Aviva Photography Blog

Well this is only fitting.

Kristal’s little M here was born on July 23rd. He is baby number five for Kristal and James (there’s a pair of twins in there, to be fair…) And he is the second BOY! He is also gorgeous – a big smiler and a great baby.

I’ve honestly never seen a newborn smile so much. And he was usually dreaming, so I don’t think it was gas.

Remember James? The one I had to make sit down because he was so tall? I couldn’t get enough photos of his manly hands on his son. (I told him he really could be a hand model. Maybe when he retires from the Marine Corps.)

Kristal – you’re gorgeous. Side note: her mother is visiting to watch the baby and she was out and about VERY quickly after M came home. I know it gets easier by the 5th one, but I’m blown away.

SO MUCH LOVE in this family!!!

How can you not love this little face??

(I still think he looks like K the most, by the way.)

The obligatory “Made in Japan” shirt.

And a request that I think turned out just lovely. Once he sat still with these rings on his toes! He’s a strong one.

Thanks so much, Kristal – he’s just adorable. And he was so lucky to be born into a big beautiful family with loving big sisters and a big brother. All the best!

So I say this is fitting because M here was my “last” baby shoot. Never say never, but at least for the fall I’ll be shooting high school seniors, families, and kids over 6 months old. Maternity and baby sessions are on hold indefinitely. (Don’t worry, Kelli – I have you down – ONE person previously requested me and I’ll honor it! Promise!)

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE babies. And I love the way the photos look and making the plentiful amount of new moms here happy with their maternity and baby photos.

However, I really can’t schedule baby shoots. They’re just born when they’re born, right? And due to feedings and changings and swaying and rocking – it takes a good 2-4 hours to take newborn photos. I can do two shoots in that amount of time. So you’ll understand when I say – I had to let something go. I need enough time to do the types of shoots that really speak to me, and to give that photography class once and for all! Darnit! I WILL DO THIS. So- if you’re pregnant and were thinking of hiring me, I’d be happy to recommend a colleague or two that I’m confident you’ll be pleased with. So do not fret. And, if in the future the time presents itself again, I’ll let you know.

Next post will be the FALL LAUNCH POST… stay tuned! Previous clients, people who have already requested sessions, and my “As They Grow” clients get first dibs on dates, but all others are welcome to start booking very soon. Have I mentioned I love what I do? I LOVE IT! Because of YOU.

As I tried to make a space A trip to Hawaii happen, I was blessed enough to have remained behind to meet Little G; he arrived a couple of weeks before the due date. But his size indicated he was ready! Look at this beautiful big boy – congratulations, Brandee and Nathan. He’s adorable.

Don’t let that peaceful pose fool ya. This guy was awake almost the whole time. He was a bit of a complainer. Mom fed him well, he was dry – he just likes being vocal. (Going outside into the heat was key – he conked right out for that!) There was a lot of rocking and “shushing”…. which DID work to calm him down! I told Mom & Dad that when they saw these photos it’d look peaceful and sleepy – even though it wasn’t.

Nathan was so patient and sweet with him. I just love seeing that.

And Brandee… looking fantastic.

How can you NOT love these little tootsies and hands?

Let’s be fair. Lily is really baby #1. And she was so sweet and so happy to get some attention. She’s going to be a sweet and protective big sis for sure.

Love his cute ROOM! I know, temporary – and he won’t even really be old enough to appreciate it, but that’s why we take photographs, right? One day he’ll know what they did for him.

Once he was sleeping out there, we had an easy time moving him around. The bugs and the sweat were way bigger problems for me than for him!

(Does that little open mouth just make you say, “AWWW” with me? LOVE IT!!)

Then just a little more of this….

and we had this….

And finally this.

I hope he’s getting his schedule down, you two. Sorry for the small vacation delay, but I’ll have things finished very soon!

More to come…including some Hawaii photos! I’ll share. I missed you.

The moment I met Kristal, I wanted to take her family’s photos. They’re such a beautiful and diverse bunch. And she wasn’t even pregnant with kid #5 yet.

She had twins (boy/girl) who are the most loving and sweet kids you’d ever want to meet. They greet me with hugs and hold my hand every time I see them. (At the end of the shoot they hugged my assistant – she said she felt like a rock star!) Beautiful E:

And charming and sensitive C:

Then came young K – beyond smart enough to be in kindergarten no doubt, but isn’t quite old enough yet. She’s also a very big fan of octopi. Octopuses. Well, whatever. Did I mention the DIMPLE in her cheek when she makes me giggle with her smile?

