6 Month Studio Pictures!

I know, I know, all of you pro and semi-pro photographers who I'm friends with are cringing at the thought of me taking my dear, sweet boy into a commercial "factory" photo studio. I won't lie, I didn't feel 100% great about it myself, but let's face it. The Hayes Household isn't made of money and I wanted to get some "professional" shots (if you can even call them that) in a studio before Brody goes off to college.

I did a little research and ended up at Portrait Innovations in the Eastwood Town Center in Lansing. I liked that they used a real camera, as opposed to some studios who use a camera on a stationary mount. The "photographer" (and I use the term loosely) was able to get down on the floor with Brody and he didn't need to be propped up on a table. I was prepared for cheesy backgrounds and props, all of which I refused. I stuck with a simple white background and a few different chairs. I wasn't real keen on doing the diaper shots, but since I don't have any pictures like that of Brody (not even when he was a newborn) I figured what the heck. The session lasted about 1.5 hours, including the time it took to take 90 shots (all of which I got a on CD because I spent over a certain amount of money on prints), the time it took to narrow down to my favorite poses, and the time it took for the prints to be printed. I was glad to have the pictures in my hand that same day.

Overall I was pleased with our experience at Portrait Innovations. They were fairly busy when we were there (3pm on a Friday) but I never felt rushed or had to wait around for a long time. There was a 2nd person in our session who was great at getting Brody to smile and pay attention. She even wiped the drool that was constantly running out of his mouth! I don't know if we'll go back, just because I really only plan on getting yearly professional pictures done from here on out, and I'd much rather utilize the talent of a TRUE professional photographer.

Below are some of my favorite shots....and some outtakes :) We had to stop several times to keep Brody's feet and fists out of his mouth. He also kept leaning forward when he was in a chair, almost like he wanted to see where he could go!

And a few outtakes for your viewing pleasure. Brody was all about those dang toes! He was doing everything in his power to shove his feet into his mouth the entire time :)