After weeks of work, I am finally ready to announce the launch of the brand new blog for CaseyBower Photography. Please visit caseybowerphotography.com/blog and update your bookmarks! From here on out, all new posts will go there and this blog will be inactive.

And I advise you visit the new blog today, since there is some other news on there that I have been teasing you about for weeks.

I already did my retrospective a few posts back, so I’ll just mention here that this morning I photographed my last photoshoot of the year. Whew! What a wonderful way to end the year. Meet 8 day old E. She is just about the most precious thing in the entire world. I was in love with her snuggliness, and her spiky hair. 

This is the third photoshoot I’ve had with this particular family — combine that with the fact we both have sons about the same age and I have come to consider them friends. I always love to go over to their house, because I know I’ll have fun. And talk a lot. And the light… oh my, the light in their home is scumptious. I think they could probably rent it out to photographers. So I couldn’t keep them waiting for their newborn pictures while I was on holiday break. I just couldn’t. These photos are too fun not to share. And there are a lot of them, so make sure you’re comfortable. You’ll probably want to take a little nap after seeing all this coziness.

She was a sleepy little one. And very snuggly.

I love the look on her face in this next one.

I just bought these scarves, so E was the first newborn to try them out. She found them quite cozy, as you can see.

Her room, which you might remember from the maternity session I posted a few weeks ago, is completely adorable. She also snuggled in there for a while.

Then it was off for photos with mommy and daddy. 

What do you think — first official smile caught on film?

And of course, we couldn’t leave out photos with her big brother. 

This one is funny, because we noticed while we were taking the photos that E and her dad were “sleeping” almost exactly the same way.

The epitome of cozy.

And finally, completely out of chronological order, one of my new favorite newborn photos ever. I’m pretty certain I’m going to enlarge this one BIG for my studio. So peaceful.

… and another just over two! These photos were so much fun to take. I had photographed one of the tiny little guys about a month ago when he was a newborn. His mother’s family was having a get-together in Madison, and they asked if I could take some photos of the children as well as some of Nana — their great grandmother. I loved this idea, because really — how many times are you going to have four children under the age of one to photograph all at once? It was a challenge, I’m not going to lie. But I do think that the photos did capture a bit of this family’s spirit, as well as the different (developing) personalities of the children.

These two were 9 month old twins. I was in love. Not only is it one of my very favorite ages to photograph, but these two had the cutest eyes. The little girl was quite interested in my camera, and I had to act fast to shoot the photo before she had crawled right up next to my lens.

The little boy had such blue eyes!

Look out, world!

And these two cousins are just a week or so apart in age. I think they almost look like twins here.

Little S had the most compelling eyes, and made the funniest faces!

And this was the “big cousin” — who is just a bit over 2 years old. She entertained the little ones by reading her favorite selections from Dr. Seuss.

I swear this little kiss was completely unprompted by anyone — and the baby is her little brother. Aw…

Nana with her little ones…

And just one of her with one of her grandchildren, who helped arrange this session. What a lovely session, and what a delightful family. Oh, and we did get one shot of all the kids together, although I’m saving that one for the family to see first. The photo on the top of this post is one of the outtakes, which I thought conveyed a little sense of the craziness!

First an administrative note: The studio will be closed from this weekend through January 5 to allow me to celebrate the holidays with my family. I will be checking e-mails throughout the holidays, but it may take me just a bit longer than usual to get back to you. I also have some wonderful photos to share with you of some fantastic portrait sessions I’ve had over the last few weeks. I hope to get those posts out this weekend, but if not look for them shortly after the new year!

Now for the real point of this post: I have always loved those year-end retrospectives they show on tv, and at this time of year I find it’s fitting to look back and reflect on the year that has passed. 2008 was quite the year. It held some wonderfully happy times, but of course it is also the year that I went through the heart-breaking loss of my mother in February. For that reason, I think 2008 will always remain as a year of reflection for me. Time to reflect on family and friends, and what that really means. It’s also a time for renewal and rebirth, which for me is most clearly signified by the growth and development of my photography business, as well as the amazing growth and changes I see every day in my son. I know I have said this before, and I can’t promise that I won’t say it again. When it comes down to the very heart of it, the reason why I love photography as I do is that I simply love to capture those fleeting moments and give families a way to remember it always. The laugh of a child. The amazed look when you hold your newborn child for the first time. The happy tears on a wedding day. Photos allow us to capture what is so fleeting.

With that, I am happy to share some of my very favorite moments from this past year. Please click on the link below to view the slideshow. And on a personal note: I have met some amazing people this year. I consider myself humbly honored to have been chosen to capture some moments for all of you. My best wishes for a peaceful, healthy and joyous holiday season, and a wonderful new year!

CaseyBower Photography 2008 Slideshow

This little cutie is another one of my “Watch Me Grow” babies… you might (or might not!) recognize her from her newborn session a few months ago. She’s now over three months old, and has changed so much. Although her hair and her baby pudge remains much the same (yay!)