And adorable little S. Preparing to be a big sister might be tough – I can tell she enjoys being the sweet baby with all the attention. But with a face like this I don’t think she’s going to get any less attention. I would be able to verify that her cheeks taste like butter cream frosting, but I drowned in her blue eyes and didn’t care to be rescued.

Well obviously with kids like this, you have a classic beauty and a ridiculously tall and handsome man as parents. I kept having to ask James to bend or sit so that I didn’t get sun glare or nostril shots.

All four children are such a beautiful blend of their parents, aren’t they? The differences in their personalities is so amazing to me – and yet they’re all so kind and outgoing, you can tell there’s a lot of love in this house! (Not to mention patience – Dad deploys – and Kristal is always schlepping the kids somewhere!)

I’m sorry but this shot of S takes my breath away and I have to share it. Yum.

And there’s a little BOY inside that tummy. The last baby, Kristal says. I love this shot of the whole bunch; especially how Kristal and James are looking at each other like – “Here we go again!”

Sit, James. Good man. I appreciate your patience with all of us on a hot morning.

The twins – enjoying the water toward the end of the shoot!

And at the end – we broke out the tutus. Oh heck yeah we did.Well… not for C of course.

SO many more but I must stop here. Thank you for coming out on a hot and humid day for the sake of capturing the last of the family of SIX – can’t wait to meet little #7.

Sorry I’ve been – well, un-present here. My kiddo finished school for the summer and I was trying hard to get things done and enjoy time with PCSing friends and I’ve been working hard on some editing. I still have some blog love – Meet Brandee and Nathan.

They’re expecting a baby boy in July and it’s their first baby. Yes – as usual, a glowing mama (in a fantastic dress, I might add!) and a very proud dad (in a sweet linen outfit that I want to buy for my husband now – yay Old Navy).

When they arrived, they were both quite honest in saying they hadn’t “done this” before (I’m quite sure they meant the professional photos, because looking at Brandee I’m guessing they’ve done the “other” thing). I hear that often, and I love a blank slate! I told them, as I do many clients, that I’d bet by the end they’ll be at ease and will know exactly what to do.

They followed direction very well – and I LOVE what we got! You could do a pirate theme for his room…ARRRRRR!

I hope he has Nathan’s dimples. I’m quite sure he’ll have his father’s mischievous spirit.

As a first grade teacher, I think Brandee will have the patience of a saint. As the mother of a former first-grader now entering second, I can tell you she MUST!

Brandee – your eyes are stunning.

As awkward as a couple might feel at first, after a little while of holding hands, walking slowly, and looking into each-other’s eyes – my camera and I fade away, and the good stuff happens. I love this part.

Sometimes the shutter clicks and you say – “That one’s going to be a favorite!” 99% of the time, you’re right.

And this spot was perfect. Once we got our toes in the sand, I wasn’t sure we’d leave.

I’m so thankful that I told them what to do and they did it. Even though the ground was wet. Even though she’s that pregnant. I still love my clients!

The sun was so perfect that day! I was making a lot of very happy noises while we were out shooting.

Last but not least – proof of my prior statement. As I guided Brandee to stand in front of the red machine since her dress was blue, and Nathan to stand in front of the blue one – he ignored me and stepped on over to bring her in tight. See? By the end of the shoot they were quite at ease. And it shows! Love it!

Can’t wait to meet the baby boy, you two. Thanks for a delightful morning!

I’ll admit it; I was a little worried about 4-month-old twins. I mean… they aren’t sitting up yet, they’re not crawling either (probably an advantage) – but in general, babies are photographed when they’re brand new, and then maybe when they’re seven or eight months old because they’re sitting up and very happy and interactive. And twins!? The moment I arrived at Anna’s, I realized that I need to just stop thinking and start shooting.

LOOK at these gorgeous girls!

On the left G, on the right C. I was so glad they looked different enough for me to tell apart. And I associate to remember names, so the bracelets were a big help too! G had green beads, and C had chocolate brown ones! You have never seen two happier babies in your life. I was a huge hit with the 4-month-old crowd.

Like most twins, they were born early; about a month. (I can’t imagine carrying two babies for that long!) They’re doing great, but they both have acid reflux. That means – they throw up a lot. Sorry for TMI, but really – if it weren’t for that, these would be poster children for the perfect baby award. And it didn’t really seem to upset them, so we cleaned up a lot as we went – hence quite a few topless baby photos – and they were angels. And those BIG blue eyes – OH my goodness….

