Goldilocks

Someone's been sleeping in our bed, these past few weeks.  She's not been feeling well, and to be honest, she just is a cuddler and dislikes sleeping alone.  She is happiest when she's snuggled up next to one of us.  As much as she and Parker bicker and argue during the day, they beg to sleep together at night.  When we don't allow it (because they inevitably giggle for hours or start fighting instead of going to sleep), then this is what happens.... Sometime between 3am and 5am, we'll hear our doorknob turn and then we'll feel a little girl crawl up from the foot of the bed.  Wordlessly, she slips in between us and settles her little knees right into her Daddy's back.  He doesn't sleep well after that, and neither do I, but Lila is blissfully unaware of our tossing and turning and inching to the outer edges of the bed so that she can sleep sideways in the middle.

The practical mama inside me wants to send her back to her own bed, to help her learn how to sleep in her bed all night, like a big girl.  After three babies, I just want a good night's sleep again.  Daddy has to get up early to go to the gym, and I have work to do the next morning.

But... the sentimental part of me doesn't mind one bit.  The sappy mama I am, I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull the covers up over her and spoon her until my back aches.  I share my pillows with her and scoot to the edge of the bed and think, "Someday she won't want to sleep with us, she'll think it's silly and we will embarrass her and she will want to walk 10 steps behind us everywhere we go.... so I will enjoy this night, this gift, while I have it in my arms."

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These photos were taken on two different mornings this month.  I took both of them with my iPhone when I woke up and opened the blinds.  I didn't have time to get the big camera out, and Lila had to wake up and get ready for preschool in a hurry.  But I had my phone on my nightstand, so I grabbed it right away, stood on the bed just below her feet, and shot from about eye level down at her.  I processed them both with PicTapGo and then easily published to my Instagram feed.  I have so many images of her sleeping so sweetly.  I think maybe I'll make a book out of them all.

If you are like me, and can't always grab your big camera with your own kids this summer, then at least use your phone to document the fun stuff... the stuff you don't want to forget, and the things you want to remind them of someday.  My good friend Angie Warren has recently published an e-book called Snap Filter Share about using your mobile phone to artfully document your family, how to share them online, and even print them to keep (you betcha I'm printing these).  To get your own copy, go HERE.  It's an amazing purchase (only $25!), and you don't have to be a professional photographer in order to put her techniques to use and create beautiful images with your phone today.  Like, right this minute.

And now I feel kind of sleepy again.  Must have been those two little knees in my back all night.  ;)

xo, Stacey

Small reminders

My favorite style of portraiture is the sort that happens naturally. I have photographed this beautiful family twice before, and I love that they "get" why and how I do what I do.

We don't pose, really.  We hang out and I photograph them.  I ask them where they spend time and how they normally sit and what they like to do.  And they do that.  And I shoot it.  Simple.

I believe with all of my heart that it's not the big things in life that we will wish we could remember.  Rather, it's the littlest things that we try to recollect.  Nuances and expressions can so easily be forgotten, if we aren't careful.  As we get used to life with a newborn in the house, those first few days and weeks of their lives soon become a blur in our memory.

Daily routines and couch-snuggling and sippy-cup refilling and hugging your husband goodbye for work... while some may see these activities as mundane, I view them as beautiful.  I see the meaning, the significance, and the importance in those small things, and I purpose in my heart to always photograph reminders of them.

Just one...

Because I love it.  That is all.

Before we Spring forward... a Winter newborn session

I've been going back through hard drives to purge and organize for Spring.  I came across images of this beautiful new family that I recently photographed, but forgot to come here and share on the blog.  We held their Winter newborn session just before Christmas.  Some of my favorites were photographs taken by their gorgeous tree. My photography clients always seem to have such great style, and more importantly, such sweet love.  Take a peek...

 And of course, her nursery was styled so thoughtfully.

Loved this family to pieces.  Their session resulted in some of my favorite images from the Winter.  Happy Friday... and don't forget to set your clocks back this weekend!  Spring is almost here!  I'm looking so forward to it... how about you?

A beautiful family showcase on this gorgeous Friday.

Happy Friday!!  I just wanted to share a sweet client session as we finish up their print order.  They had such great style, and I loved their laid-back, fun, vibe.

Whew.  So I had more than a few favorites.  They were such a lovely family though, and it was hard for me to resist posting them all.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend, friends!

What Her First Christmas Looks Like

Another stocking hung this year.  Twinkling lights and wide blue eyes.  Paper and string, straight into her mouth of course.  Melt-us-all smiles and low, bubbly laughs.  Toys and colorful things all over. Elf pajamas, too many tight snuggles, but never enough kisses.

