OCEAN BY THE SEA

I had the honor of photographing this sweet baby boy under one of my favorite piers here on the Gulf Coast.  I thought it was only fitting to document him near the waves, given his name and how important the water is to his parents.  Introducing little Ocean, photographed at just ten days old. . .

And a few taken at his home. . .  what sweet love surrounds him.

Thank you, Billie and Doug, for waiting so patiently for your sneak peek!  I hope you love the images.  I've got lots more where these came from, but of course we have to leave some surprises for your gallery.  ;)  I'll have the rest of your photographs ready for you to view this week!

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I also have a quick bit of info to share:  I am holding my first-ever "casting call" for newborn models, preferably under 3 weeks of age.

The requirements are as follows:

~newborns with dark skin

~model release must be signed, and images will/may be used for local gallery display (inquire for details)

~singletons and multiples all welcome

~shoot must take place within the Tampa Bay area at your home or other location of Stacey's choice

If you and your baby/babies are selected to participate, you will receive a complimentary photo session and print credit.  Sessions are limited.  Please inquire for further details if you are currently expecting or have a brand new baby, or if you know someone who fits the bill.  Feel free to pass this link on!  You may call 727.698.0344 or  email me at stacey@staceywoodsphoto.com for more information, or to be considered.  Include a snapshot if you like.  I can't wait to meet you!

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Thanks as always!  And stay tuned for lots more images from the pier.

TIME FOR YOURSELF

I'm not very good at making time for myself.  I know I should.  It's not healthy to always give and go and never take time out to rest your body, feed your soul, nourish your spirit.  I'm not good at carving out those moments for myself (except for my all-too-frequent ADD episodes of getting lost on the internet for just a quick sec endless minutes at a time.  But that doesn't count!).  So I'm making a conscious effort in the next month to take more time out for ME.  And I hope it catches on permanently!  Just a few minutes a day, a few hours a week, to simply go somewhere quiet and breathe.  Take a walk, a run, a drive, and just be alone with my thoughts.  Maybe I'll wake up earlier than the kids on Monday mornings (God help me with that one) and enjoy my coffee on the lanai, instead of via the drive-thru at Starbucks.  Maybe I'll begin journaling again, whether it be in one of my beloved Moleskine notebooks or a private blog just for me.  My soul needs it.  My mind craves the solitude and the restoration of sanity (especially come 5 - 6:00 pm each evening when Lila is clinging to my feet, begging "holdjuuuuu, Mommy" while I try and wrangle cups and plates, and Parker is nowhere to be found because he knows supper is about to start).  My body craves the rest, the peace.  I need to do this.

And I'd love for you to take some time for yourself too.  If you want to read what else I have planned, head on over to The Creative Mama and read the article that I posted, HERE.  I'd love for you to comment and let me know how YOU take time for just yourself, or how you manage to work in those precious few minutes each day.  How you balance.  How you manage to stay sane come 6:00 pm.  ;)  Feel free to comment here as well, wherever you feel most comfortable.  I'd love to hear your ideas!  (And I just might use them myself!!)

xo,

Stacey

THE COMFORTS OF HOME

I had the chance to spend the morning with a really lovely family this past week.  They were warm, relaxed, comfortable, and made me feel right at home too.  I love when sessions just play out this way.  It means that they seem to forget a little bit that I'm there, and we capture their true connections to each other.  All those little moments in between that makes their family so unique and amazing.

Gorgeous mama, and gorgeous girls.

Her bed was fabulous, and so was the gorgeous handmade piece hanging above it.  "DREAM" really does suit her space, that's for sure.  Although I'm not so sure she gets a lot of actual sleep ~ judging from all the books and flashlights hidden down inside her covers!  ;)

She had such subtle differences in expression that I loved.

I have so many favorite images from this session. . .  but of course I have to save some surprises for their gallery!   ~Thanks so much for welcoming me into your home this week.  I hope you love your sneak peek, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

I REALLY, REALLY MISSED THESE FACES.

And their Daddy's too.  I was out of town last weekend, the first time I'd ever left my babies for more than a single night.  I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see their sweet (funny) faces again when I returned!! I could just kiss his cheeks off.  :)

I missed this sweet face too. . .  cowboy disguise and all.  Shh, don't tell her that you can still recognize that pouty face as hers.  Let's not spoil it for her, okay?  ;)

I'll have details of my trip shortly.  Don't go too far away. . . hope you all had a fantastic Mother's Day!!

