<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/o-goes-to-mi-021.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1287" alt="infant portrait, lakeside" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/o-goes-to-mi-021.jpg" width="483" height="500" /></a>I spent the morning searching for a professional photographer who A. is available on apparently short notice (2 months) and B. is a more skilled photographer than I am who can give me a series of artsy, creative family maternity photos.  After hours of research and MANY phone calls, I finally found <a href="http://www.brighteyephotography.com/">Bright Eye Photography</a>, and I am SO very excited for our November shoot.  In doing all this research, I started thinking about what I really want from our photo shoot.  Now, I am not a PRO, but I have taken some seriously gorgeous photos of my little one.  I typically don't hire photographers to do our photos since I think I do an adequate job of capturing the memories myself.  So, when I hire a photog, I want their work to be better than mine.  I want them to use techniques that an amateur like myself hasn't figured out and have a more creative eye with an artsy flair for composition and prop use.  I think Stephanie will be able to do that for me and capture the emotions behind that ethereal phase of life known as pregnancy, one that we had to work REALLY hard for.
<p style="text-align: center;">All that aside, thinking about portraits made me want to gather up all of my favorite shots of O that I have taken since she was born.  The first was taken in late July/ early August 2012 at Nevins Lake in Michigan.  God, I love that smile and that little bald head.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/o-at-7-mos-045.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1286" alt="lake geneva, infant portrait" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/o-at-7-mos-045.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This one was shot lakeside in Lake Geneva, WI in August, 2012.  The girl couldn't keep her fingers out of her mouth.  Love how she seems bashful or a little bit shy, hiding behind those chubby little hands.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/pumpkin-patch-038.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1288" alt="pumpkin patch photo" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/pumpkin-patch-038.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">In October 2o12, we traveled to WI again for pumpkin picking and fall festivities.  We had a hard time getting her to look at the camera since she was SO distracted by everything else.  A watch?  OOH! SHINY!  I love this background, how the tree frames the edge and how it almost looks like she's sitting in front of a painting.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/xmas-2012-061.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1291" alt="baby's first christmas" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/xmas-2012-061.jpg" width="500" height="386" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Those wonky front teeth had really come in by December 2012.  Nothing captures joy more than the look on a child's face at Christmas time.  The lighting is super flat here, though.  I really have to work on my indoor skills.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry4002-4.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1290" alt="smash cake" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry4002-4.jpg" width="500" height="364" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">First birthdays are for smashing cakes, and in January 2013, that's exactly what we did.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry4001.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1289" alt="smash cake" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry4001.jpg" width="500" height="364" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This was one of my first forays into attempting to set up a scene for a photo.  It is WAY harder than most PROS make it look.  Still, we got a couple of real keepers.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMGP8323-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1283" alt="daffodil glade, morton arboretum" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMGP8323-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Morton Arboretum has been one of our favorite places for photos.  In May 2013, we really took advantage of the daffodil glade in full bloom.  Love the wonder and perplexity on her face, all from one little, yellow petal.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/asparagus-prosciutto-054.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1277" alt="kohl childrens museum" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/asparagus-prosciutto-054.jpg" width="279" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Still not a lot of hair by May 2013, but she did have a full set of mismatched teeth, gorgeous blue eyes, and a real zest for water play.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/easter-at-arb-221.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1279" alt="morton arboretum" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/easter-at-arb-221.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There is a huge gap here from May of 2013 to May 2014.  The reason behind that is that from about 18 months until 27 months or so, I found it really hard to get a great photo of O.  She was not willing to sit for the camera, and she was CONSTANTLY on the move.  We have a lot of blurred memories!  After her 2nd birthday, she began to calm down a little and would actually cooperate when I wanted to take her picture (occasionally).  I think newborns and infants are way easier than toddlers.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Karoline2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1284" alt="michigan city, IN" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Karoline2.jpg" width="500" height="404" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Here is the rare shot involving more than just 1 adorable munchkin.  I took this photo in Michigan City, IN in July 2014.  O is with 2 of her grandparents at the beach.  I really liked the shot at first glance, but I love it even more now that a family member was able to Photoshop out a few distracting people in the water.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMGP2053-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1281" alt="eckerts" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMGP2053-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">How large a tomato looks in the hands of a little tot...Eckerts near St. Louis was the spot for some gorgeous shots in August 2o14.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMGP2996-21.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1282" alt="gender reveal" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMGP2996-21.jpg" width="393" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My cupcake connoisseur in September 2014, overjoyed with the new found knowledge that she is going to be a big sister.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/fam-bw.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1280" alt="family portrait" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/fam-bw.jpg" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Like I said earlier, there are times when I want to be on the other side of the lens.  For that, you must trust a skilled professional.  I included a few of the highlights of our professional portraits.  This is one of my all-time favorite photos.  It was shot by <a href="http://patriciaandersonphotography.com/about-patricia/">Patricia Anderson</a> in February 2012, and it is by far the best photo ever taken of us.  I find it particularly hard to compose photos with 3 or more people.  This is so natural, so perfectly cropped and really captures all of the wonder and excitement of having your first baby. (You can't even tell I was hemorrhaging and headed to the hospital for an emergency D&amp;C.  But that's a story for another day...LOL)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DSC_0021bw.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1278" alt="family portrait" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DSC_0021bw.jpg" width="431" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">In October 2013, we hired <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Portraits-by-Tami/131957863484818">Tami</a> to do our holiday card photos.  Here's when I really learned how hard it is to pose 3 people who are not natural "posers".  (Plus, this was before I discovered Pinterest, where you can steal the creative ideas of others when you don't have any of your own!)  We really struggled to get a great shot, but in the end, I decided I liked how much FUN this picture showed &amp; it was last year's Christmas card.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/o-mom.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1285" alt="mother and daughter" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/o-mom.jpg" width="500" height="332" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This is the last shot Tami took at that session, and she really knocked it out of the park.  I asked her to find a way to capture how much I ADORE my little girl (and vice versa).  This photo shows all of the wonderful things about motherhood and leaves you thinking there must never be a bad moment between us.  I will forever cherish this image.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I absolutely cannot wait to take our next family photos.  Nothing makes me happier than to be able to look back on all these good times and know that we really do have a wonderful life.</p>