Frolicking with Isla||Boston Children's Photographer

May your mind forever sparkle like a star, your heart remain pure as new fallen snow. And your spirit forever sense the wonderment of a child.   -Mary Summer Rain

Oh, goodness! Spending a gorgeous spring evening with this darling and her amazing mom? Pretty ideal.

My son and I met Isla and her mom last fall, and I've been - kindly nudging (or perhaps sweetly harassing? ;-) ) - them to do a session ever since. Lucky for me, after a month or two of rescheduling because the weather was refusing not to rain - or snow! - on our chosen session days, we got a beautiful gift from mother nature last week - I couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening for outdoor silliness with this cutie.

Sweetpea made a small bouquet, and after playing with it for a bit, presented it to me as a gift. I swear, Isla's mom picked her dress out to intentionally match the tiny flowers surrounding us. Although, it's a little hard to focus on that perfect coincidence with those gorgeous blue eyes distracting me.....Isla's mom is so sweet with her daughter - playful and silly, and completely enraptured with her. And clearly, Isla adores her mom so much - I captured so many amazingly cute interactions between the two of them, it was really hard to choose which to share!The one below won me over because of the way Isla's hand holds her mom's head in place as she smooches her. Kind of hard to take the sweetness over here.....My takeaway? The rescheduling couldn't have worked out better - what a wonderful evening with a fabulous duo. I'm so happy I had the chance to capture all these moments of you two!

Love,

Ceilidh

Postscript for you all:

Are you a single momma? I can't encourage you strongly enough to grab a photo session - I know there's all sorts of extra scheduling considerations, but having the very special one-on-one relationship between one parent and one kid captured is truly energizing, and, dare I say, downright magical. I often schedule a few months out, so please call me soon and I'll take good care of you, single mommas!

617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com   

Also, for more cuteness, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there for new adorable-ness every day!  #willowbabydaily

Mini-Minis!||Arlington Family Photography

Ohhh! What are you up to this coming Saturday? Wishing you were capturing the current cuteness that is your kiddo? Well, then, I've got you covered!The first ever Willow Baby Studios Mini-Minis! Wee sessions of 15 minutes, in a studio style set up at the fabulous kid's shop Wild Child in Arlington. A wonderful way to get a professional shot of your little(s) or get a Mommy-and-me photo that doesn't involve contorting your arm to get an awkwardly snapped selfie.Within two weeks you'll be emailed your digital file and a print release allowing you to make as many prints as you'd like. You'll also receive a watermarked version so you can share the cuteness with family and friends on social media. If it's too hard to choose your favorite shot, there will also be additional digital packages available at this time, all at special mini-minis prices!Ready for more good news? The mini-minis are valued at $250, and only cost $49..... But the bad news? They're almost gone! Only 3 sessions left, so grab one quick-quick by going here.

Hope to meet you soon!

Love,

Ceilidh

P.S. Monday confession: Self-promoting is *hard* for me! But I LOVE hanging out with your kiddos and being silly and goofy all the while taking photos of them. And I do realize that the only way for you to know that I could be the perfect photographer for your family is by doing the self-promoting thing. So, yeah. That was.... awkward. I'll keep practicing ;-)

Want more than a 15 minute session? My full sessions are super fun and summer is booking fast. Only 5 sessions left for June & July, so you should definitely call soon for us to get you a great spot on my calendar! 617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com   

Also, for more cuteness, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there for new adorable-ness every day!  #willowbabydaily

Here Comes the Cute!||Charlestown, MA family photography

The cute is headed your way, at top speed!

Max & Harper are fast. Really fast. And it's no easy feat to slow them down. However, when necessary, here is one equation that renders them "still-ish". Have them run laps no less than four times. Then, get equal parts parents to children, throw in the incentive of small treats, and request their silliest faces. You'll end up with something that looks like this....

In other words, pretty frickin' adorable! I'm a huge fan of candid and giggles, but we also managed to get something less silly too.... although Harper's leg is still at the ready, just in case she needs to dash off somewhere....

