It seems as if the only thing that consumes my life these days is this little kid of mine. I have hundreds of session shares I have queued to post, but here we are again…. Another entry about Lyon. I hope you don’t mind…
Our family recently returned from a much-needed vacation in Rosemary Beach. I’ve spent weekends here with girlfriends, watching sunsets and sipping mojitos by the beach, but those trips didn’t quite compare to the quality time we spent as a family there. It’s difficult for Kyu and I to both take a step away from our work to enjoy one another, so this trip was very special to us.
Here are a collection of my favorite instagrams from the trip. I didn’t even bring my DSLR because I was too busy enjoying the moment. It felt really, really good…. And you know what? I love these images just the same.
How is it that another year has come and gone? I remember holding you so tightly in my arms at 3 months – rocking you to sleep and vowing to never let the world harm you or taint your innocence. Now, I can barely keep up with you and your incredible sense of wonder!
Your dad and I are so proud of our little boy and his joyful spirt. We are enamored at your energy and sheer joy – it is such an inspiration to us and a very good reminder of how we need to slow down every chance we get and just find delight in what is in front of us.
April was a monster of a month for us. We committed to way too many projects and events, we were traveling so much, and I almost let myself get away with not celebrating your 2nd birthday. About a week before your birthday, I pulled my act together, took out my notebook and drafted a layout of a cars-themed birthday party. Then, I pulled out my address book and started calling and emailing your friends to attend a last-minute get together. Invitations were even designed and mailed out just a couple of days before your birthday…..
Well, the weather was just perfect, our close family & friends surrounded you, and you ran around the party yelling, “Car, Car, Caaaaarrrr!” Your dad and I had the biggest grin on our faces the entire day.
In the spare moments I had, I ran around capturing as many small details I could to remember the celebration that almost didn’t happen. I missed some moments on film, some details were never executed, and I just ran out of time in getting what I wanted to accomplish done. But, just as we knew it would – you had an AMAZING time, and dad and I could not have been more thrilled celebrating TWO with you!
We love you to the moon and back….flying there in race cars, of course.
Mom & Dad
April 21st, 2013
The ‘day before setting up marathon.’ Building 20 boxes for 20 kids!
The decor and decorations were literally thrown together that week. Simple but fun!
And the Caaarrrrrrrs!!
A fun Burger Bar, inspired by my friend Joy, but not executed quite as beautifully as hers!
Cars-theme birthday cake by the lovely Kathi of My Sweet Things.
And one of our favorite moments of the day!
Blessed that so many friends could make it on such short notice…
Your favorite aunt even put together a fun video of the car race we hosted with all of the kids! SO adorable!
And your dad’s brilliant idea – a big bouncy house for all of the kids!
It’s so wonderful to have these memories of your very special day. May you look back someday and know just how much joy you give all of us and how deeply you are loved, little Lyon.
We just returned from an inspiring week with our members in Charleston for our annual NAPCP Retreat. A heartfelt THANK YOU to each and everyone of our speakers, attendees and sponsors for making this Retreat the best one yet. We walked away with so much encouragement that NAPCP is truly making a difference in peoples’ lives…And more than that, in our own lives and hearts. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by such positive spirits, and these Retreats are a reminder of our incredible industry. We’ll do a complete recap of the event soon, but I just wanted to say thank you again to all who were there. You all amaze us.
In 2009, Kyu and I founded the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP – http://www.napcp.com/) in hopes of providing more resources to photographers specializing in child and family photography. What started off as the pair of us jotting down our ideas into the wee hours of the night has blossomed into an amazing community of like-minded, supportive, and passionate artists around the world. We are truly humbled to be part of such an inspiring and talented group.
Over the last 6 months, we have dedicated countless hours in planning our annual Retreat this month in Charleston. Like all projects, we approached this event with every ounce of love and soul we had – not overlooking any detail of the planning. It will be difficult to top past Retreats held in Napa Valley and Vail, but this is one we are super excited about!
