I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘If you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait five minutes,’ and the day we held this little first birthday session really proved that phrase to be true.

If you have followed my work for any length of time, you have probably noticed that I love to photograph outdoors. I love integrating nature into my sessions–I love the changing of the seasons, the light we work get to work with, the beautiful sunsets we often manage to capture. I’ve also noticed that if we manage to photograph in a quiet area, clients (and kids especially) seem to open up and feel more comfortable where there is room to run and play. And since businesses reopened after Covid-19, I have tried my best to photograph almost exclusively outdoors.

The one drawback to these outdoor sessions, of course, is the weather in all of its unpredictability. Being in Texas, we *usually* have temperatures that we can work with, and we tend to be pretty lucky when it comes to rain (knocking on wood right now). But every once in a while, we do get torrential downpours and storms, and this happened to be one of those days.

This sweet baby girl’s mama and I had been in touch in the days leading up to this first birthday session, simply keeping our eyes on the weather and trying to figure out a few backup plans just in case we got rained out. I usually will encourage clients to wait until the day of the session before we make a call–I can’t tell you how many times we have had awful weather up until the hour or two before a session, only to have it clear up and have gorgeous weather after that. So if we can be flexible, we will usually try to wait it out.

This situation was a bit trickier, as the family was planning on driving in from the other side of the metroplex for their session. And honestly, we nearly called it off–it was still pouring off and on just right up to the hour before. But we went ahead and gave it a chance based on what the radar was predicting, and I’m so glad we did, as we honestly had one of the most beautiful evenings of light I have ever enjoyed at a session.

So when it comes to weather, here are just a few tips I try to incorporate with my sessions:

–First of all, safety absolutely comes first. I will not photograph if there is any lightning or torrential rain, as well as any heat, wind or flood advisories for the area. My priority is keeping you guys safe.
–If rain is forecast for the day of your session, I recommend trying to wait it out. As I said earlier, more times than not in the years I have been photographing, the weather forecasts do not turn out to be accurate. We will usually stay in touch and make a call within an hour or two of your session.
–If I can work weather into your session, I will try to do that. If it has rained earlier in the day and the ground is still wet, we may consider moving your session to downtown–reflections in the streets can make for some beautiful images. Fog, mist and wind may not seem ideal at the time, but can all create some gorgeously moody photos.
–When possible, try to adapt your outfits for the possible weather. For windy days, long flowy dresses in the right setting can be beautiful. For light rain, umbrellas and rain boots can be fun. When we keep our options and minds open, we can create some beautifully creative images together.
–And of course, when worst comes to worst, we will absolutely reschedule your session if the weather does not cooperate. For the time being, I am simply rescheduling sessions when possible. In the future (post-Covid), I will be able to offer indoor sessions at the studio in The Cotton Mill.

If you are looking for a photographer for your baby’s first birthday session and think we may be a great fit, please be sure to get in touch today!

Christina Freeman is a family and child photographer based in Anna, TX, serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. If you have loved everything you have seen so far, be sure to check out my details page for an idea of my general pricing, and be sure to get in touch to start the process today!

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There were several things that made me confident that we were going to be a great match. First of all, I was thrilled to hear that she had found me on pinterest and was interested in booking based on some of my past work that she had seen. It is super important when you are looking to book a photographer for your Plano first birthday photo session that you check out their work well ahead of time to make sure you love what they do. Check out their website, facebook, instagram and pinterest pages to make sure that their vision is in line with the style you are looking for.

For Arian’s one year session, his mother knew that she wanted an alternative to a cake smash session. She loved the look of several of my prior birthday sessions held outdoors, so we discussed several potential locations before selecting a field in Plano that would have gorgeous golden light just before sundown.

She sent me photos of his sweet little outfit that she had purchased from Fin + Vince, and I headed out to the fields several days in advance to select locations that would work well with the sweet little vintage vibe. It is important to me that we select areas with beautiful light, texture and plenty of space for baby to move around and show off their new skills that they are working on.

