A Photo A Day :: Week 23

So this is a little embarrassing. Last weekend I realized that I was a week ahead on my photo a week challenge. Meaning I had mis-numbered all the weeks starting at week 17 - which should have been week 16. I had to go through and change the weeks on all of my posts, thankfully I caught it now instead of ten weeks from now but... I thought I should explain in case you thought I lost my marbles (which I have) and was repeating weeks.  I had three shoots this past week, one maternity and two newborns. I need more practice with newborns. Although I am content with the shots I got, I feel like they could have been better...
6|5 : Out my window 6|6 : New parents 6|7 : Baby Dana 6|8 : Rustic perfection 6|9 : Baby Zane 6|10 : Pier bliss 6|11 : Baby steps
Next week I'll post full sessions from my maternity shoot and baby Dana.  Xo Justyn

A Family Sunset Session

A little over a month ago I hosted a giveaway for Mothers Day and I gave away a free one hour session. I know, that's huge. Anyway, this is the giveaway winner and her beautiful family.

I was so excited when she told me she wanted to do a sunset session, mostly because they're my favorite. The lighting is always dreamy and perfect and dreamy... However getting kids to cooperate at such a session can be tricky. Luckily this mom had jelly beans in her back pocket. Literally.

We shot at a local park on a Friday evening and the weather was absolutely beautiful.

This family was so much to work with. They were totally up for any challenge including putting the kids in a tree. Unfortunately those pictures didn't come out so well but it's the thought and effort that counts! I think that might be why this is one of my favorite sessions so far. It was just fun and easy going. There was no pressure and the pictures came out awesome - if I do say so myself. Which I do.

xo

Justyn

Capturing My First Birth Story

A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of photographing my first birth story. I'm sure you remember Azul from her gorgeous maternity pictures about a month and a half ago. I mean talk about a beautiful pregnant woman... Anyway, she asked if I would capture the birth of their baby and it was an opportunity I just couldn't turn down.

Birth is such a personal experience that I was a little nervous being there. Before her labor started we had discussed in great lengths the "type" of pictures she wanted and agreed that capturing the essence and emotion of the birth without being graphic was the way we wanted to go. I had in my head several shots I wanted to take but with the excitement it was easy to get caught up in the moment and sidetracked.

Our night started at about 9pm, I arrived at the hospital ready for action, but the baby had other plans. Labor lasted a lot longer than we anticipated. Luckily I was prepared for that and took advantage of photographing the hospital itself and the sweet moments between contractions. Finally, around 2:30am it was time to get serious.

I won't go into details because, as I said, birth is a very personal experience. I can't say how she felt but I can tell you the emotions in the room were contagious. Determination, joy, excitement, anxiety, sheer exhaustion. We all felt these things as she began to push. The moment that sweet baby Dana took her first breath,  the overwhelming love and utter amazement that bringing a new life into the world creates, filled the room.

I can honestly say that it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Being on the "other side" of a birth is almost as incredible as giving birth and I hadn't expected that. Sharing that moment with this family was so beautiful and humbling.

I couldn't have asked for a better experience and I can't wait to capture another birth story.

xo

Justyn

P.S.

If you are expecting and are in the Raleigh area and considering a birth story I'd love to discuss options with you! More information on pricing and what is included in a birth story session can be found here. 

A Photo A Day :: Week 22

I'm not going to lie guys, this week I was sort of a mess. Kaelyn was sick and then I was PMSing (tmi?) and the whole week was just one of those that I wished would end. I was so over it. I wanted to sleep and read and eat chocolate.  And with that I will confess that I cheated a bit on my challenge. In fact, I kind of cheated a lot. But I like a lot of these pictures so who cares. Isn't my attitude awesome?

