I’m picky about pictures. While I love taking pictures with my own camera, I love a good photography session from someone else even more.
Last week, I welcomed Sarah Fitzgibbons over to the Casa de Culbertson to capture a few holiday shots of my ever-squirming children and to get Little Roo’s nine month shots.
A good photographer makes everything look pretty darn perfect, even if behind the scenes it’s more like me corralling the kids while things like this are going on: running, crawling away, flailing, squirming, fake smiling, jumping, twitching and who knows what else. Then the photographer finishes up and you hope- HOPE- that they captured at least a few shots worthy of a shiny frame.
Well, Sarah sent me proofs and I’m blown away, y’all.
Blown away NOT because I doubted her talent but because these pictures capture everything– the boys’ energy, our home looking its best and pure squeezable love.
Love the angle of this one and the santa hats. Good thing they wore the hats for a total of 30 seconds.
And this one… I look pretty chill but inside I’m thinking. “O.M.G. Crazy. Boys. Are any of these shots going to look good?”
It had snowed the day before and so we didn’t get a chance to buy a tree in time for the photo shoot. Crazy person that I am, I spent the evening before the photo shoot grabbing boxes out of the attic and wrapping them to create some sort of nice backdrop. Sarah had the idea to leave a box open to put Little Roo in. Of course, Big Roo couldn’t miss an opp to jump in a box either.
I really can’t even stop posting these pictures because I love them so much. Humor me.
And now some of Little Roo for his nine month photos…
*kerplunk* That’s the sound of me falling over from the cuteness of that picture.
One thing I love about Sarah is that she saw things about my house that I didn’t see. I saw an ugly gold kickplate of the front door.Ā She saw a reflection of my little munchkin.
She brought all sorts of props and was at the ready if we needed them. Love how prepared she was.She also tried fun angles and perspectives rather than only straight-forward smile-at-the-camera shots.
I couldn’t be happier with how these pictures turned out!
Just For the Locals…
Sarah moved to Raleigh not too long ago and is building up her photography business. She’s an outdoor lover like me which is how we connected.
If you’re in Raleigh and looking for a photographer, she’s offering a generous $50 off her normal session rate of $225 if you book between now and December 31 (you can schedule the session for 2011, just need to book by the end of 2010 to score the deal).
For $175, she’ll come to your house (or wherever you want to do the session), provide you with 35-50 of the best edited images AND give you a DVD containing high resolution files and a print release so you can print them wherever you’d like. Professional prints are available for an extra charge. You can even give the photo session as a gift if you won’t be needing it anytime soon.
As you can see I’m happy as a mommy clam with Sarah’s work. The pictures truly beautiful. Now I have to finish designing my Christmas cards before it’s actually Christmas!
To see more of Sarah’s photography or to schedule a session, visit her website. You can also see more on her Facebook page.
Disclaimer: I would have never discovered Sarah’s awesomeness if she had not provided me with a free photo session. The gushing over the photos is genuine. She rocks.
Finding a portrait photographer that can capture the essence of people is SO hard to find. She did a wonderful job! Since picking up the camera myself I have realized how hard it is to photograph children (my own son being my constant subject). The fact that she got so many great pictures is a testament to her talent. I LOVE the pictures of the boys in the box and ALL of the 9 month pics of Little Roo are amazing. You look FABULOUS too!
BEAUTIFUL shots. OMG, Mel, those kids are delicious! And what amazing pictures. Love them! Yay for fun memories captured for eternity!!!
What a gorgeous family Mel. Sarah captured you perfectly! Merry Christmas! It will be for me as I see Tricia one week from today!! š
These pictures are awesome. I love how well the photographer captured everyone’s personalities.
Those are amazing photos. You look great and the kids look just precious. I love when photographers capture our families the way we see them and the way we hope others see them! No screaming, messes or tantrums….just all perfect and cute!!
Your family and your home are beautiful! You’re right, she did a great job of capturing everything and everyone, as the pictures truly are gorgeous. Way to go!
She did a wonderful job! I really enjoy photos that look relaxed instead I’d stiff and posed. She did that!
And your family is beautiful.
These are adorable…the holiday photo’s and the 9 months ones too!! You are totally right this photographer is good!!
I read your post on Sunday, I just haven’t had a moment to respond…I am sorry to hear that you are loosing your job, and to be honest…I’m kinda glad you won’t be posting your awesome monday posts…I’ve been so busy with holiday stuff that I would have missed them! š Happy Holidays to you and your adorable family!!
A.Mazing! You and your family are beyond adorable. I have always wanted to get photos of my family, but just never get around to it! The pictures are beautiful!
ADORABLE!
I would be ker-plunking too those are absolutely adorable! You have the most precious boys!
AMAZING!!!!!!!! I have never wanted to live in NC so badly!! That’s it- I need to get pictures done of our family!
Love the photos!! Little Roo’s eyes in the first 9month photo are gorgeous!
My family of 3 just got our first family professional photo shoot and I can’t stop drooling over the pictures either, so I totally know how you feel. š
Stunning! Beautiful family, amazing photography. Well done, everyone! š
Those photos are freaking amazing – if only I lived in Raleigh I’d try and get a photo shoot myself!