Does something seem out of place to anyone else?  My son has decided his bed is entirely overrated and has become a master at finding odd places to sleep at night while no one is looking.  ;)  I usually discover these scenarios around 10:30 when I haven’t been paying much attention to anything other than my computer screen, the laundry or a book.He’s still just 2, but he’s got mad sneaking skills, balancing skills and zipping skills to go along with his adorableness.  He cracks me up!  He’d zipped himself in and was discovered only after he rolled over and pushed his little foot up against the wall; at least I’m getting a good laugh at the end of each day.  =)

Motherhood has to be the most hilarious job in the world!  =)

I’ve been a little MIA for a variety of reasons lately – one, we are on vacation.  Well, my hubby is on vacation so that means I am on vacation and am required to keep the schedule to a minimum for camping and mountain adventures.  =)  And you know what?  Even though I wasn’t so sure I wanted or needed a break mid-summer, it has been entirely refreshing and incredible to have some downtime.  My mind works overtime constantly and so to take a step back requires a great deal of effort.  But it was perfect and I need to do it more often!!!

The hubby is heading back soon and I have two shoots over the weekend, which I’m really excited for.  But until then, it’s movies, sunshine, errands and getting acquainted with my new computer.  ;)  I’m officially a Mac girl….and am still adjusting.  =)

But onto what else I indulged in over the past month.   (My taste buds are always tempted by the adorable bits and pieces of babies – these piggies were no exception!)  =)  I think little ones are by far my favorite subject for obvious reasons…I attended a retreat with the lovely Barb Uil of Jinky Art, and truly, it was an experience of a lifetime.  I believe in bettering yourself, no matter what stage of the game you are at, and this was truly inspiring for me.  I’m ready to take my business to new heights, new ventures, new looks and in new directions.

A huge, HUGE thank you to Barb, who is such a kind, generous and incredibly talented woman; I feel blessed to have met her and her sweet family.  I loved every minute of it!!!  Here are a few images from a few of our many shoots – I haven’t had time to process everything we took, but this will give you a small sampling.

Another huge, HUGE thank you to Teresa, our lovely host and owner of the beautiful Meadowbrook Farm.  It was not only a gorgeous location to shoot at, but SHE was amazing.  We got to chat more on our last night there, and honestly, she’s one of the people that stick out most in my mind.  She exudes all kinds of loveliness and is one of those genuinely adorable people.   =)

I’ll be back with sessions from this coming weekend!  (or maybe a few of my own babies before then…)

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Just a little sneak peek at some of the fun we had in Montana last week!  The retreat with the world renown Barb Uil of Jinky Art was incredible, incredible, incredible (did I mention it was incredible??!) and not only did I adore meeting her and her family, but I also met some very talented, wonderful ladies from across the country.  It was so fun to be surrounded by people who are as passionate about what they do as I am; I absolutely loved every minute of it!

Just one image for now.. but many, many more to come along with so many details from the fabulous retreat!  =)

So you know what?  For whatever reason, I have become a sentimental sap lately!  Seriously.  I have pretty much taken the month of July to devote to my family, as my hubby scheduled his vacations this month (and so I did not schedule much at all) and I was determined to take a step back, evaluate my business, take in my summer and spend time with my children.  And that I’ve done.  But I must tell you about this little man…(disclaimer: I took this yesterday, but he has since had a haircut.  )

He is my heart….one thousand and one times over.  I am so smitten with this little person that it’s actually hard for me to even write about it because there are no words to describe the way I feel.  Jack.  He is sugar on a lemony-kind-of-day.  He is my smile on a chaotic morning and my blessing on a day where life just doesn’t feel quite right.  This child is pure bliss.  He’s funny (have I mentioned he’s funny?!?), he’s kind, he’s brilliant, he’s precious in every way, and best of all, he’s MINE.  =)

I often think of him as an old man in a tiny body – the kind of little one who wants to take care of me, love on me, consider me, truly….I think the kid is in love with me.  And guess what?  I’m perfectly fine with that.  I adore it.

