“The night before our wedding, I went to a store to look for fresh cut flowers to have as my bouquet.  I couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I said, ‘Eh, it doesn’t matter.  It’s not what my wedding is about.’”

Katherine might seem simple by means of no flowers, no fuss, and no frills on her big day, but the more time I spent with her in days leading up to her wedding I quickly realized she is far from simple.  And certainly far from ordinary.  She told me of their story.  Girl goes to college and meets boy.  Boy serves a mission for his church while girl studies hard at school, taking on jobs and keeping herself busy.  Boy comes back from mission, girl decides to travel to China to teach English.  All the while love was growing between the two.  West Coast (Spokane) meets East Coast (Rochester), distance couldn’t pull them apart.  Katherine and I instantly bonded, and I knew at our first meet that this was going to be a bride never to forget.  Katherine and Paul, you were magical, and sweet, and hilariously fun.  

Katherine has an eye for all things vintage, so it seemed only appropriate for her to strap on these lovely shoes at the start of her wedding day.

It was an extremely sunny morning, which us New Yorkers know to appreciate when we get them at this time of year.  Very little shade was available, but Katherine and Paul worked the camera nonetheless.

You are stunning, Katherine.

After family pictures, we found some beautiful shade at The Warner Castle outside of Highland Park in Rochester.  One thing I loved about Katherine and Paul was that they really complimented each other.   I felt their relaxation through my camera lens. 

Behind the castle is a beautiful sunken garden that made for the most beautiful backdrop.

Work it.

Baby Eleanor came to her family with a whole kind of “new” going on.  If you knew her siblings, you’d quickly notice that they are complete blondies.  So when mom saw Ella for the first time with all of her dark hair, she was pretty giddy about it all.  We quickly went to work picking out flowers for her hair and combing her hair in between photos…What can I say, my job is pretty awesome. 

Looking to create a beautiful Holiday card this year, or are you wanting to give the gift of beautiful family photos? 2010 Holiday Packages are now available!  Reserve your 30-minutes session today…only 6 spots are being offered.  Dates available are: October 20th and 21st 

Package One included 10 images in an on-line  web gallery.  Package Two includes 20-25 images.

I just love this family.  I was able to get to know Stacy really well in MI.  Not only did our boys play awesome together, but she was my gym buddy as well, so we certainly saw each other at our best! ;)  No makeup, gym clothes, sweaty, hair up, it was fun!  There are so many great memories that I can think of with this family, and I know we’ll always cherish them.  I have a very sad feeling that no matter when we return to visit them in MI, these two handsome boys are going to be all grown up, even if we do visit soon!  They are at that age where they grow leaps and bounds!

This was the second session I had with these two cutie pies, and they didn’t let me down!  This was part of my mini-session promotions, and it was a perfect amount of time for two little busy bees like themselves!  S made me wonder after this first shot if I was going to have to work for my smiles.  Nope!  She just had to get her charm going, and after that, she was giggling and smiling the entire session.  Talk about a champ!  And I just love big boy C, who has the sweetest face, and the biggest heart for adventure! 

A good friend from NY contacted me awhile ago to see if I was going to be in town anytime soon.  It just so happened that I was going to be heading to my hometown for a bridal shower, so this worked out perfectly!  T was the cutest little guy, full of smiles and curiosity.  Here are a few from the session.

Whether you are wanting to do a full session, or a mini-session, the time to book is…yesterday! :)  If you haven’t heard the news that we will be moving to the Rochester, NY area, it’s probably because I’m avoiding leaving this beautiful place behind.  The inevitable has arrived, and we will be starting our new journey come mid-June.  With that said, my time is limited to do sessions, and I have had several people inquire about getting pictures done before I leave.  (I feel so loved!)  Please contact me at jeannette.neal@gmail.com this week to schedule your session! 

Also, this is the first time I am offering mini-sessions!  I am very excited!  I expect the spots to fill up very quickly, so once again, contact me as soon as you can so you can schedule with me.  It is first come, first serve.  The dates I am currently reserving for my mini-sessions are:

May 19th and May 20th

There are 3 slots per night.  Depending on the inquiries, if I feel I need to open up another day to accomodate those interested in a mini-session, I will try my darndest to make it possible!  Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors!  Spread the word!