So the theme of this post takes its cue from the Sound of Music (one of the best movies… ever). A few of my favorite things…

* sweet baby girls in holiday dresses

* especially when they have absolutely amazing eyes

* wonderful little baby pudge

* little ones who are just starting to smile (have to include two of this one)

* babies under the Christmas tree (especially yummy in black and white)

And you might be able to guess what my absolute favorite thing is — babies in Santa hats. I just love them. Even (or especially?) when they’re crying.

Keep warm! Look for a big announcement to come later this week!

Since it’s only December and it seems to fit with the holiday mood, I can admit that I sort of enjoy it. It’s a different story come around February or so. Then I’m ready for summer and warm weather. My dog on the other hand? He’s frankly happy to be anywhere I am. And he loves to run around in the snow. These photos are actually from last winter… but we just re-created them this morning. And now he’s happily snoozing on the sofa, content as can be.

Drive safely, and enjoy the snow!

This session was with a 5 month old little girl who I photographed a few months back when she was only a few days old. I love to watch my clients grow up… I think it’s one of the best parts of my job, in fact. Miss M’s parents signed up for the “Watch Me Grow” package before she was even born, so they’ll be two more sessions with this little sweetie in the next few months!

Her parents are still completely taken with her.

Isn’t this hat the cutest?

Sweet moment with mommy (I love her little baby chub in this one).

Flying!

See you in a few months, M.

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I know that I certainly ate my fair share (and then some!) of tasty food. We also made cookies and candies and I’m trying to give them away to anyone who will take them… just so I don’t eat them all! It’s hard to believe that it’s December already. I feel like November just flew by. But December is generally just about my favorite month of the whole year, since I love getting ready for Christmas. We’re excited too, because our little boy is now 16 months old and is just fascinated by all the lights and music and fun of the holiday. Last year was his official “first Christmas” but he was only four months old and didn’t really notice all the hub-bub. This year — totally different story. Such fun.

And I have some photos to share with you! This was a maternity session with a great family. They have a little boy who is about 20 months old (you can see his 1 year session photos here as a matter of fact). He’s quite excited about the baby in mommy’s belly. And their joy over their soon-to-arrive little girl is quite obvious as well.

See what I mean?

The beautiful mother.

This one is a favorite of mine because it captures a little moment before the new member arrives.

Similarly, a sweet mom and son moment.

You know I love baby bellies, and I couldn’t resist this beautiful window. Their whole house had wonderful lighting even on a rather overcast day — it was a photographer’s dream!

The soon-to-be big brother knows just where his baby sister is going to sleep…

… and he and his dad tried it out ahead of time by putting their monster friend down for a nap (this photo is another favorite of mine).

But this one was my absolute favorite photo of the day. Love.

This mom had told me ahead of time she wasn’t positive she wanted maternity photos taken… I hope now that she’s glad she did.

It has been too long since I have blogged! Can you believe that it’s almost turkey day already? Where did November go? Meet P. He is ten months old, and was such an energetic little man. This session took place just about two weeks ago, on one of those cold gray days that makes me long for summer again. I had a fun time watching all his different facial expressions.

We went outside for a couple of photos, but quickly went back inside. It was too cold, and I’m thinking that P didn’t like it too much… check out that pout! I originally thought this one might go in the outtakes pile, but the more I looked at it the more it made me smile. He definitely has this look down.

Their dog enjoyed watching the session as well.

And P really loves his dog. Can’t you just imagine the two of them clowning around together in a few more years?

P also enjoyed looking out the window…

… peeking at me from over his daddy’s shoulder…

… and watching his Baby Einstein video. He was just enthralled by that video! It gave me a good opportunity to document his adorable little baby chub.

The idea for this next one was all his dad’s, and I think it turned out pretty fun!

Thanks you guys — it was a pleasure meeting you. Next year we’ll aim for a fall session a little bit earlier in the year, perhaps?

It has been a little while since I’ve photographed a newborn, and I’ve really missed it! This is baby N, who was just nine days old when I took these photos yesterday. He was born on election day — but don’t worry, his parents and grandparents all did their civic duty by voting early. Little B was quite the model during the session. Truth be told, he slept during most of it. But he did provide some nice wide awake photos right in the beginning. And of course, he’s quite the cute sleeper.

I think this is the only glimpse of his eyes you’ll see in these photos:

Hands and feet (love the wrinkles!)

And of course, the new (and very proud) parents.

I love the sense of wonder in this one. Amazement that this little one is yours, and is finally here after all those months of waiting.

His room was amazing. The murals on the wall were painted by a family member – what a gift.

Another shot of the sleepy little guy.

And a couple of shots that I love to do… just because they look a little different every single time. You can’t predict newborn sessions!

Congratulations to the new parents — your little boy is beautiful.