It was contest time and we had over 5o entries in our Great Swank Babe Contest. As a Raleigh Family Photographer, this fun Facebook based contest generated some really good buzz as family and friends voted on their favorite to win a portrait session and other prizes.
It went like this: the contest was a simple postcard(posted to Facebook) that I made up that said I was looking for the next Great Swank Babe. There were four age groups ranging from newbie to five year olds. Applicants emailed me a snapshot of their child which I then posted on my Swank Photo Studio wall on Swank Photo Studio on Facebook. The contest was opened and they were invited to gather up their friends and family members to vote/ comment under their child’s photo. The person with the most votes from each age category was declared the winner.
Since then I’ve fulfilled 3 of the 4 sessions, the fourth to be completed on April 7th as they’re from Virginia. They are opting for a fun photo shoot with for their four year old daughter with tutu’s. Below are our winners. I’d like to congratulate them and thank them for their participation. Be on the lookout for the next contest. We’re going to be looking for the next Great Swank Vintage Vixen. Sure to attract some attention, as the Vixens always do!
So, in our Newbie category, we wish to congratulate Brayden Moore. Mom opted to add in older sister Kayleigh for an upgrade to her session. We also hosted a 4 mos. – 1 year old category and our winner was James Foy. In our 1-2year old category our winner was the daughter of a former bride of mine, Maddie Johnson. We had such a fun time at our sessions and I think we have some stellar looking images below.
Enjoy!
S-
It was a milestone occasion as all birthdays are. But special for me as I’ve been following Katie Grace for the past year as she’s been one of my A Year in the Life clients; a specially designed collection with new families in mind. Essentially, a documentation of maternity all the way through her first birthday.
We played around at the NC Museum of Art Park, which is such a cool locale for shooting. So much by way of unique backdrops. The tutu pics are particularly funny because she marveled at an airplane flying overhead. It was sweet to watch her react in wonderment, one of the many joys of parenthood as your child discovers things along their growth.
And don’t be fooled by the cupcake picture. She was not the least bit interested in it. She actually blew raspberries at it! Little does she know! Happy 1st Birthday, Katie Grace!
S-
This boy has been given the gift of gab . . . . and he’s only two months old! Honestly, I’ve never seen or heard anything like it. He’ll be speaking full sentences by 6 months; probably graduating high school at three.
And as sweet as his vocal antics were it was truly rivaled by his caramel brown eyes and curly mohawk. Mom gave him a special ‘do for the occasion.
We had a blast. Mom and Grandma giggled at him over my shoulder as I shot. I think we captured him. And ruined him by making him look like the Easter Bunny at the end of the session : (
S-
It was a random phone call which began my new relationship with Amanda, Mom to Baby Connor. Reinforces the point to always answer my phone. There were very few questions regarding the session. She just new that Baby Connor was already a Swank Baby. ; )
So we had our session with our little trooper who didn’t fuss once. He was a sweet little guy however serious. Penetrating blue eyes and a perfect bald little head. He christened my new blanket playing fireman – hahahaha! Those little boys. It’s easy to wash a blanket. It’s priceless to capture a memory.
Check out his Kung Fu picture below! Dad will be proud.
S-
Well, I’m getting tons of practice with all of the little munchkins lately. It’s good I need it. They’re challenging and keep me on my toes. They take a while, but the end result is always sweet little one pictures.
Holly, Andrew, and Max welcomed baby Anathea on January 18th. A robust 8lbs. 9ozs, this little one is a sleeper . . . . .well, . . . .. according to Mom, that is. I’ve got a magic touch. I can make even the most sleepiest of sleepy babies snap out of it and wake up. I’m being totally sarcastic! It’s just funny. I always want sleepy baby pics, but somehow end up with the newbies with superhero strengths that kick their legs out from underneath them, lift their heads, and push away. I’m just waiting for one to say to me, “what in the world are you trying to do with me!”.
I’ve decided to just embrace the awake baby, at any age! They’re cute awake or asleep and I’ve just got to adapt to working a little bit harder and longer.
Nonetheless, I had a blast with Ana. She’s so totally adorable and squishy. Congrats Holly, Andrew, and Max!
S~
Well, my dear friend and fellow colleague Holly is expecting her little Anathea any day now. Well, Monday to be exact. And she’s totally adorable. She’s one of those mommies-to-be that doesnt’ start showing until the 7th month and when she does, it’s just a perfect round little belly. The girl just glows and she carries pregnancies well.
So we had a little fun for her session. I always love the look of jeans for the moms-to-be and what isn’t more fun than painting the belly. We did. We couldn’t resist. A smiley face was in order. Big brother to be, Max was quite taken aback by Mom’s ‘yeller’ belly.
I’m excited to share these pics with you.
S-
Well, many thanks to my most awesomest sister in law for leading me to this wonderful family. Melanie, a former Washington Redskins cheerleader and now their Director of Marketing, is now a glowing Mom to beautiful boy, Dexter, born on Oct. 6, 2009.
I met the new family at their ultra chic and modern and babyfied condo in downtown DC. I now know how people truly hate the traffic in DC and that Dupont circle is fun to circumnavigate! Not for the novice.
At any rate, baby Dex had his game on and totally gave us a run for our money. Boy has some seriously strong legs. I’m always in awe of photogs. whom can capture these beautiful sleeping newborns. This session particular took oh, about 2 hours+. We had to work to get him sleepy.
The trick, a new heating pad and one of those ultra soft blankies that when you touch it, it barely feels like you’re touching because it’s so soft.
Congrats to Derek and Melanie. Hope to be documenting more of Dexter in the future.
S-
Congratulations to Megan Buckley and Baby Grant for being the winners of my photo of the month contest. Over 100+ of you voted and Megan will be receiving a gallery wrap of her photo. CONGRATULATIONS!
So proud, well, you’d think I’d be saying that of the actual parents, although they are too! But it’s really me I am speaking of, of the newest addition to our family. My brother and his wife welcomed Baby Grant on June 14th. The welterweight weighed in at 6lbs. 7oz. and 19 3/4 inches long at 1:19 AM.
I was fortunate enough to have the weekend off from weddings and I mean that doubly because of the 100+ temps.from this past weekend(got to avoid a wedding on that day!) and also that it couldn’t have timed better to meet my new nephew.
Made the trek up to Washington,DC with grandma. Grandpa was away on a business trip and my own husband afforded me the additional luxury of the adult only atmosphere. It was a nice breather for me. Love my kiddos, but we all need a break time to time.
Little Grant is quite the sleeper. I believe that he actually give my other brother Craig a run for his money in this department. God Bless you little Grant. Looking forward to documenting all of your milestones!
Aunt Stacy
Take two cute girls, throw them in a fluffy, soft, and playful tutu and what you get is instant divas. Easy, breezy to take pictures of.
Such was the case with Emily and Allison; sister’s whom really embraced their childlike whimsy during their recent photo session. I knew for weeks I was going to shoot them in a field of rye that I pass on a daily basis, but what I really didn’t know was that I was going to shoot them in the locale for the future Clayton Park.
I’ve always admired the spot. It’s just a sweet field with large, old trees, rocks and a rolling hill. I would make mental notes of the site especially at sunset because the tall grasses would just glisten with the golden backlight. I knew I wanted to shoot there. I guess the moment just had to be right. It was perfect for my two field fairies.
They twirled and swirled. Fell down & got up. Giggled and wiggled their way through my lens. It was fun and if the light would’ve held out longer, I could’ve shot easily for another hour.
Thanks Emily & Alli. I admire your playfulness.
S-