I went to pull him out of his car seat at Kmart tonight, and he randomly said, “Mama, I LOVE you.  And I love your beautiful eyes.”  I’m not kidding.  He’s two.  And these are the kind of loves I receive all day every day.

Could I get any luckier?!?    I think not.

Don’t worry, if you’ve read this far, you receive an award.    I’m all done.  And now I will go tuck him into bed.  =)

More up soon from the amazing retreat I just attended – lots of fun posts coming your way!

It is so hard to imagine that my sweet, sweet baby girl is 5 years old today!  Truly, I still remember those first contractions that hinted at labor the morning of her birth, and then welcoming her with my husband that night at 9:30pm.  There were so many things about that day that didn’t quite go as planned and had us all on pins and needles, but the thing I remember most is just. how. beautiful. she was.  Oh my word, truly, I assumed I would consider my child beautiful, but God had not prepared me for just how much my heart would swell that day.  I fell in love with her instantaneously and my heart has never been the same.

I had no idea that a mother could love like this.  Forever.  No matter what.  You just LOVE without ceasing and somehow that is very fulfilling and oh-so-rewarding.

Sophia Grace entered our world 5 years ago today in a tiny little bundle that weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz.  Tiny and perfect.

My girl just 24-hours old

in 2005:

And 5 years later:

(more images below…keep scrolling…;))

And yes, I still think she’s the most beautiful thing in the universe (I’m sure I might be a tiny bit biased).  She is kind-hearted, spirited, smart, energetic, independent, loving, affectionate, playful, brave, strong-willed, caring and nurturing all at the same time.  She is my fireball all mixed up in this delicate little package that exudes confidence and joy.  Everything in her world is exciting and completely deserving of drama and bouncing-up-and-down excitement; she certainly gets the most out of life.

We had her party with our family on Sunday, all of which was planned and decorated by her.    Did I mention she was independent?  Oh yes, the entire event was polka-dots…there were polka dots on the cake, plastered all over the walls, polka dotted candles and polka dots on her dress.  It was a styled affair.    Then yesterday I took her out for some photographs…of course…and then we hit the pool.  And today is finally her ACTUAL birthday (she wasn’t sure she should have her party before she was officially 5…this brought on many tears until I could convince her otherwise) and when I asked her where she’d like to have dinner, she said McDonald’s was her pick.    Ha!  She always cracks me up. But back to the images from yesterday…

I will admit, she does not like having mommy “officially” take her pictures.  She has problems with her eyes and “bright” light, and gets lots of nervous energy flowing through that tiny body.  That’s why mostly everything I do is entirely candid with my family, and rightly so.  Who wants a million “posed” pictures of their children anyway?  But once in a while, I love to document in style.    And this was her attitude when we got started:Have I mentioned she is FIVE??  =)

But, she recovered and we moved on to better things…I couldn’t ignore my other adored little peanut who was just patiently sitting in the stroller…who then asked if I would take his picture too.  =)  Umm, sure Love.no problem.  Because you are the other most beautiful thing in my world.  and we finished the shoot with a long afternoon at the pool:HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet baby girl.  You are 5.  Finally.

xoxo

It’s a GIVEAWAY baby lovers!

I have been working with the owner of Noggin Knots to photograph all her handmade goodies – dresses and hats sized newborn up to about 8-10 years old.  The dresses are “pillowcase” style and the hats are all crocheted.

I will be doing several giveaways during the next few weeks, and you don’t want to miss out on these adorable goodies for your girls or if you are a photographer, for a photo shoot!

Size 18 mo.  DRAWING IS FOR THIS EXACT DRESS.  One of my favs.  =)

Sorry, the baby is not included.  =)  Here is how you enter TO WIN:

(up to 2 entries per person; winners drawn randomly from random.org; deadline: Monday, July 12 at midnight)

1.  Leave a comment on this post!

2.  “Like” Alissa Ferullo Photography on Facebook to keep up with the latest, then jump back over here and leave a comment to let me know that you did (or already have)!

