At first, this session was going to be a gift to Dad for Father’s Day–but the beans were spilled and Dad even decided to join in for a family photo!  Happy Father’s Day to you and to all of the Dads out there.  Enjoy!

In my pre-motherhood and pre-photography business days, I worked in child welfare and once presented at this very conference.  Adoption is also a personal matter to me–I was adopted when I was just three weeks old.  The very window in which I am so often holding and photographing newborns is, in my own life, a complete unknown to me (although I rest assured I was in the care of a loving foster family).  I have two brothers who both joined our family through adoption.  In my grown-up life, I am reunited with my birth family and very close to my birth mother, her husband, and their extended family.  I am so proud of my parents and family–we are deeply fortunate and grateful to be able to share our adoption experience as one of connection and love.

This was my first endeavor at mixing my personal/photographic/previous-profession, but sure not to be the last.  What fun!  I met some wonderful families, many of whom were quick to pop out their phones and show me gorgeous pictures of their adorable kiddos.  Hopefully, some of these little folks will soon be gracing this very blog (they were super cute, so I really hope their parent hire me)!!

I also met some awesome fellow exhibitors and entrepreneurs, whose lovely handiworks are included in my blog board below.  Please, take a visit to Gina’s cards and painting at Paint 4 Ethiopia, Maureen’s artisan crafted adoption banners and onesies at Twenty Birds, and Julie’s inspiring t-shirts at Peace Tree Apparel.  Each combines motherhood, arts, and business in a way that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

And a last note…  I’m pretty darn proud of my exhibit, too!  My dad built the “wall” a couple of years ago for a wedding fair.  Sherman refinished it last week.  And it’s now covered with my favorite recent images, in frames by Wild Sorbet (which I do offer for sale here at my studio).  Thanks to all for making it come together so charmingly!

These sweet kids have the best hair, don’t they?!  I can’t decide whether I love Julian’s darling curls or Ella’s awesome braids more…  Seeing them dressed for springtime made me so happy.  We aren’t quite there yet weather-wise, so our session took place indoors with studio lighting.  But their fresh, breezy outfits at least make us all feel hopeful that it can’t be much longer until blue skies and sunny days!

This is actually Ella’s second session with me.  She’s now five, but had studio portraits when she was three as well.  Her grandma (like me!) loves collecting nifty vintage stuff.  The pink wicker chair is hers and made a great addition to the portraits.  For studio sessions, it’s all about expressions, clothes, and props–and I think we did pretty well on all three!  Thanks, Ella, Julian, and the whole family for a fun studio afternoon!

These photos make me want to squeeze their cheeks and kiss their noses.  I may be partial, but they are pretty stinking cute, aren’t they?!

Mommy tells me that Marlowe is already a daddy’s girl.  Check out the final image in the series, and I think it’s pretty clearly true.  Although she’s just learning how to focus, she certainly has eyes for him!  Big brother Finn (don’t these kiddos have the greatest names?!) is eighteen months old, so just a little guy himself.  Already, he is so good at being gentle and kind to his new baby sister.  Welcome to Boston, Baby Marlowe.  I hope you and your family will be feeling right at home soon.  We’re glad to have you!

What are these Stitch House Dorchester sessions, you ask?  Well, Stitch House is an yarn and sewing shop here in Dorchester.  Owner Annissa George–entrepreneur, crafter, teacher, and mom to four–has a classroom space in the back where she regularly hosts knitting and sewing classes and/or throws fun parties.  But each November, give it an additional purpose.  We stack up the sewing tables, shift around the furniture, and install a portrait studio for a couple of days.  Simply add your adorable family–with or without additionally adorable hand-knit props courtesy of Stitch House–and you’ve got beautiful photos just in time for the holidays!

We use a clean, white background with soft, beautiful studio light–perfect for showing off children’s sparkling eyes and natural charm!  Sessions are 45 minutes long and typically result in about 25 proof images for each family to review.  The cost is just $75, which includes the first print in any size up to 11×14.

This year, Stitch House sessions will be a limited engagement–we’ve only got room for 15 families and do expect to sell out!  A $35 deposit holds your spot.  Our dates are Saturday, November 6; Sunday, November 7; and Thursday, November 11.

To sign up, get in touch with me via phone (617.290.3486) or email (marie@zemlerwuphotography.com).  Or visit Stitch House to see my in-store display; their staff can also get you on the list!

When Maya woke up, she pushed her little head in the air with a strength far beyond her tender age–making one of my favorite pics from the session.  As she got dressed, Maya even showed us a smile or two!  She and her big sister Elena received matching red dresses, so we used them–along with the neighbors’ fantastic flower garden–to capture some new-sibling love. Welcome to the world, sweet baby!  And congrats to big sis, and the whole family!

Family and friends, click here to see the full set of images from Maya’s newborn session.

While we were at Wellesley, I even got to learn a thing or two.  This dear five-year-old taught me about kinds of frogs.  His three-year-old sister preferred to chat about ballet.  All of my favorites from this session feature them together.  These two are extremely close, and were so willing to sit together, hug, and enjoy one another (at their ages, sibling shots are not usually such an easy task!).  Thank you for a great session!

Friends and family, click here to view the whole session!