We promise our attendees a week of rejuvenation, rediscovering their passion for this craft, elevating their business to the next level, and forging friendships that will last a lifetime. This is truly unlike any other convention or workshop.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram this week (@alicepark and @napcp) as our team travels to Charleston for one of my favorite events of the year. We are looking forward to an incredible week!
Have a wonderful time Alice! I am sure it is going to be a smashing success. Wish I would have been able to attend. Maybe next year. Hug all the gals for me. xoxo
I recently photographed a session for a favorite family, and we were all about the beautiful Spring weather, the holidays approaching, and the baby chicks Knox and his mom are raising now.
How fun are these? Happy Easter Everyone! I can’t wait for Lyon’s first real Easter Egg Hunt!
We just wrapped up a 2 day commercial shoot for Baby Braithwaite, and I’m excited about all of the fun things that is happening behind the scenes for this brand. They’re building their team, launching new ideas, and it truly is exhilarating being part of this growth creatively…
What started off as a few ideas pinned onto a inspiration board will soon be a brand new website that will launch next month. Here’s a peak of some behind the scenes Instagram photos taken with my trusty iphone.
Stay tuned for the resulting images of this shoot going live in Spring 2013!
My friend Chaffee recently introduced me to the world of online publications/boutique shopping, and I’ve been hooked ever since. With the onslaught of Pinterest, Facebook, blogging and sharing, it made it difficult for me to patiently wait for my next issue of Real Simple, Traditional Home & Elle Decor. These days, perusing through magazine pages never was easier.
Altough I genuinely feel there is nothing that compares to the physical satisfaction of flipping through the most recent issue of a favorite magazine, this busy lady certainly appreciates the convenience of having it all online for me for me to read whenever I want (or have time). And top this experience with a boutique shopping excursion for almost all of the items featured? Heaven.
This Friday, I’m sharing a few favorite online publications. One in particular is by a friend & talented photographer, Shannon Sewell, who is making waves in the industry for her imaginative and out-of-the-box approach to children’s photography.
It’s been a while since I’ve shared a session here…. We’ve been busy bees putting together the beautiful touches of the NAPCP Retreat happening this April in Charleston (more on that soon!).
Sometimes I become so inundated with the everydayness of life, that I need a little bit of perspective to help get me back on track. Feeling humbled and so thankful for my easy little boy after spending the afternoon with Ashley and her three boys.
Meet Tilghmon and Reid and Carter – the absolute joys of mom’s life. They slept soundly through the night (and in the same room!) at 12 weeks. And they are truly the happiest babies on the block!
Many of you know of my love for the amazing nurses behind Moms on Call. Laura came to visit us when Lyon was 8 days old, and we still use much of what she taught us today. During some of our toughest infant phases and all throughout sleep training (toughest of them all) – she was my rock.
That’s why when Laura approached me about helping her redesign the look of Moms on Call – I couldn’t be more ecstatic. Here was the look of the book before we stepped in:
Although eye-catching, it didn’t have the soft and baby-ish look they were hoping for.
So, this is where my side-kick designer Kristen Smith and I came in. They loved our very first mock-up:
And look who made the cover of the 0-6month edition? This chubby little fella
Their pages are filled with simple, easy-to-follow solutions for caring for your baby. My favorite pages are the daily schedules that help get your family and child in a routine… It’s a must-have for any new mother, and the set makes for perfect shower gifts to friends. You can get your copies at our favorite baby boutique, Baby Braithwaite!
It’s hard to believe my baby is growing up… We are just eating up every bit of him!
Lyon’s so-sweet Valentine’s this year. This kid is going to be such a heartbreaker like his dad when he grows up…
Taken ever-so-quickly with my iphone camera this morning. Life is so busy that I just don’t have time to pick up anything other than my mobile device – but that is for another post!
Alice is a documentary child photographer known for creating her storybook folio books. Kyu is the brilliant mind behind the business who encouraged Alice to pursue her passion 5 years ago. Together, they run a boutique-style photography business in Atlanta and recently founded the National Association of Professional Child Photographers. They love to live life at its fullest, holding on tight to the handle bars along the ride. This blog is all about their life, their work, their love for the industry, and their newest adventure: starting a family. Hang on tight!
