L Renee Studio

Jasper’s First Year

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:43:30 +0000

It is officially Jasper’s Birthday week! I cannot believe that he is going to be one! Last year at this time I was desperately hoping for a Valentine’s Day baby, but he wanted to wait.

I have been collecting ideas to celebrate his first birthday for probably at least six month. I am definitely a planner. I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to celebrate his whole first year by sending a video invitation to family and friends for his party. He has blessed our lives so much, and I wanted everyone to be able to relive all the memories that have been created. He has changed so much in one year and gone through so many different stages that it is very easy to forget. This is one way for us to remember all those tiny moments that we will treasure for a lifetime.

No one loves this video more than Jasper though. We have probably watched it on my iPhone at least 100 or more times. It is set to his favorite song, and he dances the entire time. He is actually crying right now as I write this and pointing to my phone because he wants to watch it. I hope you all enjoy it just as much and that you can see why we are all head over heels in love with him! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Stay tuned for more birthday celebration details this week and next.

Demi | Kids

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:36:10 +0000

It is hard to believe that little Demi was born one year ago already! I have the privilege of living next door to this sweet little girl, and it is so much fun having a little one the same age as Jasper as a neighbor. It was quite the surprise when we all found out that Kelly (Demi’s Mom) and I were due on the same day. What are the chances, right?! Demi decided to come into this world 12 days early though, while Jasper was stubborn enough to hold on until his due date.

This little girl is intertwined into so many moments of my memories of being pregnant and of Jasper’s first year, and that is so very special to me. From the first time that I held her (Jasper kicked her like crazy from inside my belly), to enjoying her first birthday party – I love that we are a part of her life.

It is so much fun to be able to see how different two babies can be. As much as Jasper is all boy, Demi is all girl. Ruffles, bows, and shrill screams included. She is so beautiful, and I had such a great time photographing her. Happy first birthday, Demi! Enjoy!

These images with Demi and her bottle are my absolute favorite! The simple day after day moments seem to be quickly forgotten.

Best Images of 2011

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:06:19 +0000

Congratulations to everyone because it was so close, and we had so many votes! But here are the much deserving winners!

First place goes to Tara and Brian!

Second place goes to the Gilsdorf Family!

And third place goes to cute little Demi! Thank you to everyone who voted and make sure to check back in the coming weeks for a winter session special!

Best Image of 2011 Contest

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:25 +0000

I know I am so late this year at getting to this, but better late than never. I didn’t want to just let the Best Image of the Year contest slip by because I love it so much! I love looking back at the year, seeing all of the couples, families, and kids that I got to photograph. I am so honored to be a part of all of these lives, if even just a small part. And I want to celebrate that along with celebrating the images that have been created – the images that I hope are cherished, loved, and glanced at daily as they are in your homes.

Here are the rules…Vote by leaving a comment with the image’s corresponding number. You can vote for up to 3 images on the blog, but only one vote per image. If you want an extra vote, become a fan of L. Renee Studio on Facebook by CLICKING HERE, go to the photo album “Best Image of 2011 Contest” and leave a comment with the picture you are voting for.Again, only one vote per image on Facebook for up to three different images.

And the best part, there are prizes involved!

1st Place – 10×10 Float Wrap ($125 Value) and a $50 L. Renee Studio Gift Certificate
2nd Place – $50 L. Renee Studio Gift Certificate
3rd Place – $25 L. Renee Studio Gift Certificate

So, spread the word to family and friends and get everyone involved in the voting. Voting will end Sunday, February 5th, at midnight. The winners will be announced on Monday. Good luck!

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Jasper’s Kitchen

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:05:18 +0000

It’s official…Trevor and I are both horrible at keeping any type of surprise. I always teased him that he was just like that guy in the Target commercials that is up at the jewelry counter trying to secretly buy his wife a present and as he is looking he turns around to his wife who is shopping across the aisle and yells, “I’m buying a necklace!” But I guess I am that guy too. See, I bought Jasper’s birthday present from the two of us months ago when my mom and I made a trip to Ikea. We fell in love with this play kitchen, and after having it in a box under my bed this long I just couldn’t stand it. Plus (as an excuse) we wanted it set up for his birthday party (that is three weeks away).

