‘This Is The Last One, We Swear!’ A Shackelford Newborn Session!

Everyone, step back, because you aren’t going to believe this. But we got Cameron to smile.

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Hold your applause, though, because we also got a few to add onto his grump gallery. Here is what I have been used to seeing over the years, with the most recent one at the end!

Now, this cross-armed pose is something we all look forward to! Hahaha!

I met with the Shackelford family last weekend to meet their newest bundle of joy, Devin. I hadn’t seen them since their pregnancy announcement in January!

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Devin was born July 18, 2018. Weighing in at 7 lbs., 14 oz., he is the eighth grandchild for the family!
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It seems like just yesterday I was taking his brother, Holden’s, newborn photos!
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But he’s a BIG brother, now!!!
I think the second photo sums up just about he feels about that. 😉
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But, we did get some good shots of Holden, too!

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Ayden is a veteran at this point. She is the big sister to THREE little brothers. Oh, boy!!!

I mean, not even during this meltdown did she lose her cool:

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It was too funny not to share … and I know Jordon loves it when I include shots like that above. 😀

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And, not only that, Ayden is a dog mommy, too! Meet Annabelle and Princess!

Nanny Della always wanted a granddaughter named Annabelle, but other than Ayden, all the grandkids are boys … so she got a grandpuppy named Annabelle instead! I thought this was too hilarious not to include!

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Every time I see Ayden, she has gotten taller! These two photos were taken only ONE year apart!

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Ok, Jordon & Ethan, make sure to tell Devin he isn’t allowed to grow up as quickly as the rest of them! My heart can’t take it!

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See you all again soon!

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Sass And Sassafrass: A Newborn & Toddler Photoshoot!

Tessa was full of sass, but she couldn’t stop me from catching some of her sneaky smiles! But let’s start with the sass, and this shot, which may actually be my favorite from the entire shoot:

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At this point in the shoot, Tessa was walking away from us, and kept looking back to make sure we weren’t following her.

But let’s start from the beginning.

I was able to meet up with our friends Katie & Johnny last week, who just so happened to welcome a new little one into their family. Of course, a photoshoot was in order!

World, meet Cecilia!

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She has the tiniest little toes and fingers. Big sister Gwen couldn’t get enough!

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It’s Tessa’s first time into the world of being a “big sister,” but she was rocking it! She kept making sure her baby sister was comfortable, and giving her lots of kisses!

Big, big sister Gwen is already a pro in the world of big sisterdom.

And both she and Tessa are getting so big! Just look at this comparison shot from last year:

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And if this next set of shots doesn’t convince you how important it is to take family photos every year, I don’t know what will.

The one on the top is from only last year. The one on the bottom was just taken last week — just one year apart!

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And now, there’s a NEW baby in the house!

Tessa has gotten so big!! She wasn’t quite in the mood to smile and pose, so we had to get a little creative. We’d let Gwen take a solo shot, and then ask Tessa if she wanted to take a photo just like big sister.

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It worked … sometimes.

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Thankfully, Cecilia isn’t old enough to do anything but let me pose her. 😉

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Sometimes it’s the small victories.

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Although, she’s already workin’ on her sassy face for me. Maybe next year she’ll have it perfected!

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Thanks for letting me capture your troop, Katie & Johnny!

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8 lbs., 6 oz. Of Cuteness! A Police Officer’s First Baby Boy!

World, welcome Xavier! Proud Aunt Tatiana here to show off my brand spankin’ new nephew’s newborn photos I shot yesterday!

This big ol’ hunk a chunk’s papa, Estevan, is a police officer with the KCPD.

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These need to go in his patrol vehicle!

Xavier was kind enough to crack one smile the entire shoot. He’s probably dreaming of his Dad and Uncle Frankie catching the bad guys (since Frankie is also a proud member of law enforcement)!

He is the first Duque boy of the next generation, so he is the talk of the town!

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Born on July 3rd, weighing in at 8lbs, 6oz and a whopping 19.6 inches, he is literally a BIG deal! 

His birthday has special meaning to the family, as his late great-grandfather’s birthday was July 4th. His mother, Jessica, explained his name also pays homage to his abuelo (grandfather) and bisabuelo (great-grandfather) who were both named Javier. Mom and Dad added the “X” for a unique flair!

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Can we just talk about his face for a second? Just like his father! I’m allowed to say that since I am family, too!