COMING SOON ON THE CREATIVE MAMA | tampa child photographer

As most of you know, I'm a monthly contributor to The Creative Mama, a blog that is near and dear to my heart.  Last year, Angie approached me about writing a featured article during her "For The Love of Photography" week.  I was thrilled to participate, and I absolutely loved working with her.  To my excitement, she asked me to come on board and write on a regular basis, and with that, I joined the magnificent team of truly inspirational women who make up The Creative Mama. This year's "The Creative Photographer" series promises to be just as fabulous as last year, with inspiring contributors such as Deb Schwedhelm (her work just drips with raw emotion, and I'm blessed to be able to call her my friend), Jose Villa (THE single most amazing film/wedding photographer on the planet), Joyce Smith (how I adore her and everything she touches; can't wait to see Joyce at her workshop this weekend!), Sarah Lane (really wonderful work, especially her senior sessions!), Brenda Acuncius (ahem, I may or may not have arranged marriages between her two gorgeous children and mine... just sayin'), Leigh Taylor (super stylish wedding and relationship photography; I had the pleasure of meeting Leigh and her family a few years ago), the lovely team at Luxecetera (I always sing their praises; they designed my branding for me!), and lots more fun stuff to be announced soon.  I've had the chance to meet most of the photographers (and designers) on this impressive list, and would love to meet the rest of them someday (Jose, are you listening?)!  ;)  I know that you'll be blown away when you see their work and read the words from their heart.  Go, now, and bookmark The Creative Mama site, subscribe to the RSS, and make sure to come back and read what Angie has in store for everyone this year!

And if you'd like to read my latest featured article on The Creative Mama, you can go here.  Between the article and the glorious links above, you might be glued to your desk chair for a few days.  I've warned you.  ;)  Happy Reading, folks!

This and That... More or Less.

I have started many a blog entry recently, only to save it to drafts and never finish it... then I'd come back and restart a new post... save that one to draft, etc.  And guess how many I've actually published?  ;)  I think I've gotten a little bogged down with various projects and different things, birthday parties and company, Spring Break (oh my word that one crept up on me while I wasn't looking!).  And as is the case with most of us creative-types, it becomes hard to focus sometimes.  Do you ever feel that way?  The last few weeks have seemed to transform from all-the-time-in-the-world to not-a-minute-left-for-this-or-that instead.  And that has left me a little wispy I think. So tonight's blog post is going to be a mish-mash of things until I can properly put my head on straight and write from the heart the way I like to.  Which I hope will be before the end of this week!  Whew.

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April is almost over, and I've only got a few more dates in May left open for sessions.  Most of the weekends are booked up already, but I do have some weekday sessions available if you'd like to go that route.  With the days beginning earlier (or rather, with the sun coming up earlier in the mornings), I typically start my sessions around 8am or so if we're going to be outdoors, to take advantage of the soft, pleasing "golden hour" of course.  This longer day also means that I am able to shoot later in the evening and catch this beautiful light softly glowing around you.  I realize that this might not work so well for a few toddlers, but it should be perfect for seniors and most family sessions ~ yes, those of you whose children do not melt down between the "witching hours" of 4pm and 6pm like my own kiddos do.  ;)  Some days, there isn't enough Starbucks in the world to help get me through those two hours with the miniature drama queen in my house.

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I will be out of the office beginning Wednesday, May 5, and returning Monday, May 10.  I'll be attending An Extraordinary Workshop, because I firmly believe in constantly furthering one's education, no matter what career path you've chosen.  There is always, always, something to be learned in a creative field (and in any business, I feel).  To be honest, I am going to love spending some time with a few fellow photographers and especially my sweet friend Joyce!

