Santa Experience and Portraits - Swansea IL

After lots of (not so) patient waiting ...

Santa arrived!!  We had a great time in the studio with ol' St. Nick!

Santa read the children stories:

And the kids read to Santa:

Gift ideas were discussed (All I want for Christmas is my two...):

And newborn babies were snuggled:

And magic happened:

The kids loved Santa Jim... I think because he was just a big kid himself.  He played and was silly with them, and let them warm up to him naturally.


I can't wait to have him back in my Swansea Studio for more Christmas Mini Sessions!

If you'd like to book a session it's as easy as sending me an email, or picking up the phone!  More information on Pixel This! and getting your own professional portraits done on my website or FaceBook fan page.

A Salute to Veterans - Scott AFB - Photography

A salute to those who serve, especially during a time of war.  God bless every one of you.

And in honor of all the servicemen and service women who have gone through TDY's and deployments, here are some images from an op:love session last night.  A mother returning after almost 6 months deployed.

Seeing her daughter down the hallway, she started to cry (which made me and everyone else cry).

So happy to see mommy again!

Priceless... 

She didn't want to let go of mommy... 

Military Homecoming - Swansea Family Photography

Check out these Daddy's Girls as they wait for their father at the airport after his deployment.  

I love photographing military families for OpLove.org!  Homecomings are so emotional and there are so many great moments.  As a military wife with young kids I can relate to these families and I even get a bit teary during these sessions!

Christmas Family Photos - Swansea Illinois Photography Studio

Perfect set for holiday cards right?!  These kids are too cute in their christmas PJ's waiting for Santa!

Isn't this (pretend) home holiday set great?!  I'm prepping my  Swansea IL studio for Christmas photos with Santa this weekend!  So excited for him to visit (and no, it's not my hubby in a suit!  It's the real old man with a real beard and suit!).  

Baby's First Photos - Newborn Portraits in Swansea, IL

One of my favorite newborn sessions ever!  This little man slept like a champ and allowed us to get a variety of poses.  His big brother was a big helper, and did great when we asked him to join for some sibbling portraits as well.

The Tonka Truck is a big favorite for little baby boys!  This can be used in other milestone sessions to show the childs growth as they learn to sit and stand. 

The family had this basket and blanket on hand, and I love incorperating personalized items in photo sessions!  It gives each family I photograph unique portraits and incorperates things from their every day lives, which add precious memories.

Military families often choose to add their uniforms to their photo sessions for a special touch.   The older son here is wearing the older (BDU) military uniform and the new baby is wearing the new (ABU) uniform. 

Legos are a favorite item, so I promised we would include some.  LOVE how awesome this photo turned out! 

And fathers with their newborns... one of my most favorite things photograph.  Something so sweet about a baby's connection with their daddy, and the contrast of the softness with the strength. 

Important Notice!  Schedule our newborn session while you are still pregnant.  This holds your spot, otherwise your favorite photographer (me right?) might be booked up.  

Because newborn portraits sessions go easier and smoother when done within the first 10 days of life, if your baby is born early/late I'm happy to move around the date. 

Looking for birth photography?  Contact me!  This is a new service I'm offering in the Belleville area (including Swansea, O'Fallon, Scott AFB, and St Louis).  

Laurie@PixelThis.com

Military Reunions- Pixel This! Photography for Scott AFB, IL

As a military wife, with kids of my own, Op:love ReUnited sessions are my favorite!  Getting to see families together again after long deployments is such a magical moment, filled with emotions. 

These moments:

When your husband sees you for the first time in months... and you can finally feel the warmth of his hug.

And when he picks up his child:

 And no one wants to let go. 

While I'm located near Scott AFB, there are hundreds of professinonal photographers around the world doing sessions like these, FREE!  Check out Op:Love ReUnited for more information.

Because pictures like these are priceless!

New Swansea Illinois Newborn and Child Photographer

I'm Laurie... a happilly married gal, and mother to two little super hero's.  I'm also a professional photographer, and particularly love capturing the essence of childhood.  All those moments from the silly to the loving bonds that family shares.  My favorite thing to photograph though is little ones... from newborns, to babies, toddlers to children. 

I'm a military wife, and we recently relocated to Swansea Illinois, and I thought I'd start a blog to celebrate the new location as I restart things from the ground up!  If you're local, be sure to follow along here or FaceBook to keep up with specials and model calls, etc!

And make sure to e-mail me and book your session ASAP!  Only limited numbers of photograph sessions are available to allow me to pamper you and provide amazing and individualized portraits that show off your little one's true personality!