Yes, I know it is literally 100 degrees out there! But my fall calendar has a tendency to fill rather quickly, so I want to give a special gift to all you overachievers out there (like me!) If you book and pay for your family photo session by July 31st, you’ll receive a FREE set of 25 custom holiday cards! I’ve got some super cute new designs this year!

To book your session, please email me at christy@christyjohnson.com!

I have been photographing Sam since she was a teeny little newborn, and look at her now! A big girl, just celebrating her first birthday!

I’m always a little sad when babies graduate from the Building Blocks plan (our baby’s first year package), but this one is especially bittersweet.

Sam and her family recently moved out of state…so when they came back this past weekend for Sam’s final session, I knew it really was my final session with her.

I know! I felt the same way! Boo! Ah well, such is life. In the meantime, we got some fantastic photographs of Sam so she can always remember her first year in NC.

So to Sam’s mom and dad: thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to watch Sam grow up before my lens! I have enjoyed her so much!

One last one for good luck! I love her expression and the tippy toes!

Fond farewell!

Happy 4th of July to all of my friends, family, clients and countrymen. I hope you have a super fun and safe celebration today!

I have opened up some mini session availability for July & August. Let’s face it…who wants to try and look pretty for the camera for an hour and a half while sweat is pouring down your face because the humidity is so high? Enter summer minis…a perfect way to get updated photos of your young ‘un in a quick 30 minute timeframe. Capture their latest milestone without melting into a puddle! Sounds good to me too.

Contact me at christy@christyjohnson.com to schedule your mini before they fill up!

I first met Alaya when she was still residing in her mama’s belly. Then again as a newborn. I hadn’t seen her since last summer, so when I first laid eyes on her this past weekend, I couldn’t believe what a little girl she had grown in to! She is celebrating her first birthday on Friday, complete with a ladybug theme, and her mom had the cutest ladybug outfits for Alaya that I had ever seen!

Alaya had a rough time letting go of her mom and dad during the shoot, so we ended up getting a lot of fun family shots!

I’ll be going to Alaya’s house soon to hopefully capture a few more individual shots, so I’ll have more of this little ladybug to share soon!

1. Hi, it’s me again. It’s been pretty quiet except for sneak peeks around here, hasn’t it? Lest you think I’ve run off to some deserted island with Jack from LOST my husband, I’ll share a little of what I’ve been up to.

2. I can’t quite remember if I’ve shared the news here, but I am doing a bit of rebranding. And when I say a bit, I mean the whole kit and kaboodle. New NAME, which means a new logo, new marketing materials, new everything! Including a new website, a new blog. New packaging. Oy, the list goes on and on.

3. I first started the rebranding process by meeting with my friend and business coach, Kathleen O’Grady. (I’ll be profiling her on the blog very soon!) Kathleen helped me to dig deep into who I am as an artist and how I want to define my business. She helped me brainstorm, she brought up fantastic points, she helped me muddle through the doldrums, and she cheered me on every step of the way. THANK YOU, Kathleen!

4. Geez, I love these two.

5. Macy has been quite the comedian lately. The other day, I got pretty stern with her about not listening to me, and she said “I don’t like you, and you don’t like me. Let’s talk about this.” Where oh where does she come up with this stuff?

6. Claire is at a stage that I think tortures a lot of parents. The stage where she pulls your hair or grabs your earrings and PULLS, or headbutts you. And then laughs and laughs when you correct her. Oh, it’s great fun, alright.

7. Why do I always get stuck on #7? I start off with furious typing, then always run out of steam by #7. Once I get to 8, the train usually starts off down the track again, but that elusive #7. Oh, and this totally counts as my #7!

8. We are heading to Georgia for a family reunion this weekend, and I’m excited. My grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary just this week, which simply amazes me. I hope Mike and I make it sixty years. Heck, I hope I make it to 60 years old!

9. As we celebrate love and family, two dear friends are grieving the tragic loss of loved ones…one a husband, the other a father. I hope they both know that they and their families are in our thoughts and prayers every day.

10. Are you signed up for my newsletter? If not, what are you waiting for?! This month we had a very fun contest with a super cool prize, and there’s more where that came from! Plus, you’ll be in the know about upcoming events, see extra sneak peeks and get a first glimpse at new products! Stop on over to the photography website and sign up at the bottom of the front page. I’ll wait here…oh, wait a sec, no I won’t. That’s ten and I’m outta here!

Smooches!

Sunday’s Mommy & Me mini-sessions were *this close* to being a complete wash - literally! The rain that wasn’t supposed to come until later that afternoon showed up a bit early.

Luckily, we had pockets of time that weren’t such a wash-out, and two of the three clients I was shooting that morning were still able to make it out. (And wouldn’t you know it…at the the time the 3rd client was scheduled, that darn sun was just a-shinin’! Just Mother Nature having some fun with me, I suppose!)

First up is Jacob, who I haven’t photographed since he was a teeny newborn! He’s got that little boy look now that makes me all smiley and teary at the same time.

As an added bonus, Sunday was his mommy’s birthday! Her 29th and final, she says!

Second up is Stella…I first photographed Stella last summer, when she was just a wee babe. Now she is a BUSY BUSY toddler!

No time for photos when there are important calls to make!

Happily, she did stand still for a few microseconds so that we could capture some of Stella with her beautiful mommy…who is expecting a baby brother or sister for Stella in August! (I so admire parents who can wait to be surprised about gender at the birth. I just do not have that kind of self-control!)

And just one more fave from the day!

Thank you to everyone who came out on Sunday! It’s such a privilege to me to capture these special relationships for you.

I first met Addie last year when she was all of 10 days old. And look at her now!

I love when clients return for another session…it’s such an honor!

Addie is on the verge on walking, and has a little independent streak in her that’ll keep her mommy and daddy on their toes, I think! Kind of reminds me of someone I know at home. I’m not naming any names…ha!

Happy birthday Addie! Thanks Andrea and BJ, and good luck with the big move!

Connor is also graduating from the Building Blocks baby plan! I just cannot believe all of these teeny tiny babies that I photographed a year ago have just bloomed into these little toddlers, full of personality and spunk!

He just looks so grown up, such a little boy now!

He’s “so big!”

Kelly and Chris, thank you so much for the opportunity to capture Connor’s first year!

So after this morning’s session, I tweeted about how gorgeous these children were. And now I’m blogging them and saying “told you so!”

See what I mean?

And if anyone can figure out how to get a photo just like this of my two girls, I will pay big, big money for it!

Sweet, beautiful Riley made my job so easy.

And Sheamus is your typical almost two-year old - very busy and very curious.

Sarah and Scott, thank you so much for having me over this morning! It was a blast, and I have many favorites to show you very soon!

Just thought I’d pop on to give a few quick updates. I still have some spaces available for the Mommy & Me mini sessions on Tuesday, May 18th and Sunday, May 23rd. Just think…Dad would like nothing better than a few photos of his favorite people for Father’s Day! Contact me by email at christy@christyjohnson.com to reserve your spot!

Also, I have one more spot available for June, and am now booking for July and August! If you would like to book a custom photography session, let me know!

Smooches!