Baby Santiago. McAllen, Texas

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind for my personal and professional life and this week is panning out to be just the same. I'm attempting to complete all my work and meet my deadlines before December 1st and rushing to beat the calendar days passing us by. I have been planning to take all of December free to await for our baby's impending arrival. 

I can do it! I can do it!

As typical of any photographer, when we plan to not be working, the good Lord blesses you with more work. Thank you Jesus! I have been out of town all last week for Thanksgiving and that has definitely set me back not one but two weeks worth of work. I am desperately playing catch up. Right before we left Texas, I got the call to squeeze in one more session for a brand new baby boy.

I couldn't say no... he is adorable!

Happily, I obliged and delayed packing on Sunday to spend the afternoon photographing one of the world's newest newborns... Baby Santiago. At just two days old, Santiago was an absolute joy to photograph. He was fed when I arrived and his mommy handed him over and we spent two hours photographing his sweet expressions. 

He didn't cry much and I was very proud of myself for being able to comfort him quickly and easily the one moment he did show us the power of his lungs. 

Maribel, congratulations to you and your husband on the newest addition to your family! Santiago is absolutely precious and such a sweet baby boy. Thank you for honoring me with the pleasure to photograph him so early in his debut. I wish you and your little family an abundance of love, health and happiness! 

Take a look at this cutie...

Babies are adorable... and while I have photographed quite a few adorable newborns this year, I think it  time to say that I will not be photographing any newborns for the next few months. I am hoping to concentrate solely on big humans and leave the little humans for other talented photographers to tackle. I think the idea of having my own newborn to care for will suffice the need to photograph a tiny human for a while.

Again, congratulations Maribel! And welcome to the world Santiago :)

Hugs!

Baby Olivia - McAllen, Texas

I have known Olivia's parents for about three years now... When I first photographed their wedding back on a hot summer I could only hope I'd get the call back to continue photographing all of their important events.

Thankfully, I did.

I have since photographed their baby boy as a newborn and now, three years later, have had the honor of photographing the newest addition to their little family... Olivia!

Olivia missed the mark for a newborn session by a few months... six months to be exact. But this beautiful baby girl was just as much to photograph as her big brother was a year ago. She was sweet, a bit timid, and absolutely gorgeous. Her eyes, they are beautiful. And when she smiles, she is completely adorable. Best part, she wanted to chew on my camera... talk about teething!

Spending my early morning meeting this baby girl and taking her picture was a piece of cake. She was cooperative and did I already mention adorable? Olivia is sweet and has gorgeous eyes accompanied by beautiful long lashes. She's going to break some hearts in the years to come ;)

Cassandra and Joseph, thank you for allowing me to photograph your little girl. She makes a great addition to your beautiful family and I am delighted I finally got to meet her! Be blessed Olivia.

Enjoy the week friends! :)

Newborn... Emma :) McAllen, Texas

A week ago I had the pleasure of photographing one of the world's newest arrivals.. Baby Emma. In early June I photographed a wonderful couple awaiting the arrival of their first baby (Click here to view Ben and Marissa's Maternity Session.) After meeting them during our initial conversations and later on throughout their first session, I too grew anxious for the arrival of this beautiful baby girl. Ben and Marissa are a loving couple so full of life and ready to embark on the path of parenthood. 

Baby Emma's arrival has since catapulted them into the greatest job of their lives... becoming parents. Emma is absolutely precious, adorable and beautiful. She was such a pleasure to photograph and as a brand spanking new baby, she was quite comfortable on the beanbag throughout her session. A well-fed, well-loved and cute baby make my job so easy. 

Welcome to the world Emma!

Marissa and Ben, again I thank you for allowing me to photograph such a special time in your lives. I congratulate you both on the birth of your baby daughter and wish you a lifetime of happiness and blessings!

Happy Friday friends :)

Baby Sophia.

Last month I said I was contemplating on whether I would be offering newborn photography anymore. After photographing the last baby, I felt at a crossroads. I went on to write, "I still have not made a concrete decision on the "Baby Issue" but I do know that Baby Zoey was both a great baby to end my "baby career" or a nice reminder of why I should meet more newborns."  I have since photographed another beautiful baby girl and I am currently awaiting the arrival of my next newborn to photograph. Eeek!! 

