Kaitlin Family | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

Who is ready for more photos of Kaitlin and her family?  I shared the film portion of their images in a previous post, but now it's time for the rest.  

Y'all, what can I even say about these images.  It was a beautiful family, in a beautiful location, with gorgeous light.  The whole family was fun, upbeat, and ready to have fun.  This was pretty much an ideal session for me.  I loved working with this family and am so excited with how the images turned out!  I hope I can work with them again in the future.

You can check out the images from this session below: 

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If you'd like to schedule your own family portrait session, please contact me for more information and to schedule a complimentary consultation

Kaitlin Family on Film | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

I shot my first portrait session on color film recently.

Ok to be honest, I still shot most of it on digital.  I had never used this film before, and I wanted to make 100% sure that we got the shots we needed out of it.  But I shot a bit of Agfa 200 on my Nikon FM as well, and I'm absolutely thrilled with how these images turned out. 

I will be sharing the digital images from this session in a bit, but something about the colors and the grain in these images makes me super happy, so I'm going to share these first.  

This is a cheap film, only a couple dollars for a roll of 35mm, and that combined with the fact that I barely know what I'm doing with c41 (color) developing meant that I had pretty low expectations for how these would turn out.  But Agfa had good reviews online so I figured I'd give it a try.  And look at those colors- gorgeous!  I think this is going to be a film that I keep coming back to.  It renders absolutely beautifully. And of course this family is super cute, so that definitely helps.

Stay tuned for the rest of this session- I'll be sharing shortly.  But until then, here's the rest of the film shots!

Kelli Family | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

I've got another throwback today!  I love working with families, and this one in particular is one of my favorite families.  This session was one of the last ones I did before we left Georgia and it was a blast.

Of course I knew it would be.  When I first met Kelli, and found out that her oldest boy was named Riley, it was pretty obvious that we were going to be friends.  And then I met her youngest who is just like my Riley only a year older and they became great friends.

So needless to say, this session was a blast.  We ran around and played at some gorgeous locations and then finished things off with a Mexican restaurant and margaritas.  And while I love the posed photos we took that day, I feel like the restaurant photo sums things up best.

Kitt Family 2016 | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

Today I want to share a session that's a little older.  I've been behind on blogging, but I can't skip sharing this one.  Everything about it makes me smile!

This is a family session I did for my good friend Kitt.  She's been with me since the beginning of my photography journey and I've done countless sessions with her family.  It's so fun comparing all the photos I've done with them to see how their family has grown.

Possible one of the most fun aspects of working with Kitt is her fluffball pack of dogs.  How stinking cute are they?  They are pretty much 100% fur and I just want to snuggle with them all day long. Don't you?

Check out some of the photos from our session below:

FLASHBACK! This is one of the shots from their 2015 family session when their little man was turning one.  Oh how he has grown!

Laura Babywearing | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

It's been a long, stressful couple months.  Since I last posted we packed up all our stuff, sold our house, and moved to El Paso Texas.  As you can imagine,  that was a lot to happen in a very short period of time and I got a bit behind on blogging. 

So it's time to catch up!  Over the next span of weeks, I will be sharing lots of older sessions, mixed in with the newer ones.  This one is from 2016, but its one that I'm still very excited about!  We had so much fun!

At the start of this session I had a very specific vision.  I had recently received a woven wrap (Pavo etini magnolia, in case anyone is interested) that I thought would go perfectly with my newest tulle skirt creation.  I had the image shown above in my head and sought out to create it.  But with such a beautiful family in my studio, I obviously couldn't stop there.  We had a lot of fun with some family shots and individual portraits as well.

Aren't these girls just wonderful?!

If you are interested in your own babywearing or family session, please contact me to set up your complimentary consultation today.

Julie Babywearing Session | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

You all know I love babywearing sessions.  There is nothing more beautiful than a bond between mom and baby and there's something really special about the way that babywearing helps strengthen that bond. So of course I was excited to work with these two for a studio babywearing session. 

This little guy, on the other hand, wasn't all that excited.  Luckily he had his mom close for lots of cuddling and tickling to keep his mood in check.  Aren't they cute?!

