I had a great time meeting up with {Z} for his two year old session this week. We decided to meet at Artbeast, a local children’s art studio in downtown Sacramento. It proved to be the perfect setting with all the bold colors and fun activities for kids. I just love these images of {Z}–especially the last one with paint and water all over his face. It’s difficult to get two year olds to sit still for formal portraits at this age, so I think this is the perfect place for toddlers. I’m all about creative locations for children’s photography and I think Artbeast is one of my new favorites.

Well, this little guy came over a week early! Talk about a great gift! He wasn’t supposed to make his debut until tomorrow, but I know that Mom and Dad are so glad he’s already here. I know I am–I had a wonderful afternoon getting to know this adorably squishy little newborn. Mom and I are in a Tuesday morning bible study together at our church and I just love her. She’s always so encouraging and get this–she offered to watch my kids when she was 8 months pregnant to give me a break! What a servant’s heart!

And little {E} is equally as lovable. He wasn’t so sure that he wanted to miss out on all of the excitement, but eventually gave in to a sweet slumber. The images we were able to capture are just so perfect. I can’t decide whether I like the first image or the black and white conversion better, so I thought I would include them both so you can see how just cropping and changing to black and white can change the look and feel of an image.

Mom–I had a great afternoon hanging out with you and {E}! I hope you all love your images! Give {E} a big snuggle for me!

That’s how today’s session with {K} was. I just couldn’t wait to browse through all of the pictures and start editing them. And once I started, I just couldn’t stop! This little one was such a doll! Her eyes are so amazingly expressive and she’s at my favorite age where she can sit up but can’t crawl away out of my camera’s frame. Love that.

And I love these first two images. So much so that I think I might just order a canvas of one as a studio sample. The lighting was just perfect (which we had to work for–believe me). Being a natural light photographer has it’s challenges in the winter. We actually had {K} set up a couple of feet from the door and I did most of my shooting from out on the porch (with Dad and Mom taking turns making silly sounds and faces behind me.) Put all that together and you get the perfect session, don’t you agree?

Mom and Dad–I had a great time getting to know you and little {K} today. I hope you love your sneak peek! I’ll be in touch and will let you know when your gallery is ready!

Little {A} can be seen all over my blog and website and I just adore her. Though she was feeling a bit under the weather as well, you would never know it by her precious smile. Just looking at these images makes me want to squeeze those cheeks!

And I think it must mean even more when it’s the child of your one and only big sister. There is a special bond between sisters no doubt. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without my big sis. She is the one who shares all of the same childhood memories. She is the one who was there when I gave birth to both of my children and encouraged me, telling me that I could do it when I felt like I couldn’t. She is the one who was there with me at my Dad’s beside when he took his last breathe. And she is the one who knows what it’s like to try to create a life other than the one you had imagined when you lose your Daddy to cancer. She’s the one that understands the joys, the tears, and the beauty of motherhood. She’s my sister and I’m so grateful God gave her to me.

And I just adore the two beautiful boys that she and my brother in law have created. I feel so blessed to live just a mile from them and that to get to watch my nephews grow up.  And I feel so honored that I got to take little {H’s} newborn pictures–he’s such a beautiful little guy and the perfect little model. He didn’t even make a peep the whole time–what a trooper!

I was so excited to see {J} for his one year session this weekend. Last time I photographed {J} he was just four months old–and adorable at that! You’ll recognize him up in my header with those stunning baby blues. Well, he’s even cuter at one year (if that’s possible!) and we had such a great time yesterday at our shoot. Unfortunately the weather was horrendous and we had to stay indoors, but it worked out perfectly for our cake smash session. One year olds + cake = an adorable mess!Mom–thank you so much for choosing me to capture {J’s} one year images. I had a great time and hope you love your sneak peek! I’ll let you know as soon as your full gallery is ready!

This is where I need your help.

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would truly cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography — $1,000 worth, to be exact. A complimentary session, digital files of their images, as well as a custom image box filled with 5×7 prints of each image. What a great gift to give. And it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a complimentary photography session. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside within 60 miles of the Sacramento area. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story: megan@megansquires.com by Friday, December 18th.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve so spread the word and get your nominations in! I can’t wait to read all of your entries! Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

And because a post isn’t a post without a picture, here is one of my greatest gifts–my precious four year old, Jacob.