Finally, I had just a little bit of scrap fabric on hand to make this little crown loosely inspired by Maurice Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’ We incorporated both this handmade crown and the book into the first half of Arian’s session, then spent the remainder allowing him to play and explore. I always strive to capture beautiful portraits at all of my sessions, but it is also important for me to capture the details of what is unique about each age and stage.

Looking to schedule a photographer for your own Plano first birthday photo session? Be sure to get in touch and get a conversation going today!

–Christina Freeman is a baby and child photographer based in Anna, TX, serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. Get in touch if you have loved everything you have seen so far and would love to start a conversation today!

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If you’re anything like me, scheduling photo sessions can be tough. From a natural-born procrastinator, I get it. It’s always one of those things I mean to get around to and keep finding reasons to put off until another day. And there can be so many things to think about. Finding the right day and location is the easy part. Then there’s trying to get everyone on board. And the outfits. Geez, trying to figure out the outfits.

Of all the questions I get from you guys, trying to figure out what to wear is probably the one I hear the most. Which is great, because I love to help! I won’t pretend to be a fashionista, but after doing this several years, I have spent a lot of time figuring out what type of outfits work best on camera, and which ones don’t. If there’s one thing you retain from this blog post, this is what I hope it will be: if you ever feel uncertain about what to wear, please take a moment to get in touch with me and just ask. That simple. Super easy.

I actually did this sweet girl’s first birthday photo session last fall, and I had so much fun putting it together. Her mom knew she did not want to do a cake smash, but she had several visions in mind of what she was wanting. A pretty white lace romper that would show off her daughter’s thighs, a floral crown and a bit of a boho vibe to pull it all together. She had picked out a couple of outfits on Etsy that she was interested in, but there were a couple of issues–on one of them, she wasn’t in love with the top of the bodice, and the other one came with a price tag just shy of $100. I’m so glad she took the time to mention all of this to me, because I had a great solution: to actually custom make the outfit that she was hoping for.

Before I stepped into doing photography full-time, I owned a small online boutique where I custom made heirloom-quality clothing for children. I loved sewing for my little shop, but eventually had to choose between running the shop and pursuing photography. I chose photography, but I still love to sew a little bit here and there on the side. One of the ways I love to incorporate this skill into my photography is to offer the option of having something custom-designed and made just for my clients.

So here’s how it works: if you have a child or children aged newborn – 4 years old and you are having trouble finding just what you are looking for in the stores, we can get together and design something special just for you. Each outfit is tailor-made to your specifications and your child’s sizing and can either be rented for just your session, or purchased for you to keep. By offering this option, hopefully this helps take off some of the pressure of either purchasing something that may only be worn once (less waste! less cost!), or ensures that you end up with a quality piece of clothing that will be worn and loved many times over. This can especially be nice for boy moms, as I hear so many times how hard it is to find outfits that they love in the stores.

In the end, we ended up with this sweet little cotton lace romper. We photographed her first birthday photo session in late-October, so just as the temperature was starting to drop a tiny bit. One of the nice things about having it custom made was that I was able to line the inside with a soft cotton flannel to help provide a little bit of extra coziness to the outfit. I also added ruffles to the straps and the back, as well as making this sweet little floral crown with fresh flowers that were in-season.

Love this look and have a first birthday photo session to plan? Be sure to ask about my custom outfits and client wardrobes, as well as the option to have your own floral crowns made and designed just for you!

Christina Freeman is an on-location lifestyle photographer based in Anna, TX and serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. Please get in touch if you have loved everything you have seen so far and would love to start a conversation.

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One of the things I remember most about bringing my own little ones home from the hospital is the sense of calm in those first few days. Quiet cuddles, sneaking off to get things done while the new baby is napping, nuzzling into those brand new chubby cheeks. And the smell, that wonderful smell that only a newborn baby has.

