Now booking sessions for 2020!

Are you expecting? Do you need a photographer? I would love to be your photographer!

Did you know that newborn photography is my speciality? I specialize in newborn photography because I love it! I love working with newborns and creating memories that last forever. Newborn photography is my passion. Being a newborn photographer requires training, you should know information on the poses and on the newborn’s health. It’s so important to make sure the baby is healthy and safe during the session. I have photographed over 700 newborn session and counting.

I have photographed newborns from 3 lbs to 11 lbs, both healthy babies and NICU babies. I work with your newborn to pose them. I do not force them into the pose. I have a lot of patience. I take my time with posing and I like to use your nursery theme in the session while also keeping my classic looking poses. I use a variety of poses and use different angles to maximize my posing.

I have an in home studio fully stocked with props to use for the session. I take precautions in my studio to keep props clean and sanitized for sessions. I have headbands, wraps, hats and little stuffed animals. I also have beds, buckets, and bowls. I prepare for each session ahead of time and make sure each setup is perfect for your little precious baby.

I only take a limited number of sessions each month to ensure my focus and time for each session I book. I tend to book sessions months in advance to secure your session spot. This will also help me to prepare for the session. Sometimes I buy new props or items for the session and this will give me time to order the prop from my vendors. I am currently working on a Grow With Me package for Milestone sessions. I have received a lot of requests for that type of package and I am working my hardest to fulfill them.

I do recommend Milestone sessions. They are a great way to capture all of the achievements as your little one grows. You can do 3, 6, and 9 month sessions or even 4, 8, and 11 month sessions. If you wanted you could do just a 6 month session. Milestone sessions are a wonderful way to remember how little your baby was and to show how they have grow during their first year of life. I love these sessions! I love being able to see my little clients grow.

1st Birthday sessions are the best. I have so much fun with these. I will ask you what colors you would like to use, or I can give you some recommendations. We will start the session with some portraits. Then move to the cake smash part of the session. I will say that 80% of kids love to smash the cake. I think 1st Birthday sessions are a must. I still show my kiddos their 1st Birthday sessions. They cant believe how little they were and how funny their expressions use to be. I just love the memories. Memories are my favorite because they are priceless and you can’t get this time back. Although I wish I could get this time back because my kids just keep growing.

While I do offer sessions through the first year of life, I also offer Mini Sessions!! Did I say Mini Sessions? Why yes, I did! I love mini sessions. They are a great way to save money but also get your portraits updated as well. I offer different types of Mini Sessions throughout the year. My most popular Mini Sessions are Christmas Mini Sessions.

My mini sessions have been put on my schedule. You can find what types of mini sessions I am offering and when they are on my investment page on my website. I am so excited to be offering a wide selection of mini sessions. I can’t wait to see you this year! Thank you so much!

Why I became a Photographer!

Do you ever feel like there are never enough hours in the day to get things done? These last couple of weeks have been busy for me. I’ve been working my other job and still photographing on the weekends. Homework is also taking over my life too. Ha ha! 

No matter how busy I am, I still love my job photographing newborns and being behind the camera. I am greatly honored to be able to help families create memories that will last forever. My photography is my passion. I do my photography not just for the money, but for my son, Conner James. He is my reason I started my photography. 

Conner James passed away very suddenly at almost 3 months old while I was on vacation. His passing was very sudden. He was my second child. At the time, I had two children. Jordynne was 1 year old and Conner who was almost 3 months. I was a new mom of two, trying to buy a house. 

When Conner was born, we were still searching for a new house. We had brought him home to our old house and a month later we moved to a apartment. We couldn’t really afford newborn pictures. We had two kids in diapers, buying formula, and trying to save money for the new move. It was also hard to afford the hospital photos. 

When Jordynne was born we bought the hospital photos. We paid over $400.00 for the photos. The photos took a month to arrive at our door. When we received them, we notice that we didn’t order enough as we have a big family. We had to order more spending another $150.00 and waiting another month and half to receive them. The photos themselves we good quality but the posing of Jordynne we weren’t really happy with. But we were new parents and didn’t know any better.  

When we had Conner and with the anticipation of the move we decided to go a different route for newborn photos. We choose Walmart Picture Me Studios. They had a special going on for a package so we decided we would just go with them. A mistake I have regretted for years. After Conner passed, those photos are all I have left from when he was a newborn. 

I have some other photos I took of him while we were at home, and some at the hospital but not much else. I know we were busy with the move and taking care of two kids but now I wish and long for more photos of my little boy. He was a very sweet boy who loved to cuddle and be held. If you are a client, most likely I have told you what happened to him. I wouldn’t wish this for any mother. It will be 10 years this year since Conner has passed and my regret for the newborn photos still remains the same. 

I started my photography for my son, and for other families like mine who couldn’t possibly afford the price of $200 - $1000’s, that it could cost. For the new families just starting and for the families going through financial hardships, that they may have newborn photos done by someone who specializes in the field, creating special memories that they will cherish, and by someone who cares about their family. 

Summer is almost here!

Hey everyone, 

Who is ready for summer? I know I am. I am ready for swimming, barbecuing, and those long summer nights. My children are counting the days till school is out. I don’t blame them, it’s been a long year.  

We recently moved to Glen Carbon, IL. It feels so good to be back in Illinois. I am loving it. I love being in the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area, small towns with friendly and caring people. It’s been amazing meeting my new neighbors, seeing old friends, and creating new ones. The feeling of community here is absolutely wonderful, and I am so appreciative of it. 

This summer I am offering mini sessions. Mini sessions are a great way to get updated photos of you and your little ones while saving money and having fun too. It’s great for kids too because it’s not a long session and it keeps kids interested in the session. I will be having Ice Cream Mini Sessions in June and 4th of July Mini Sessions in July.  

Every month I usually offer some type of mini sessions. Sometimes I offer simple mini sessions or sometimes I offer themed mini sessions.  

I am looking for models. I am looking for twins to model in the studio. I do look for models a couple times during the year for new types of sessions and/or to model new props/backdrops. 

Since summer is upon us, I want to get back outside and enjoy this gorgeous time of the year. I would like to offer more natural light sessions outdoors so you may see me advertise for these types of sessions.  

I hope I get the chance to see you soon!  

Thank you!