Last Friday I thought it would be fun to have a couple kids over for a play date (sisters) and have a little photo shoot. I’m at the point in my photography journey that I feel I have enough of a grasp of the technical stuff to exercise a little creativity, and I’m at a place where I’m really excited to exercise that creativity whenever I can.
Unfortunately, my kids are over it. Well, that, and also I’m their mom so there’s that whole, “Really, mom? REALLY?” ‘tude they have going on. Other people’s children, however, find my camera novel and listen like little sweethearts when I tell them to stand there and look here… but DON’T say “cheese!”
So I commandeered my friend’s children and made it sound like she’d be getting a great deal by letting me take their pictures, when really, I was the one who was having all the fun.
Aren’t they the sweetest?!
I was inspired to do (okay, basically stole the idea of) the baking themed shoot from the amazing Ariana from Becoming Mom (who was inspired by Sandy Wagerman of Lucky Ladybug Photography).
I got all the supplies I needed at Target (but of course). The baking supplies and “LOVE” wooden blocks were all found in their dollar section, and the colorful heart backdrop is a vinyl tablecloth from a Valentines end cap in housewares. We didn’t have time to find or make aprons, so we just folded a hand towel (also found in the dollar section) in half and ran a ribbon through it, then tied it around the child’s waist. Though, you really can’t see the apron much in these pictures.
I was glad I got some great pictures of my friend’s children with this set up because I knew mine wouldn’t cooperate with the idea. All is not lost, though. I managed to score this beauty of Kendall, which I turned into a wallet sized card for him to exchange at school.
Fitting, what with his love for all things sports.
Leyna did manage to model her pretty Tea Collection dress.
Have you entered to win that $100 shopping spree yet?
And, overall, she just had a grand time licking and chewing all the new photo props and hanging out with her little bestie.
Oh, and these pictures were taken in front of the floor to ceiling window in our newly enclosed home office. I never realized what beautiful light comes in there most of the day until we put a wall in front of it. Scott doesn’t know this yet, but I’m brainstorming ways to turn it into a home office SLASH mini studio. He’s going to rue the day he ever bought me that camera.
Kendall is 3.5 and Leyna is 1… annnnd they already get annoyed at the sight of my camera.Â
- 5Shares
27 comments
AH! The cuteness is beyond words! What gorgeous little kiddos, and I LOVE how much FUN they all look like they are having! So happy without being cheesy – PERFECTION!
Aww! That’s exactly what I was going for. Thank you 🙂
Oh. My. Goodness. I wish I could take photo’s just 1/10th this good. I just got smacked in the face with cute.
Oh my, I love it. Most of my valentine decor came from the dollar spot also. The last picture is heart melting.
Holy Cute! Wow, these are adorable! And Kendall is a little heartbreaker!
And is she holding your phone in that last one? lol!
She is! She was listening to some Black Eyed Peas on Pandora and shaking her tiny tushie.
Gorgeous, love the pictures!
These look great Jill! Kendall and Leyna look so grown. Trust me, they will get over you having the camera out all the time. 🙂
Same boat here with my kids being DONE with photos.
However they are respond well to bribery. Lots of candy bribery. Smarties are awesome because they don’t stain the mouth and every kid loves smarties. And a fart joke goes a long way, too.
I need to get some Smarties! Right now, we’re working with a year old bag of conversation hearts.
LOVE!!!! Doesn’t Target just have the BEST stuff?? Gosh those babes are cute. So glad you were able to get some of your sweet kiddos too!
O. M. G. Are you kidding me?!?! Those are precious.
These children are adorable! Way to get creative with the table cloth!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and creative, even if you stole the idea….LOL! 🙂 🙂
Oh my, indeed, the ovaries are aching… TOO cute!
TOO. MUCH. CUTE.
OMG things like this make me SO excited to have a girl! How precious are they??? And Kendall!!! Heartbreaker in the making!
You did an awesome job with these, Jill. Since I’m creating a mini of my own, how did you put up the background?
Duct tape, baby! Good luck! Can’t wait to see yours.
Kendall looks so grownup! Jill those kids are adorable & I gotta say your photography skills are seriously reaching epic levels of awesome!
I’ve had my cute kid fix for today, thank you! 🙂
Jill, I am so impressed at how amazing your photography has gotten in such a short time! Impressive and inspiring! Beautiful shots!
These pictures are absolutely perfect! I definitely feel like I might have slipped an ovum. Could any of these kids be any cuter?
Very cute, indeed. I have a combination of limited lighting and horrible camera skills that are leaving me a bit green in this sea of red and pink. Very impressive! 🙂
I.wish you could see how gorgeous these photos look on my Kindle Fire – like, Whoa. Your feed is the bright spot in my Kindle Fire’s day (otherwise spent reading textbooks for class, which is the real.reason I bought it.)
Thanks! 🙂
These are ADORABLE!
I saw the blanket you use as a background in target the other day and almost bought it. Since we took our Christmas tree down, I finally have some OPEN SPACE in my living room.
BTW, I am thinking about moving to Texas so we can come over for play date photography sessions too. LOL
LOL. Do it!
Hey Jill – yep, hear that? Spontaneous ovulation. I love those collages you put together! What program do you use for that?
Hey! Thanks 🙂 It’s BlogMe by Focht Creative (link and ad to the right). I freaking love it SO. HARD. It makes photo heavy posts 10 million times easier and faster to get up. Plus, you don’t need Photoshop for it. It’s crazy simple to use. Highly recommend 🙂