Meeska Mooska: Maisy’s 1st Birthday

December 17, 2011April 25, 2012Leave a comment

Minnie and Mickey were everywhere – on the centerpieces, on the cake, on the goody bags. Even Minnie’s polka dot dress and bow were reflected on the balloons and, of course, on the celebrant. Little Adelyn Mae aka Maisy, is the cutie pie little daughter of my good friends, Edwin and Stacy. She’s a little shy when you first meet her, like her mom, but after awhile, Maisy found her way around her party. She ran around with her fellow toddlers (and not-so-toddlers), stared curiously at the candle on her cake before she put it out and after it was all over, she was all partied out, part of that exclusive One-Year Old Club.

Happy Birthday, Maisy!

Apple of Their Eyes: Elisabeth’s 1st Birthday

December 16, 2011December 24, 2011Leave a comment

Dressed in her bright beautiful hanbok, little Elisabeth sat her in front of a table filled with a myriad of objects – a microphone, a paint brush, a whisk, a book and a golf club. It’s a Korean tradition, and whichever item Elisabeth picked up first would be an indication of who/what she would become when she grows up. A musician, an artist, a chef, a scholar or an athlete. It really didn’t take long for the celebrant to choose. As soon as she sat down at the table, she picked up…the microphone!

A day already filled with so much joy was magnified more so when, surrounded by her parents and both sets of grandparents, Elisabeth held that microphone in the air as those who loved her applauded her choice.

This special celebration was held at Catal Restaurant in Downtown Disney, the celebrant was cheered on from every corner of the room by her family and friends. Elisabeth is a friendly little girl and she LOVES other kids. It was the most adorable thing to watch her running after her cousins when they left, or hugging other babies when they arrived. Regardless of what career she decides to pursue 20 years from now, one thing I’m guessing for sure – she’ll probably still be a little sweetie.

Baby’s Future: Lee Family

December 1, 2011December 18, 2011Leave a comment

When I met little Elisabeth for the first time for this family session, her mom, Grace, warned me that she was a little bit fussy and a little bit clingy that day. Oh no, I thought, please help me help Elisabeth through this. God must have heard my plea because when Grace asked me to hold the baby so she and her husband, Jason (my sister’s boss at Panera), could unload their car, Elisabeth held out her arms to me like we were old friends. Oh my gosh, I thought to myself, THANK YOU.

Whatever fussiness and clinginess she was feeling before that moment, it was gone and all we had left for this shoot was a very happy little girl in a baby sweater dress. Baby. Sweater. Dress. Cuteness to the nth degree.

Elisabeth’s 1st birthday celebration was coming up that weekend and, in Korean tradition, she would be placed in front of a few items representing a number of potential career choices. We spent this session giving her a preview of her future career choices and she loved every bit of it; not just getting to play with all this different stuff, but getting to run around the park.

After just a couple of hours with her, I’m convinced that Elisabeth is made of pure joy and light! She’s as happy a baby as I’ve ever seen and she makes everyone around her feel the same. Her parents are two of the nicest, most gracious people I’ve ever met and it was such a pleasure spending that late afternoon with them. We hoped for as much light as we could so late in the day, and were generously rewarded. I’ll post pictures from her celebration soon. It was as much of a blast to shoot as this private family session, and Elisabeth did pick a fun career for herself =)