growing up | st petersburg baby photographer

I really wonder sometimes why I am so lucky.  I have the honor of documenting so many babies' first weeks of life. . .  and again when they're a little older as they crawl throughout their home and discover so many new things.  Then again when they're walking, talking, growing up.  It's been such a pleasure working with my clients over and over again, and by the time their baby is a year or so, it's just like visiting with family. This family is no exception.  It has been such a pleasure working with them over the past year.  Just over a year ago, when their babies were a week old, I was able to witness their bond because any time we'd lie them down together, they'd immediately find each other and snuggle right up, arm in arm.  It was precious to watch.

I've had the privilege of watching them marvel at their first Christmas lights together, listening to their babbles and coos. Crawling, laughing, smiling, enjoying the beauty around them (and watching their parents acting silly behind me and my camera).  ;)

And recently I was invited to join in their first birthday celebration,to see them walking around as the full-fledged toddlers that they have become.  It was a perfect, lovely afternoon in their backyard, and I'm so happy that I was able to be in attendance.

I loved the vintage theme of the party.  Some of the toys reminded me of my own childhood (Fisher-Price movie viewer, anyone?).

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet babies.  You will change the world someday.  You are already so amazing, and I feel blessed to know you.  Much love.

Thank you, Chris and Monique, for letting me come along on this sweet ride with your family.  I've enjoyed every moment, and I look forward to watching your "babies" grow.

~S

ella's baby sister

Remember sweet Ella from my post below?

Well, she's learning how to be a big sister!  I got to spend the morning with Ella, baby Anna, and their sweet parents recently to photograph them again... only this time, as a brand new family of four.

Aren't they cute snuggled up in the bassinet together??  Ella has the honor of helping to take care of and love on her new little sister for the rest of her life.  Anna is so blessed to have entered this family.

She is just beyond precious.

We were even able to capture a few of Miss Emilia, Anna's new friend and "part-time sister" who was very curious about these little feet all bundled up.

I'll have lots more for you soon!  Thanks for waiting so patiently for the sneak peek, Damian, Jill, and all the anxious Somers Salon and Spa family!!  Oh, and psst, Lauren, you can stop hitting "refresh" now.  ;)  *mwahh!*

waiting for anna | tampa maternity photography

I always love turning my lens on these gorgeous girls.  Jill's maternity shoot was not just directed toward herself and her beautiful tummy, but it was also very much about Ella, who is going to make for one fine big sister.  This is the third time I've photographed this family, and I can't wait to meet baby Anna in a few weeks.

Oh, and did I mention that there is also a supercute and hilarious terrier snuggled up in that tickle fight?  I am pretty certain that right beside his "girls" is exactly where he wanted to be.  :)

Well, maybe except for that moment....  or this one...  ;)

But they are an adorable bunch, no?

Told ya...  he was snuggled up to his girls the entire shoot.

Jill, I can't wait to meet your new baby girl!  Thank you for having me over to play once more.  I had such a great time, as always.  See you soon!

~S

the superheroes | part one

I recently got to hang out with two young superheroes-in-training.  Both of these oh-so-cute brothers were celebrating their birthdays, and I got to play with them for a little while before their celebration took place at the Hall of Justice.  ;) First, we practiced our Lurking.  A superhero always has to be stealthy, on the lookout for villians... and, ahem, photographers.  Just ask Spiderman!  I was certainly happy to play the role of Peter Parker this day!

Next, we must practice our Hulk-Smashing and Web-Slinging.  "THWIP!"  "POW!"  "KA-BOOM!"  "WOP!"

And we must search for the perfect fence to try out our Wall-Crawling. A good superfriend must always be ready to climb, scale, and leap over tall buildings (and wooden fences) in a single bound.

And if that isn't enough superhero training, why, then we just wait until the REAL Batman and Spidey show up to take over.  :)

.....to be continued!

a patch of sweet light, and a sweet girl

Just had to share this quick one of my girlie... I edited this quickly between client sessions last night.  Looking at this image of her just makes my heart feel so peaceful.   :) Enjoy your Wednesday!

holiday schedule, and a few more images too!