Despite the sweetness of these memories, I know they cannot be entirely accurate. The first days with a new baby are anything but calm. Late night feedings, running on no sleep, *so much crying*, adjustments with older brothers and sisters… Thank goodness my brain has held onto the sweet innocent moments of those first few days and let these more stressful moments go.

There is nothing in the world that can replace the memories that are made in the brand new moments of life in a growing family. While a studio setting can be beautiful, it is within the walls of your own home that your precious moments are being made. These intimate moments are what I want you to remember when you look back at these images for years to come.

Thank you so much Jennifer and family for inviting me into your home. Capturing these moments for you means the world to me.

Anna TX lifestyle newborn photographer Christina Freeman specializes in photographing newborns, families, children, maternity and high school seniors in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Send an email to christinafreemanphotography@gmail.com to plan your session today!

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Sweet baby Cora, I always love getting to document you grow Please enjoy this little peek into her beautiful session celebrating 6 months and stay tuned for more from her milestone sessions in the months to come!

Christina Freeman is a wife and mother to 3 little ones who enjoys capturing details of ordinary life from behind the lens. Although she is an Anna TX photographer, she loves photographing other families, babies and children in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Contact her to get a conversation started today!

The post Baby Cora Sneak Peek | Anna TX Photographer appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.

“Sweet Zeke was due September 15th, 2017, but he had to make his grand debut on July 24th, 2017, due to the discovery of mother having vasa previa. We are so blessed he is here safe and sound. The NICU has been such an experience for all three of us. We have had great days, hard days, and days where we are all just tired and ready for Zeke to come home. He has always been our little survivor. When he was born he came out screaming and was only on CPAP for one day. He has done an amazing job learning so many things he isn’t supposed to do yet, such as balance his blood sugar, keep his temperature, and learning how to eat. We are so proud of our little Zeke! Thank you Tiny Footprints for helping us document this unexpected journey in the start of our lives as a family.”

From the March of Dimes:

“Premature birth is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five worldwide. Babies born too early may have more health issues than babies born on time, and may face long-term health problems that affect the brain, the lungs, hearing or vision. World Prematurity Day on November 17 raises awareness of this serious health crisis. Throughout the month we draw attention to the lifesaving research, treatments and community support made possible when we work together to give every baby a fighting chance.”

If you know of someone who may be in need of these services, please be sure to direct them to The Tiny Fooprints to find out more information about finding a photographer in their location. And please feel free to check out The March of Dimes to see how you can help support these little warriors!

Anna, Texas newborn photographer Christina Freeman is a wife and mother to 3 little ones who enjoys capturing details of ordinary life from behind the lens. She currently resides in Anna, TX and loves photographing other families, babies and children in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Contact her to get a conversation started today!

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TTFP is a non-profit organization that pairs families with babies in the NICU with photographers across the country willing to volunteer newborn sessions. The last thing that parents need to worry about when their baby is in the hospital for an extended stay is finding and hiring a photographer. This organization helps parents know that they are seen, they are loved, that others out there know they are going through immense challenges. This may not make all of that better, but it is one less thing off their plate. If you or anyone you know is facing the challenge of having an extended stay in the NICU, please check out The Tiny Footprints Project’s page.

Baby Naomi came into this world fighting. Looking at her, you would never guess that she was born with gastroschisis, a condition where the intestines were outside of her body. This beautiful girl had the brightest, warmest smile and was eagerly awaiting the okay from doctors to go home any day. The world has yet to see what this sweet fighter is going to bring to it. Beautiful Naomi and family–thank you so much for inviting me into your lives for a day to document this time in your lives.

Melissa, TX baby photographer Christina Freeman is a wife and mother to 3 little ones who enjoys capturing details of ordinary life from behind the lens. She currently resides in Anna, TX and loves photographing other families, babies and children in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Contact her at 940-453-4962 to get a conversation started today!

