This is the fifth year for us to celebrate a local single parent. It’s a big job raising kids. Most of us are blessed to have a spouse helping us out, but that’s not always the case. Most of you know someone raising their children on their own. Maybe you are that person. We’d love to help them celebrate their family through portraits. Nominate someone you know, or nominate yourself!

Send your nominations to:  info@mjwphotography.com and put ‘Single Parent Giveaway’ in the subject line.

Tell us as much or as little as you would like about why this person should win.   All entries must be received by April 15th. Winner will be announced on April 30th.  ( for those of you who get the newsletter I moved back the dates because I must have drank too much caffeine when I thought up those original dates, lol!)

This year’s winner will be excited to know that we’ve upped the prize! Our 2013 winner will receive all their digital images (that’s a $1200 value)! But because I am a strong believer that their is nothing better than an actual professional printed image on your wall our winner will also get to enjoy a 16×20 portrait! As always the lovely Trudi, with Illusions for Hair will be donating a hair appointment for the parent and child(ren) complete with cut, color, style, wash…you name it!

You can view last year’s winner HERE.  🙂

A third boy.  Oh boy oh boy OH BOY! (as an excited friend put it).  When each of my children were born I never could look at them and figure out who they were going to look like, but little Tripp here…he sure looks like his brother Tate!  Right down to that adorable chin dimple.

It’s been a while since I’ve shot a newborn session at a client’s home.  Not on purpose though.  I love shooting in homes since it’s always fresh and inspiring surrounding, but since I opened my studio most newborn clients come in.  This was such a special treat for me and mom!

I ventured upstairs while mom was feeding for a bit to play with the big boys in their new bedroom.  They were still in their pajamas, but who cares?  🙂  One of the fun things about moving from NWA to the east coast was they got a new room…and it’s a lot bigger!  I was a bit jealous myself because I’d love to have my own play area.  😉

We have a whole series of images of the boys playing around on mom’s bed, but I’ll show you these two.  They were waiting to take pictures with new baby brother and killed some time with a bit of wrestling.  So adorable, aren’t they?

I just have to show this sibling shot.  Tripp wanted to keep his legs stretched out all the time!  His mom said he was like that inside as well.  Always up under her ribs.  🙂

A little impromptu outdoor shot later in the day.  After an afternoon of chit chat someone said it was 60° outside.  And the rest is history as they say.  🙂

Katie, I am thrilled that you allowed me to come out and photograph Tripp’s entrance to the world and his first photo session.  I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to come again!  xoxo

I was thrilled when Grandma called to schedule a session with all her grandbabies together!  Last year when they were all together here in Arkansas we did a session as well and it was so fun.  You can see that blog post HERE.  It’s amazing what a year does.  Cameron looks like a teenager and the babies are toddling around like crazy!  Each of the girls have a completely different personality.  They are like night and day, but each so darn adorable as you’ll see.

🙂 🙂

Check out all the expressions on this little guy! This is one of my favorite ages.  All the smiles, coo’s, chubby rolls and drool make for a fun time.  This guy did not disappoint!  Mom has some wonderful friends that bought her this session as a baby gift, which by the way, is such a perfect baby shower gift!  Every time I photograph a family that has just started with their first little one it reminds me of two things.  1.)  how amazing those first years were.  and 2.) wow, I am getting so old!

🙂 🙂

To know these kids is to love them.  The first time I met them was for brother’s baby pictures.  He’s only gotten cuter since THEN.  The next session while mom and I were designing their Christmas cards she told me on the back she wanted it to read “coming this spring…baby #3!”.  And that is how they announced baby Vivi’s soon to be arrival.  🙂  You can view her birth story HERE.

During this session I wasn’t sure we’d get outside with the weather so chilly.  We did most of the images inside the warmth of the studio and they were little pros!  I told mom to let them bring their favorite toy from home and I just loved what they decided to bring.  Check out Mr. Personality below.  😉

I love how she has her little toes curled under below.  🙂

She decided to bring all her princesses.  She even had some My Little Ponies.  Those brought back some memories!

It’s all about the Super Hero’s…

Told ya it was all about ‘em.  🙂