Baby Jack is 1!

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(C) 2016 Powder Blue Photography. www.powderbluephoto.com

Baby Jack is a year old!  To finish off his first year baby plan, we headed to Mellon Park in Pittsburgh for a family session. We shot this session around 6 pm when the lighting was just right! Usually babies do okay at this hour for a family session because there is so much to look at that they are able to hang in there a little later than usual. Jack did great!

first year baby photography session at mellon park in pittsburgh.

The middle photo Jack is showing off his sign language skills (“more”)–this is something I SO wish I had taught my kids when they were babies… it just gives them so much more control over communication when they aren’t quite able to talk yet.  I think it must take the frustration level for babies down a couple notches.  This little guy is super content and happy every time I’ve seen him, so something is working! 🙂

first year baby photography session at mellon park in pittsburgh.

One of Jack’s favorite snacks is peanut butter puffs–a strange delicacy found at convenience stores all over, but one I hadn’t tried before.  He was kind enough to let me try one, and I have to say… I get it.

first year baby photography session at mellon park in pittsburgh.

At the end of Jack’s session we let him roam free, and I caught these images of him closer to sunset.  I used my hand to shield the sunlight from coming directly into my lens, which gave the top of some of these images a hazy pink quality that I really like.  Do you see it?

first year baby photography session at mellon park in pittsburgh.

Jack–you are the sweetest little guy and I am going to miss seeing you every few months!  Happy birthday!

Check out Jack as a newborn here:

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Missy Timko is the photographer behind Powder Blue Photography, a boutique photography studio located in Pittsburgh, PA. She specializes in newborns, maternity, families, babies, and seniors. Missy’s style is simple, natural, and clean, a mix of slightly posed and lifestyle photography with beautiful natural backdrops, and Missy also runs a studio in the West End Village in Pittsburgh.  There are many session options, from full-length custom sessions to shorter Baby & Child or maternity sessions, inside the studio or outside in a beautiful natural or urban location in Pittsburgh.  Contact Missy for rates and availability.

B Family | Strip District

You know how you basically can’t even talk to your accountant or tax attorney friends from March 15th until tax time?  There is a busy season for photographers too–basically April to accountants is what October is to photographers. There is a real ebb and flow in this business, and I structure my year to work with it rather than fight against it! I do all of my traveling, professional development, gear maintenance, and a lot of work on the structure of my business in the winter months (January, February) when I am mostly shooting just newborn and baby sessions.  I do not plan any nonessential travel from late September through Christmas when I am shooting family sessions in addition to my sweet newborns.  I certainly make time to enjoy the fall and all of my favorite holidays, I just plan to be working a lot too.

My thoughts behind this is that a) it’s beautiful in the fall… changing leaves, cooler weather (sweaters and boots!), and it’s generally just b beautiful time of year to be outside.  And b) holiday cards with a gorgeous professional photo on them are a big thing, I know I enjoy sending and receiving.

This family contacted me later in the season to shoot an outdoor family session for their holiday card.  We started in their home and went outside for the rest of the session.

pittsburgh family photography session in strip district loft with the benter family.

They live in the Strip District and dad had some locations in mind… I was a little hesitant since choosing a location has so much to do with lighting and factors about the background that most people wouldn’t think of… however, he nailed it with these incredible spots.  In fact, I will be revisiting this location this week for a fitness-inspired maternity session.

pittsburgh family photography session in strip district railroad location with the benter family.

Baby H is a real charmer with soulful eyes.  He was happy being outside even with the cooler temperatures.  I like the dark backdrop in this next series and the fact that it includes gritty railroad trestles next to an adorable babe.  The bottom photo is the one that ended up on their lovely letterpress card.

pittsburgh family photography session in strip district railroad location with the benter family.

The third location we went to is a little walking bridge that overlooks Pittsburgh… another spot chosen by dad who is a Pittsburgh local and knows the Strip District area well.

pittsburgh family photography session in strip district railroad location with the benter family.

Some families choose more casual outfits but this family was more comfortable in something formal. I was definitely in love with mom’s orange wrap!

See all the images from this session in this video slideshow: 

If you would like to shoot a family portrait session with me in the fall, I book up to nine months in advance (12 for baby planners), so get in touch as soon as you know you want to work with me.  As I am writing this I have several dates in October booked even though I have most of August free.

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Missy Timko is the Pittsburgh Family Photographer photographer behind Powder Blue Photography, a boutique photography studio located in Pittsburgh, PA. She specializes in newborns, maternity, families, seniors, and headshots. Missy’s style is simple, natural, and clean, a mix of slightly posed and lifestyle photography with beautiful natural backdrops, and Missy also runs a studio in the West End Village in Pittsburgh.  There are many session options, from full-length custom sessions to shorter Baby & Child or maternity sessions, inside the studio or outside in a beautiful natural or urban location in Pittsburgh.  Contact Missy for rates and availability.

Newborn Baby Ruyter

Baby Ruyter was born in Pittsburgh in the fall/winter of 2015 and joined his big brother Chance, who I photographed last year!

For this session I used my 24-70 as well as my 50 and 35 mm lenses with some off-camera fill flash as needed.  These are my go-to lenses and strategies for getting good exposures for indoor newborn and family photography sessions.

Pittsburgh newborn photographer. pittsburgh lifestyle newborn photography session in home.

Pittsburgh newborn photographer. pittsburgh lifestyle newborn photography session in home.

This little sweetie already has a great bond with big brother and their sweet dog Bianca.  Big brother Chance was not shy with me at all, probably because I saw him every few months for his first year milestones.

Pittsburgh newborn photographer. pittsburgh lifestyle newborn photography session in home.

These boys will be BFFs for sure!  Such sweetness between them. 🙂

Pittsburgh newborn photographer. Black and white images of newborn baby with older brother in home. pittsburgh lifestyle newborn photography session in home.

Bianca is so mellow and loving with the little guys!

Pittsburgh newborn photographer. lifestyle images of newborn baby with brother and dog. pittsburgh lifestyle newborn photography session in home.

Looking forward to Ruyter’s next milestone session, coming soon!

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Are you looking for a maternity, newborn, family, or baby photographer in Pittsburgh?  I would love to hear from you!  Powder Blue Photography offers in-home and studio portraits of newborn babies and maternity, and on location family portraits in and around Pittsburgh, including the South Hills, McMurray, Peters Township, Canonsburg, Bridgeville, Upper St. Clair, Fayette, and Mt. Lebanon areas..  All images © 2015-2016 Missy Timko at Powder Blue Photography.  Please contact Missy to schedule your session.