If you'd like to book your own portrait session please contact me to set up your complimentary consultation.

Sadie Family Session | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Family Photographer

I've got an extra special session to share today.  This was a session I did while on vacation in Washington State this summer.  Not only did I get to see her for the first time in over a year, but I got to meet her adorable little man and capture some beautiful memories for them!

We found a gorgeous location- Ft. Stielacoom and arrived just in time for some beautiful sunset shots.  Little man was more in the mood for bed than a photoshoot, so he and Sadie just played and had fun while I captured the moments.  I love how they turned out!

If you'd like to book your own family session, please contact me to set up your complimentary consultation today!

Kindall Family | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Family Photographer

Can I just say one thing- twin moms are super-moms.  And twin moms who also have a toddler?  I don't know how you do it! 

But Kindall and her family seem to have it down.  They've got the sweetest toddler girl, and two tiny and adorable twins.  They really are a perfect family. 

I loved shooting this session because of the interactions between the family members.  The twins were holding hands while worn, the parents playing with everyone and having a great time, and of course I love hanging out with toddlers.  We had a lot of fun with races through the botanical garden and telling jokes to get her parents to laugh. 

And of course we took some beautiful photos- see for yourself!

If you would like to book your own family portrait session please contact me to set up your complimentary consultation appointment.

Ruiz Family Maternity | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

I really love maternity sessions.  It is so amazing what a woman's body can accomplish in just 9 short months.  The changes a woman goes through, both physically and mentally are astounding.  There isn't much more beautiful than the curve of a pregnant belly, the strength in a new-mom-to-be's gaze as she thinks about her future child.

Like I said, I really love shooting maternity.

So I was obviously thrilled when the Ruiz family wanted to do a studio maternity session.  We had a good time from the moment we started shooting.  Both of these beautiful women have the type of personality that puts you at ease instantly, like we were already long time friends. Because of this we were able to jump right in and get some really great shots!

These two have the most handsome baby boy now.  I'm so happy for them, and excited to see their little one grow up.  And someday in the future I hope they can look back on these photos and remember this wonderful, fleeting time.  It goes by so quickly.

Congratulations Ruiz family!

Helen Family | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

It was such a pleasure to have Helen and her two boys in my studio.  This was my second session with Helen, and I already knew her youngest was a blast to work with.  But this time she brought her oldest as well.  We were able to get a great family portrait, some brothers shots, and and some solo portraits of each of the boys.  One of these shots even ended up working perfectly for my display at Tater Bugs!  

This family was a blast to work with, as usual.  I can't wait to do it again!

Reina's Family Photos | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Lifestyle Photographer

This was another one of those sessions that consisted of just about everything I love.  Reina is a friend of mine and I photographed her little guy (who is not little anymore) as a newborn. She is a breastfeeding, babywearing, super-mom with a big family to care for and I was thrilled when she asked for updated photos of her youngest, as well as some family portraits.  

This session was great- I got to use the perfect location (which happens to be their backyard-jealous), a gorgeous high-end baby wrap, and to work with this beautiful, amazing family.  We had a great time, and I'm excited to do it again when they are ready for another update.  It's so much fun watching these kids grow up!

Selan Family Session | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Lifestyle Photographer

One thing that I find to be the most fun about working with children is watching them grow up.  I worked with this little girl last at Halloween when she came into my studio for a mini session.  She was in that perfect "sitter" stage for photography where she couldn't really do much but pose.  Not so much this time!  She is all grown up and running all over the place.

With this family it seemed fitting to make this a fun, laid back session.  We ran around Forsyth Park, picking flowers, watching the fountain, playing at the playground, and chasing the beautiful morning light. We had a blast and got some pictures that I feel really capture each of their unique personalities.  Watch the video to see for yourself!

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If you are interested in your own family portrait session, please contact me to schedule your complimentary consultation today!

Kristin Motherhood Session | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

Breastfeeding photo sessions always end up being my favorites, and this one was no exception.  Kristin and her little boy are coming to the end of their breastfeeding journey, and wanted to commemorate the bond they shared with some photos.  It's a bond like none other and deserves to be remembered. 

