We kept two of our grandchildren last weekend (almost 5 days actually) while their parents got settled in after their move from PA to Kentucky. It was fun, but it was exhausting (hence the title of this post – it was ME that was all tuckered out!). I had all kinds of plans to take them out in a nearby field to get some photos, but each day slipped by filled with feeding them, changing them, keeping them out of trouble and safe, naps, and early bedtime. On the last day, when I had their schedule firmly under control, it rained. All day.  I was able to get some of Eislen just after she woke from her nap by giving her my hat to play with . These were done on my screened porch. The one of Ref was taken while he was in his booster seat just after dinner. I was disappointed that I didn’t get more shots of them, but I did get a good taste of what my clients with very young children experience when they book a photo session with me…it is so hard to control their child’s schedule so that the timing is right. That’s the main reason that I generally allow for several hours of leeway when I book a session with young families. I don’t want to stress them out further by worrying about exact times, and I am flexible enough that I can usually adjust the timing to work with them. So, if you have children that are a little unpredictable, don’t put off having them photographed and don’t be afraid to call me – my job as a custom photographer is to work with you to get the best images possible!

I just realized that I never shared some of the images I got of Genevieve and Gavin last month. I know, bad Nanna. I never really know if I’m going to be able to talk them into letting me photograph them when I visit – sometimes they do it, and sometimes they really don’t want to. I try not to push too hard, but I am not above bribing them. Fortunately, at least for the moment, they can be persuaded with pennies. One for every shot. And they count each one, believe me! Here are a few of my favorites…we don’t usually have the luxury of selecting their wardrobe ahead of time, but I have found it’s more important to seize the opportunity when I sense that they are in a cooperative mood, so ignore the hot pink…oh, and Gavin lost a front tooth so I was thrilled to get some of him with that milestone smile!

Please visit/like my friend Elissa Ashwood’s Facebook page “33 dresses”. She is starting 33 days of radiation to treat breast cancer, and is inviting all of us to join her in her quest to treat each day as a reason to celebrate! Why put off using the good china, wearing dresses, or calling those you love for a “special” day? They are all special!!! I’m going to be joining her, and I hope you do too. She will have a blog up and running soon, and I will have a special offer for everyone who shares in her mission – details soon!

33 dresses

Seems like only yesterday I did a maternity session for this lovely couple when they were expecting their adorable little daughter, and now #2 is almost here! It was  so much fun capturing these images because of Luci – she just made me laugh so much! She is talking very well for her age, and says the darnedest things. You can tell she is going to be so sweet with her new sibling (we don’t know if this baby is a boy or a girl) and I can’t wait to come back and photograph her with the new baby. And look how spectacular Mom looks! You know that I’m normally a “color” person, but with maternity and newborn sessions I am definitely a fan of black and white because it is so timeless and flattering.

I just love portraits of mothers and daughters. I love seeing the similarities and the connections that they have. One of my goals for this year is to have one of me and my girls, and hopefully one of me and my mom and sister.  I think this is an absolutely perfect Mother’s Day gift! How about a girls day of manicures and hair and makeup, then getting these portraits done before heading off to lunch? Sounds perfect to me! Now is the time to call to reserve your session so that you can have wonderful images (and memories) like these:

I have been photographing this little guy since he was a toddler and watching him grow. And grow. And grow! He is noticeably tall for six, and so well behaved that he seems older than he is. But now that he has lost his front teeth, he totally looks like a typically happy little six year old boy. And with those reddish-blonde curls, who can resist this face?! His mom made a special effort to have this part of his childhood captured professionally, and she will never regret it.

Found this top online and promptly ordered one for myself. I think it is THE perfect top for pictures, because it is universally flattering to women no matter what size or shape. The V-neck elongates the neck (desirable for photos), the 3/4 sleeves slim the arms (desirable for photos) and the knotted detail just under the bust draws the eye away from the tummy (desirable for photos). It’s somewhat fitted, which means that when posed properly, you will look curvy and feminine. It comes in three colors, for every complexion. I got black, figuring I can accessorize with color if I want to. Here’s the link: perfect top     $25

I will be in Pennsylvania on March 17 & 18 to do sessions. Normally I do mostly indoor sessions like newborns or maternity so early in the year  because of the weather, but we have had a really mild winter so I’m pretty confident that it will be fine to schedule outdoor sessions too. There are quite a few benefits as well: most people don’t have a crazy summer sports schedule going yet, the timing is perfect for Easter portraits for gifts for the grandparents, and the weather is really great for photos – not too cold, but cool enough to wear lots of layers that look phenomenal in pictures. Just look at these images I took of Eislen this weekend – even though it isn’t really green here yet, her clothing and balloons really made these pop.  Call me at 864-719-0130 or email me at pamnafziger@gmail.com to schedule your session today!

Sometimes you just can’t do everything yourself. My friend Michelle is a fellow photographer who is a wife, home-schooling mom to three active kids,  and now just gave birth to twin boys! Her hands are VERY full at the moment, lol.  I popped over there the other day to grab some newborn shots of the twins, and of her and her family. It’s so important to capture these fleeting moments, and I was happy to do the session so that SHE could be in the photos with her beautiful family. And believe me, it was fun to work together to get the shots that are pretty hard to do alone. And just look at these little guys – are they not ADORABLE?