Just wanted to give you a little update now that we're fully into December and the holidays are almost HERE!!!  :)  This is my absolute favorite time of year, but WOW at the busy-ness!  My labs are working overtime and crazy hours to get all the prints, canvases, albums and image boxes back in time for Christmas delivery, and I'm pulling lots of late nights getting everyone's orders in and put together, shipped out, blogged HA!, and delivered!  I even have a few new sessions to share before we close up for 2009 and await the New Year! That said, my holiday schedule will continue through December 17.  Stacey Woods Photography will be closed from Friday, December 18 until Monday, January 11.  (Excepting newborn and maternity clients, which must be photographed during all-important, fleeting, very specific timeframes to ensure the best images possible!).  If you're already on my books for the first week of January, have no fear.  You're still in!  :)  I am starting to book up January now so definitely place a call or send over an email if you'd like to get on the schedule for January or February.  And if you have an order outstanding, please wait just a little longer!  It's coming shortly, I promise!

Now, to share a few images from some recent sessions.  I've been almost afraid to post some of these for fear that I'm spoiling someone's Christmas card or present!  ;)  But I think I'm safe to share these, so here we go!

This is a lovely family that I met at the last Baby Loves Disco event in Tampa.  They looked me up again this year for a Christmas session, and I'm so glad they did!  Little A was so funny and so spirited the entire shoot!  He made me work for it!  :)

Preschoolers go their own way, that's for certain... right into Daddy's arms.  Ahhh, sweetness.

And how I love this sweet still moment with Mama.  He had the most gorgeous lashes, really.

And I know you can't see it in this black and white photo above, but Mom had on some KILLER red pumps.  :)  Loved them, and loved the energy of this family.  Can't wait until next time, sweet S family!  Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

just right

Sweet faces, sweet people, sweet light.  I could not have asked for more in a session!

M family, I'll have your gallery online for you soon!  Thank you so much for a perfect evening.  I'm so glad Tammy sent you my way!  xo

a little change of plans

...sometimes turns out to be a blessing.  I photographed the adorable T. family on a rainy Saturday evening at their beautiful home.  I just loved this session, and this family, weather and all!  And since I'm so behind on the sneak peeks over here, I'm going to do a big share on the blog, just for Alison.  Thanks for your patience!!  :)

Loved this moment with Daddy and his little girl.  I am realizing more and more each day how very much Daddies adore their baby girls.  Although I know it well with my own father (who is still so loving and affectionate, and would do anything for his three "little girls" to this very day), it's something else entirely when you actually have your own husband and your own daughter who share the same bond.  Makes me smile ~ and tear up a bit too ~ when I see it in my clients' eyes.  :)

Little man.  :)  He was so good to me and my camera, despite it being almost dinner and night-night time.  What a darling trooper he was!  Just look at that sweet smile.  (And that new tooth about to make its debut!!)

And his gorgeous Mama.  I was so drawn to the next image... little thing had gotten hurt and Mama was holding her, consoling her, and making it all better.  Hey, that's what we're known for, right?  "Disappearing" all the hurts away.  Her tears didn't last long, I assure you.  :)

Thank you for a wonderful evening with your family, Alison.  Thank you for opening up your home to me and allowing me to record these moments for you.  I hope to do it again soon!

a return

This sweet couple was married at Pebble Hill Plantation in Tallahassee a few years ago. How amazing to be able to go back to the very spot in which you once stood to say, "I do"...

What mommy wouldn't swoon with this sweet boy snuggled up beside you?  Darling, I tell you, just darling.

He was so good to me for the session, patient and kind and very tolerant, lol!  He even let me take a photograph of him thisclose to his little sister.  (Yuck!  Sisters!)  ;)

And this little sweetie was a treat to photograph (she wasn't icky after all, despite what her older brother may think).  ;)  Really, once she changed into her white dress... she just came alive!  She could have been the Princess of Pebble Hill that day and you couldn't have convinced us otherwise.

I love the fact that Mom wanted to incorporate her favorite loveys into the shoot!  This is such a precious stage, and I'm so happy when clients decide to embrace little things like this. :)

Thank you, F. family.  I truly enjoyed my afternoon with you!

Watch for another blog post tomorrow ~ with the Holiday rush, I'm so behind on the blog these days!  I'll eventually get caught up, I suppose!  With an insane number of sessions to shoot and edit, phone calls and emails to tackle, orders to place, packages to prepare and ship, Holiday cards to design and order...  it's such a crazy time of year for me!  Oh and the delightful swine flu that decided to plague our house for 10-12 days didn't help matters any either.  :(  Lila and I were both sick and down for the count for quite a while.  Thankfully, our house is nice and sanitized now and Parker and Chris stayed healthy the entire time!  But I'm behind now of course ~ thank you to my sweet patient clients who have called and emailed to check on me!  Your galleries will be up just as soon as my little fingers can get them edited and posted!  :)

simplicity

No words today.  Just her.  :)