Breastfeeding is a lot of things.  It's full of drool, and spit up, leaky boobs, and getting kicked in the face.  It can be frustrating, painful, and monotonous, whether it's the hours spent on the pump or when baby wants fed for the third time in an hour. But it's so much more than all of that.  There's something so amazing about being able to provide everything a little person needs from one's own body.  It's about those late nights when the baby falls asleep on your chest and sweetly suckles in his sleep, or those moments when you make eye contact and he smiles up at you.  Breastfeeding is a crazy, frustrating, never-gonna-end/is-it-over-already roller coaster.  And it's damn beautiful, too.

I'm so happy that Kristin trusted me with these memories.  It was so wonderful to meet these two strong, beautiful people and share this time with them, because moments like this shouldn't be forgotten.

Throwback Thursday: A Boy and His Dog

Here's one from the archives that never fails to make me smile.  It's just a guy and his dog, and they are oh, so happy together.

Dad & Son at the Park | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

I'm going to keep it short and sweet today.  Hubby is finally home, so we took Riley to play at one of my favorite places in Pooler, Tom Triplett Park.  Of course I had to get some pictures.  Aren't they cute together?!

Throwback Thursday: Riley 9 Months Ago | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

I love recreating photos as Riley grows.  It's so much fun to see how much he's changed in what feels like such a short period of time.  Case in point: these two shots.  These were both taken at the same swing at Tom Triplett park in Pooler, GA.  In the first one, he is 9 months old.  The second was taken very recently (he's almost a year and a half, now).

I can't get over how grown up he looks now!

Throwback Thursday- My First DSLR | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

I may be in the minority here, but I really love facebook's memories feature.  Every morning I look back on what I was doing on this day going back 7 years.  Sometimes I wonder what was going through my head, sometimes I laugh at how young I was, and sometimes I am able to see patterns in my life.

For instance, for the past 7 years on this day, I was doing something related to art (except 4 years ago, there's no record of that one).

• 7 years ago I was making a prom dress
• 6 years ago I was a DJ on my college radio show
• 5 years ago I was working on creative writing homework
• 3 years ago I bought my first DSLR camera
• 2 years ago was my first shoot with a model

I loved seeing the old photos.  When I first picked up my Nikon D3100 I had no idea what I was doing.  I had done some online research about the exposure triangle, but with nothing other than a point and shoot to practice on, I didn't have any idea what I was doing.  I was just playing with it to figure it out.

The first thing I did after buying my camera was take a walk around a nearby lake with my family and my dog.  Since it's still nearby, I decided to do the same today.  Check out the difference!

Even though my older photos often make me cringe, it's so fun to see the progress I've made.  It is so easy to get caught up on the things I'd like to change or do better today, and totally forget how far I've come.  
Plus I got have a nice relaxing evening at the lake with Jerry and my little man.  You can't beat that!

Kitt & Family | Mikaela Joy: Savannah, GA Family Photographer

One of my favorite things about being a photographer is working with the same family more than once and watching how they grow and change.  You may remember this photo from a while back:

I worked with Kitt for the first time for a babywearing session earlier this year.  These two were absolutely wonderful together, and I loved working with them, so of course I was thrilled when Kitt asked me to do photos with her whole family.

It turns out the whole family includes three dogs, and a cat.  She calls them their pack- how perfect is that!

Just like the first time, this family was great to work with.  I can't wait to help them capture more of their future memories!  I also can't wait for another visit to their house just for the chance to lay in their fluffy pile of dogs :)

Ben & Erin | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Family Photographer

By the time that we are done with all our consultations and session, I usually know a lot about my clients and consider them to be friends.  But when the clients are friends before all of that, it's guaranteed that we will have an extra great time.

This is definitely true of Ben and Erin.  I've known these two for years (and have been trying to get them behind my camera for just about as long).   So when Erin contacted me asking about a family photo session I was pretty excited. 

The location was great, the timing was great, we just had one problem.  The shoot was scheduled during a very important football game.  All I can say there is thank god for technology! Ben was able to watch/listen to the game on his cell phone, and I was able to get the shots. Working with the dogs was an extra challenge (albeit a welcome one), but luckily for me these dogs were good posers.

And good kissers too, apparently.