Lovely C:

And the ham of the pair – G. One of my favorite baby photos ever – look at this expression!

They aren’t sitting up quite yet, so for this shoot there was a lot of lying down.

Which is fine. I can switch things up and get creative.

LOOK – I sawed a baby in half!

(I have a sick sense of humor, but you know you love that….) I did it to the other one too!

Ok, ok – here they are, both whole again. See? They’re fine. No babies were harmed in the making of these photographs.

G: YAAAAY! We LOVE Aviva!
C: Yeah, well, I’m not so sure about her yet. She’s got that big black thing in her face all the time. The jury’s still out on this one.

Thank you so much, Anna! I had a lot of fun with you and the girls that morning. And thanks for having the most incredible light in your apartment ever; I’m thinking I’ll need to shoot there again! I’ll be in touch soon with ALL the shots, I know you can’t wait! I’m looking forward to meeting your now-deployed hubby too. We’ll have a great time together, I can tell.

Sadie and Rick welcomed beautiful little AJ into the world on April 7th. I love doing the maternity shoot and then getting to be among the first to lay eyes on the new baby! And then, Sadie went and jinxed it all – “She is a GREAT sleeper! The shoot will be easy!” she said. Yeah, until I get a hold of her! I don’t know what happened, she was obviously sleepy.

But it was so apparent so quickly that she was comfortable and safe in her mama’s and daddy’s arms.

(Oh my GAWD I love baby wrinkles.) And this photo just personifies MOTHER, doesn’t it? AJ is actually smiling a little bit. A mutual friend of Sadie’s and mine, Jen the jewelry designer, made this matching mom & baby necklace and bracelet set for Sadie and AJ – SO precious. (Jen, I am not lying, that bracelet was still huge on her.)

By a stroke of luck, Sadie’s parents arrived just as AJ was about to be born. They were at the hospital in time to meet her, and now they’re home with the new parents. I’ll bet I’ll say this every time – but this lucky little girl has SO much love in her family.

(Don’t you love how it looks like Grandpa is holding a conversation with her?)

And then… the HAT. “I DON’T WANNA WEAR THE HAT!” (Sadie told me later that this was the angriest she had been in her first week of life. I’m so glad I could provide that for her….kidding.)

But a little feeding and some rocking and she curled right up for us. PERFECT!

Ahem. Do you have tickets to the gun show? (I’m a cornball. Get over it.)

And then it happened. She fell asleep.

With her butt in the air.

And then it happened. The last shot of the day. Perhaps my all-time favorite daddy/baby photo. I told Sadie that this needs to sit HUGE on the wall in their bedroom – or AJ’s. Be still my heart…

I hope you have an easy move, you three! I’ll have photos ready to decorate your new place soon… congratulations, she’s just lovely.

Stephanie and John had baby A on March 16th. He was a healthy 8 lbs 1 oz! And on his sixth day, I got my camera on his adorable little self and his gorgeous mom & dad.

I walked in, and John and Stephanie asked if I thought we could take photos of him in Daddy’s helmet. Uh… YEAH! But I’ll tell you, if he’d be 2 ounces bigger, we would’ve been greasing him out of it! Perfect timing and an ALL TIME FAVORITE! (It’s not my kid and I want a huge canvas of this one on MY wall.)

I arrived at the house and saw it; the BAT signal. You know me… inside the house it went. (thank you, John, for removing the spiders)

Ok – last one. This is for you, John!

I’m still in awe that this kid was asleep for all this. Maybe because he’s used to being bundled up inside mom’s tummy.

Mom warned me that he was crabby, but he was really easy for me! Not much for being put down or for having clothes put on, but while he slept it was all good.

Oh I love his little forehead wrinkles. (SMIRK!)

So very peaceful while his parents were holding him. Stephanie and John have so much love for each other and for this little sweet boy – he’s a very lucky guy.

Yes. I melted when I saw his little fingers on Daddy’s big strong hand.

He only woke up for a moment to check me out. At first he looked concerned, but he relaxed after a few minutes.

Daddy’s work isn’t the only thing going on around here – the family is moving back to the states this summer, and I think A will be joining him on fishing boats in the future…

He is a strong and healthy young man – but I think we wore him out. I love baby yawns!

Last but not least – another hand photo… this was my last shot and it just gives me the chills.

Congratulations to you and your family, Steph & John. He’s glorious. Keep doing what you’re doing – I couldn’t be happier for you both! See you soon.