This year has been such a whirlwind for us.  The highlight, certainly, was the birth of our sweet Charlotte Marin this fall.

Of course, this post is a continuation of the series, "What ____ Looks Like".  I hope you'll visit Gina's blog next to see what wonderful snippets she's captured from her family's life this month:  Gina Oh  |  Arroyo Grande Photographer.  Then continue the circle until you get back to me.  I hope you enjoy the journey, friends.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Seeing in Shades of Black and White

My "other job" is co-owner, co-editor, and collaborator over at The Creative Mama, a wonderful little blog that focuses on nurturing creativity within our everyday lives.  I'm excited to have my article published today on why I shoot black and white images, a few key elements I look for when crafting my black and whites, and what inspires me to shoot black and white images (almost) exclusively.

Funny, but looking around my home right now, there is very little color surrounding me, besides whites, creams, blacks, greys, beiges, and browns.  It would appear that I also live in black and white!  I guess that's my comfort and where my heart truly is.  And I'm more than okay with that.

I hope you'll read along and feel a connection to the way I see my world:  In Shades of Black and White.

Bank On This.

Photographers and local business-owners, listen up!  I just have to spread the word.  :)  My husband is the Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third Bank in downtown Tampa, and I have recently discovered some amazing products through him and his wonderful staff over there.  For instance, I recently switched over to Fifth Third for my Business Checking, Savings, and Business Credit Cards (oh hello, 0% interest and no annual fee, how I've missed you!).  They also provide small and large business loans.  (Thinking about adding on a natural-light studio to your home... or even investing in your own separate studio space?  Expanding your business into more than one location?  You NEED a business loan, then.)  Chris even has programs for helping you restore your business credit, if you need a little extra help, and his team can get you started on the path to building your business if you need a little guidance with the financial aspect of things. I know for a lot of us creative-types, the fun of shooting and editing and relating with clients is the easy part.  Running the actual business, though?  Not so fun.  But absolutely necessary if we want our businesses to thrive, right?  These things simply must be dealt with.  This is where having a great financial plan comes into play, and I have been so relieved and thankful to have Chris on my side when it comes to the numbers.

If your business accepts credit cards (cough cough, you're losing out on sales if you don't), then Fifth Third's Merchant Services Plan is my absolute best tip of the week!! I had a very low-rate merchant services plan already, one of the best available, in fact.  However, I'm actually going to be saving even more money by switching my Merchant Services account to Fifth Third.  They have some wonderful specials being offered right now, so be sure to ask about them and mention my name when you do!  The best part about their merchant services plan??  I will no longer have to wait 48-72 hours for my clients' orders/sales to hit my bank.  With this plan, I receive my payments within 24 hours! And I'm so thrilled about that!

Plus, when you need help, Chris is local (to Tampa Bay), and you can actually speak to his team in the branch, instead of at some call center.  They actually WANT you to call them, and are happy to help with whatever you need.  Chris, Ria, Brent and Jim are available to chat anytime, and they have made the process so very simple for me.  They also have Online Banking and BillPay if you'd rather do everything yourself.  So, if you're unhappy with your current bank, or if you think you're paying too much for accepting credit cards (almost everyone is!), then Fifth Third's programs are definitely worth the few minutes it takes to analyze your situation.  They'll give you a free overview of what they can do, and if you decide that you don't want to switch, then fine, no problem.  But if you do, then great, and you're very welcome for the recommendation.  :)

If I can give you more info, feel free to post here in the comments or send me an email through my contact form (above).  Better yet, if you'd like to call Chris at Fifth Third directly, his number is 813.306.2653.  And do me a favor... ahem, make sure you mention that you read this blog post where his sweet wife is shouting out for him.  ;)  It just might earn me a few brownie points... and hey, don't we all deserve a few of those on Valentine's Day??

Have a great week, and a Happy Valentine's Day to you!

A Window Light Tutorial

I'm giving a few tips on utilizing window light today, over on The Creative Mama.  Go check it out!

As They Await His Arrival... A Maternity Session for a Beautiful Couple

I recently spent an evening with such a warm and gracious family.  A family of two for now... by Thanksgiving, Leanna and Gavin will have one more heart to be grateful for.

They opened their gorgeous home to me, and it was a pleasure photographing them within its walls and in the spaces they love.

Isn't she gorgeous?  Leanna was 34 weeks in these images, and could not have looked more stunning.  They both really made my job so very easy!

Thank you so much for welcoming me right in and having me photograph this beautiful time for you.  I'm looking so forward to meeting your baby boy next month!