Travelin’ Through

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to photograph a sweet young boy that I first photographed at two months and then at six months. This time he was 14 months, and just as much a heartbreaker as ever. His mom is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and I just love how much these parents adore their little boy. I love this age, and he is no exception.

Of course, every shot can’t be perfect. You set up the shot, and the backlighting is just right, mom’s hair is blowing softly in the breeze and then…

…somebody is just not feeling the moment.

I, however, crack up hysterically. My job, it is so much fun.

I was pleasantly surprised when this family agreed to meet me in Chandler, thereby shaving off about an hour from my usual commute to Tulsa. I also brought my daughter as an experiment. Kids love kids, they are absolutely fascinated by them. My daughter, however, was fascinated with the little toy car that she has claimed as her own even though Whitecotton Studio claimed it first…on last year’s tax return. But we had a good time, and no one was run over on main street Chandler, OK.

And this one was fun to edit with a funky texture. I love the surrealism of it…like stepping back in time.

And finally, a little bit of history to share with you. This gazebo was erected as part of Oklahoma’s Centennial celebration of 2007. It was such a beautiful little, peaceful spot…even right there in Chandler, OK.

You’ve come a long way, baby

I had the wonderful opportunity to photography a client I first met last December. Their baby girl just celebrated her first birthday, and I am in awe of what a beautiful little girl she has become.

This was of those morning shoots that I always dread because I am not a morning person at all. I’m more of a mid-morning/noonish kind of person. Ha ha. Combine that with an hour-and-a-half drive to Tulsa, and you have a tired mama who secretly wishes for a coffee IV. But you know what? That morning light was totally worth it.

Today, I leave you with the typical one-year-old shot…which usually involves a quick exit to the latest and greatest happening in their ever-expanding and incredible world.

Double Trouble

I got an email from this lovely mama-to-be, and I was so excited to hear that she is pregnant with twins. I’ve photographed twins before, but I’ve never had a maternity session with twins before.

It’s always interesting to learn about my new clients, and this was no exception. Although mom is absolutely gorgeous, she said that a friend or relative told her that she had to have a maternity session. It’s not something that commonly happens in this part of the country due to our conservative nature. But I’m so glad that she decided to go through with it. While you are pregnant, you wonder if it will ever end. But when your baby (or babies) celebrate their third birthday, you try and try to remember all of those precious first moments. It’s more difficult than you think.

Mom really wanted to capture some candid casual moments, and dad had this great idea to get out his Porche book. I was so thrilled with the result. We were laughing hysterically at the time!

And finally, this storyboard sums up my session with this loving, adoring couple. It was a blast meeting you and working with you. I wish you all the best and a fast, safe delivery welcoming your brand new girls into the world.

Zip Line

One of my recent sessions was for the family of a very sweet friend that I met at a local mom’s group. She shares my love of photography, and I was excited when she emailed to book her session. I cannot get enough of her son’s baby blues.

One thing that she and I have in common is that we are/were our own general contractors on our homes. Her home has been finished for awhile and mine…well, we’ve got a few months to go. Her parents have also entered the realm of home building, and we scheduled their session at the new home site. I just loved their layout so much that it almost made me want to tear down and start over…the operative word being *almost*.

Last fall during our meetups, she would give me updates on her parents new purchases for their grandsons. To me, it almost sounded like they were not only going to build a house, but a private theme park as well. “So Robyn, mom just called and they’re in Arkansas. They bought a zip line.”

“A zip what?” Of course I had to ask about it when I arrived, but the zip line’s debut won’t be for awhile. I suppose dad will have to do for the time being.

It was such a pleasure to meet this wonderful family, and I wish them all the best in their endeavors. It makes me so happy to see families live so close together that they can spend time together and create new adventures. Myself included.

Zoom Zoom

I used this little gem for my daughter’s preschool pictures a few weeks ago, but this was the first time I got to use it at a session. I was so glad I did. This little fellow had so much energy that I wish I could have bottled it up for those late night 2am editing sessions. Now that would be awesome!

Mom and dad were so incredibly sweet, and I’m always happy to meet some fellow OSU alums. Of course, it’s just my luck that they are moving to Kansas City this summer! But I was thrilled nonetheless to document this special time in their lives.

Sometimes sessions don’t always go perfectly, but that’s the hazard of working with children, especially those 3 and under. They are so busy and have so much going on, who has time to check out some new lady with a very odd looking black cylindrical nose? I probably wouldn’t give her much of my attention either. But sometimes, just sometimes, you catch something really special when you least expect it.

Spring and Summer 2008 bookings

Some of you have heard that I will be traveling to North Dakota this July to be with my grandparents. My grandfather had a difficult winter with chemo, radiation, and two surgeries to remove colon cancer that was diagnosed last fall. Luckily, most of my aunts and uncles still live in North Dakota, so they were all there to support them during this time. I’ve been trying to figure out the best time to go, and July is the only time I could find without prior commitments.

In order to make sure that I have plenty of time to work on sessions before I go, I am only scheduling four sessions in June. I have already booked three, so please check with me if you are looking to book before my trip. June is booked.

In May, I have May 3, 4, 18, and 31 still available. I will update as I book, so please check my website calendar at Whitecotton Studio for availability. I am only booking two more slots for May. May is booked.

I appreciate everyone who scheduled a session with me last fall! I had no idea I would be so busy. This year I am going to stay on top of things. To give my customers the best service possible, I will limit myself to 6 bookings per month. If you would like to order Christmas cards from me, my cutoff ordering date will be November 8. The last Christmas card session I will take is November 1. Be sure to book early for my August through October dates. They fill up quickly!

I’m currently booking for August, September, and October. Thank you!

Spring is in the air…finally!

Every time I step outside to see that something new has budded out or I hear the chirping of birds finding the way back to their summer homes, I can’t help but smile. My little girl and I find joy in the quiet flapping of a kite in the summer breeze and chins dribbling with melted ice cream. I’m so glad that spring is finally here!

Spring also means outdoor photo sessions! I was excited to meet these two sweet little girls, age 3 and 4. I couldn’t help but see my little one in the youngest girl, with her silly grins and attention focused more on exploring. Since they were wearing their Easter dresses when they arrived, I was hoping that her interest in exploration didn’t involve big muddy puddles. Her older sister was quite happy to play along as I clicked away, and I finally caught their attention with a game of Simon Says.

Now if I could just narrow down my favorites!

Dancing the Night Away

My little girl’s dance studio had a Father and Daughter dance in February, and I was so honored that the studio allowed me to take photographs of the girls and their daddies. The photos are now up on my ordering site, so if you didn’t get an email, please let me know. Check out this beautiful girl that also goes to Mother’s Day Out with my daughter. I love this pose so much that I got a 16×24 for my new studio. I’m so excited!

A Darling First Birthday

The sweet little redhead I’ve been photographing for awhile turned one in December. It was bittersweet because as much as I loved getting to see her grow up each month, I knew that the monthly sessions were over. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to see her at her next birthday because she was absolutely hilarious with that cake mom bought for the occasion. (Good thinking, Mom!) Oh boy did she ever get into it!

Originally uploaded by whitecottonstudio.

Originally uploaded by whitecottonstudio.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Whew, it took a lot of posts to get here, but this was one of my goals for the day.  I feel like my blog is actually living in the present.  Ha ha!  I want to share with you some pictures I took of my daughter last week for her Valentine’s Day cards.  I was so pleased with how they turned out.  Now if I only knew where I misplaced my little girl.  Sigh.