Making this photo shoot happen was no easy feat. Max & Harper's mom transported a whole bag of outfit options and snacks, while chaperoning two scootering kiddos on a windy & chilly spring afternoon to the chosen session location. Upon arrival she promptly went into pig-tail making mode (not a hairstyle that could have fit under Harper's scooter helmet) all while maintaining an impressive amount of calm. Their dad conquered Boston (Friday!) rush hour traffic and the insanity that is city parking to make this all come together before the sun went down. I'm so happy they did!(It's possible one sibling was slightly easier to capture and keep still).Luckily, we were able to enlist less-squirmy sibling's help in "convincing" (eh-hem, squeezing her till she couldn't move) Miss Harper to sit still for a moment. A big thank you to the four of you for overcoming all the obstacles city living threw at us! I'm so happy to have had the honor of being your family's first official photographer!

Love,

Ceilidh

Postscript for you all:

Do you need some beautiful family photos? I would love to take them!  It's never too early to contact me about a future session - I often schedule a few months out - 617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com   

Also, for more cuteness, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there for new adorable-ness every day!  #willowbabydaily

And Gloria Makes Five!||Boston Family Photography

All four of them waited, and waited, especially the momma with her heavy, moving belly and then, after all that, after almost 42 weeks of waiting.... she's finally arrived...

Here's the most beloved baby Gloria. She joins two goofy big brothers ready to teach her the ways of their family....With these experts leading the way, she will undoubtedly become quite talented at making silly faces soon, pushing her parent's buttons in time, and, eventually joining her family in singing practice. (How cool is that?!)

I think this is how we are supposed to be in the world -present and in awe.   Anne Lamott

I briefly interrupt for a brief four year old interlude..... And now, presenting this lovely momma of three, who parents her brood with such an amazing base of calm.... I'm sure she may beg to differ, and certainly she must have her moments of, eh-hem,"cursing like a sailor" but she has such a relaxed and go-with-the flow attitude, that watching her roll with the chaos of all the kiddos is quite remarkable. And the daddy of the three kiddos? Here he is, being all good-natured, with an easy sense of humor. And lastly, the whole family of five... (it's possible that certain members needing a bit more corralling... any guesses?) A big huge thank you to all of you. And a big huge welcome to you, Gloria! I'm so happy that you arrived safely, and that I had the honor of capturing this amazing time for your family.

Love,

Ceilidh

Postscript for you all:

Do you need beautiful photos of your family? I would love to take them!  It’s never too early to contact me about a future session – I often schedule a few months out – 617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com   

Also, for more cuteness, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there for new adorable-ness every day!  #willowbabydaily

My Birthday Boy||Child and Family Photography

yours is the light by which my spirit’s born...   you are my sun,my moon,and all my stars

- e.e. cummings

I am a momma.

After six years of this being an irrefutable fact, I still have moments where I pause in awe that this is my truth. 

I feel so very lucky to be a momma. 

So I present this post to you, my sweet boy. Happy happy birthday.I think the photo above was the second one ever taken of Finn. I didn't take it (I was busy getting, um, reconstructed) but the alert look and slight smirk has always struck me as uncharacteristic to a person only minutes out here in the world. And, as you may have guessed, this was only the beginning of awestruck moments with this tiny human that grew inside me for 36.5 weeks.

How wonderful life is now you’re in the world - Elton JohnI carry your heart (I carry it in my heart) – e.e. cummingsAnd I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.  -Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars Sometimes, you exasperate me to no end. Sometimes I feel like if I step on one more lego, I will throw them all out the window. Sometimes, I'm already fantasizing about a glass of wine or maybe even a stiff drink by 8:30 in the morning. But good gracious, child, I do love you so very very much. I'm in awe of you. Your cleverness at constructing jokes and lego creations, your (sometimes elusive) sweetness, your humor. You are sensitive and goofy, tough and determined, and a pretty gifted shot with those nerf darts. Being your momma has pushed me beyond capabilities I couldn't have even dreamed I had. It has deepened my sense of gratitude thousand-fold, motivated me to push forward as a business lady (me! your artist momma!), led me to more exhaustion than I thought was really survivable, and brought me so much joy. Thank you, my darling boy, for giving me the job of being your momma. I celebrate you.

Love always, Momma

Postscript for you all: 

I'd love to bring the joy I feel when looking at photos of my son to you and yours. I truly think it is the best present you can give yourself, as a momma, to get beautiful, professional photos of your kiddos as they grow!  

It’s never too early to contact me about a future session – I often schedule a few months out – 617-480-0387 or 

cwy@willowbabystudios.com

.  

