My Boys - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's On-Location Photographer for Babies and Children

I finally got around to taking my boys' birthday portraits a little bit ago. (Nevermind that my oldest is now well past his birthday!)

My baby is one and my oldest is three.

My youngest fell asleep on the way to our photo destination, so I had to wake him when we got there. Which meant that he didn't have his usual easy-going smile on his face the whole time. =) He started walking just a couple days after we took these. I'm kinda' thankful that he wasn't walking quite yet when we did his portraits, because it would have been a bit trickier to keep him still for good shots!

And my big boy turned three this year. He was fighting some major chapped lips when we shot these, so his smiles are kind of funny - he's trying to not smile too big to protect his poor lips! There's always something, though, and I really hate to put off photos waiting for that "perfect" timing. May as well capture your kids as they are - that's part of the charm of kids' portraits. =)

Happy birthday to my boys! I love you - your smiles and giggles are the best gift a mommy could ask for. =)

- elka

Merry Christmas! - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's on-location portrait photographer

I hope you and your family are enjoying this Christmas season! I wanted to share my family's Christmas card with you, and wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

- elka

K&H - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's on-location couples' photographer

I had the fun of photographing some dear friends of mine recently. My friend Katie owns Making Memories Unforgettable, the most awesome scrapbooking store in Tucson. (makingmemoriesunforgettable.com) She has a great eye for design, color, and creativity, and a love of photos (obviously). =)
I love photographing these friends, because they are GREAT with the camera. They are comfortable and have a great time interacting (with each other AND with the camera), which gives us such great shots. These were the two they trying to decide between for their Christmas card this year.

I love how they are leaning in this one....

And these were some fun ones we threw in at the end....

I love you guys! Thanks for being such wonderful friends, and for having such fun with your session!!

- elka

Grandparents Visit Sneak Peek - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's on-location photographer for children and families

Here is another sneak peek that is quite late in getting up! This session was SO fun, because Grammy and Papa just happened to be in town at the last minute for the session, so we got to capture some shots of them with their granddaughters. And they are beautiful! We also got a couple of Mom with her girls....

And some of just the two girlies together....

You may remember this head of hair from a newborn session I featured a little while back. She has the Baby's First Year Package, which is such a wonderful way to capture all the changes that happen in that first year. I LOVE getting to see these little munchkins grow.

I have been photographing big sister since she was a newborn as well, and she is just the best little model for me whenever we do sessions. I love this photo.

I love this photo, too...especially cropped to a square. =)

Look at that girl's bright blue eyes....

I was so excited that we got this shot of her peeking out from a blankie. Love it.

And lastly, this photo is one of my faves. I love how the red and pink pop against the black backdrop. Little Miss P. was pretty excited to be looking DOWN on me for this one, and she was working with all her might so that she could scooch out of the basket and get exploring!

I love these girls. I am so honored that I have gotten to watch them grow, and capture sweet photos of them all along the way. Merry Christmas to all of you, F. family, and also to Grammy and Papa! =)

- elka

Growing Family Sneak Peek - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's on-location photographer for families and children

I am so behind on sharing many beautiful sneak peeks with you all! I have been so busy with holiday photo sessions and the usual hustle and bustle of the season, as well as celebrating my baby's first birthday! How is it that my baby is no longer a baby?! I now have two children, no babies. Crazy.

This post is extra-special because I get to CONGRATULATE this family on the arrival of their youngest family member! They welcomed another baby girl into the world yesterday. Congratulations, B. family! I can't wait to meet that sweet girl!

Here is big brother (who, by the way, has become quite the model for me over the years that I have been photographing him =)....

And BIG sister (it seems crazy to say that!), who is the quietest, sweetest little darling you've ever met....

And here are the two cuties together (before life-as-they-knew-it all changed!)....

I love love love this photo. It so aptly represents them all. Mom and Dad are so sweet and cute together, big brother always has something up his sleeve (that mind is always working....), and sister sits by innocently (for the most part =)).... This photo just cracks me up.

Ok, folks. Confession. It was really cold during their session. This was toward the end, and the kids were barely hanging in there, which, I might say, was impressive considering how long they'd endured the cold grass. Poor dears. But I still love this photo. =)

And, this may just be my favorite family photo. Love the giggles from sister. Love all the smiles from everyone. Love the lighting and the trees and white picket fence. And I love that mom and dad's hands are wrapped around their babies. It's just sweet.

So - congrats again, B. family! I hope you are enjoying looking at and holding that sweet baby girl now that she has arrived. (And, baby N., good job coming early so that your mommy could spend Christmas at home.) =)

- elka

Livin' in the Desert Sneak Peek - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's on-location photographer for children and families

This family is new to desert livin', and they wanted some family photos that represented their new home. We got some SWEET images of their little dude....

And some really sweet family photos....

Love this....

And, I wanted to get a few of the super-cute couple, too. =)

Thank you guys for such a great session! I LOVE the shots we got, and can't wait to share them all with you!

- elka

2010 Holiday Cards by Vignettes Photography

Here are some of the holiday cards I created for this year.

I am only showing the fronts, but my press-printed cards are 2-sided, and are printed on beautiful paper (you can even choose a pearl finish). They are GORGEOUS cards that I am proud to call my own. =) If you would like me to customize one of these designs to fit your photos from a session with Vignettes Photography (or if you would like me to create something that you do not see here), drop me an email! I would love to help you showcase your family's photos in a high-quality, unique holiday card that will be sure to stand out to your recipients. Enjoy!

**ALL BELOW IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT VIGNETTES PHOTOGRAPHY AND MAY NOT BE USED OR POSTED WITHOUT PURCHASE AND PERMISSION FROM ELKA VIGNETTE SWINGLE/VIGNETTES PHOTOGRAPHY.

Prices for these 2-sided, flat press-printed cards, is $46 per set of 25 cards with white envelopes. You can choose one of five high-quality papers: standard, art linen, art watercolor, art recycled, or pearl. Drop me an email (through my website - http://www.vignettesphotography.com/) if you would like to place your order! And don't forget - those of you who had a Fall/Holiday Mini-Session with me get 10% off your holiday card order!

**Holiday card orders must be placed by Monday, December 13, 2010, to guarantee delivery to you by Dec. 22nd, unless you request overnight delivery for an additional fee.

- elka