There must be something in the water in 2010. I’m getting a wave of newborns and LOVING it.

Baby E was one of the sweetest newborns I’ve ever seen. At just under 2 weeks old she was wide awake and taking in the world around her. Despite the white noise, rocking, feeding and cuddles this baby girls just wanted to soak in the day. She was so sweet and calm that it didn’t matter.

The day of her session was storming and wouldn’t you know that the clouds broke the moment she fell asleep. It’s was just spectacular.

My husband commented about 7 years ago that I had a closet full of shoes and yet I only wore a couple of pairs.  I remember laughing rather nervously and thinking I was in big trouble when the man realized I had an entire closet system dedicated to my purses.  If there is anything I love more than taking a great photography, it’s a fabulous bag. I’m a purse girl, what can I say? Every year or two I splurge on a new bag for myself, name it, and then baby the heck out of it.  I’ve been on the hunt for a great camera bag for a while and I just couldn’t find anything that suited me.

Some of you have asked about the bag I carry with me on shoots.  Right now, I’m carrying a lovely shootsac with two equally fabulous covers.  I love the shootsac.  It holds all of my lenses, a flash, CF cards, and my iphone while I’m happily shooting my heart out,  but it’s not a “camera” bag.  (Nor is it meant to be!)  And wanted something that could act as an actual storage bag. Something that I could throw a camera in with an extra lens or two along with my wallet, diapers and accompanying baby paraphernalia. (Which seems to multiply exponentially as the kiddo gets older) And of course, I wanted something that actually looked GOOD.

I’d begun to believe I was lusting after the impossible until Megan Jane turned me onto the Kelly Moore Bag.  Words can not describe how much I love this bag.  She’s all of the things I wanted PLUS she’s made of gorgeous buttery gray leather.  (And about 5 other colors, I think.)

And because I love you all so much, I managed to secure a nice little discount with Kelly herself.  Just use code BLOGLOVE to save $50.  I don’t get any thing in the way of kickbacks for sharing her site.  I just really, really like the bags.  So go check them out for yourself!

The new year seems to have brought with it a flood of newborns…and I couldn’t be happier. What other subject would let me bend their sleepy bodies or wrap them in oversized knit hats? (Well, that’s probably for the best!) I just love being around babies.

Little Mia was 11 days of perfection. She tolerated costume changes, location changes, and even a few diaper changes all without making a peep.

We had a few seconds in between rain storms, but I could help but take a quick few outside.

And this is almost the same photo – but I just love it in black and white. So I’m sharing both!
 

Thank you S family for letting me capture sweet baby Mia.

To book a newborn session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

You are what you wear.

A little cliché?  Perhaps.  But when it comes to portrait photography, clothing plays a huge role in the success of the finished product.

Before we get going – let’s be clear what you’re clothing does NOT need to be:

1. Brand New
   I’m down with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse shoes – as long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.
2. Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive
   Unless it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means baby, bring on the bling).   If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like you have to be one for your session.
3. Matching
   No need to focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the stripes in your socks.  In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t.  If you’re heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably not your girl.
4. Stressful
   No need to worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each accessory.  This is supposed to be fun.   If you’re unsure – call me, and together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous.  I promise.

I want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:

Feels Good.
During your shoot you could be sitting in a pile on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with your fiancé, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.

As for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable, and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy, scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.

Looks Good.
This can be tricky, looking good is totally subjective – right? If you’re not a Carrie Bradshaw fashionista in real life, you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has plans in place to help.

Sometimes last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy. Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for photography. If you’re really looking for extra help, I can put you in touch with some incredible folks who make people look good for a living.

Bottom Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about you love, love, loving the end result.

Makes Sense.
Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the desired mood for your portraits.

Glup. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and remember, don’t stress).

Before you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes together in the finished photograph.   I’m with you every step of the way.

Bottom Line: It’s easier than it seems.Think twice about having Emma in a lace prom dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. [unless Mom is really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it).

~~~

If you’re still not certain, and you can’t decide between the yellow wrap dress with your red heels or your dark skinny jeans and purple  belted shirt – I’ve got good news.  You don’t have to decide.   Bring lots of options.  Heck – throw your whole wardrobe into the back of the car.  When we get to the session we’ll wing it all with fabulous results.  Trust me.

Now take a deep breath.  Close your eyes.  Imagine how blow-everyone-away-fabulous-ready-for-America’s-Next-Top-Model  you’re all going to look in those pictures….

Can you see it yet?  I totally can.  OMG, you look INCREDIBLE!

I can’t wait for your session.

(used with permission from the amazing Phoenix photographer Jeanette LeBlanc)

The first steps, the dimply butt, the inquisitive nature. All things I hope to remember about my baby, along with so many other minute details that are quickly fading. Tomorrow my little monster turns One. One year since the excitement of his birth. A full year of new experiences and vibrant memories that we made together, but still a lifetime of promise ahead. I had no idea that my life was missing such joy and fulfillment until I met him.

I couldn’t be happier.

Happy Birthday sweet baby Grayson.

As I come up on my child’s first birthday, I’m starting to reminisce fondly on my pregnancy. I really, really enjoyed being pregnant, feeling the kicks, bonding with the little life inside me, and just relishing in the fact that for that little while, I was all he had. I’m not quite ready to start thinking about more children for myself, but I’ve noticed that I’m really enjoying my recent maternity sessions. I find a pregnant woman to be incredibly beautiful, lush, and fascinating.

Rachel’s session was doubly fun because her daughter S was one vivacious and happy little girl. She was meant to be in front of a camera! We had a ball rearranging her living room to create an in home studio, jumping on the bed, and even basking in bubble baths, all for the sake of some gorgeous lifestyle images. Thank you Rachel, for letting me into your home and allowing me to get to know your beautiful family.

To book a maternity session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

**I’ve got what i needed.  Thanks everyone for all of the emails and calls!

Calling all Pet owners! We’re doing something a little different this year…different, but a lot more fun.  So, If you are a couple in the East Bay Area and own a dog (or two!) and are interested in being a model, please let me know!

The details: