Morgan Dawson Photography

Kennedy {newborn sneak peek}

I'm not sure who was more excited for Miss Kennedy's arrival: me, her parents, or Big Brother Landon. Seriously, as soon as I got the news that mom Ashley was having another baby, the plans started forming. I can't count the number of calls, Facebook messages and e-mails we sent each other in anticipation of her newborn session. I'd say the work paid off.

Ashley searched the internet (especially Etsy - don't you just love Etsy!) for just the right thing for Kennedy to wear. I think she did a great job... isn't the headband adorable! And since a few people have already asked, I'll mention that the diaper cover and newsboy hat were from Polka Dot Posh. They come in dozens of colors and sizes, so you can order a set for older babies as well!

Kennedy was such a doll during our shoot. While it took a little while to get her to really fall asleep, once she did she was OUT. She looked so peaceful, I almost felt bad about moving her around...almost. I need to get the shot, right?

Ashley, CJ and Big Brother Landon (that's what he calls himself now) - it was my absolute pleasure to photograph Kennedy. I can't wait to watch her grow, and for Landon to shine as a big brother. It's easy to tell already just how much he loves her.

Cheers! 

Morgan

 

Wardrobe Wednesday {spotlight on Tea Collection}

No matter where you live, the weather is changing every day. Here in upstate New York,  the weather the past few days has ranged from the low 50s to the upper 80s with sun, rain and blowing wind. 

With things so unpredictable, how do you figure out what to wear for your fall photos?

Flexibility. Layers. Coordinating looks.

You’re probably thinking, “That’s easier said than done!” Don’t worry, I’ve got it all figured out... with a little help from a new favorite store: Tea Collection.

Tea Collection, founded in San Francisco in 2002, offers children’s fashions with the tagline “For little citizens of the world.” They offer two labels: the signature, globally-inspired Collection, and their mix-and-match play clothes called Daily Tea. This season’s Collection is inspired by Old World Hungary, with Spain coming up next spring. Trust me, it’s really cute stuff.

I had a difficult time picking out the outfits below, but only because there were so many options! Most of the items pictured come in sizes for children 6 months to 11 years old, but babies and women (yes, us!) are also represented. As you can see, it’s easy to add a sweater or jacket on top, or leggings and tights on the bottom if the temperature drops. A few items - like the blue sweater, cuffed pants and shoes - are unisex. To make things even easier, Tea has created several “Daily Tea” mix-and-match sets (like a 6-piece coordinated set of three tops and three bottoms for $129) and their “Wear Now Layer Later” collections for girls. How brilliant is that!

Total flexibility mixed with one-stop shopping. What more can you ask for? I hope you have as much fun with it as we are. 

Like what you see?   

Head over to our NEW Wardrobe Wednesday {where fashion meets photography} 

Facebook page for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Tea Collection!

Alexa {newborn sneak peek}

Before I head out of town for the weekend, I want to leave you with a sneak peek from my latest newborn(ish) shoot. You see, Alexa is actually 4 weeks old - two to three weeks older than the target for newborn photos - but she's still a little peanut at just around 8 pounds. She played the role of sleeping baby quite well, but definitely showed us a goofy side - just see :-)

 

 
 
 
 

Wardrobe Wednesday {one stop shopping - spotlight on Boden}

This week we’re all about saving time and adding convenience.

That’s because I had to figure out: What’s a girl to do when her Wardrobe Wednesday post is unexpectedly due a week early? It’s easy! One-stop shop at a place that picks the outfits FOR you.

I’m probably the last one to the Boden party, but better late than never, right? Not only do they have adult clothing, they also have lines for kids (mini Boden) and teens (Johnnie B). So when you’re shopping for a family, this is really a great place to start. It also helps that Boden has a chill, relaxed style (who doesn’t love clothing you can actually live in!) and a tendency to feature bright colors. Always great for a photo shoot!

Often we suggest picking a piece or color and creating an outfit around it. With Boden, once you select an item you’ll see photos and links to other clothing and accessories that will complete the look - from head to toe. It’s that easy! 

Are you visual (like me) and need to see a few more outfit combinations? You’re in luck (as long as you’re shopping in the women’s section). Boden provides an outfit creator that allows you to add and subtract items on a virtual mannequin. I’m great at picking out individual pieces, but when I’m buying for myself, I struggle with creating an entire look. This is such a huge help. 

Need a few more reasons to check out Boden? 

1. Check out their clearance items. While some places wait until the season is over to start pricing things down, Boden isn’t afraid to discount current styles. 
2. You can order items for your entire family and only check out once - with a flat shipping rate of $10. 
3. If you call Boden you hear the most polite voice recording from owner Johnny Boden himself - with a charming British accent :-)

Cheers and happy shopping!

 

Wardrobe Wednesday {bellies and babies}

I'm a little late, but that doesn't mean I'm not totally excited to share today's Wardrobe Wednesday! Erica May, of Erica May Photography, decided to focus on maternity and newborn sessions. She's been knocking these shoots out of the park lately, so please take a few minutes to check out her website and newborn album on Facebook. I couldn't agree more with her suggestions - especially the cute accessories for the newborn shoots. And don't miss the adorable necklace for Mom - it's a GREAT gift idea!

Thanks, Erica!

"This week I chose to highlight what to wear for a maternity session and there also a few ideas at the end on what to dress your baby in for their newborn session. For the maternity session I chose two different outfits. This is definitely not required for your maternity session however if it is ok with your photographer and if there is a place to change (or if you are skilled at changing in the car, behind a tree, etc.. =P) then I definitely recommend it. A new outfit can change the whole look and feel of your session! For pregnant women it is nice to show off that baby bump so tighter fitting shirts and dresses are great if you feel comfortable in them. We definitely want the focus more on you but don't forget about dad too if he is in the pictures. Since cute and fashionable maternity clothes can be hard to find pick out your outfit first and then just pull colors from that for your guy to wear. Also feel free to bring anything to the session as far as props go (i.e. your baby's name in blocks or letters, special stuffed animals, cute baby shoes). If you are not sure, just bring it and your photographer will let you know if it will work or not. 

A lot of people ask what they need to have for their newborn session. Really you don't need to worry about having anything! Your photographer will most likely bring it all. BUT if you have some time and just like to shop feel free to buy a few special headbands, hats, or diaper covers for your session. The nice thing about doing this is that you can pick colors that work with your baby's nursery or your house AND they become a keepsake. How special would it be to show your kids their newborn pictures and have one of the little hats that they wore in them. They will never believe their head was that tiny! =P. It is a good idea though if you buy any props for your newborn session to send your photographer a picture of what you have that way they can plan and coordinate what blankets and backdrops they will be bringing! All of my choices below for newborns are found on Etsy. I highlighted some of my favorite shops however there are a ton of different sellers to choose from! For mom and dad I recommend solid color shirts to keep the focus on baby. You can even go shirtless for dad and a small tank for mom if you want a really natural look."

Shopping Guide:

 

Outfit #1

 

Woman:

Jeans - $29.99 Old Navy

Maternity Striped Gauze Button Front Top - $24.50 Old Navy

Maternity Cropped Denim Jacket - $29.50 Old Navy

Steve Madden “Sysco” Shoes - $39.99 Dillards

Hand Stamped Jewelry Necklace (with baby’s name) - $38.00 Etsy (sayanythingjewelry)

 

Man: 

Jersey Cargo Polo –$9.99 Old Navy

Boot Cut Jeans - $79.50 Banana Republic

Sketcher “Urbantrack” shoes - $55 Dillards

 

Outfit #2

 

Woman:

Smocked Tank Dress - $59.50 GAP

Kenneth Cole Flower Sandals - $49.99 Dillards

Purple Swarovski Flower Pendant with beaded chain $7.50 Etsy (crystalglowdesign)

 

Man:

Classic Flat front shorts - $29.95 American Eagle

Slim Fit Plaid Shirt - $54.50 Banana Republic

Basic Leather Flip-Flop - $16.99 Aeropostale

 

  

Newborns:

Girls:

Various Headbands found on Etsy (pictured headband is from Neisha’s Blue Boutique)

Various Simple Headbands on Etsy (pictures headband is from handmadebyharlan)

Various Beanies and Hats on Etsy (above hat from JoCo Couture)

Various Diaper Covers on Etsy (above diaper cover from JoCo Couture)

 

Boys:

Various Beanies and Hats on Etsy (above hat from JoCo Couture)

Various Diaper Covers on Etsy (above diaper cover from JoCo Couture)

Baby Ellianna {newborn sneak peek}

Newborn sessions are quickly becoming one of my favorite types of shoots. No matter how much planning you do, babies are totally unpredictable. No two are alike. Small differences in age, weight, feeding and sleep schedules can totally change the types of poses and shots that are possible. The one relative constant that makes things easier is a sleeping baby. And all babies sleep...right?