Attending the workshop also means that I'm leaving my children (overnight!) for two nights in a row.  *Gasp.*  I've left Parker with Chris, for a couple of nights, just once.  But I was pregnant with Lila then so it really wasn't all that hard for him to handle.  I do feel a bit sorry for Chris now though, since has to watch Parker AND Lila this time, and for two nights and three days...  School drop off.  School pickup.  Daycare dropoff.  Daycare pickup.  Breakfasts, lunches, dinners.  Bedtimes.  Potty-trips.  Boo-boos.  Tantrums.  Morning rush.  Bless his heart...  I'm sure he'd appreciate it greatly if you sent up a prayer or two for him, and maybe moreso if you actually dropped off a cold beverage (or four) by the house while I'm gone.  ;)

This little fella turned six last week, as you know.  My heart is reeling, but so proud of the big boy he's becoming.  We got some AMAZINGLY EXCITING NEWS this afternoon in the mail that made us want to jump up and down and call every family member we have.  Which we practically did!  He's been evaluated twice now for the Gifted Program, and so far has blown through the tests, and we're beyond impressed and amazed at his IQ and his level altogether.  It was such a blessing for me to sit and talk to the district's psychologist this evening, about Parker's intelligence and his learning methods, and to actually think "Wow, my kid really IS as smart as I think he is."  Of course, we, as parents, tend to think that our children are the smartest, the best, the prettiest, the sweetest, the funniest, the best in sports, etc.  But to actually hear some of the same phrases you've said to yourself over the years, come from the mouth of a "Professional"... well, it's just an honor to be given the privilege of raising an exceptional child like this.  Parker got to choose the restaurant this afternoon (ahem, Skyline Chili of course), because he "passed his test" or so he put it.  I told him that he had gotten some pretty great scores on a test, and that it meant that he could be anything he dreamed of being when he grew up.  An astronaut, a doctor, a scientist, a surgeon....  He asked me what exactly a surgeon was, and I told him that it was a kind of doctor who could open up a heart, for example, and put it back together the right way, so that the person would be healed, and be healthy again.  And do you have any idea what he said?  "So, I can fix Momaw."  (My grandma has congestive heart failure, among numerous other health issues, and Parker always remembers her being on oxygen when we visit her in Kentucky.  My other grandma had breast cancer a few years ago, and although she's thankfully cancer-free now, Parker told me that he wanted to "fix her too".)

I thought I was proud of Parker for his gift of intelligence, but truly, the gift that I'm proudest of is his kind, caring heart.  I could not have been more proud of him at that moment. My heart nearly burst.

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And finally, a quick share from a recent session with the always-delightful Lena and her amazing parents.  I promise to devote a full post to this family a bit later, but I know that her parents are just dying to see a preview of our playdate together!

That's it for now!  I'm off to bed, before the sun comes up and catches me.  ;)

counting to six | clearwater child photographer

I'd shopped and ran errands all day.  The backache nagged me.  Went home, made a pot of vegetable beef soup (Chris's favorite), still with the backache.  Swollen feet, tired legs.  So much to do.  Too tired to finish any more of it.  I made Chris and myself bowls of soup and I followed him to living room.  I took my spot on the floor, legs tucked under the coffee table, back leaning against the couch, and we settled in to watch the Reds play the Braves.  That was almost 9:30pm on April 20, 2004.  My due date was April 22, 2004, just two days away.  I felt the baby kick once, and then again.  Hard. By 8am the next morning, this is what I looked like:

Yep, ready for our baby boy to enter the world!  Notice the makeup?  The brushed hair?  Yeah.  That didn't last long.  Soon the makeup melted off from sweat and exhaustion from trying to deliver a baby for two hours.  The freshly-applied lipstick disappeared due to the obsessive consumption of of ice chips, which I begged Chris to spoonfeed me nonstop between contractions.

Finally, at 10:11 am on April 21, 2004, our little baby boy took his first breath.  He let out his first wail.  And seconds later, sobbing, I held 7 pounds and 14 ounces of my heart right there in my hands.  Parker made me a Mama.  He made Chris a Daddy.  We were officially a Family.

SORRY PEOPLE, BUT YOU WILL NOT SEE THE AFTER PHOTO OF ME!!!  :)  I must retain a little bit of my dignity, thankyouverymuch.  I was so unbelievably swollen that my own mother nearly cried when she walked into the recovery room and saw me.  Thank goodness I had no idea how horrific I looked at the time.  I was just glad the pushing was over and that he was here and healthy!  (Yes, actually this is the best I looked, from the very-pregnant moment you saw above until Parker was several days old.  I know.  Still scary.)

A year passed in what seemed like mere days.  At least I'm not swollen anymore in this next picture though!  This photo was taken on Parker's first birthday.  The crib bedding behind him is now on Lila's bed (yep, same crib) and I still love it to pieces.  If you hadn't noticed, we're a wee bit sentimental around here.  ;)

He was just about to turn two in the above image.  And this is likely the shortest you'll ever see Parker's hair on this blog.  We started letting his "surfer hair" grow when he was about 18 months old.  I'm so thankful he still likes it.

