So you probably heard, the new word staycation has been added to the official dictionary. We used to call it a local weekend getaway, day trip, local hangout spots, etc.

We’re also vacationing on the budget this year and taking full advantage of staycation. I think I’ll post a countdown of our favorite staycations.

This week: The Arboretum in Madison is gorgeous with lushious greens and abundant nature spots. Here 2 of my favorite shots from our Arboretum hike:

Horizon by Funky Monkey Photography

Nature by Funky Monkey Photography

Are you having a baby or had a baby recently? My passion is newborn baby & family photography and I would love to document their first moments for you.

I recently had the pleasure of documenting little Azundo’s first moments. What a gorgeous family they are! I met the mama a few years ago and always loved her beautiful dreads and gorgeous freckles. She’s so photogenic even though she think she isn’t.  The dad was super cool about posing for the photographs, I love it when dads get all into it too. And the big siter, oh my, what a sweetheart. She was so helpful and loving to her little brother. Little Azundo is one lucky little guy for the stork to bring him intot his family;)

family portrait madison wi

Gorgeous family + newborn portraits Madison WI  Madison WI

Azundo was such a good baby to photograph, very calm and happy. Isn’t he beautiful? Awww…

newborn portrait Madison wi

baby portrait Madison WI

Gorgeous family + newborn portraits Madison WI  Madison WI

His big sis is a gorgeous girl herself with a big heart:

Sisterly love Madisn WI

a very beautiful pensive face:

Gorgeous family + newborn portraits Madison WI  Madison WI“In Daddy’s arms”

Look at these happy parents:

Gorgeous family + newborn portraits Madison WI  Madison WIThanks for having me over to document your very special family!

I got to meet E & J yesterday who are expecting their first born son. He’s one lucky little guy to have such sweet and smart parents. Too bad for Madison because they are planning on moving back where they are from before he gets too big. I had to take some Madtown specific maternity portraits for them, so years from now they can show his son where he was born. Olin parked is so gorgeous, just don’t go in the water (lots of algae).

Can’t you just tell they have the “spark”?

pregnancy photography madison wi

E is a beautiful, radiant mama-to-be!

pregnancy portrait madison wi

They were such great sports, really! They didn’t shy away from a little PDA (public display of affection) around crowds walking to the near by La Fete De Marquette. Normally, these streets around my studio are empty on the weekends, so this was quite unusual to have such audience.

Awaiting   maternity portaits Madison Wi  Madison WI

And here’s Madison horizon line for keepsake:

Awaiting   maternity portaits Madison Wi  Madison WI

Thanks so much for wonderful time, going with the flow and allowing me total creative freedom!

sara-anne: I love the shawdow one!! beautiful work

What can I say, we’re on fire! More new *HOT* off the press products that are so cute and unique, you have to see them.

Since so many of our clients fall in love with all images from their session and want to have the “whole story” in photographs, I created a few options to own them all.

Here’s one of them: the Story Box:

Presenting... Story Box Madison WI Baby Photographer  Madison WI

Inquire about Story Box and more details here.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July celebrations! Enjoy the perfect, not too hot, not too cold weather.
We’re choosing to skip the big crowds and go to a local kid-fest and fireworks celebrations. I must run off as the family wants to leave to go have some fun.

Baby feet

July 3, 2009

Capturing the tiny details of a newborn is always fun. I just adore their little feet, hands, and features. It *always* amazes me how small they really are, no matter how many newborns I see. They truly are little miracles. So a post to newborn feet it is. They belong to the little guy Finley I photographed recently. Someone in the family called his toes “tree frog toes” because he spreads really far.

Baby feet  Madison WI

Baby feet  Madison WI

Belly to baby

July 3, 2009

Being a children and family photographer, I have the privilege to be a part of many lives. It’s with fascination that I get to watch babies grow. From bellies, to babies, to toddlers and beyond. This little girl “K” is a very special baby I got to photograph before she was even born. She’s on our Baby Plan so I get to photograph her pretty often. This was her 7-month portrait session and I couldn’t help but try to replicate the image I created with her in her mommy’s belly and their dog.

Belly to baby  Madison WI

I really like creating silhouettes that give you the outline of the people but no details. They seem so moody and timeless. Here is little K with her parents.

