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!

There may have been the slightest bit of disappointment when she at last appeared.  Noah and the class had a different name picked out for Emily Claire.  But I do believe her parents made the right choice.  As you’ll see from Noah’s face, any hint of dissatisfaction couldn’t have lasted for long.  This is the smile of one proud, gentle, helpful, and loving big brother!

And as for Emily, isn’t she just so pretty?  Emily Claire, I am so happy to welcome you to the Dorchester neighborhood and look forward to watching you grow!

About Land’s Sake:

Land’s Sake Farm is a lovely non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people to the land through sustainable farming, education programs for children and adults and responsible forestry.  They have a CSA, farm stand, chickens, flower garden, flourishing fields of veggies, and more.  I’ve been lucky enough to work with the farm a few times and it is a fantastic place–for families and for photography.

About the Strawberry Festival:

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, with a rain date of Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19.  The festival will include pick-your-own berries (of course!),  strawberry shortcake (double of course!!), burgers and dogs, live music, hay rides and plenty of farm games and activities for children. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children.  Bonus:  Land’s Sake strawberries are grown without the use of pesticides–as moms know, strawberries are on the dirty-dozen list so organic is a real priority!

About the Portrait Sessions:

Participating families will make a $40 donation to Land’s Sake Farm and receive a 20-minute environmental portrait session.  We’ll have some adorable farm/picnic/strawberry-theme props and surroundings to work with–but the kids love being outdoors, so their happy smiles will likely be all that’s needed for some fabulous images!  Following the mini-session, proofs are posted in an online gallery and are then available for purchase.  As always, no obligation and no minimum required (but we are pretty sure you’re going to love them, so we’ll encourage you to select prints for your walls, relatives, and such–as a guideline, a budget of $200 will purchase a set of six 8×10 prints).  This kind of session is great for babies, kids, sibling groups, or whole families–although I do encourage larger families to talk with me in advance if you think we might need to book you a little extra time!

Sign up or show up?

First choice on timing will be offered to families who sign up in advance.  I also have some useful wardrobe planning and session guidance for those who get in touch ahead of time.  If we have a few spaces left on the schedule, those will go on a first-come, first-serve basis to folks attending the Strawberry Festival.  We expect the day–and especially the first morning sessions–will quickly fill.

What kind of images can I expect?

Well, I describe my style as relaxed, with a focus on emotion and expression.  At this outdoor mini-session, we’ll have selected a spot with beautiful natural light and a great summer-y background (think berries, baskets, and picnic blankets).  For the adults and older children, we will help with posing to capture you at your best.  For younger children, the approach is playful and open.  Perhaps the best way to get a sense of it is to check out these images from last fall at the farm…  Enjoy!

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!

Each month for the next nine months, we’ll be giving away a newborn photography package valued at $500!  The giveaway includes a free, in-home baby session worth $250 and an additional $250 print credit (toward purchase of wall art, gift prints, baby announcements or whatever the winner’s heart desires!).

Any expectant family is eligible to enter.  Simply make a comment on my blog or facebook fan page, mentioning baby’s due date, just like this, “Marie, I want to win the newborn session!  My baby is due on March 24, 2011.”  I will send a confirmation email to each family who enters.

On the 20^th of every month, I will draw the winner from all of the entrants for the following month.  Thus, on January 20, I will draw a February winner from all of the babies due in February.  On February 20, I will draw a March winner from all of the babies due in March, and so on for the next nine months!  We’re drawing a little ahead of time, in case of early arrivals.  (Also, those who are not the lucky recipients will still have some time to plan for a newborn session—whether with me or someone else, please don’t miss out on this short and lovely window of baby’s life!)

Any baby who is currently “expected” can be entered in the contest at any time.  If your due date is still a few months away, you’re in luck!  Each month that you make a comment on my blog or facebook page, your name will enter the hat once more.   So a September baby could theoretically have nine entries in the pool.

Even better—get your friends and family to help give you additional entries.  They just need to write on my blog or fan page like this, “Marie, we really want our daughter Elizabeth to win the baby session.  She’s due on March 24, 2011.”  I’ll enter your name in the drawing once more for each person who comments on your behalf each month.  Stacking the deck improves your chances, but remember–it only takes one entry to win!

A few additional rules and details:  You must enter the contest BEFORE the baby arrives.  The expectant parents must enter themselves before their friends and family members can enter them.  Winning sessions take place within the first two weeks of baby’s life, at a location within 45 minutes of Boston.  Viewings are held at my home studio in Dorchester.  All participants will be asked to sign a release for images to be featured on the blog and in other promotional materials.

Do you have a January arrival?  Are you adopting 2011?  If so, contact me ASAP.  We’ll see if we can accommodate you in one of the monthly drawings and/or create a special just for 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.

Friends and family of Eli, click here to see the full set of images from the session.