Well, it was a tie!

Talulah



Oliver


If you keep up with things on this blog you'll know we held a contest for the youngest newborn photographed in February. Was I surprised when our wee-est ones turned out to have been born on the very same day, February 9.

First up, there's a little girl who was absolutely inconsolable when she had to be out of her loving mama's arms but who is as sweet as the day is long. Her name is Talulah. As soon as she was back in her mama's wrap, she was happy as a clam.

Second up, there's a little boy who wasn't much keener than Talulah at being parted from his parents' tender touch. Named Oliver, he too is absolutely darling, and he did manage, finally, to fall a little bit asleep.

I always wonder how often I can lose my heart to these little sweetie pies I photograph, and I know that the answer is endlessly.

The prize was meant to be a 20 page book of the winning baby's images, and I have mulled over how to approach this rather charming dilemma. I thought about checking on what time the babies arrived, and awarding the prize to whomever popped out first on February 9, but that seemed somehow mean-spirited to me. So I'm pleased to announce that both of these lucky babies will be gifted with a Jane Photo 20-page Asukabook!

Look at baby Leif now!

In the midst of Vancouver's cold snap and 2 feet of snow, we got together with Leif, the little tot in my book "Becoming Leif." Look at this little pike now! He's almost 20 pounds at 4 months old and just as cute as a button.

Leif's doing all that cool older baby stuff like tracking people as they move, focussing on his hands (as if trying to figure out how to get them to do his bidding), and well, drooling a lot. He's even sitting up a bit on his own. We couldn't believe how much he loves to laugh, and how good his parents Tricia and Brian are at making the giggles rain out. They're good at getting the laughs, but not so good, apparently, at catching them on film.

I was one proud photographer tonight when I caught this shot.

How cool is this?

The baby book I made for clients Tricia and Brian was chosen by its publisher, Asukabook, for its Book of the Month. It's the August book, but the announcement just went live today! It's called 'Becoming Leif.' Go and have a peek. I often make books for my wedding and portrait clients, but this one was a special delight since I'd grown so close to the family after spending so many sessions with them. They chose my 'Blue Line Package' which involves several shoots. It was crazy! We photographed them on the beach at dawn. We photographed them in the studio. We photographed them underwater at a pool. We photographed Tricia in her bathtub under 12 dozen (fridge-cold) eggs.

I stepped out of my usual box a bit by telling their pregnancy and birth book as a bedtime story for their son. I remembered when my girls were little, and how much they loved fables about themselves as babies, and how much they would have loved a picture book about how they got here, and how much they were loved and anticipated when I was pregnant. I just knew Leif would love a book about himself just as they would have.

Anyway, I'm pleased and so proud of the family. They are such awesome parents! They were an utter delight to work for, and I was bereft when the job finally came to a close six days after the baby was born. I hope they have me back to do future work for them!