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Our sweet little girl is finally here! Ten days old already, and all sweetness. We watched her due date come and go, and still she did not seem to be in any hurry to join us out in the cold world. The day before her birthday, we got 18 inches of snow, which was slightly terrifying with the thought of possibly getting snowed in on her delivery day. Thankfully, she decided to wait until the snow plows arrived in our neighborhood before making us head to the hospital.

Hazel Anne was born on what would have been her grandfather’s 71st birthday. She even has his dimpled chin :-) It was a wonderful day. When we checked into the hospital, I was not yet in active labor or any pain, but I was too far along to be sent home. Steven and I roamed the halls of the empty hospital all night trying to speed things along. Once active labor began, though, the rest of the labor only lasted about two hours. My only goal in this delivery was to avoid pitocin, which I had had with my induction with Lily. My wonderful midwives completely respected that; not only that, but they helped me through a natural labor, which I never actually thought I would be able to do.

As always, Steven was my strength and literally my support through it all. I am so lucky to have such a supportive and sweet husband. We had some scares a few weeks back when we thought that work might send him away for a couple of weeks around my due date. Thankfully, they made it so he could be with me and I am so grateful. I definitely could not have done it without him.

Hazel and Lily are doing great and making adjustments. Life as a family of four has been stressful, noisy and quiet, sweet, sleepy and overall just what we were hoping for. Please welcome Hazel Anne to our world.

Christina Freeman is a newborn photographer serving Glenview, Northbrook, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest and the greater North Shore and Chicago area. Please contact her at info@christinafreemanphotography.com for bookings and availability.

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Let me start this post off by saying that this photo shoot was one of my all time favorites. So many things aligned for this session: gorgeous kids, gorgeous parents (doesn’t the mom look amazing?! I promise she didn’t take a bad picture the entire shoot!), a well behaved little baby, and glorious window light. So many things came together, and I was so happy with the results.

We planned this photo shoot for a Saturday morning at the family’s home. As a Howe, TX family photographer, I love shooting on location. I love taking pictures in places where families can truly be in their own element. I like to feel as though I am an invited guest, and to simply blend into the background as I observe how the family interacts; I just happen to have a camera in hand while doing so. I have also always loved shooting with all-natural light. I do work with flash, but much prefer to use natural lighting when at all possible. So far, for most of my shoots, I have gotten lucky with light, and this session was certainly no exception.

As I drove to the family’s house that Saturday morning, I started to get very nervous as I watched the sky ahead. What had started off as a beautiful sunny morning quickly turned ominous as the time for the photo shoot drew near. By the time of my arrival, I had just enough time to quickly run all of my gear in before the skies opened up and the biggest storm we had seen for some time began to pour down. Unfortunately, the beautiful light that the family told me their home normally got was nowhere to be seen in those conditions. What made it worse was that I realized right then that I had gotten off without my reflectors. Needless to say, I was extremely nervous.

I’ll skip over the majority of the shoot. All I can say is that I truly lucked out with this one. Before the end of the hour, the skies began to clear, and we were able to get some quality light by the window, which is where the majority of these shots were taken. I learned two really important lessons that day, though. 1. Make a gear list and always triple check it before you leave to make sure you’re not missing anything, and 2. As much as I prefer natural light, I can’t rely on it. I need to be prepared with great quality back up lighting. I owned an external flash prior to this, but this shoot convinced me of the need to be able to shoot beautiful light under any circumstances. Especially living in an area where Chicago winters are a fact of life, I must always be able to produce this same gorgeous light, even on the grayest of days. I love photo shoots. I love the results you get, the memories passed down, and the humble lessons you learn along the way. Most of all, I am so grateful for the lessons that every single photo shoot will present that help to grow me into a more mature and better photographer that families can entrust for years to come.

Howe TX family photographer Christina Freeman is a newborn, children and family photographer serving McKinney, Anna, Melissa and the greater DFW communities. Please get in touch with her to start planning your session today.

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