Also,  for extra cuteness in your life, please jump on over to 

Instagram 

and follow me there to see a little darling every day!  #willowbabydaily

The Fur Siblings||Boston, MA Baby and Pet Photography

Oh, the pups! I do adore my tiny human subjects, but I have a special spot for their older (fur) siblings. It's so important not to let first borns feel ignored when a new baby arrives, so I always love to include them in our family photo sessions. And so, this post is in honor of the first babies of many families....

My sunshine doesn't come from the skies/It comes from the love in my dog's eyes.

-Unknown Poet

No one will invent and no one ever did/A happier pair than a dog and a kid. 
-Berton Fraley

The dog was created specially for children. He is the god of frolic.   - Henry Ward

When Finn was about three, he and I borrowed (okay, dog-sat) the remarkably sweet Walter-dog for a week, and it was pretty awesome to see them enjoying naps together. And amazing how they slept with their legs mimicking one another almost perfectly.... 
The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.― Johnny Depp

The photo below with two pups looking right at me nothing less than a hard-earned miracle!

Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog;
but you're never friendless ever, 
if you have a dog.  
-Douglas Mallock

To all the families with big, brave hearts that choose to parent a pup and a babe, what an impressive and lovely feat!  Thank you for the honor of photographing all your babies, the human and the furry alike!

Love,

Ceilidh

Postscript for you all: 

Do you need beautiful photos of your small people with their fur siblings? I would love to take them!  
It's never too early to contact me about a future session - I often schedule a few months out - 617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com 

Also,  for extra cuteness in your life, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there to see a little darling every day!  #willowbabydaily

Pilfering the Crayons, or, Decluttering with Children

“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” - Socrates Ah hahahahah! What a concept to introduce to my little guy, who eagerly accepts every sticker, lollipop and flimsy prize toy offered. And I don't blame him - new stuff is exciting! Treats are awesome! Prizes are validating! (and then getting rid of those things, well, the quote I've seen floating around the internet in various places - "I smuggle out broken bits of crayons like a drug lord" - rings pretty true. I've certainly hidden old coloring pages in between cereal boxes in the recycle bin.) But oh, how I love me a good empty bit of space, and how restful and joyous my mind feels when the clutter isn't around.

I remember the first time I realized I had way too much stuff. The last year of college - on a humid Boston day in late August- I was moving into a forth floor walk-up, and I hadn't suckered enough friends into helping me carry my boxes up the stairs. So I felt every. Single. Ounce.

I'd accumulated so much, and it sucked. It was literally heavy, but also emotionally so heavy - hanging on to so many things was weighing me down, bumming me out, and taking up energy that would be much better used elsewhere. I came to understand that the more stuff I had, the more I was responsible for: for lugging from one apartment to the next. For ensuring it stayed in good shape, was taken care of, was respected.

Years later, I became a mom. And we parents all know that tiny babies born in the US should come with their own storage unit, plus a spare attic or two for all the new items they come with!

At some point last year I stumbled upon a blog called Nourishing Minimalism. The writer of the blog, Rachel, discusses the difficulties of decluttering or embracing minimalism with kiddos around. She has some great ideas on how to get the children on board and Finn and I started the 2016 in 2016 challenge - can we get rid of 2,016 items this year? We're on our way!

I hope that these ideas make sense to Finn, so he spends less of his life and energy dealing with objects - wanting, buying, and collecting them - and so he never has to know the aggravation of carrying 8 million boxes up four flights of stairs on a disgustingly humid summer day in Boston.

Love,

Ceilidh

Postscript for you all: 

A material object that I do highly prize? Amazing family photographs. Truly some of my favorite possessions in my home. Do you feel similarly, but it's been dreadfully long since the whole of your family has all been in the same shot? I would love to help you out with that!  It's never too early to contact me about a future session - I often schedule a few months out - 617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com  

Also,  for extra cuteness in your life, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there to see a little darling every day!  #willowbabydaily

Finn the Photographer||Boston, MA Family Photography

On Saturday, little boy and I decided it was time for his first-ish* official photography lesson.

I set him up with one of my old cameras, and we talked about the importance of using the camera strap, how to change the battery, how to take the lens cap on and off, and how to review a shot. We also went over pressing the shutter button down 1/2 way to focus. I left him alone for a bit to experiment, and a few minutes later he ran in to show me his first few shots: photos of his favorite page from last winter's lego catalog. "Okay, so, I took this photo of my booklip" (what he calls catalogs, magazines or instruction manuals) "and then I took this other photo of it, because I thought it would look better without my feet." Be still my heart! As a photographer, I agree that getting your feet out of the shot is a great idea, but as a momma, I prefer the first one because, well, adorable little boy feet. I showed him how to use the zoom on the lens, and he proudly wrapped up the booklip's session right after that, quite satisfied with his results. I told him about the magical light of golden hour (the hour before sunrise or sunset) and he excitedly said we should make sure to go outside that very afternoon.

