The soft window light and a beautiful expecting mother…my choice for this session sneak peek. With only a few more weeks to go before welcoming a little girl, they have such a pretty name picked out and many lovely little things just received from her baby shower all ready to go. 
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her grow from mommy’s belly to newborn to now six months old and bursting with personality. No surprise that she would have a beautiful smile, both of her parents do too! I can’t wait to see them again when she turns one ♥
There is often a quiet excitement when a couple is expecting their first child. Still enjoying the time when its just the two of them and yet anxious to snuggle their little one. I feel lucky to meet them during this time when they interact with each other and the anticipation of baby…and then I see them as parents, sharing that love with their new addition. Here are my favorites of another wonderfully sweet couple who will soon be sharing their snuggles with their little guy.
The summer light, a gentle breeze, and a super sweet family sure makes for a wonderful session. I always like to take Mom aside for some of just her (we mom’s tend to have very few photos of “just us”) and of course I can’t resist trying to get a few from soon to be big-brothers (who tend to be incredibly adorable but a bit shy).
A sunny day on the Silverdale waterfront was certainly fun for big brother, who loved finding rocks to toss into the water. If it wasn’t for him pointing out the boats and little fishies, I might have been too preoccupied asking him about all the different things he liked to do. After all, he deserves the spotlight now because soon enough he’ll have to share it with his little baby sister. He sure did pucker up to give his Mom’s belly a kiss and was so sweet picking flowers and giving one to everyone (including sissy). Here are more photos of the session with this wonderful family and beautiful expecting Mom
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I was definitely observing the awesomeness of this couple with a laughter filled session complete with a “Blue Steel” impression from Dad-to-be. We had a last minute location change due to windy weather but it ended up being a walk in the park after all.
We started out the session by reading “There’s Going to be a Baby” – if you’ve ever read this book to your child, you’ll understand why some of it caught me by surprise…too many ideas for big brother’s who might be a wee bit jealous. It was worth a few laughs and a few gasps for these lifestyle photos of the two of them, isn’t he a charmer? Such an adorable smile! I had to include this first one – using Mom’s belly as an armrest – why not? I think I’ll have to try this again, it sure was a fun way to break the ice and get to know everyone.
It was sunny out but the chilly windy weather put us back inside to warm up shortly after catching a few shots. Though the light coming into their home was incredible – it truly made her pregnancy glow absolutely radiant. You know, its amazing how you can set up the same shot as another session and end with a unique result…the space, the lighting, and of course each client is so different…it really just makes it their own. I had such a great time with this Mom and this family, I’m looking forward to meeting little brother any day now – can’t wait!
Such a great couple to photograph and get to know. When we talked about their wedding plans, the groom-to-be immediately mentioned that he knew exactly the cake he wanted, but I forgot to ask what KIND of cake…any guesses? Their pups Rocco and Luna were so funny, even though they had been on a walk to tire them out earlier in the day, they were far from exhausted. I just have to share the one of them sitting still because it didn’t last long…I still giggle when I think of Rocco’s cheeks popping as he sniffed the ground…too cute!
An unused can of Kodak film on the left, and a Compact Flash card on the right…the reality of the changing times.
I can only imagine where that can of 20-exposure film has been…for years it was hidden in my Grandfather’s garage storage until he passed away and it ended up in my hands. I have been its keeper for almost 10 years now and I will always keep it for all that it symbolizes. History. Art. Innovation. The compact flash card on the right is one of many that I use for my photography and it holds 400+ images in RAW format.
There is still art in digital.
I do remember processing my own film and developing my own photos in my High School’s darkroom…it really felt like you were making “ART”. I refused to buy a digital camera until I saw just how amazing the technology and the quality had progressed. I soon discovered that professional images are still edited…still skillfully retouched…still hand-processed. It just happens its done to a digital file instead of a negative.
Pursue your passion and embrace change.
I have five or so of my Grandfather’s film cameras (from a Falcon Miniature to a Kodak Tourist II), which I hope to display one day in a studio of my own. He loved photography, architecture, printing, and was so proud to finally own a digital camera and a computer when he was in his late 70′s. He built his own garage workshop and would tinker, build, repair and organize in there. When he passed, we discovered file cabinets full of old magazine clippings that were categorized…things he had saved and things that he had always planned “to get to” or that he thought were important. He was a very quiet man. I worked with him in a print shop for a couple years and really had an opportunity like no other in our family to get to know him. He was an average man with an amazing life story. From being captured by Nazi’s in WWII to owning his own newspaper business…I just wish I would have asked more questions. We had computers in school when I was a kid and I remember having one kind of computer or another since I was 5. Even games have changed, from Frogger to World of Warcraft…and what would my Grandfather think of my 2 year old playing puzzles on my iPhone? I think he would be amazed and would have been one of the first to own his own iPhone. He truly embraced technology…and embraced change. I just feel like he wasn’t able to pursue his passion and realize his full potential…but he seemed content. I know he wanted more from me, for me to take whatever I had to wherever it could go.
Today I saw another post about how as a photographer, you are hiring a person for their talent and skill, which is why many photographers use their name for their business…”John Smith Photography”. Photography is a very personal thing, and when you hire a professional photographer you are hiring a person with a unique style, talent, and skill.
I considered doing the same…Laura Zander Photography…but to me, it was just a name. My last name is from my husband, but its not really “his” either…its actually his half-brothers dad’s name, and my husband has a different father..so it is kind of awkward and even a little confusing. Even though it is my legal name, I just wanted something with a little more personal meaning to me. I created a list of words..moments, capture, little, love, weddings, and so forth…but everything seemed taken, or overused, and I certainly didn’t want to confine myself to a specific genre of photography. Even though I want someone to hire me as a person for my creativity and style, I also want them to know that I am a business and a professional.
I had wracked my brain for weeks…and then I was shopping online… add to cart… add to cart… add to .. wait a sec… ADD TO HEART! In this internet-based society we shop online for just about everything, a quick click “Add to Cart” and its on the way to our door – so I thought for the moments of life, just a click of the camera and that memory is added to your heart. I was in love with the name, because it just had so much and so many meanings for me and to this day I still find new meanings in the name.
Thank you for your interest! To find out more about session pricing and details please visit the main website: Add to Heart Photography
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a session email me or call Laura at 360.434.5937
The studio in Old Town Silverdale is by appointment only. Its a cute little red house near the waterfront at 3475 NW Byron Street, Silverdale, Washington 98383
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