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Xavier is the third of the Vargas-Duque bunch. Nya is the eldest, and used-to-be-the-baby-of-the-family Mila, is now the newfound middle child. Mila was feeling a bit blue to not be the center of attention at the shoot, so she started coloring herself blue with chalk! She’s still cute!

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As you’ll know by now reading our other newborn blogs, there’s a lot that can happen at a newborn shoot! Babies run on their own time, and always keep you guessing on what they will do next. Or, sometimes they poop on you. It happens.

Speaking of — Xavier needed a little time to poop out the modeling jitters, so as I was waiting for the next dress change, the girls decided to have fun with the frames I brought along!

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I didn’t pose them or tell them what to do! Sometimes, letting kids just do their thing makes for the most precious photos! I can’t believe how grown Nya looks in these – STOP!

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Okay, she’s still the lovable goofball I watched My Little Pony with years ago.

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Mila was really eager to be in the spotlight! That smile melts my heart!

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Okay, so back to what we came to see. Baby Xavier is truly a work of art! Wanna know how I captured that shot above? Take a look at our Facebook page! It involved a ladder …

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It’s so incredible to have seen the journey of bringing Xavier into this world and seeing the joy he brings to his parents. Welcome, Xavier, to the Duque family! Your big sisters are going to take care of you!

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The Cutest Little Muggle We’ve Ever Seen!

“Yer a wizard, Jaxton!”

Well, that’s what I wish the shirt said, but hey, “Snuggle this Muggle,” is equally as adorable!

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I met up with Ally, Aaron, and Mr. Jax on Monday at their home in St. Louis (Kansas City Photography is in both KC & St. L!). I had been chompin’ at the bit to meet this little dude since the happy couple’s maternity shoot a couple months ago!

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For newborn shoots, I usually recommend the parents home — the main goal here is to get the baby comfortable, and that’s usually best done in their own house! I also recommend setting the temperature to around 77-degrees. We will be sweatin’, but the baby is going to be super happy!

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Plus, he’s a trained firefighter, so if it got too hot, we’d be OK!

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Jax is a baby man of many talents, though. He is also training under the man in black himself — nana nana nana nana nana — Batman!

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The proof? Just look at these socks. Given to him by the Bat King himself:

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Need more babies in your life? Here are some more amazingly cute recent newborn shoots we’ve done:

A Little Tiger Is Born! A Mizzou Family’s Newborn Shoot

Mia’s ‘Royal’ Newborn Shoot!

I Got Pooped On! Elena’s Adorable Newborn Shoot!

From NICU To A Photoshoot: Teddy’s Newborn Shoot!

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A Little Tiger Is Born! A Mizzou Family’s Newborn Shoot

The world welcomed baby Genevieve into the world on Friday, May 19. Her mother, Jennifer, was in labor for 30 hours. Read that again.

30 hours!

But Miss Genevieve was well worth the wait and the pain — just look at this cutie:

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We learned Genevieve’s middle name is Rose during Jennifer & James’ maternity shoot earlier this year.

The name Genevieve comes from Jennifer’s maternal grandmother, who she is also named after! Rose is Jenn’s mama’s maiden name.

I always find it so touching when family members are honored in the naming process.

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Jennifer graduated from the No. 1 journalism school in the nation — The University of Missouri — fondly called Mizzou. I’m totally biased here, because I also graduated from the good ol’ black and gold!

Both of Genevieve’s parents are huge Mizzou fans — so of course we had to incorporate that into some of the photos!

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Genevieve was nice and warm for the shoot. I always ask parents to turn up the heat / make sure it’s warm in the house for newborn photos. We may be sweating, but the baby is going to be so happy!

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I also didn’t get pooped on during this shoot, so that’s a huge plus! Thank you, Genevieve!

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Mia’s ‘Royal’ Newborn Shoot!

Brittney messaged me back in April telling me her sister, Stanze, was having her first baby. Originally, Brittney was hoping we could be there for delivery room pictures, but as we all know, babies work on their own schedules!

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Mia was due May 16, but she came a day early, on May 15 — at 11:41 a.m.!

In the end, the doctor requested a photographer not be in the room since Miss Mia wasn’t wanting to cooperate. Thankfully, she was more than cooperative for her newborn shoot we re-scheduled instead!

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Mia was a big fan of this blanket. She peed on it a couple of times — and she christened Mom, too! But hey, at least she didn’t get pooped on!

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One tip I always give before the newborn shoot is to make sure the house is warm. Like, the adults should be sweatin’ a little. That way, the baby is nice and content and doesn’t get cold from all the outfit changes / naked shots.