Isn’t it cute? Jasper loves it! I thought it would be perfect for him to cook while I cook. Hopefully he will learn to love cooking because what woman doesn’t love a man that can cook?! And it is so nice to have something for him to play with in the kitchen because we do spend a lot of our time there.

My mom couldn’t wait either, so she gave some early birthday gifts too. She made him his apron, along with towels and dishrags. I guess it seems Jasper’s birthday is more like birthday month around here, but I really don’t think he minds.

Oh, and even though it is way late, I am still going to do the Best Image of 2011 Contest. It will begin Thursday morning at 10 AM – make sure to check back, vote, and win prizes!

Jasper | 11 Months

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:37:26 +0000

Truly, I cannot believe how old Jasper is already! Even though it feels as if eleven months ago was another lifetime, it still feels like he was a baby just yesterday. Most moments throughout the day, I have a toddler now – all the screaming tantrums included. But there are still a few fleeting moments that he is my baby boy. I love him so much! Enjoy the images – they are some of my favorite!

He loves to play peek-a-boo!

Here is part of one of his screaming tantrums! And the beginnings of him learning to walk.

These are two of my favorites!

Typical Session with Jasper

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:00:13 +0000

Jasper turned eleven months this week so we had one of our mini photo sessions. They are typically 30 minutes of pure craziness! I thought it was hard to photograph him as a baby being the mom and the photographer, but at least then he didn’t move. Being both mom and photographer now, I don’t get that luxury of having an initial fifteen minutes of shyness towards me, like I do with all other kids, to get some great images without him moving. And he is so comfortable with my big camera already that crawls to me to look at the picture on the back, and he even takes my camera apart!

He loves playing with my Gary Fong Lightsphere! For those non-photographers, it goes on top of my flash to diffuse the light. Right away, he grabbed it off my flash, looked at it…

yelled in it…

crawled away with it, and then tried to put it in his barn. There definitely aren’t any dull moments anymore with this little one!

Jacki & Josh, Jen & Phil | Day After

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:22:26 +0000

Back in October, I had this awesome photo session! On the drive home, I was so ecstatic, and I couldn’t wait to share it with everyone! But, I couldn’t. I had to keep it a secret because the pictures were going to be a surprise for Christmas. Jacki – remember her and Josh’s wedding back in July – came to me with this idea to do a Day After type of session with her and Josh, along with her sister, Jen and husband, Phil who were also recently married. This was going to be their Christmas present to their parents, isn’t that sweet?

Now that they have enjoyed their Christmas present, I get to share it with all of you. We had so much fun at this session! Time flew by, and I honestly could have kept shooting for hours. It was so different working with two couples at once, challenging in a whole new way. But taking pictures of two amazing couples is even better than just one! Enjoy!

While the boys were off watching NFL on their phones, us girls had some fun!

Jasper | 10 Months

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:22:01 +0000

I cannot believe how fast this first year with my little boy is going. He is definitely not a baby anymore; he is all boy (bruise on his cheek and all in these pictures). He has quite the personality: always in to everything, laughing and dancing, making silly faces, and playing hard to get. And he gives the absolute best kisses, melting my heart every time. This was a very quick session with Jasper, but I knew I wanted to show off his baby chub and his adorable curls while he still has them. I honestly don’t know what we ever did without him.

Merry Christmas

admin — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:14:23 +0000

I just read a little something about giving family the gift of you being present this holiday season instead of spending your time on perfection. Trust me, this year has not been about perfection like it usually is for me. The past month I have barely thought about Christmas, sadly, and I was lucky to get my gifts wrapped at all. (Thankfully I had my shopping done before Thanksgiving this year) But I do have distractions that are threatening my enjoyment of Christmas, and as of yesterday, I decided that I am not going to let it happen.

To my family, I am giving myself – completely present and in the moment. Not worrying about what is to come or the problems that we face, but only focusing on enjoying one another and where we are at today. We are all here today, together, and we have the most adorable little boy celebrating his very first Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you will be present this holiday season, fully enjoying and soaking up every moment with your family and friends.