Simone goes by Mo, and it fits her to a T.  All I wanted to do the entire session was butter her up and take a big bite of such chubs!  She is the living michelin baby!  I stopped trying to keep track of the rolls after awhile.  Mom was smart to get photos of Mo when she was still so chubby, because someday don’t we all wish back all of that baby fat?  My son went from chubby cheeks as a baby, to lean and skinny and CRAZY busy! 

Mo was the easiest baby in the world.  I am seriously so lucky to work with such incredible babies (and moms!)  Have I said lately how much I love my job??

these pictures make me smile…a lot.

I didn’t edit this one at all, but I had to put it on here because it was so hilarious to me.  If babies could talk, wouldn’t you think Mo was saying, “Are we done yet?!”

What an angel of a baby!  I mean, come on!  She’s the first baby who has ever worked the camera like she did.  Do you see that cute shoulder nudge?  Aren’t only girls 16 and up suppose to know how to flirt like this???  Mom and Dad, lock her down, hold on tight!  Miss M is going to be a heartbreaker.  Mom specifically wanted some yummy closeups of M.  I agree…someday, they will look back at these pictures and nearly be able to squeeze such cute cheeks straight through the photograph.  I’m so glad I got my hands on such sweetness!

M’s session was right around Valentine’s Day, so we had to do something lovey.

A lot of “things” might be tight for people around this time of year.  After just celebrating Christmas and New Years with family and friends, if you’re anything like me, perhaps your pants are fitting a little tight.   In my case, I guess I have a little excuse seeing that I’m post-delivery, but still…I’m right there with ya’ on the holiday snacking.  Perhaps with the New Year, you have recommitted yourself to a tighter budget.  You know, the budget you were suppose to keep when buying presents for your family and friends, and found yourself exceeding.  Try being a medical family like ourselves and reinventing the word “tight” every month or so.  We just try and not think about the student loans that await us come graduating. 

And what about those schedules we promised ourselves to thin out, and get rid of the things that don’t really matter?  I’m still on that course of weeding things out, but lets be honest..everybody’s schedules are…well…tight.   I made myself  take some time off from photography in order to prepare for our baby, and then to enjoy the first few months without having to be doing 10 tasks at once.  I’m proud to say that I stuck to that promise, and I enjoyed every minute I had being a full-time, hands-on, extremely sleep-deprived, happier-than-a peach mom.  I needed that time to regroup, think of my goals for this upcoming year in my own personal life, as well as my professional career.  2009 was an incredible year for me, and I hope you have turned the page with me feeling the same way. 

So here’s to me dusting off the ole’ website, setting my goals in front of me (and achieving them!), getting back into the swing of things.  

On that note, I need to brag a little bit about my perfectly beautiful baby girl, Eliza.  Isn’t she delicious?   (You really didn’t think I’d do a post without showing her off, did you??)  And I’d like to share a few photos from two sessions I had just recently.

Eliza, 5 days

Eliza, 9 weeks

While in New York, one of my dear friends from High School waaaaaay back in the day contacted me about doing family pictures.  Of course I would!  Especially for such an amazing family who really sets the standard high for being so kind and caring.   I love their love for the arts, for nature, for all things unique and simple.  It was a sinch to do their pictures, because we were literally laughing and smiling the entire time, despite the frigid NY air. 

Also during Christmas break I got an e-mail from a dear friend that we met our first year in Michigan.   She and her husband had just brought home their beautiful baby girl from Utah and all I can say is…GORGEOUS.  Seriously, I could have sat there and looked at her lips all day long.  I was so thrilled to do pictures for them and I look forward to their family pictures when the weather warms up.  It might be awhile before that happens due to the Michigan winters we manage to live through each and every year!

Take a look at the fabulous, and oh so stylish Hazel.  Welcome home baby girl!  You have the most fabulous parents, and big brother!