And this one?  Well I'm just kicking myself for not having found it sooner.....  he was three and a half.  His hair was light golden, it was long, and it was glorious.  I loved it.  And his squinty laugh still makes me smile!

He had just woken up from a nap in the below-right image, and he was snuggling with his "Best Buddy" in the whole world.  His Daddy.  I didn't dare edit out the sweet sleep marks on his right cheek.  Precious.

Four. I think this is when he started looking incredibly more grown up to me.  (Maybe it's just that I had another tiny person to compare him to at this point!)  After all that loud crying from this itty bitty baby who was just minutes old, Parker still decided that she was okay and that we could indeed take her home with us.  Today, he is the one who sings, "You Are My Sunshine" to his fussy sister in the car, and substitutes, "please don't take my Lila away," in the chorus.  The sweet innocence of his voice.  Lila stops crying two notes (two notes!) into his song, every time.  But he keeps singing anyway.  I love that.

Five. Now a preschooler.  Ohhh how I adore this boy who calls me "Mah-muh" in that sweet, lispy voice that belongs to none other in this world.

And finally, six.  Oh be still my heart.  He's just grown up faster than I ever could have dreamed.

Dear Parker Scott, I hope that someday you read your Mama's blog and that you can see how much I loved simply being your Mama.  You are an amazing little person and your Daddy and I are honored to have been given this wonderful gift of raising you, Son.  You make us happy beyond our wildest dreams, and we are so proud of you and the big boy you're growing up to be.  We love everything that makes you uniquely YOU ~ the way you still crumple your blankie to sleep at night, the way you roll your eyes and curl your lip when you are thinking of something funny to say, the delight you take in going to "Guy's Lunch" with your Daddy, your contented smile when I'm scratching your back at bedtime.  How every occasion calls for a light-saber in tow.  Your funny bedhead each morning, and how you always come to our room every single morning when you wake up.  How you'd rather read a comic book than eat when you're hungry.  Your honest, can't-contain-it giggle when you're tickled.  How you call Daddy your Best Buddy, and how you charged everyone $1 to join the Best Buddies Club (including Papa Donnie and Popaw Pat) when you were three.  That perfect freckle on your cheek.  How you still go along with Mama's photography projects and ideas, even when you could be watching SuperHero Squad or building something amazing with your Legos.  How you were my most gorgeous and available subject during the very long time that I was learning photography ~ I hope you know how thankful I am that you don't despise me after all of the constant modeling I asked of you.  ;)  We love how sweet you are to your sister, even though she dumps out all your toys and takes your Bakugans without asking.  How snuggly and affectionate you still are, and how much you value simply our "being happy with you".  Parker, your Daddy and I are very, very happy with you.  With your kind heart and your creative mind for building and inventing, you will certainly make a difference in this world someday, Son.  We believe in you.  And we hope you have the most amazing birthday ever today!  We love you so. ~Love, Mama and Daddy 4/21/10

the wait | madeira beach maternity photographer

I spent a recent morning with the sweetest couple ~ who are going to make fantastic parents very soon.

One of the most exciting things about their pregnancy is that they're waiting to find out the gender of the baby until he or she is born.  I LOVE THAT!  (Granted, I didn't have the courage ~ nor the capacity to keep from planning every detail ~ to be surprised with either of my own pregnancies, which might make their decision all the more appealing to me!)  ;)

They are already amazing parents to three (enormous) four-legged "babies", one of whom I was able to meet at the session.  She was precious, and was so very attached to her owners while the other two dogs were off playing at doggie daycare (I think she was happy to have all the attention to herself!).  In fact, she could barely stay away from her mommy while we were shooting, as you can see below...

...so I indulged her a little.  :)  Every single time I'd turn my camera away, she'd put her paw on my arm as if to say, "Hey, I'm still here, and I'm still photogenic!"  Sweet girl.

Billie and Doug, I hope you both enjoy your sneak peek!  I've got lots more to show you, and your entire gallery will be ready in just a bit.  I can't wait to meet your new little one in a few weeks!  xo

a bit of vintage | tampa photographer

I don't know about you, but there is something about Polaroid images that just takes me back to my childhood.  They always remind me of my Popaw Deb and his ever-ready Polaroid cameras.  I think half my life has been documented one 3.5 x 4.25" square at a time.  I can remember pouring over boxes and baskets full of Polaroid squares every time we'd visit Momaw and Popaw's house.

