Are you ready for a little cute overload? The correct answer is, “YES!! Bring it! I could really use a big dose low calorie sweetness in my life right now!” So without further delay….
This precious little miss is the daughter of one of my Photographer friends, Judith Soule. Her business is Fresh Look Photography, and she specializes in weddings and family portraits.
Last year, I saw an image of Judith covering a NAVY homecoming and she was on the dock in freezing cold temps with no hat or scarf or ANYTHING!!! I asked her about it, and she said she felt like a popsicle by the end of the day. So I couldn’t have that! We devised a barter, and I introduced Judith to cowls and fingerless mitts. She took my headshots in the Library last year.
Cowls and fingerless mitts are the bestest besties for photographers who are out in the cold elements creating precious family keepsakes.
Why? They keep you warm, they stay out of your way, and you look cute all at once! Talk about a TRIPLE THREAT!
This adorable little model is Mara, who celebrated her 7th birthday last month. She’s Judith’s youngest child, and Mara loves my knitting! When I delivered the knits to Judith last year, Mara went crazy for them. When Judith took this year’s knitting home, they received even more of a reaction. Why? Because that My Little Kitten hat was made just for Miss Mara. She got to have her very own custom knit.
I don’t make many of those for other people. I do sell the pattern, but I don’t typically knit them for clients. However, when somebody this cute asks for a cat hat, how could I say no?
She wanted her pictures taken in her new hat. But that wasn’t all! She wanted to wear Mommy’s new pieces! That’s why the mitts are just a lil oversized. They are actually mommy and not Mara sized.
Still….how cute is she wearing mommy’s knits?
When we were little, we always wore mommy's high heels. This is a variation on that old school tradition.
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Let’s be real for a minute. Mara is completely adorable!! She’s also really photogenic and loves to pose for the camera. When she saw the new knits, she wanted her mommy to take her photos right away! The knits gave her a fun prop and she was excited to show off for the camera. This is pretty much what photographers dream about!
I see photographers putting newborns in knits and crochet pieces all the time, and I love that! I’d like to see that idea extended to older children as well. The knits add personality and texture.
Stand back and let the child be themselves while wearing knits, and you get pure magic.
That twinkle in her eye and that adorable smile is a special image her momma is going to love forever. In 30 years, Judith will run across these old pictures and relive a fond memory from a chilly spring day when Mara was still a little girl. Who doesn’t want that? Isn’t THAT the point of children’s and family photography?
To stumble upon images from years earlier that transport you right back to that happy moment in time.
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A couple of weeks ago, Judith hosted a photography meetup. I attended and my sweet little friend Mara was there, too. I got to take a couple of my own photos of her in her hat. I love this one, because she’s looking up at her momma here, and that expression says it all. Years ago I had a home based photography studio, and my specialty was in photographing young children. So when I get the chance to do it now, I jump on it. I can’t keep up with little ones like I could back in the day, but it’s still a fun thing for me. In limited quantities that is!
The next time you knit for your children, why not take a few pictures of them wearing it while the knit is new? If you’re looking for a way to perk up your Ravelry project pages, having your children model the FO’s is a cute idea. Of course, only do this if your child is a major ham like Mara (I’m quoting her mom) otherwise you risk traumatizing them for life. If you have family pictures planned, why not knit up some cute pieces for the kids to wear? It will take your already precious family pictures to a whole new level. If you’re a photographer looking to offer something unique to your clients, drop me a line and let’s talk about incorporating custom knits in your fall family photography promotions.
I’m going to sign off this week, and leave you with the darling thank you card Mara made for me. She gave this to me, and it sits proudly in my office. When a child likes something enough to make an elaborate thank you card like this, it means something. And that’s why I do what I do.