Belly to baby  Madison WI

PS Our weekends in July are filled but we have a few weekdays left. August is booking up already. If you are in Madison or area, pregnant or just had a baby, we do give priority to newborns, so give us a buzz 608.513.9400.

I just got back from a rockin’ newborn baby portrait session and wanted to share a few images from his rockin’ nursery! The whole house is decorated with a really warm yet modern style I really like. I adored his nursery but also his big sister’s room and every other part of the house. The dad played drums so this decor seems so fitting for his son. I always liked the blue and brown combo in decorating, so hip and fun.
Thanks for having me over, “K” family!

Rockin Baby Boy Nursery { Madison WI Photographer }  Madison WI

Rockin Baby Boy Nursery { Madison WI Photographer }  Madison WI

Who doesn’t love summer around here after a long winter? I’ve had a checklist of things I wanted to do with my family this summer. Rides & cotton candy at local fair, check. Flying a kyte, check. Slip’n’slide, check. Ice cream, xxxxx times check. Carousel at Ella’s Deli, check. Swimming classes for daughter, check. Daughter learning how to swim – unexpected! She’s only 3 years and 4 months. She started taking classes last fall at Little Strokes, who I highly recommend. Miss Emily there does a wonderful job, most of the time my daughter is either the only child or one of the two children being taught at a time. They teach beginners holding breath under water, getting used to the water, basics of floating and crawl.
Today in a pool, she actually swam and floated without assistance. It just happened I had my camera with me because this was the end of a 2-week class at a local outdoor pool.
I’m so proud of her!

Water, swimming and summer in Madison  Madison WI

Water, swimming and summer in Madison  Madison WI

She’s a master at jumping in, I think it’s her favorite part.

Water, swimming and summer in Madison  Madison WI

Water, swimming and summer in Madison  Madison WI

Kim: How AWESOME!!! Looks like she is having so much Fun!!!

Cute 1 year old boy

June 26, 2009

Today I had a visit from a little guy I met in February, he was one of the top cutest babies. Isn’t he? Super cute, busy body, and a little charmer too. He’s a year now and I just adore when he toddles. This poor little guy fell asleep on the way to the session and arrived out cold. We had to warm him up but luckily our studio is very children-friendly. On the lime green shag rug carpet, with lots of toys around him, he warmed up to smiles really quickly. The busy 1 year olds are more challenging to photograph indoors as they cannot be contained! So off we went on a little trip in the neighborhood. Thanks for bringing him by today, M!

Cute 1 year old boy  Madison WI

Cute 1 year old boy  Madison WI

Cute 1 year old boy  Madison WI

Cute 1 year old boy  Madison WI

I love all babies

June 26, 2009

but especially chubby babies!

I love all babies  Madison WI

(posted with permission from mommy)

I love all babies  Madison WI

I love all babies  Madison WI

Happy Father’s Day!

June 22, 2009

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, papas, grandpas, step-dads, adopted dads, daddies-to-be, and all fathers in the world!

Kim: I Love all three images!!! such a cutie patootie!!!

Another super-fun photo session with jumping puddles and more! I may sound corny again but this is another girl I’ve had the pleasure of watching grow from the time she was in her mommy’s belly. She’s almost 2 now! Little super model, that’s for sure. Her mom always has the coolest, colorful outfits for her. Since rain was in the forecast, I asked if she had any rainboots for Little Miss K. She didn’t, but her mom went out looking/ shopping for them the day before our session. These adorable butterfly rain boots were found at Happy Bambino.

By the time of our session the rain subsided but we still had a few small puddles left. Although the rain stopped, it didn’t stop us from having fun! We also got spotted jumping puddles by a fellow local photographer on FaceBook (find me here on FaceBook and here’s our page). What can I say, my job is so hard. Wink, wink!

madison child photographer

Isn’t she a little lady? I just adore her little red shoes. She’s stylin’!

child portrait Madison

I will try to dig up some of the previous portraits of K….

Today was one of those days, I can hardly believe how lucky I am. I get to hang out with really cool little and big people, enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful summer day, and even eat ice cream. Just another day at work :)   The UW Union Terrace offered lots of colors and interesting spots today, as always. The day was perfect, first one after a series of storms. As we strolled around the water edge, the smell of sun screen and grilled brats filled the area reminding us of many fun-filled summer days. To finish a great session and reward the little models, rich Wisconsin ice cream scoops were served. You can see in the photos below how much they were enjoyed by all. The Uniontopia was my choice, with ooey goey carmel, peanut butter and chocolate.

