Oliver Meets World.

I had the pleasure of photographing Sarah and Brendan's wedding in 2013, so I was very happy to get a call to photograph with them again when baby Oliver arrived. They live in Chicago, I live in Rockford - uh-oh logistics! But when your client's mom has a unique, furniture store like Mary's by Design that is pretty much a playground for a newborn shoot it's no logistics problem at all.

Here's a look at Oliver's newborn shoot. 

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Christmas Joy

I took just a few photos over the Christmas holiday festivities - the wrapping of gifts, the opening of them, holiday lights, friends and family enjoying each other's company - but this is definitely one of my favorites from the holiday.

As we sat at our dining room table ready to start our Christmas breakfast, my wife brought out a pan of cinnamon rolls. As she set it on the table, my son looked up from his plate and the huge pan and stared at it with the wide-eyed joy of a three year old about to get a sugar fix. So I grabbed my iPhone as it was the closest camera to me and I really wanted to capture this moment. Here it is.

Hope you all had some of that wide-eyed joy this year.

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Happy Halloween

Remember: First the trick, then the treat!

Happy Halloween from Ryan Davis Photography!

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Erin, Jason & Parker | Rockford Family Photographer

I love photographing families...the shoots are always like little adventures. When I first met up with Erin, Jason, & Parker for our adventure, Parker reached out for me instantly and wanted me to carry him. I don't know if babies have that sixth sense, or if it's kind of like how a dog knows you have a dog by sniffing youor what, haha. But at any rate, there I was, carrying a bag full of camera gear over one shoulder, and Parker in my other arm (Erin & Jason had their hands full with diaper backs and outfit changes). And I knew it was going to be a great session already.
It's kind of funny how natural it's to just scoop up a kid without a second thought...definitely something that having a son has prepped me for. One the great perks of my job as a photographer working out of my home is that my son Felix gets to stay home and "intern" with me...so yeah I can flip that switch and my internal dad scoop-up-a-kid-mode can be ready at a second's notice!
But back to the shoot. I had a blast with Erin, Jason, & Parker at Tinker Swiss Cottage and a couple spots in downtown Rockford. We started out with a photo session for Parker, and mixed in a family shoot too. Can't wait to do it again soon. Here's a look!

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Cora | Rockford Newborn Photography

 I had a great time this past weekend photographing baby Cora and chatting with her parents Drake and Lindsay. Getting to know new families is something that I really enjoy about newborn photography, and to be asked to create those first photos is something that really is a big honor to me.

I usually tell parents to feed their new arrival just before I arrive, because full bellies make sleepy babies, and sleepy babies make great photos. There was only one minor hitch when I arrived for our shoot...Cora did not want to sleep. But Cora did not know that I come from a long line of baby whisperers (I may have just made that part up, but you can't prove it), and so eventually she gave in. And when she gave in, she really gave in...just look and see:

Eventually, I had to break out my amazing baby whispering skills again...

Sleep tight, Cora.

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