A foresty mom-and-me session with a single parent and her five-year-old
These photos of Athalia and her daughter, Lailah, were recently sent over to us from California photographer Whittaker Portraits. Athalia is a single mom, and wanted to capture this time in her five-year-old’s life. Athalia plans to give these to her daughter when she grows up along with poems, letters, and quotes she’s kept in a journal, which I love!
What a photo shoot taught me about being human and feeling beautiful
When a friend of mine asked to take nude photos for her A Beautiful Body Project I was excited and flattered by her suggestion. And terrified. I had never been too fond of “seeing” myself in mirrors, or through a camera lens. It always brought up my inner critic, so I figured the best remedy was to minimize the cause for judgment. It took me many months to think about Jade’s invitation and photographs of myself. I don’t know the exact location or origin of the fear, but it was very much about being seen, and what that meant. I had to look at what I might be so afraid of.
A dreamy nature park maternity session just in time for Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day, moms! I thought this gorgeous whimsical maternity session by Kentucky-based Seriously Sabrina Photography would be a great addition to our site today.
Get sexy (even geeky!) boudoir photos from Portland-based The Sensual Photographer
We’ve talked about boudoir photography over on Offbeat Bride with Why you should consider boudoir photos. Or, how I learned to stop worrying and love my body. Much like the title implied, one of our plus sized Tribesmaids called her boudoir session “honestly the most liberating experience of my life.” If you’d like to feel liberated yourself, celebrate the body you love, learn to love the body you have, or give the gift of your sexy-ass self to a special someone(s), you can do so at a special discount with our Oregon-based sponsor The Sensual Photographer.
A family photo session served with lots of yellow and a hand-drawn lighthouse
Jonas Seaman is a longtime friend of the Empire — he took photos at the reception we had in October 2011 and promptly became everyone’s best friend. I’ve been blogstalking him, patiently waiting for the day that he took the dive into family photography and friends: that day has come. If you live anywhere near Seattle, you’re going to be hauling yourselves up to his door and asking to have your photos taken after seeing these snaps!
A sweet batch of sassy and colorful mom-and-me photos
Maddie wasn’t expecting Augie to come along the way but she’s told me more times than I can count that Augie was the best thing to happen in her life. Maddie’s life is different than most of the people her age but you know what’s rad? Maddie and Augie make the damn best of what they have and go on in life with nothing but smiles on their faces and in their hearts.
Make a wall clock out of your favorite photos
I’m always looking for photo ideas for displaying my photographs and this wall clock is a quick and easy way to display your work. It’s also a great way to show off your wedding, baby, birthday or Christmas photos without forcing your friends and family to watch 37 slide shows on your laptop.
A day in the life: let’s follow this family of four and their dog around for a while
I love love love “day in the life” type family sessions (you guys might remember Ariel’s family photos by Jenny Jimenez last year — the same ones that featured those fab Care Bear suits). You get SO MUCH MORE from your family session when the photographer sticks around for more than an hour.