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!).