I think this photo was taken in 1982 or so... I was about 5 years old here.  This was at the edge of my grandparents' driveway, because that's their camper behind us.  I'm on the blue bike (far right), my sister Amy is riding the CHiPs motorcycle (anyone remember that show?!) and our friend and neighbor is riding my Dukes of Hazzard big-wheel with the hand-brake by the rear wheel (I loved that thing!).  Ahh, good times!  :)  (PS, hey Brandy Johnson, if you ever read this, email me and I'll send you a copy of this photo!)  :)

I got an email several mornings ago announcing that The Impossible Project was releasing their first production of instant film packs. And it's black and white film!  I am beyond excited and ordered a couple of boxes of PX100 to try it out.  I snapped a few of them recently at the Tampa Museum of Art with friends, as you can see below.  The freshly exposed prints are extremely sensitive to light (and are bright blue as soon as they come out of the camera!), so you can see that the one on the right has exposed a little bit brighter on the bottom half, where it exited the camera first.  I love how the edges are all watery-looking and that there are spots and streaks all over.  So much fun!

As some of you know, I've taken quite a love for Polaroid lately, and have a couple vintage Polaroids here at home that I shoot with as often as I can (and when I can keep film in stock!).  It's quite a difference from shooting digitally, but I truly love my little vintage SX-70 and the charming square photographs she gives me.  (These were shot with plain old 600 film + a ND filter taped over the film cartridge.)

"Coming and Going."  Story of a toddler's life I'd say, wouldn't you?  :)

I brought my Polaroid camera to a recent birthday that I photographed for a repeat client, since I knew in advance that they'd have lots of antique toys as the theme of the party, and they might appreciate my newest vintage obsession.  ;)   As I'd hoped, they had a lovely display of memorabilia and toys (most of them I recognized from my own childhood ~ boy does that ever make you feel your age!).  Combine that with some beautiful window light, and I couldn't resist photographing them with my Polaroid as well as my digital (you can see my other images from their session here).

My sweet Chris got me a pack or two of Time Zero film for Christmas, and I've had a blast playing with it too.  Love the cyan tones that are characteristic of this film.

I also just bought a Holga (yes, the $30 plastic toy camera) and some medium-format film, and I can't wait to play with it and discover all its light leaks and vignettes and blurriness. I hope to share those with you soon too, just for fun!

Anyhow, I've been meaning to share these with y'all for the longest time.  My stack of Polaroid prints is getting quite tall, and I've got lots more to scan in, still.  I've stocked up on lots more film and it really helps me to shoot something a little bit different, just for me, every now and then.  Obviously, with its manual focus, it's a lot easier to photograph things that cannot run away from you (ahem) than it is to chase toddlers with a Polaroid in tow.  So although I might not make it to every session with my SX-70, I certainly might bring it to a few sessions and give my clients a little vintage keepsake every once in a while.  :)

Hope you've enjoyed, and Happy Monday everyone!

PEACE | tampa newborn lifestyle photography

I want you to meet the tiniest, sweetest, most peaceful baby girl on earth.  Introducing Lucia Mary, whose arrival was a few days late by some standards, but right on time for the only one that really mattered: hers.  She was so good to me for our session, giving me the brightest eyes and mesmerizing eye contact, and then sweet slumber (and smiles!). A little backstory: I lugged in all my "newborn gear": the beanbag, baskets, furs, blankets, the whole nine yards.  But the mood at Lucia's house was so peaceful and relaxed, and I always try to go with my clients' energy and style as much as I can.  Once I started shooting, I really felt comfortable the way the session was leading, and I felt it was best to shoot as simply as possible.  We shot this session very lifestyle-ish, using very few "props" besides a few blankets and her Mommy.  And I loved how it turned out!!  I edited them a little differently as well, just because I felt the black and whites needed a warmer presence.  Anyhow, enough of my musings.  :)  I've been so anxious to get these posted for Lucia's parents; I know they're looking forward to seeing our results from the day.  (Your entire gallery will be ready very soon, but for now, enjoy your sneak peek!  xo)

Lucia has a very proud big sister, and a very curious cousin!  I love these next two!  Such a sweet trio of girls.

Patty, thank you for your patience, and for being such an amazing person, mom, and friend.  All our love to you, Scott and the girls.