I’ve been fortunate to have met this awesome family when the littlest one, R, was still in the belly. I love watching the children grow! Here’s beautiful R at 14 months and big sister O who’s almost 5. In the time I’ve known them, O went from a sparkly toddler to a sophisticated girl. She is absolutely stunning, isn’t she?

Thank you guys for such a fun time.

Fun at the Union   Madison photographer  Madison WI

What a better way to spend a Saturday morning than in our gorgeous Olbrich botanical gardens with a fun family and their adorable little girl. The sun was shining, the birds were swooping, water was sprinkling and we just walked around to take it all in. Little “A” is super adorable with gorgeous blueest eyes and cute curls. I met her at the Baby Expo and I remembered her face very well, but more precisely those very blue eyes and cute face. She’s a little explorer and not afraid to venture out. She loved the water fountains. Thanks for letting me tag along!

At first, A was not sure of me, the new person. Her shyness is so natural at this age, I knew she’d warm up later.

Another adorable girl in Madison.  Madison WI

And she did!
Another adorable girl in Madison.  Madison WI

I called it, she’s a “daddy’s girl,” but then again I think all daughters have a special bond with their dad, right?
madison wi olbrich gardens

Did I mention we played with the fountain?

Another adorable girl in Madison.  Madison WI

kristi: She mist have been in HEAVEN with that fountain!! Cute work, J!

4 most adorable girls

June 14, 2009

What do you get when you mix 4 little cousins & sisters on a summer morning?

Girls

Lots of joy, screaming, jumping, running, and a bunch of cuteness!

We were in a park, outdoors in an urban alley and in/out our studio. These little girls don’t wear out. They just need a few snacks in between to refuel. I love all the energy, spark and love they share. Thank you to their Mommies for bringing them over.

children photographer madison wi

4 most adorable girls  Madison WI

kristi: look at their fun brightly colored dresses. Looks like you brought out the best in these four girls!

Good things today

June 10, 2009

1. Madison’s women magazine BRAVA is coming back! And so is Women’s Expo in the fall. Good for Madison.

2. We’ve been having perfect, gorgeous weather. After a looooong winter, I’m finally soaking up the sun without the humidity and AC running. Spring is fabulous in Wisconsin.

3. I’m getting lots of babies being born for me to photograph in June/ July! Pregnant bellies in June, babies in July to be exact. I am so excited! I really love creative maternity and newborn sessions.

4. My daughter really can’t cut her hair any shorter.

5. So greateful for the wonderful families I got to photograph recently. Thank you:)

Some of the blog readers asked for the “After” hair photographs to my daughter’s self-hair cut, so here they are.  She actually cut her heir on the right side almost by the skin, so the whole left side had to be cut short. I really didn’t want to/ wasn’t ready for a boy’s haircut on her. My heart is still broken from seeing all that golden hair on the floor. Makes me so sad.  I didn’t want to cut all of it off. When we walked into the hair salon, the lady had a very cute haircut with right side being long and left side being short. I said to her, “We’d like your haircut but on her,” pointing to my little girl. It fit perfect with her pink converse shoes, rocker t-shirt and jeans. My baby has a punk hair cut! I figured it’s going to be easy to take care of, not so much hassle as long hair after swimming, and yet still cute enough to know she’s a girl. We will see. What do you think?

before:

The After hair post  Madison WI

after:

The After hair post  Madison WI

Amber: I'm crying for you, I know I would be heart broken if my daughter did this. I will be putting all scissors up a little higher =) Her new do is way cute though!

Aseel: Aww...she's still as cute as can be! And it will grow back just in time for fall :) The new 'do suits her...too cool!

--> Funky Monkey Photography: Ha Amber, the funny thing they were up HIGH, in a cabinet high above a toilet. She climbed the toilet. She goes potty by herself so she wasn't supervised while there for a few moments, until it got too quiet.

