James and Beth are one of the cutest couples I’ve met.  Their obvious love and respect for each other is a wonderful thing to be around.  I first met them in December of ‘07 when Emma, their first child, was 3 months old.  I brought my lights and studio equipment to their apartment and set things up.  They’d found me through a mutual friend whose family I had photographed.  They had seen the portraits, liked them and contacted me, asking if I did baby photography.  I said yes, but didn’t have a website for it.  They checked out my other website, fellephotography.com, and we set it up.  (the photo on the left is of Emma in ‘07)

Emma was such a sweetie… and the photo of her lying in James’ arms is the first photo in my gallery.  When I photographed their new baby, Lucy, last month, they told me that when their family saw that picture (in color) of Emma, they asked if the baby was wearing contacts! 

 

Can you imagine us putting contacts in her eyes so they’d be more blue? That would be a little crazy.   haha.  And the truth is, I didn’t enhance them in photoshop either.  There was no need.  Baby Lucy shares the blue-eye trait but hers are a deeper midnight blue.  Very soulful.  I think she’s going to a very thoughtful girl.  (the pic to the right is Emma now)

When I shot Emma’s baby portraits back then, we stayed with the studio-style for the whole shoot.  When I returned a year and half later to photograph her new baby sister,  we shot studio-style and also went to a park nearby.  There we chased around Emma, who could now walk - and run away! - so  that we could get the family portraits too.  (the photo to the left is of Lucy, taken last month, when she was 3 months old, too)

What I do with children is simply follow them around and let them be themselves.  It’s a little unconventional I guess because the parents are always sure we didn’t get enough shots - or even “the shot.”  Then, when they see the portraits a few days later -  they are always shocked.  (I love that part.)  

 

I’ve never been one for posing people.  I prefer to capture them as they really are.  I will make slight adjustments when I shoot portraits but for the most part I like families to interact with each other.  

 

The resulting portraits then portray their truth.  And their truth is what brings their beauty out, their individuality. You can see from my new portrait session on the baby website how everyone is really relaxed and natural looking. I think it’s far more fun.  And you can see the love. 

 

James and Beth are such sweethearts.  Since the first baby session way back when, we’ve stayed in contact.  I’ve even gone to see James sing in a few gigs around Los Angeles.  He has an incredible voice.  Really incredible.  Very full and soulful. (maybe that’s where Lucy gets the soulful quality in her eyes) But what I like most about him is how much he loves the three women in his life.  He and Beth are in love with each other.  And you can see it’s a good match.  Balanced.  Respectful.  Kind.  They both weigh in on all the decisions and it’s plain to see that beyond being married, they are also best friends.  

During this last shoot, when I took the picture of little Emma hugging Beth, James said behind me, “Oh man, that just breaks my heart!!”  How sweet is that?

 

 And both parents were very patient with Emma the entire time she was running around the park, insisting on not cooperating.  I’m glad they knew my work from before so they didn’t stress too much.  I could see they were just a little worried we weren’t able to get great shots with all the running around.  A few days after the shoot, when they saw the portraits for the first time, James called and was so excited. “I didn’t think we got a good picture with the whole family and I was looking through the shots, and there it was!!!  It’s perfect. It’s totally us.”  That picture is the one you see below.

 

I’ve put a lot more time into baby photography and family portraits over the last year and a half since I first met The Kenney Family.  I’ve been lucky to have shot for a lot of really nice people, some of whom I’ve become friends with.  (I’m going salsa dancing with one new mom, and her girlfriends, next Saturday, in fact!)  To spend my time helping people photograph love is a real gift.  I’m very grateful and aware of how lucky I really am.

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