Baby it’s cold outside! I just love cold weather. The air is so crisp, so clean – especially after the rain. It’s also a perfect opportunity to accessorize with scarves, jackets, knits & lots of layering. Here are some ideas for family photo sessions with cooler weather in mind.  I adore winter clothes!

And as any person who lives in Los Angeles will tell you – it can be cold one day and warm the next! In which case, lighter clothing (like cottons and soft knits) would be perfect. Spring clothing is also super colorful – which I just love! Color, color, color! This set-up below I particularly like because it’s a wonderful illustration of how a family can “go” – but not necessarily “match”….It’s nice to show some variety – everyone need not wear the same color and match perfectly…clothing like this makes things much more interesting :

…when I walked into this sweet boy’s home, I was greeted by an entire family of loving uncles, grandmas & grandpas! I’d have to say that this was the most people I have had as an audience during a photo shoot of all time! It doesn’t surprise me one bit though, because just look at how adorable this little boy is. It’s no wonder why the entire family was present!

I don’t always get nice sleeping shots of babies at this age (around 2 months old), but he was such a fantastic sleeper — so I totally lucked out! He was completely okay with having his outfit changed while sleeping…all the while, maintaining this adorably sweet & content look.

And then, after some R&R, he decided it was time to wake up and check out all that was going on!

It literally hurts me to watch what is going on in Haiti. Horrible…so much sadness, loss and grief. I’m in complete awe of those brave, giving, beautiful people out there helping put all of the broken pieces back together.

I feel like I should do something, I feel like I NEED to do something. I want to try to contribute in a way even though it may be small. So, I’m teaming up with a group of amazing photographers – lead by Lyndsay Stradtner of Life in Motion Photography and Michele Anderson of Pinkle Toes Photography – and together, we’re going to try to do something to help.  But, we need you, too! Here’s the deal:

You could win a sunset photo session at my favorite outdoor location in the Torrance/Manhattan Beach area!

• This session will be photographed by me (Julie) – It will be in March or April 2010. Date will be confirmed once we have a winner!
• Session is for up to 3 people and will last between 1-2 hours (Family, baby or maternity session).
• Winner will also receive 25 fully processed, high resolution images on CD. Print to your heart’s content!

How to win:

• Make a MINIMUM donation of $10 to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund.
• Forward a copy of your receipt to blueberryskyphotography@gmail.com
• All entries must be RECEIVED by midnight (Pacific time) on January 31st.
• Winner will be drawn at random and announced on February 2nd.
• You can enter as many times as you’d like, but each entry must be the minimum $10 donation.

Other details:

• Session participants must sign a model release.
• Session must be held at photographer’s outdoor location of choice (Torrance/Manhattan Beach area).
• Session will be around sunset (somewhere between 3:00 and 5:00).
• If the winner does not claim his/her prize by Feb. 3rd or cannot claim the prize, then another winner will be drawn.

But wait! There’s more!

PLEASE blog, Tweet or share this link on Facebook! More donations mean more help for Haiti!

As if this precious angel’s mother wasn’t beautiful enough for our maternity photo session…to be honest, I knew she was going to be a beauty – but truly, to see her in-person – wow – she is just so lovely. Rosy-peach complexion and so very delicate…It’s true – the world just got brighter because of her :)

Beautiful, delicate, just lovely…

Itty bitty fingers and teeny tiny toes :)

It was an absolute pleasure photographing your little one and getting to meet her in-person! Not only is she gorgeous – but she’s got the sweetest little personality *translated – she let me move her around without waking up – which is so important when photographing newborns*  I’m honored to have been able to capture these special, special moments :) Life is beautiful…and with every newborn session, I have a renewed sense of wonderment about the miracle of birth…and the joy of becoming a parent (now I will go snuggle with my own sweet boy)…More to come!

…his mommy will tell you what a miracle baby he is. He is truly a blessing to his mommy & daddy, and I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to document these memories :)

I always encourage parents to be part of the photos, too. It’s so wonderful to have images together – not only for you, but for your little one(s) to look back on years from now. And as the images below illustrate – the love mommy has for her baby boy is undeniable…

This is my absolute favorite image from our session. The sun light, his sweet smile…and the way mommy is looking so adoringly at her angel.

And here is just one example of how gorgeous his eyes are:

….and his perfectly full pout

I really love photo sessions when babies are around 7 months. Since they’re able to sit-up, we can get some super cute shots of them – pretty much anywhere – and dining room chairs are always a winner :)

This session was the perfect way to kick off 2010!!!