Hamster wheel

For the most part, I have not enjoyed "being with child" as I always imagined a proper mother should be. I do not fine glory in my newfound aversion to coffee and my beloved chocolate. I cannot quite find the silver lining in my acne-ridden chin and forehead, and while the morning sickness has subsided, I am still not quite fond of yakking pre-natals into the sin everymorning. Jelani likes to tease me when I feel dizzy or nauseous and says, "Oh, baby runs around in circles in there all day..." which always manages to conjure a horrific Thumbelina-type image of running and tumbling about inside a hamster-wheel placenta. Ugh.

As the ultra-sound technician moved her jelly-probe over my belly I found myself laughing at the images of the baby doing exactly what Jelani suggested; baby was moving and stretching and bopping it's little baby butt all over the place. I had to stop looking at the screen, as my laughter was causing the probe to jump off my contracting abdomen.

I can't believe the calm and wonder that came over me as I watched the screen fill with the profile of a miniature face and the strange little hands waving about inside of me. "Why can't I feel that?" I wondered. It was the first time I felt that glow and proper awe towards my pregnancy I've been waiting for.

Towards the end, as we took the actual photos of our Memory baby, I was shocked to see the baby begin to curl and kick, curl and kick inside it's little sphere. The technician gasped and snapped the photo as we all laughed at the captured still. As you can see in the photo above, we have a very strong, healthy and apparently rowdy baby on the way.

Here's to the next 6 months! ****

Holly Shoot

I did a shoot with a new model today. She is just beginning her book, hoping to sign on with one of Portland's major agencies. Anyhow, we had a lot of fun despite the crazy cold. This is the first set... a little more commercial than usual, but still beautiful ( :

I am very excited to shoot weddings this summer! In celebration of the new baby I am inspired to offer a limited-time-promotion. Please pass along the news that I am giving a 15% discount to those who refer to this blog posting before April 15th!

After APRIL 15th this offer becomes void... so let your friends and family know!

Project Grow a Baby

Photo by: Aaron Galeotti
Originally uploaded by lavendamemory

I am very excited to post a couple last shots of a "before baby belly" me.
Since I will be documenting these crazy changes of Project Grow a Baby, I thought I should start with my favorite shot by Aaron Galeotti from our shoot earlier this week. I guess we could call this my 21/2 month marker!
Aaron is a fabulous photographer who's interests not only include photography but food as well! I will have to get back to you about the name, but his family has just opened a new- soon to be- Italian restaurant just outside of Portland! I will have to put a link up for all of you Italian food lovers! In addition to meeting Aaron this week, I also had the pleasure of meeting a fellow photographer, who opened her studio space to us for the shoot, Kathy Carlisle. Her photography has a refreshing quality to it, that I think a lot of my family friends will enjoy! Anyhow, I want to end this post with a great, big Thank You! to Terri Lodge, founder of Blush Premier, an amazing makeup artist and friend who made me feel absolutely lovely on our shoot last week! Thanks Terri! You're the best ( :

Lavenda

Before and After

It's hard to believe that such a beautiful girl would need post-touch ups for a beauty shot. But as you have seen in my past posts, most models need some kind of "clean up".

In this particular case, I found myself wanting something a little more moody and contrasty than my original lighting allowed. In this photo, the first thing I did was to clean up any blemishes, followed with a skin smoother to both her face and shoulders. Afterward I created shadows behind her to more easily draw the viewer to her face. Of course, lastly, I created a color curve layer to compliment this particular model and photo.

Model: Morayma
MUA: Diane Johnson

Something Unique for your Wedding

I remember scouring through every magazine and online bridal shop for everything from my lace shrug to my birdcage veil. As is the case for most brides, it was important for me to find something unique that represented my wedding day vision. I am excited to post some photos of recent designers I have worked with who offer one-of-a-kind dresses and hair pieces!




The hair pieces above were designed and handmade by Austie Eckley.







These beautiful, hand-sewn bridal gowns were designed by Portland's own, Sarah Seven.

6 days till Spring!

Remember
Originally uploaded by lavendamemory

Spring has to be on the top of everyone's MOST WANTED list by now! I for one, am in huge need of a at least 3-4 consecutive weeks of sane, non-Portland weather.
By the end of our 3 hour shoot last weekend, the model and I could actually say we had seen and felt rain, snow and sleet. While I was lucky enough to be fully clothed, she was forced to endure the bi-polar weather changes in a couple of silk numbers, (these beautiful summer pieces made by Sara Seven).

Fortunately, Morayma is a pro who can manage the unpredictable with an actor's poise and ease. This shot is one of the last of the day, at which point her skin must have been frozen through to the veins.

Garden Film Strip

Garden Film Strip
Originally uploaded by lavendamemory

First shoot in a month! So excited to post these shots! More to come ( :

Headshot Before and After

This is my first shoot in a month! My 1st trimester is officially over on the 24th, but fortunately, I am feeling good enough to resume work!

I am posting a headshot of the makeup artist who worked with us today, Diane Johnsen. She needed an approachable update for her site and this is what we came up with: (I am posting the before as well to show you some of the post-work).

Almost 9 weeks!

Here is a sneak peak at the growing baby inside my belly! You can't see it just yet, but baby is taking up a grapefruit-sized space inside of me. I can feel the growing pressure at night, when it becomes difficult to find a comfortable position for sleep. But I am excited to see the real changes and can't wait to see pictures at our first ultra sound in 2 weeks! We'll be able to hear the heartbeat too!
In so many ways, this pregnancy does not feel real yet. Aside from the 24-hour "morning" sickness I've had these past 4 weeks, the baby has not made too much of a fuss, but I will definitely post baby's first movements and any changes in my belly size ( :