Jenny: Her rocker style is great, but I am not going to let my 3 year old see it! :)

Amanda LEATHERBERRY: Awwww.....this has to be so sad for you! I remember my little girl doing the same thing at the same age....I cried. But I will say that her new rocker style looks SO cute on her! She's such a cutie that anything would look good on her :)

Mindy: Wow! My 4-year old just did the same thing! I will be posting before and after photos of her in the next week as well! Mindy Adopt a 'Do - Cute Girls Hairstyles

Lori Elizabeth: omg! Justina! She really cut a lot off!!!!!

As a mom, you are busy picking out the outfits for kids, planning the coordinating outfits for family, and last minute details before the session. But did you know, that in group portraits, it’s always mom whose look is most important? As a photographer, I always try to find flattering angles for everyone. As a mom, I know lots of mom are very self-critical of their own portraits. A family portrait can have everyone with cute expressions, but if mom doesn’t look her best, it’s rarely picked as the family portrait.

So I asked my friend, sometimes client, marketing consultant and make consultant, Melissa, to give us some make up tips for moms on how to look your best in portraits. I hope you find it helpful because I sure did! She motivated me to get a better skin regime. I always admired her make up and style. We originally met many moons ago, when Melissa did my professional wedding make up. That was back in 1998 in Janesville. We re-met many years later in Madison, when this familiar face mom showed up to a session with the most adorable little son. For those who attended Madison Baby Expo this year, you probably met Melissa at our booth. And if you are this blog reader, you most certainly would recognize her son’s photos. He’s one of my favorite little models and I’m so glad I’m going to have another gorgeous little mode: they’ve having a new baby later this year.

Melissa always manages to have flawless make up despite of being a busy mom. I am not an every day make up wearer, but I like to know how to apply it well when I do wear it. In portraits, I have seen a big difference when make up is worn.

Tips from Melissa:

“1.  Best mascara for photos:  Any brand that you feel comfortable in BLACK!  The only exception is very fair AND very blonde people and then it should still be brown/black.  If you are tan and blonde, still go with black.  Even if you don’t normally wear black mascara, it makes your eyes pop in photos.

2.  Keep foundation natural looking.  Unless you have a foundation that is already a perfect match, I would recommend going to a cosmetic counter or Sephora to have an exact match picked for you by an expert.  If you are worried about buying a color now when you might have a tan later, then buy foundation that matches you NOW and NOT a darker shade.  It’s very easy to add bronzer later.  If you don’t feel comfortable in most foundation, buy an exact match concealer to cover up any typical small discoloration, acne, dark circles, etc.

3.  Finishing powder/powder:  I use and recommend a translucent loose powder on everyone.  It minimizes shine, provides no extra color and it helps keep makeup looking fresh longer.  If you typically use a compact powder, that works too, but apply it with a brush and not the sponge.  Also, keep the powder color either color-less or the exact match of your skin now.

4.  Eyeshadow:  If you already wear eyeshadow, then you basically know what you feel good in.  These tips are for those who don’t typically wear eye makeup or don’t feel comfortable in a lot of shadow.  In a nutshell, keep in light and natural.  1.  Find a light neutral, NOT glittery base color (cream, light pink, white) and sweep it over your entire lid.  2.  Apply a line of neutral eyeliner (grey, brown, navy) above your upper lashes only and blend as necessary.  3.  Apply BLACK mascara (unless as noted above).

5.  Blush/bronzer:  Don’t wear anything TOO glittery or TOO brown for your photo shoot.  Both do not turn out too well in photos.  If you typically avoid pink, go with a brown tone that has pinkish tones.

6.  Overall tips:  1.  DO NOT WEAR TOO MUCH GLITTERY MAKEUP!  If you are going to have a shimmer, think a light touch on your brow bone OR a sweep on your cheek bones NOT BOTH!  In photos it can appear too shiny (or oily looking).  2.  Look your best!  Get some rest before the photos and make sure to drink a lot of water days leading up to the photo shoot.  3.  Adopt a habit of good skin care, wash your face twice a day, and wear a moisturizer (WITH SPF 15) at the LEAST everyday.  Good makeup starts with good skin.  ”

Thanks again, Melissa!

If you found these tips helpful or have a few of your own, feel free to leave a comment!

And since I don’t like to post without a photo, here are a couple of my daughter from a year ago, when she and her cousins decided to do each other’s make up.

Make upJust for moms { Make up tips for portraits Madison WI }  Madison WI

I love fun designs and when I spotted these, I knew I could incorporate them into our Story Cards. Story Cards are 5×7 or 5×5 Custom Cards printed on linen textured paper.

