s not as easy as you’d expect, and it’s far more painful than you would want.
Posted on March 24, 2010
After I’ve had the opportunity to photograph the same person several times, they start to become like family. I worry about them when they’re sick and I celebrate when they have a birthday. These two beauties came to the studio a few weeks ago. I’m always surprised by how much they grow between sessions. Where does the time go? Baby sister was celebrating her 1 year milestone. We added a little diva hat for the occasion. Happy Birthday!
Big sister is about 5 years old and full of personality. Capturing a calm expression like this one is rare. Maybe that’s why I love it so. Age 5 is close to the time when kids will loose their first tooth. It’s a great age to capture the end of their ‘little kid’ years. And it’s just before they become all snaggle toothed for the next several years.
Here they are together trying out some new props in the studio for me. I hand made those frilly tutus. These little princesses made it worth it.
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.
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.
