Eyesmiles Photography-The Backstage Pass

The Unit

This family was so fun.  It was a treat to work with a family who's youngest is 11 (or is it 12? Sorry T, I can't remember). Usually, the OLDEST isn't even 11 yet for most of my families.  It was also fun becasue the kids told me afterwards that they thought they were going to come up to the loft "and sit on a big white piece of paper". LOL.  As you can see we did not. (:

The really cool thing about this family is that they were pretty insistent that we only do group shots.  No shots with just Mom and this kid or Dad and that kid.  "We're pretty much a unit" is what they told me.   So cool.  I did muster a couple individual shots though.

Oh and guys-I did get "THE shot" for the Christmas card but I don't want to post it and ruin the surprise in case any of your friends or family happen to check the blog.

An October baby

This weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Indianapolis to photograph this beautiful baby boy and his family.

More from the Test Shoot Weekend....

I had so much fun with all of these kids!

Sneak Peek Extravaganza Part 5- "Thank Heaven...."

..for little girls.  This poor Daddy has his hands full with 4 gorgeous girls under 1 roof.  If the last family was the McSmileys then this family is the McGigglies (:

Sneak Peek Extravaganza Part 4- "The McSmiley Family"

What a sweet, fun family.  As I was processing these, I realized my mouth hurt from smiling back at them on the computer screen. Ha ha ha!

Sneak Peek Extravaganza Part 3- "Tweens"

Tweens, I just love them! I really wish more parents would remember to continue the custom portrait sessions as their kids get older.  School photos are NOT enough to remember your older kids by!   Meet Dillon.  He came for my Test Shoot Weekend and we got some great stuff for his portfolio.  I have lots of other really awesome kids from this weekend to show you but I have to do them in order over the next week.  Dillon was first up so he gets the first sneak peek (:

Sneak Peek Extravaganza Part 2- "Hyannisport"

Ok so this wasn't REALLY shot at Hyannisport but it has that sort of vibe to me.  I processed a little differently to suit the mood.  Hope you like...(:

(Click the storyboard to see it bigger)

And finally, one I just adore.  It was snapped of mom and dad on "the sidelines" goofing off while I was shooting the kids.

Sneak Peek Extravaganza Part 1- "I dare you..."

I dare you NOT to smile back at these hilarious and adorable kiddos.

CHEEEEEESE...even the DOG was smiling for me!

A Very Special Family

   I want to introduce you to a very very special family.  They have a unique and beautiful family history that I cannot begin to do justice to by rambling on about it.  Mike Bush did a beautiful cover story on them and you can see it here.  http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?aid=52351&bw=

  In a nutshell:  Dad is a cancer survivor and knows in his heart that having cancer was one of the greatest blessings in his life.  Cancer indirectly brought 3 beautiful children into his life and a small miracle brought a 4th. 

   If any of you have EVER even contemplated adoption, I urge you to reconsider.  There are SO many children (babies too but so many toddlers and older children) who desperately need a secure and loving family.  These kids are from other countries but there are also many many Missouri kids looking for "forever families"  Please visit the following for more information (after you dry your eyes from watching their story)

The Adoption Exchange

Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition

National Council for Adoption

Small World Adoption Foundation

5 consecutive frames...

can sometimes tell a wonderful story of childhood relationships.  I had so much fun with these two.  They truly had a great connection with one another.

Big News

You may have noticed that I snuck in a little secret on the website this week. (Actually I know a few of you have seen it because you have emailed or called).  But for the slightly less observant ...Ha ha...I launched my new Commercial Website on Sunday.  You can visit it here www.laura-siebert.com Oh and don't worry, I am still staying somewhat caught up on portrait client stuff. I am still well within my 3 week turnaround window on all sessions.

Peace on Earth

Hee hee.  Isn't he the cutest!?  I am cheating by posting his sneak peek ahead of some others (sorry Marnie, Sally, Melissa and Heidi-yours are coming soon!).  But...I came home yesterday and immediately looked at this one because I just KNEW it would be special.  It was the very last image I took.

I should add that this is the 3rd time I've photographed him and he is just the funniest kid...I love him to pieces!!  His mom and dad have referred 8 other families to me so I guess the love is mutual (;

Playing Catch Up

I am more than 10 sessions (but less than 20 HA) behind at the moment.  I promise I am working like a....hmmm...{insert witty analogy}.  Here are some sneak peeks that I am way behind on also.  I hope that it is worth the wait.  Again, don't forget to leave comments.  I love to see them (as do the mommies of the adorable kiddos featured).

Liam-8 days

I call this one "The Book Nook" (: It makes me all calm and zen-like just looking at it.

And a couple more for Tee (;  Thanks for being so patient.

The Best Intentions....

...can sometimes go awry.  Ha ha.  Here are my two "cover kids" one year later.  We tried for the same happy crazy pose as you see above.  Als, it was not to be.  You see, Mr. Mason was not too thrilled about lying this close to his twin sis.  As I got them in position and tried to shoot, I hear this coming from his cute little mouth..

Ewww, you need a bath or somefin'

Ha ha ha.  Mom and I had a good chuckle about that one!!

Here's a couple more....

Oops, I almost forgot....

That another one of my Kids Trends covers ran last week.  Congrats to Lexie on her second one.  You can also see her in Dillards and Macy's in the coming weeks.  "You go girl!"  (:

Insert Catchy Title Here (:

Sorry, I just can't think of a title tonight...my brain is fried.  I did want to share some recent sessions though.  First up is a Talent Plus kiddo who I just adore.  She was so witty and fun and just as beautiful on the inside as on the out...which you will see is saying quite a lot!

Next is the luckiest girl in the world.  How amazing it is to have 2 people who love you THIS much! Just look at how they look at her....so sweet.

Then we have the L family who are just about the most perfect little family I have met.  Think Barbie and Ken but more "real" 

And last but certainly not least...some favorite return clients.  You may recognize the "baby" from this famous shot.  I still get comments on it even a year later.

Here she is at 1 year along with her equally adorable sibs.  Oh, and I must add that their mom is the BEST.  See I made the mistake of having her hold my keys and then forgetting about it until they were gone from the park.  So there I was, stranded in a remote area of the park at dusk (with bats I might ad).  Their mom drove all the way back to the park for me after making it all the way home.  Thank You S!  I hope these make up for your second trip (:

Another beautiful weekend

I had such fun this weekend with both loft and playdate sessions.  For those of you wondering what we do on playdates...we play (:

I still get the good stuff for mom and dad though

At the loft we still have fun.  We were "kickin it old school" according to my new buddy Sam. Ha ha.  These guys were so cute.  Little Charlie did EVERYthing his big bro did !

Here's Sam "kickin back"

Until next time....

Peace Out!