Here's what we got on our first photo walk together.....proud momma says: he is remarkably good at keeping his horizons level!

I'm totally digging his composition in this shot!

slightly soft-focus, but he took this photo for me after I pointed out how pretty the golden light looked hitting the needles. Awwww....

role reversal.... now I have my own little documenter! (and look how cute my outfit looks from the back - love that coat!)

Oh, my little boy! Thank you for requesting this lesson. Such a wonderful afternoon indeed!

Love,

Ceilidh

Postscript for you all: 

Do you need beautiful photos of your small people? I would love to take them!  It's never too early to contact me about a future session - I often schedule a few months out - 617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com  

Also,  for extra cuteness in your life, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there to see a little darling every day!  #willowbabydaily

*okay. The first time I let him use one of my old cameras was about 3 years ago. Slightly less involved lesson back then.....

A Different Kind of Tiger Momma||Arlington,MA Family Photography

And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you. 

-Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars 

For the past two weeks, my lil' dude has been really into this tiger costume.

Last week he wore it to school on three different occasions, and I had to talk him out of wearing it to a doctor's appointment (logistically, not the most practical idea).

But, I love that he has taken such a liking to wearing it. I love observing his funny quirks and preferences. I love how he builds lego ships specially for lego legs (no torsos or heads), how he's developed a fondness for a particular plant hook (more on that below) and how recently, while eating pizza, he said to me, "Momma, no one ever does this but....." and then leaned down and gave his slice a kiss.

Hook story: he started fiddling around with a nondescript silver hook that had been used to suspend a hanging plant from the ceiling. He ended up choosing it as the toy (!!) he wanted to bring to daddy's house one weekend, and the following Monday his dad told me that Finn had started calling it "Hooky". And at one point over the weekend Finn said, "Daddy, Hooky is my best friend that isn't a person".

Yeah. So this guy. I find him so. very. endearing. He is clever, and bizarre, and getting big and so independent, and yet also still my little boy, who needs hugs and comforting. This whole parenting journey continues to be filled with daily challenges, and also abundant in these adorable, affirming moments - I feel so much gratitude that I get to be a momma, especially a momma to this silly little tiger.

I hope your Monday is filled with your version of endearing tiger quirks!

Love,

Ceilidh

Postscript for you all: 

Do you need beautiful photos of your little tigers? I would love to take them!  It's never too early to contact me about a future session - I often schedule a few months out - 617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com  

And, for daily cuteness, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there for daily adorableness!  #willowbabydaily

The Magic of Flying||Arlington, MA family photography

what if I fall?

oh, but my darling, what if you fly?  

                                                                                                         - Erin HansonI remember the feeling of swinging as a child - like I really might suddenly become a winged creature and take off in flight. The magic of swings doesn't feel as potent now as it did then, but it is still a little adventure, the back and forth rhythm as soothing as a rocking chair, but with that amazing floaty feeling. Like so many of the magical feelings from childhood, I can't quite get back that sensation. But photographing this amazing little girl in her 5th birthday wings brought me big feelings of gratitude for being an adult, and observing her as she experienced the swinging magic.Here's to your day, my dear ones, and the hope that you see at least a glimpse of that old familiar magic.

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Postscript for you all: 

Do you need beautiful photos of your small people? I would love to take them!  It's never too early to contact me about a future session - I often schedule a few months out - 617-480-0387 or cwy@willowbabystudios.com  

Also, for more daily cuteness, please jump on over to Instagram and follow me there for daily adorableness!  #willowbabydaily

One last note - this post is in honor of Sophie & her family - wonderful neighbors and friends who are moving away soon. Sophie & my Finn started kindergarten together, and her mom and I have spent many mornings corralling and coercing our kiddos on the walk to school. Finn and Sophie have developed a quintessential kid-neighbor relationship - yelling to one another from porches, planning spontaneous get togethers and adventures, running back and forth between houses way more times than is logical. We have been so lucky to have them next door, and we will miss them dearly.