5|29 - Sparkle

5|30 - Daisies

5|31 - This lonely street

6|1 - Messy

6|2 - The museum on Natural Science

6|3 - Frog behind glass

6|4 - TRex

XO

Justyn

Carter & Cole

As I prep for a busy weekend full of newborn and maternity shoots, I figured it was time to share my last Winchester session. These sweet boys, I can honestly say that their parents are some of the sweetest, most genuine people I know, and it shows through their sons personalities. We shot at their grandparents home, with it's beautiful landscape as our backdrop.
Sibling sessions are becoming my favorite. Although Cole wasn't very excited for pictures - a trend I've noticed with older children and sunset sessions - I was able to capture some sweet moments between him and his baby brother. Watching them interact and being able to immortalize those interactions is really why I started taking pictures to begin with. Especially when a babe is involved. These two were no different. Carter's love for his older brother was obvious as he giggled and watched in awe as Cole ran around the yard and played with his trucks. Waiting for the day when he can run and laugh with him.
I look forward to capturing those moments in the future!

Stayed tuned for a birth story and another family session coming up on the blog next week. If you're interested in booking a session I have limited availability left for the summer, you can contact me here for more information. I also recently switched platforms for my website - allowing for client access - you can check that out here.

XO 

Justyn

A Photo A Day :: Week 21

I have been in the process of updating my portfolio and pricing - along with debating on switching platforms for my website and blog this week. It doesn't sound as time consuming as it is but once you throw in two kids and a busy summer schedule...life gets pretty hectic. And at the end of the day when I finally have time to sit down and edit or design a new site - all I really want to do is snuggle in bed with the hubs. So that's why I am just now posting my photos from last weeks 365 challenge. You understand I'm sure.  5|22 : siblings meet for the first time 5|23 : (from 5/22) roses 5|24 : baby feet 5|25 : through the looking glass 5|26 : peaches 5|27 : rainbow 5|28 : rustic  xo  Justyn

Random Chicken

When my friend Erica asked me to do her son Beckett's one year shoot, I kind of thought she was joking. Not because she's mean or anything like that, I've seen the photos she's had done - they're gorgeous. Her whole family is just gorgeous. So for her to ask me seemed like, well, a joke.

Alas, she was serious and I, of course, said yes.

Beckett was my second shoot last Sunday. We took these pictures at their home, which might I also add is gorgeous. I seriously thought I was driving to a secret garden as I came up their driveway. Couldn't have asked for a better background!

We started our shoot in Beckett's amazing playroom and then took it outside, playing with the dogs and chickens, the family tractor and then ended watering plants on the front porch. This little boy was so much fun to photograph. He was so expressive and a total flirt. Which is really what every woman is looking for. Am I right?

xo

Justyn

Raindrops and Cake

I've known this little dudes mommy since we were about ten years old. That's almost twenty years. Sleep overs, pool parties, choir trips - we've done a lot together - so it's only natural that motherhood is another one of those things. To say I was thrilled to capture her baby boy's first birthday session/cake smash is an understatement.

Axton was my first shoot of the day last Sunday. We planned the shoot pretty early so we didn't conflict with naps, although the little guy was still pretty sleepy. Understandably so considering his first birthday party had been the day before. It was drizzling the whole shoot, but the images still came out great. I only wish I had a better angle to avoid the neighboring houses in my shots.

We started with some balloons, slightly deflated but perfect for a one year old, before moving on to the cake, which might I add, he was extremely dainty eating. It didn't exactly get smashed, I've noticed this is a trend among one year olds - they have to be prompted to actually smash the cake... The whole shoot lasted about forty minutes before he decided he was done with the drizzle and early morning sweets. And who could blame him? He was a trooper and forty minutes was all we needed to capture these sweet memories!

Xo

Justyn

P.S.
In honor of the unofficial start to summer and because I am obsessed with Friday's sunset session for my last giveaway winner, I'm giving away::
- A one hour shoot for 50% off ($25)
AND
- 3 one hour shoots at 10% off ($45)
Shoot includes 20 - 25 images, print rights and Digital Download or Images on USB.

Click HERE for more details!