I’m happy to announce that while I was in Thailand, Baby W was born. (If you’ve been following along, he’s the little brother of these two cuties.) He was 11 days old in these photos – and one ALERT guy! But we have ways of making him sleep…

Alert as he was, he was a pretty easygoing guy and very easy to calm down. Particularly with food and swaddling and rocking, as usual. I think Crista & Aaron are still trying to figure out where he got his cleft. It’s so very… boyish though, don’t you think?

Already thinking, “Oh boy. Two big sisters and a dog. When am I going to get any sleep around here?”

Crista looks fantastic. She’s an expert at this now, and I’m quite aware that on the 11th day getting makeup on and being in photos is something to be very proud of!

Aaron is a very easygoing and sweet father. He has got to be happy there’s another man in the house now.

This moment was a favorite of mine. They touched foreheads and glanced at each other and at W – it’s nice to steal a moment without the other kids I’d bet.

A definite favorite!

10 of my favorite things about newborns…

And finally. My favorite. An adorable smirk. See the dimple? There’s one like it on the other cheek too!

W was a great baby – and Crista tells me he slept away the rest of the afternoon! Glad I wore him out. I can’t wait to get my camera on your whole big beautiful family soon, Crista & Aaron. Congratulations!

Sorry, Sadie. I HAD to. I’m the hugest Beatles fan ever, I grew up on them. This post title was inevitable.

Sadie was my fitness teacher. On our first day in her class she announced, “I have a baby in my tummy,” as if we were all kids and it was hysterical. She found out I was a photographer and looked at my site and told me that when the time came she wanted bump and baby pictures and I am so excited she did! She and her hubby Rick are expecting a baby girl in March. And she’s an aerobics instructor. And she tells me that the baby girl in there – she is too! I didn’t feel it myself, but I totally believe her. How could this kid not be a ball of energy with a mommy like Sadie?

Rick is a pilot. And he is so sweet with Sadie, it’s adorable. I didn’t think that someone like Sadie would pick a drip – he’s fun and funny and I’m really glad I got to meet him and play for the day. Rick, I hope it wasn’t as torturous as you might’ve thought it would be, and you are one photogenic dude when you aren’t squinting. (I got some natural and great smiles out of him, but his addition was the Zoolander.) Hubba hubby!

Shortly before the shoot they informed me they wanted to bring their first baby – Bella. I fell in LOVE with Bella. One of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing.

Who wouldn’t be happy and smiling with a family like this? I think she’ll be a very protective big sister.

I love stepping back and watching couples have fun together.

Romantic! (I think right about now we told them to enjoy the last moments of peace before the baby.)

She’s this fit little cutie with a bump in the middle. She’s friends with Stephanie from my most recent bump shoot; they’re both lucky they’re so incredibly nice or I’d have to smack them for looking so amazing.

I’m sure I made fun of myself or said something hilariously funny to make them grin like this. Love it!!

And last but not least, another one that made me giggle. I like ending on a laugh. Can’t wait to meet baby GIRL, Sadie & Rick! Thanks so much for a fun morning and I’ll see you soon!

I haven’t had a maternity session in much too long. Apparently I really missed it because this was so much fun.

Stephanie contacted me a while back – and she’s a kindergarten teacher. Sigh… just the sweetest happiest people on earth, aren’t they? And she looks fabulous and is oozing with excitement over their baby boy! I didn’t take one single photo of her where she wasn’t smiling. Or kissing John. And John. Yes. Say it with me – he his one Hubba Hubby.

Steph came with outfits & ideas – and she’s so bubbly and self-confident. I think at this point of my pregnancy I felt like a house! She was bouncin’ around like it was nothing!

The strong and silent type. Very nice. And very much the gentleman. Hanging out with “the bump” for the last few weeks!

They’re high school sweethearts from South Dakota. They’re so in love with each other. They will be incredible parents.

Gosh I love couples that are up for anything. John was soft spoken and easy on the eyes – he has such a big heart, these two are so in love! I’m almost as excited they are to meet Baby Boy.

Look at these genes… how gorgeous is this kid going to be?

My assistant, Shannan, has a fantastic eye. We walked by a seemingly innocuous wall and she stopped me. “What about on that wall?” Then I noticed it. THE SPROUT! Another all time fave – thanks, Shannan!

Yup. I’m totally post-happy today. Deal with it. THIS overwhelming level of adorable – did not get old.

Last but not least… one of my last shots of the day. And a definite favorite. There were lots of favorites.

Thanks so much for a wonderful morning, you two – I can’t wait to meet the Sprout. Here’s hoping for a quick and easy delivery!