Heather Swanner Photography

Adorable family

This week I met and photographed a precious family.  Because it was pretty cold, we opted to do the pictures at their house so that we could be inside for most of the session and then head outside for a few more.  I have to say that I really enjoy doing sessions in my clients' homes.  Everyone just seems more comfortable, it gives me a totally new backdrop, and I enjoy the challenge of "finding the light" inside.  Here are a few - no, a bunch of  -  pictures from our session.  I just couldn't decide.  I was so excited that the grandparents were able to come along and participate in a few shots.

Charlotte

This week I reached the pinnacle of my busy season with tons and tons of sessions.  On top of that, I was also sick and had to reschedule a few, so it could have been even busier!  If you have tried to get in touch with me this week and I haven't yet responded, I am working on getting caught back up, so hopefully you will hear from me very soon.  It's just been crazy, but things should be downhill from here until the holidays (I hope!).

I ended my week with a session with Charlotte.  For those of you who are familiar with my website, Charlotte is the beautiful smiling newborn on my home page with the pink gerbera daisy beside her (she's grown a lot since then!).  Charlotte is also the daughter of one of my dear friends, who is fabulous interior designer.  For some reason, I always get a little nervous when I take pictures of really artistic people's children - crazy, I know!  It was rainy on Friday afternoon when we did our session, and both mommy and I weren't feeling all that great, but knowing how crazy our schedules are right now, we decided to go ahead with the session.  I am so glad that we did because we ended up with some awesome images.  Mommy really wanted her other baby, Ella, to be in the pictures, and it did take a little peanut butter to get her to participate, but she did.  Mommy had also bought an awesome butterfly mobile from etsy.com, so we decided to try to use it in the pictures as well.  For those of you not familiar with Etsy, it is an amazing website dedicated to people who make and sell really cool things.  Warning - do not get on Etsy's site unless you have a lot of time b/c it is completely addictive!  I've gotten lots of cool clothes, hats, etc. for my kids, but they also have art, purses, etc. for big people.

Anywho, here are some of Charlotte's pictures.  Now, I'm off to proof some more....

Mamas, you better lock up your daughters now

Cause these three boys are going to be heartbreakers!  I had so much fun seeing Preston and Ethan again and getting to meet their baby brother, Porter.  We had a very relaxed session in their home, which was just full of great natural light!  Here are a few pictures from their session.

Another sweet newborn

As difficult as newborn sessions can be, I just love doing them.  There seem to be a lot of them these days, too!  Here are a few sneak peaks at Henley's photographic debut!

More from Sunday's mini-sessions

I am trying to stay caught up with posting (and life, and everything else!).  Here are a few from my mini-sessions on Sunday.

 

America's Next Top Supermodel?

Okay, I admit it.  I am addicted to this show.  It's not like I watch it every single time it comes on, but I do get sucked in every time MTV runs a marathon.  (I also get sucked into "The Hills" marathons, but that's another story!).   Little Callie had all of the beauty and attitude (but in a good way!) of a super model.  It was fun getting to see her again (she was 4 the last time!).  She has really grown into a beautiful girl, inside and out.

This picture says it all...

Rainy Day Session

Although we had intended to do our session outdoors, Mother Nature had other plans and gave us some much needed rain.  Even though Mommy had really wanted to have outdoor pictures (coincidentally, we had weather issues for our session last year as well!), she wanted to take advantage of her day off work (and Daddy's day off work!) and go forward with the session in the studio.  Fortunately for me, I got a chance to try out some new backdrops, and I was very pleased with the results.  Perhaps Mother Nature will cooperate with us next year!

Meet Cinderella and Ariel

I knew before I asked who their favorite princesses were what their answers would be, but I had to ask anyway, and of course, I was right.  I had a lot of fun getting to know Cinderella and Ariel at their home yesterday.  Believe it or not, these two princesses are twins!  I just can't say it enough - some of my favorite sessions are at my clients' homes.  They just seem to be very relaxed, and there is not a whole lot of pressure to make sure the kids behave and smile right in front of the red roses, or the blue hydrangeas, or on the white backdrop!  It allows me to focus on the kids, which is what I like doing the most!  I hope you enjoy these sneak peaks of these beautiful princesses.  

No time for words tonight....

just thought I'd share some recent pictures then off to bed (before 11 p.m. tonight -woohoo!).

Cole

I realize that I am not doing a great job of posting these days.  I've just been so busy shooting that I just can't seem to sit down for long enough to post anything.  But, I am going to try to do better.

Last week, Cole and his parents drove up from Auburn to have some pictures made.  I feel like I have a special connection with him and his family.  My first time meeting his parents was a little over a year ago when they came up for some maternity pictures.  We have done several sessions over the past year, so I really feel like I have gotten to know them pretty well.  I am hoping that I will get to know them even better in the future as Mommy is expecting baby #2 any day now.  She and I also have that in common - Cole was born August 28 (my Jack was born August 29), and about her baby girl will be born in October (Campbell's b'day is this week).  Her babies will be about 13 months apart in age (just like mine).  

Anywho, it was great seeing them again, and I hope that mommy made it back to Auburn without going into labor!  For those of you who've seen Cole on my blog before, I will say this again, I did not do anything at all to his eyes!

My own kids (and niece)

While I was at home this weekend, I attempted to get some pictures of my kids for Christmas cards.  Let me just say, my kids are terribly uncooperative when it comes to pictures, and mommy is very impatient.  Now I understand why even some of the best photographers hire other photographers to photograph their children!  I did end up some that I really liked.  I don't know if they'll make the Christmas card since they look a lot like last year's card!  But I still love them...  I also got to photograph my sweet niece who has grown up so much since the last time I've seen her!

I'm still not quite sure how I got this cherubic expression out of this little turkey!  :)

Another crazy week

This seems to be theme here lately.  I can only imagine that it will stay this way until at least December.  I am trying to be a better poster & not post a mass number of pictures at one time, but tonight I've got a lot to post.  This week was a very busy week of shooting, dealing with sick kids (still), and going home to visit my dad for his birthday.  To add to the stress of the week, my car decided to die (it's back alive again now!) and an elderly lady in a motorized shopping cart ran over my foot in the grocery store (I was wearing flip-flops!).  Not so much fun. ;)  But all is well now.  

Last week, Carrie and Christy (my new assistants) worked on clearing off my dining room table and moved most of my photography supplies into the studio, which they also organized for me!  Beginning next week, the only work that I will be doing from home will be editing my photos.  Everything else will be done in the studio (pick-ups, ordering, etc.).  We will have some regular hours during the week for you to come by and do those things.  As much as I've enjoyed working out of my house, I'm ready to have a little separation!

Here's a look at this past week for me.  Enjoy!