Fun and funky new design for Story Cards  Madison WI

Fun and funky new design for Story Cards  Madison WI

Fun and funky new design for Story Cards  Madison WI

Cute hair ideas

June 2, 2009

Our little girl is not so little anymore, she is 3+ years old. We’ve been letting her hair grow out because we love seeing her long, silky blond hair. Grandma likes to put in braids, I like piggy tails, daddy likes a pony tail. This year her hair has gotten pretty long, reaching pass middle of her back.

girl

Today, our daughter was sitting at her kiddie table and using kiddie scissors to cut out shapes from a magazine. She knows the rules – stay at the table. Did mommy forgot to tell her one important rule? No cutting your own hair? I didn’t know I had to! But, that’s what she did. Daddy stopped her because he was closest but she already cut off a big chunk, right next to her ear. Yeah, it’s pretty short. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. My baby’s pretty hair! Well, she’s a big girl and not a baby anymore. Tomorro

w we will have to make an appointment to a hair salon so they can finish the job professionally. I just hope we don’t have to chop it all off, maybe they can do some creative countouring around the face so it’s still longer in the back. Unless it’s a mullet, then we better go short. I saved the golden lock:(

pony tails

I was just going to post all the awesome ideas for girl’s hair that Mindy from Cute Girl Hair Styles blog offers. Wow, some really cute and unique ideas! She has graciously allowed me to use some of her images and link back to her blog. If you are a mom with a long hair girl, I hope you find these useful! I think a fun hair style can sometimes spruce up a photo session and make the look all the more unique.

{Photography in the post below ©  Copyright Mindy from Cute Girl Hair Styles blog}

I love this one.  And this one is also so beautiful yet she makes the instructions make it seem like they are simple to make too.

Cute hair ideas  Madison WI


Instructions for the Twist back here.

And so many more gorgeous hair styles with step by step instructions, supplies you need, photos to illustrate each step and even instructional videos. I love it that Mindy also feature specific hair styles for holiday such as St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, etc.

Hope someone besides me also gets inspired by her beautiful her styles for girls! I just hope my girl’s hair is not going to have to be totally cut off. Sigh.

While at the birthday party, I couldn’t help but capture some adorable faces my “Baby Plan” model was making. Isn’t she precious? That smile, those gorgeous blue eyes, and baby rolls! Awww!

While at the birthday party, baby portraits  Madison WI

I love this gummy grin:

While at the birthday party, baby portraits  Madison WI

Amber: Such a little personality. And only you capture it so wonderfully on film!

Happy 2nd birthday, Maddie!
Thanks for inviting me over to celebrate with the family! It was very fun meeting you guys and your little girl. I adore her and her little voice. Her gorgeous red hair and starkly eyes are so charming
Hope you enjoy this sneak peak.

Birthday portraits Madison WI  Madison WI

Birthday portraits Madison WI  Madison WI

Birthday portraits Madison WI  Madison WI

Amber: Beautiful work! I love your creativity!

Twin Tea party

May 26, 2009

Thanks for the darling tea party, girls:)

Twin Tea party   Madison WI

Twin Tea party   Madison WI

I adore how their mom nurtures their individual personalities and lets them make their own choices about dresses. Look how happy it makes the Big Sister:

Twin Tea party   Madison WI

Don’t you just love that toothy grin? Awww!

And speaking of toothy grins, here is one more:

Twin Tea party   Madison WI

I was so glad to see my favorite little models yesterday. I was surprised to see little Miss B so big, having curls and walking! I felt like I just saw them for Christmas portraits, and she was this baby with short hair:Little sister and big brother { Madison Child Photographer }  Madison WI

And look who’s walking now! 14 months old.

Little sister and big brother { Madison Child Photographer }  Madison WI

I adore this “Big Brother – Little Sister” Story Board:

Little sister and big brother { Madison Child Photographer }  Madison WI

Here’s more of the little sis:

Little sister and big brother { Madison Child Photographer }  Madison WI

What a cute family they make, don’t they?

Little sister and big brother { Madison Child Photographer }  Madison WI

Thanks again to the O Family for all the fun!

Kim: such adorable photos!!

Kimberly: Beautiful family. I love all of the colors.