Letters to Our Sons | June

Each month, I am sharing a personal post with a letter to my son. A group of mothers and photographers joined together for this project to preserve memories and share our love for our little boys.

Dear Abram,

Your imagination never stops. The words I hear from you most are "I love you!" and "Do you want to pretend?" And since you have been sticking your tongue out in nearly every posed photo I try to take, I decided to take you out and let you have it YOUR WAY for photos. Pretend!





And sometimes you jump right in front of the camera and give me a sweet smile with your dimple!



I hope you will remember me as a mommy who wasn't afraid to be silly and pretend with you. Maybe you will remember playing together when we chase around like monsters at the park, use sticks as magic wands in the backyard, and circle the stairwell over and again finding super power mushrooms and getting unfrozen. And as much as you love to imagine you are someone else, remember that the best thing to be is you.

I love you sweet pea,

Mommy

Continue to read from the blog circle by visiting Mango Mahalo Photography by Michelle Anderson.

The P family part 2! | Troy, IL family photographer

So it wasn't just a family of 3, but TWO families of 3 together for this photo shoot. Another mom, dad, and gorgeous little girl made this extended family session twice as nice.





And these cousins weren't thrilled about taking photos together. Still cute, but not happy with their mommies OR their daddies!

Letters to Our Sons | May

Each month, I am sharing a personal post with a letter to my son.  A group of mothers and photographers joined together for this project to preserve memories and share our love for our little boys.

Dear Abram,
You are getting so big. This month you had your first tee-ball game, full of moments I am glad I didn't miss. You are #11 and were so excited to strike up a conversation with #11 on the other team when he made it to first base.

After a few tries, you got your first hit. Nothing could have taken the smile from your face on the run to first base!


We took a few family photos this month. I think your personality shows a bit here.


And you and Daddy got me a new Lensbaby for mother's day this month. You were giggling like crazy and running in circles trying NOT to let me get a photo of you with it.



I think I got some keepers, my silly sweet pea.
Iloveyou.
Mommy
Follow the links to view the other posts in the circle this month. You can begin by checking out this post by Jen Smay featuring some adorable photos of her little boy.

The P family | Troy, IL family photographer {Session at Oak Knoll Park}

Looking for a photographer in Troy, Collinsville, Maryville, Glen Carbon, or Edwardsville, Illinois? I offer family, baby, maternity, and newborn photos on location. Photo sessions can take place at your home or at any of the beautiful parks in the area: Drost Park, SIUE Gardens, and Willoughby Heritage Farm are some of my favorite places to shoot. And I would love for you to introduce me to your favorites, too!


I love to photograph families of three. The parents focus on the baby, and three is a magic number, of course. Look at these sweet shots of Mom, Dad, and baby girl!

Gabriel {6 month portraits} | Troy, IL family and baby photographer

An hour long family session gives plenty of time for a variety of family portraits, sibling poses, and photos of your children on their own. When you opt for a family session with Carrie P Photography, I will document milestones like baby sitting independently and memories of your whole family as baby grows.
I was excited when this family invited me to their new home for family portraits and to document their son turning 6 months old. Not only do they have a gorgeous new house, but they just happened to own the PERFECT piece of land for photos.


From the moment I walked in, Gabriel was all smiles and ready for the camera! Check out this adorable little boy wearing a fedora and getting a bit distracted by his pup grazing:

I didn't want to stop taking photos of this guy and his cute faces.

Letters to Our Sons | April

Each month, I am sharing a personal post with a letter to my son.  A group of mothers and photographers joined together for this project to preserve memories and share our love for our little boys. 



Dear Abram,

I spend a lot of time in wonder over you and your "windy" personality.  Daddy and I asked you to tell us a story while we were on the car ride back from our weekend in Texas.  The clock ticked by for 18 minutes from start to finish of your tale about Mario and Luigi while we glanced at each other, happy to hear you talk-talk-talking.  You are absolute, matter-of-fact when you talk.  If someone gives you the chance to strike up conversation (the grocery store clerk, a waiter, the librarian) you go on and tell them how awesome Iron Man is and every little thing you can think of about whatever is on your mind, even as we walk away.  I wonder if these people you trap with your intense excitement see how special you are. 




I wonder at your little heart of gold.  You seem to be bursting at the seams full of love for your family, biggest smile when we do a "family hug" and jumping for joy when you hear you get to spend the night with grandparents or see an aunt or uncle.  You are not shy with kisses and big squeezy hugs for your cousins or favorite friends.  You tell me about the mean things that happen at school and how you try to make sure everyone is nice and gets to play.  My heart breaks a little each day you come home upset after school.  I didn't expect such big kid emotions and friendship issues from a 4 year old.  Not surprisingly, you tell me about getting "focus time" at school because you wouldn't sit or be quiet at circle. 



Keep on talking.  Be loving and true to your feelings.  Don't stop being you.

Love,
Mommy

Follow the Letters to Our Sons blog circle to Lara Gowder's blog where she shares a letter to her son and some adorable t-ball photos!

The D family | Photos of the whole family at SIUE gardens

This family had to reschedule a session back in December, and it took us until March to find another time when the whole family would be together again. Somehow despite horrible weather forecasted, we ended up with the perfect afternoon. Good thing, too, as two of the family members were getting ready to move to California!

There are four generations in these family photos and THREE little girls - the third just hasn't made her arrival yet. I am lucky I will get to meet her for her first photos with big sister in August.