It took some patience, but the wide awake Ellianna finally gave us a short window of sleep to work with. The poor thing was moved around and repositioned a dozen times, but I think it was all worth it. She really is a beautiful baby. 

Julie and Shawn, I hope you like the rest of your sneak peek!

 
 

  

Wardrobe Wednesday {what to wear - newborns and toddlers}

I'm really excited about this Wardrobe Wednesday and it's not just because it's my week - I'm excited to introduce you to some shops and online stores you may not be familiar with. Since some of the most popular portrait sessions are with kids in the newborn-to-two-years-old range, I decided to focus on their clothing needs. Unlike other groups, you really need to dress for the age. So here we go...

Newborns: Less is better, but if you want your baby clothed go for a diaper cover rather than a plain disposable one. They come in all sizes - even newborn - and a wide range of fun colors.

Cake Smash: If you’re not familiar with them, the concept is simple: cake + child + camera = hilarious. This is going to get really messy, really fast - so a colorful diaper cover is all you need!

Bigger Babies and Crawlers: Even though you probably have a closet filled with cute outfits, this might not be the time. Layers and ruffles can spell disaster with a constantly scrunched-up baby. The more time spent tucking in a shirt, moving away a collar ruffle, or pulling down a dress means more missed shots and an annoyed baby. Stick with simple pieces like a fun onesie or diaper cover with some BabyLegs. The other nice thing about these outfits is that they make changing diapers during a shoot a snap. (Again, less fussing = happier baby.)

Walkers: Once your child can walk you can start to consider layers. A skirt or dress with a cardigan, t-shirt with a button down on top, etc. Just make sure you still keep it simple (nothing that needs to be tucked in) and comfortable - these kids will be on the move!

And finally, a quick note about accessories. Hats and headbands are definitely cute, but if your child isn’t a hat-person, then don’t force it. The hat-on hat-off scene is a sure way to upset a baby. If you have something picked out, consider practicing wearing it once in a while before the shoot. The more comfortable your child is, the better the photos will be!

I hope you like the examples I’ve picked out. They might not be for everyone, but I hope you’ll consider showing a little personality (yours AND your babies) in the outfits you pick. And with unpredictable newborns and toddlers, it’s always a smart move to bring a second outfit... so make it a fun one!

 

The pieces above all come from retailers that may be new to you, but I think you’ll enjoy. Please note that these are just examples; you can find similar items at traditional stores like Old Navy, Gap, etc.

Luvaboos: I think it’s important to support small and local businesses whenever possible. Luvaboos is a natural parenting store and baby boutique that specializes in cloth diapers. Even if you’re a 100% disposable person, their covers are too adorable and totally fit over disposables!

• Happy Heinys Pocket Trainer (orange) $15.95
• Blueberry Cloth Trainers (green) $15.95
• FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper (white) $17.95
• Bummi Super Brite diaper cover (mixed) $12.25

Kitsel: This is one of my favorite online retailers for fun children’s clothing. Be sure to take a minute and browse their full line of T’s and onesies - they’re hilarious! The “I’m only doing this till my band gets signed” onesie is a personal favorite.

• Shabby Baby Hibiscus Dress $42
• Felt Blooming Flowers Onesie $29
• Headphones Onesie $23 (also comes as a t-shirt)
• Chick Magnet T-shirt $22.95
• See You Later, Alligator Onesie $28.00 (also as a short-sleeved onesie and t-shirt)

BabyLegs: I don’t have kids yet, but these just seem like the most brilliant item ever. They can be used as leggings in babies and toddlers, or worn on the arms of children (or their parents). A friend swears her baby’s uniform is onesie + BabyLegs.

• Go Fish Leg Warmers (UV 50+) $12
• Jelly Bean Stripped Leg Warmers $12
• Camo Leg Warmers $8

Threadless Kids: They carry a large line of onesies, hoodsies (!) and t-shirts for kids of all ages. The main site is for adults.

• Glou-glou T-shirt $9

Mini Boden: I don’t know where I’ve been, but until recently I was out of the Boden loop. Men, women, teens and babies - they’ve got it all!

• Skate Cargos $24

Etsy: 

• Bright & Birdie Beanie $20
• Vibrant Giraffe Beanie $20 
• Turquoise Flower Hair Clip with Lime Green Headband $7.95 
• Plaid Baby Newsboy Hat $15.00