Babies are just so darn cute that I could not see myself passing up the opportunity to photograph them in all of their babyness when requested. Earlier this month I photographed beautiful baby Sophia. I must note that when I photographed her, she was already 20 days old. Relevance? Well, I personally adhere to a strict guideline when I photograph newborns... I do not photograph babies older than 7-10 days old and really I stick to under 7 days. It's a tough rule but it is what I have found works best for me  when photographing babies and for the babies I have photographed. I made an exception for Sophia because I just couldn't help it... she was such a cutie!

While last year I photographed quite a few baby boys, this year I find myself photographing lots of pink! Sophia was no exception... full of pink headbands and outfits. Sophia was such an amazingly good baby to photograph. She was awake when I arrived but quickly fell asleep after enjoying her bottle. She fell asleep and remained that way for most of her session. Adorable :)

Welcome to the world Sophia!!!

Okay, she had one "thirty-second" period of pure crying but then she went back to sleep merrily. 

Sergio and Gaby, congratulations on the newest addition to your family!! Thank you for relying on me to photograph your sweet baby girl who is just as precious are her big sister. I wish you many blessings for  all of your three healthy, loving and beautiful children. Again, congrats! 

If you are having a baby soon and would like to inquire more information regarding newborn photography, please send me an email. I'd love to chat with you about the brand new Mommy+Me Collection I am now offering and would love to photograph your bundle of joy. 

Happy Wednesday!

Baby Zoey

A while back I photographed an old best friend. Ariana gave birth to her very first child this past weekend, a beautiful baby girl! Congratulations Ariana!!! (To view Ariana's maternity session, please CLICK HERE.) Baby Zoey is absolutely adorable, sweet and beautiful in every possible way imaginable. I have not photographed very many babies in the span of the past two-three years. I often think it is because I don't have that motherly instinct at the present moment so babies still make me a little bit nervous. However, every now and then comes a baby that wins over my heart. 

This time, it was Baby Zoey. 

I had been contemplating whether I would continue to offer newborn portraits for any future clients. I was most certain that Baby Zoey would be the last baby I'd photograph, at least for a few years. I figured I'd refer new parents to great baby photographers, I know a few ;)

I still have not made a concrete decision on the "Baby Issue" but I do know that Baby Zoey was both a great baby to end my "baby career" or a nice reminder of why I should meet more newborns. :)

Zoey was asleep the entire time. Not once did she let out a scream. What a cutie-patootie! The best part, she practically posed herself. Everytime her grandma Marty and I would move her and pose her a certain way she would move and pose a different way. Ariana, you may have a supermodel in waiting. Her mommy bought her the cutest little pink hats! They were cute but Zoey made them look so much cuter.

Welcome to the world Zoey!!!

Ariana congratulations on Baby Zoey's arrival!!! You are so blessed my friend. You will make an amazing mother and wish you and your little family all the blessings God has planned for you!!! Xoxoxox

Portraits ♥ Baby Joseph - McAllen, Texas

Whoah! I have been meaning to blog for a while but I had not realized how long it had been since my last post! Gasp... I spent all last week recuperating and eating tons of mashed potatoes. I love potatoes but after not being to eat any real food for a while I am desperately wanting to bite into a giant and delicious hamburger. Yumm.

I am a little behind on blogging some sessions so I figured I better start tonight and catch up. It's already Wednesday!!! 

I love being able to connect with my clients and getting to know them on a personal level. After I photograph couples on their wedding day, I always get excited to keep up with their growing families. Cassandra and Joseph were married in late August of 2010 and welcomed a healthy, beautiful baby boy in 2011. I had been awaiting his arrival and glad I finally had the chance to meet him this April. At four months, he was very well-behaved during his session. 

It was almost as if I was photographing a newborn because after he drank his bottle, Jospeh went straight to sleep. What an adorable cutie!!! 

See for yourself = )

I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Easter! Have a wonderful week :)