Posted on July 17, 2011

When I heard that this birthday boy loved Star Wars, I told his mommy to be sure to bring along his favorite things so we could capture what he really loves at this stage.  Turning 5 is so much fun!!!

We did some traditional portraits like this one, but I just had to share more of the Star Wars shots!!






Posted on January 1, 2011

I have been seeing other photographers that I admire posting their “Top 10 of 2010″ blog posts all week long.  So, I planned to sit down on the Eve of 2011 to put together my Top 10…and it quickly became a Top 100 list.  There are just too many beautiful babies, gorgeous moms-to-be, fabulous families, and cute as a button kids that I photographed this past year.  In fact, counting mini-sessions, I had 133 sessions this year. Holy Moly!  Even I was surprised at that number!  So, choosing just 10 was simply impossible.

I settled on my Top 25.  When going back through all 133 sessions, I was drawn most to those images that did more than simply capture the moment.  I absolutely love those images where you can feel the emotion or the connection between the subjects being photographed.  Family is so important and being able to give images to my clients that capture how they feel about one another is my ultimate goal.

So, without further ado, here are my personal favorite 25 images from 2010.  I even wrote captions under each to give you a little more insight on why I picked them!  (Click here to see the FAN FAVORITE of 2010 – I didn’t include it on my list, even though it is a fave of mine, too :) because it has been featured so recently.)

I love nothing more than to snap the shutter at the exact moment when those big smiles appear!

The contrast between Daddy's ink and baby's sweet face in timeless black & white makes this a sure favorite

Not only was the light just perfect this summer day, but the little flowers in the left corner made this perfection!

Out of all my silhouettes this year (and there are so many that I loooove) this one still makes my heart sing!

One of my first births - and this shot really captured the feeling of a hospital birth

Jumping shots are nothing new in the photog. world, but this many people jumping for joy is too awesome!

The curls....the sweet expression...totally natural placement of hands on cheeks...total love.

Big sister-to-be already in love with her baby sis

I love the little fingers and toes peeking out and the bum up in the air with this pose

I was honored to be asked to photograph the special relationship between nursing mom and daughter. The eye contact is the best!

This pose came about totally on the fly. We set up to have daddy and baby and the sky was getting dark, rain rolling in, so I decided to put mom in the shot at the last second. Absolutely one of my all time favorites!

Pure joy + beautiful light = FAVE

This family was so perfectly dressed for their holiday mini-session. Love the contrast and texture in this shot!

I couldn't resist including this one. I totally "borrowed" the idea from another photographer, but made it work especially well with the lines in the wall behind the belly.

This seemingly remote, forest location was just a tiny spot off to the side of this family's house. But it sure gives that secluded, wooded forest feel, doesn't it?

I just love the colors and depth of this family shot!

Can't you just feel the love? <3

The yellow and white outfits contrast so nicely with the green grass. And, for all my photog friends, NO head-swapping!

Another emotional choice. The first time a mother really gets a good look at her firstborn? Priceless.

I'm in love with this hat. And the baby is pretty darn cute, too.

Opposites attract, right? I love the close-up differences of this couple's eyes. Stunningly beautiful.

This one struck me as exuding peaceful and hopeful energy - exactly what maternity portraits should capture.

And finally, one for the record books. These girls are ages 6, 5, 4, 3, and 8 months. And we had 15 minutes in which to capture them together as a gift to their grandparents. Mission Accomplished!

I hope you enjoyed my walk down memory lane!  There were many, many more that I wanted to include, but just didn’t have the time and space.  So now, out with the old…..and on to 2011! See you next year! :D





Posted on September 12, 2010

The Norfolk Botanical Garden is a beautiful spot for photographs (if your family has a membership, you can bring a photographer and have a session there at no extra charge) and since the weather has cooled off a bit, it was perfect for this family session.   Enjoy the sneak peek:

One of my new favorite things is to try to capture a shot or two of Mom & Dad without their children during family sessions.  It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, they are usually some of my favorite shots of the session!





Posted on July 5, 2010

I’m all too familiar with four year olds, having one living in my house right now, so when I was contacted to do a session on this little guy’s fourth birthday, I knew what to expect!  Four year olds are notorious for being on one minute and off the next…they pretty much do what they want, when they want!  (Well, at least that’s how it is in my house!! :) )  As much as I love the “posed” shots, I truly do enjoy capturing kids just being kids.  So these two are my favorites even though they aren’t portrait-perfect.

His mommy just finished an awesome tattoo that says it all:  Mother’s Love Endures All.  She’s a very strong lady and I admire her so much!

So does her son.  And he shows his love just as you would expect from a four year old boy.





Posted on June 4, 2010

This precocious little boy is no stranger to me, but is always full of energy!  His Daddy has been gone for a few months now and these photos will be sent to him as a little Father’s Day “thank you” from me – through Operation: Love ReUnited.  I know it will make the last few months of his deployment a little bit brighter!





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All images copyright 2009-2011 | Contact me at 757-354-2010 or amanda@kimberlingrayphotography.com