Hey Everyone!

Life has been crazy around here. Crazy but good! I am so thankful for my family and clients! I haven't blogged in so long! I swear I sit down to write and then I realize hey,I forgot to do something. There have been lots of good changes going on for Conner James Photography Inc. Change is good for the soul!

I recently bought new backdrops for newborn sessions and milestone sessions. I just bought some new outfits for milestone sessions. I have had a few clients forget outfits so I thought why not have some at the studio just in case. Milestone sessions are so colorful now! I love it!

I also added a new camera to my family. I sold my old camera and I now own two Sony Cameras. They are both full frame and mirrorless! I want you to have the best quality photos possible so I make sure to upgrade, update, and buy the best. Your memories are worth every penny! I also bought two new lenses as well! You can't buy a new camera without a new lens, just saying! My cameras definitely get a work out each day.

I also got some new headbands for newborn sessions! Did I mention how hard it is to match colors to items I already have? I think I found the color, bought it & it is the wrong color. I would love to buy things in person, but it does not work that way. I also almost finished the prop room! I got all the shelves put up, new lighting, and just need to paint it. I will paint it eventually. I wonder if I keep telling myself that it will actually happen.

Christmas Mini Sessions are almost completely booked. If you want a Christmas Mini session, I would book very very soon! These sessions alway book very fast. I am currently booking for 2023 for all sessions. Well I have to go, I need to edit a session and send off a beautiful family gallery. Thanks for reading my blog!

Happy New Year! Conner James Photography has some exciting things in store for 2022 and I can’t wait to share them with you. Keep reading to find out how Conner James Photography will continue to be your favorite Edwardsville family photographer!

First things first, I’m building a new prop room! Because I have an in-home studio, storage space is currently limited and all of my props are beginning to take over the studio, reducing available shooting space. I will be hiring a local contractor (support small businesses!) to help construct this new addition to the Conner James photography studio as we plan to add shelving, new paint, and new doors to both the prop room and studio. These doors will be a great addition because they can also be used as a backdrop. The prop room will be able to store my growing collection of props for posed newborn sessions, including bowls, buckets, beds, boxes, stuffies, furs, and decorative wooden shapes. I’m also excited to be able to organize the multitude of different colored wraps, headbands, tie backs, sleepy hats, bonnets, animal sets, and newborn and infant outfits that I have at my disposal. Having somewhere to easily view and sift through all of these props will make customizing any type of session that much easier! Creating a separate space to keep all of my props will also open up more room for parents in the studio. Parents have the luxury of watching me photograph their little one as the images show up on the big screen in real time. This makes the experience of getting your baby’s photos taken that much more personal and intimate.

I am also ecstatic to let all of my clients know that I will be expanding my photography knowledge even further with the help of world-renowned newborn and maternity photographer, Ana Brandt. Ana is one of my all time favorite photographers and a personal role model and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to learn from her. Although I’ve been steadily growing in photography for the past ten years, I am a firm believer that there is always room to grow. Educating myself on all of the most up-to-date newborn photography styles and safety measurements is always at the top of my list; to be able to learn one-on-one from someone so established is a great start to the new year!

Some of my other goals for this year are to add to my collection of backdrops, which currently includes grey, white, creme, and wooden brown as well as to be able to give different lighting options when shooting in the studio. I’m also hoping that I will be given the opportunity to shoot more studio maternity sessions. The best part about these sessions is when a client comes in for their maternity session and the next time I see them, I’m shooting their newborn session! Watching this transformation in a mom’s life is magical, and being able to capture it on camera is even better. Remember, it’s never too early to book your session!

Finally, I wanted to remind everyone that I am currently booking sessions for all of 2022! Booking your session locks in your allotted time slot along with the current price, so don’t wait any longer. This is your sign to book now! Thank you all for your continuous love and support of Conner James Photography. I truly would not be able to follow my dreams if it wasn’t for each and every client and I am so grateful. Here’s to another amazing year as your local newborn photographer in Edwardsville!