Kayleen, Maternity Portraits

This is my lovely cousin, Kayleen. Yep, I'll claim her! We're 5 months apart and grew up on opposite sides of the pacific ocean, but somehow we stayed good friends through the years. She's seen me at worst, for sure, and still claims me too! We've both moved around a lot since we've started families of our own, sometimes even living in the same state at the same time! That's always fun for us!

Hello, Old Friend!

Apparently the last time I posted anything was in 2014. THAT'S embarassing! With all the different social media platforms available I've been rotating through them... and my blog was sorely sorely neglected. I'm sorry.

But not to worry, I have been taking pictures! To see some of my recent work, you can visit my website aliciastates.smugmug.com, facebook or instagram (@photosbyaliciastates).

Here's a little something recent to brighten your day!

The Cook Sisters {Pt. 2}

What beautiful little girls!! It was an absolute joy to take their pictures! You may remember when I took first year pictures of their baby sister... well, we got together again and this time we had the balloon! Each girl had pictures with a yellow balloon for their one year birthday sessions, and last time we got together all the balloon places had closed! 

The lighting was beautiful. Obviously, I have a thing for morning and evening lighting. The backlighting and highlights are gorgeous. 

These girls were natural posers, but even when they weren't actually "posing" they were stunning. It was darling to see the older two interact. I could tell without even guessing that they are the best of friends. 

It's always fun for me to take pictures of girls since I only have boys. It's fun to be around their girly energy and I get to be silly in ways my boys would think were just weird. :) I could never ask my boys to flip their hair or twirl or pop their hip... lol... (I'm chuckling just imaging it!)

Zoey Turns One! {Part 1}

Cutie patootie Zoey is ONE! She has two older sisters who wore the same onesie for their First Year photo shoots! I think it is such a fun idea! Of course, Mel (the mama) is full of really fun ideas (and sure knows how to throw a party!).  The timing of the sunset was perfect and we got some shots with that rich, orange light even though I didn't think we would really be able to! But we found the pockets of light and Zoey worked it! :) Because of unforeseen circumstances (err... stores closing earlier than they should and not quite getting the shots we wanted for lack of the props we needed from aforementioned store...) we will be having a part two to this photo session! (I couldn't be happier. Another chance to play with this cutie? Yes please!)

...And Baby Girl Makes Four!

Those big brothers have their work cut out for them with this darling little sister they've got! Obviously she's the sweetest thing and creating images of her was pure happiness! I got quite a few of her and am only sharing my absolute favorites! Isn't her smile contagious?

Yeah, she's dang cute. :)

Tater Bug Turns One!

Holy Cow! How precious is this little boy? We had a super casual First Birthday photo shoot for him and can I just tell you how much I love taking pictures of kids! Taking pictures of children is where my real passion for portrait photography took off! Family portraits are way fun, but there's something about letting a kid be him or herself that really create lasting images! It's very rewarding for me when a parent looks at the images I've taken of their child and sees an image in particular and says, "Oh! That's so him/her!"

This was one of those shoots. We didn't try to pose him or force any smiles. He just did his thing! He's a natural and my gosh he's cute! 

Hope your heart smiled a little!

If you're interested in scheduling a birthday shoot for your child age 1+, let me know and I'll get the pricing to you! aliciastatesphotography [at] gmail {dot} com

So glad I have a few pictures of my boys...

The reason I chose to pursue portrait photography, 

My babies. 

I wanted lots and lots and lots of pictures of my babies!

Check.

And they are freaking adorable if I may say so myself.

Sticky Sweetness

He was a sticky mess and he fell asleep in my freshly laundered white sheets! For a second I was about to internally combust... but then I noticed how the light lit him up so angelically and my frustration just melted away... and I really truly savored the moment. (Good Momma brownie points for me!)

Natural Lighting

I love natural light. I've tried studio/continuous lighting and it was fun, but it doesn't beat natural lighting in my book. This image of my 4 month old is taken just in front of our living room window! True story. The set up is ridiculously easy (large, white foamboard and a white blanket... that's it!). I love that an image like this can be so simple to set up! I don't have to have cutsie props (nothing against em, I just don't need 'em) or fancy backdrops. Yeah, it's pretty "ghetto-rigged" but no one would know (or care) when looking at the image.

I've played with different styles of photography over the years, and the fresh, natural, casual look is what I connect with most. Simple and real. My kids don't run around in much more than t-shirts and pants (if your lucky), so that's what I want to capture! If there isn't snot running down their faces, and they're clean - it's a great day!

Yay for another reason to love the sun!

Life is Amazing

Yes. Yes it is.

Think. Think. Think.

I wonder what he thought about that airplane flying overhead.

Did he even know what it was? Did he know it was the source of the loud rumbling sound we were hearing? Did he even remember being on an airplane? Did he think about the toy airplane he has downstairs?

I can imagine his brain working when he observes what goes on around him. He surprised me all the time with the things he knows how to do! He's a smart cookie that one.

A Boy's World

What is better for the soul of a boy than wide open spaces in the outdoors?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Give them a place to climb; a place to throw rocks and jump around. A place to get dirty and wet. A place to create memories with dad and brothers.

Yes, I believe this is good for the soul of little boys... no matter what their age =)