And since Stanze’s mom was there — we had her hop in a photo, too! Grandma to the rescue!

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There were quite a few people there to welcome Mia, and also to help us hold up the backdrop, which is always appreciated.

She kept wanting to hold onto her mama’s necklace, which was too cute not to capture.

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Being in Kansas City, Stanze is a Royals fan — and she’s going to make sure Mia is, too! Even here, Mia has her eye on the crown. Just like the Royals did in 2015.

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I have a feeling Mia is going to know what it feels like to be royal, though. She is already such a beautiful princess! Plus, look at that crown she has right over her crib!

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She was nice and comfy cozy for most of the shoot, which means she was more than happy to snooze away while getting her close-ups taken. We did, however, get a glance at those beautiful eyes —

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We loved working with this family — let’s do it again for her 6 month photos! 😉

Need more babies in your life? Check out some of our other adorable newborn shoots:

I Got Pooped On! Elena’s Adorable Newborn Shoot

From NICU To A Photoshoot: Teddy’s Newborn Shoot!

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A Cupcake Parlor Baby Shower … With Plungers!

I hosted a baby shower for my bestie Jenn on Sunday. But she didn’t want a “typical” baby shower. She wanted games that involved plungers, sippy cup beer chugging, and sangria.

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Aight. Challenge accepted. Let’s do this thang!

We all met at Celebrating Life Cupcake Boutique in Chesterfield (KC Photo is in St. Louis and Kansas City!).

What a perfect name and place to celebrate the new life of Genevieve! Jenn loves Hooters, so even though the shower was Paris themed, we had wings to go alongside the cheese and fruit platters.

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Game 1: Chug From A Sippy Cup 

It’s seriously not easy to chug from a bottle or sippy cup … and it’s certainly fun to watch people try it! We filled them 1/4 of the way full of sangria or beer (depending on the person’s preference) and got some amazing facial reactions. The chugging winner received a cute miniature Paris hat box filled with fun goodies like candy and necklaces. Added perk — Jenn got to keep all of the sippy cups after the shower!

Check out the “after” faces below!

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Game 2: How To Make A Baby 

I asked for four volunteers. I wouldn’t tell them why. Then, I handed them plungers.

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Then, I asked for four more volunteers and handed them two rolls of toilet paper.

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Next, I told everyone to put whatever item they were holding between their legs. So, plungers between the legs, and toilet paper rolls between the legs.

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The point? Make a baby! The plunger-holders had to get the toilet paper onto the end of their plunger without using their hands.

These games were really fun, and could get a lot of people involved at once.

I also told everyone that Jenn loves it when people touch her stomach. That was a lie. She hates it. On the bright side, she says she hasn’t had any strangers come up and touch it — so that’s a plus!

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The one person who totally earned the belly rub, though, was Kyli. She flew in for the shower! She moved into her new house the day before, then caught a flight! That’s dedication.

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We had a great turnout at the shower, and absolutely loved how cutely decorated the place was. We were told we could order custom cupcakes, but turns out that wasn’t the case. Regardless, we had a lot of laughs, Jenn raked it in on the gifts, and we all can’t wait to welcome Miss Genevieve into the world! Another perk — we had a lot of newborns at the shower, too, to really get our baby fix! By “a lot,” I mean two.

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Also a shout out to the two Grandmas-to-be! Genevieve is the first grandbaby on both sides!

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Want to see Jenn & James’ maternity session? Click here!

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I Got Pooped On! Elena’s Adorable Newborn Shoot

I had a first this weekend — I got pooped on by a photography client. I mean, she was definitely one of the cutest clients I’ve ever had, but poop is poop!

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As a photographer, I’ve had my fair share of baby tears, spit-up, even pee! But somehow I managed to stay away from the poo. Until this Sunday.

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Miss Elena Rose christened my shirt … and pants. We had just taken off her diaper for some adorable shots:

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But it was oh-so worth it! Just look at some of these gorgeous shots we got of her! And it’s a fun first to talk about.

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Plus, after the whole “that’s not chocolate pudding” moment, Elena snoozed quite peacefully. I mean, we were all sweating like crazy (I recommend you turn the heat up for newborn shoots, keeps ’em comfy and quiet), but she was content as could be!

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What’s an outfit change and a few sweat beads when you get to hang out with this sweet thing? Alyssa & Steve are proud parents to an adorable baby girl! <3

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Have baby fever? Check out Mr. TJ’s newborn shoot.

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