In other words…each comment counts as one entry.   =)  Make sure to get both!

Winner will be announced on Tuesday, July 13.

Good luck, and again, stay tuned for a few more giveaways!  =)

This little darling with the most squeezable chubby thighs and the most incredibly divine green/hazel eyes crossed my path while I was in California.  And while I shot the following in less than 5 minutes, they were the most adorable 5 minutes my camera has ever seen!  She was completely yummy and babylicious…Entirely squeezable and kissable…Adorable in every way…Funny with her larger-than-life baby smile…and apparently my new friend…;)A baby I’d love to take home if she didn’t already have an amazing mama…and she even had cute baby toes.  Yup, I’m in LOVE.She was totally lovin’ her sucker…and who can blame her?  Suckers are a baby’s best friend.Anyway, between the curls, the baby grins and the big, melt-you-instantly big eyes, I definitely fell in love with this peanut!

That good old baby fever strikes harder at moments like these than you expect.  She was pure baby candy.  =)

xoxo

This morning I got to meet for the first time and photograph these little beauties, who happened to have won a mini session with me to model some darling dresses and hats from Noggin Knots.  I am working with Marcie, the owner, to revamp her site with some commercial images of her items.  Check out her stuff!  It’s adorable!

Aside from the masses of mesquitos at this location this morning, I had such a blast with these precious girls and their moms!!!  Big thanks to all of you!!!

xoxo

I’m off to CA in the morning to shoot a wedding with my beautiful friend Kamee June – see you on the flip side with lots of beautiful images to share!

Oh, and STAY TUNED FOR A GIVEAWAY NEXT WEEK!!  =)

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Yesterday I met up with this little darling and his parents – and while I admit, smiling was not something he cared to do (unless mom and dad were kissing each other, LOL), we happened to get some very beautiful shots anyway before the melt down.  I had to laugh a little because usually I make friends with little people fairly quickly, but this little man was determined to give me a run for my money.  I’m not quite sure I can honestly say we are buddies yet. 

I photographed this little peanut in the womb and when he was brand new, and was floored to see how adorable he has grown up over the past 18 months!  I love me some chubby cheeks, blond curls and the biggest blue eyes I’ve ever seen.   Speaking of his eyes, I honestly did no isolated enhancements to his eyes – they are that INCREDIBLE!!he was pretty happy to just be sandwiched between his mom and dad, and so we stuck with what worked:and of course, I couldn’t help but capture every sweet little face he threw my way…even if it wasn’t pure elation.  =)  He’s darn cute no matter what look he’s giving…

Again…he was most happy when his two favorite people were locking lips…

or providing the human swing…but then we hit rock bottom and he just wanted my camera to disappear into thin air…and so I let him off the hook and snapped a few of the people responsible for all this cuteness…and I’m sure you can guess what got the little man back in the game…and the world was right again…  =)Thanks to this sweet family – I’m so happy we got the perfect evening to capture your beautiful family!!!

xoxo

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I just love babies, and am realizing that I love my job all that much more when I get to meet, hold and snuggle these tiny people!  This little one was just 6 days old and so completely perfect that I think I’m going to have a hard time controlling myself in the blog post.  =)

She was BEAUTIFUL.  And so was her big sis.  And her parents.  I truly enjoyed meeting this family and spending a few hours documenting what is truly the most monumental moment in married life: the welcoming of a child.

And how lucky am I to capture that?  I think I mentioned I {LOVE} what I do.  And here she is…Miss A.

and with her adoring big sis…and her over-the-moon parents…(the shot on the left made me laugh – doesn’t it look like she’s going to be a ballerina???) =)you can tell this little peanut is going to get loved on plenty.  No worries there.  =)Congrats to this family – I wish you lots of sleep, laughs and love!!!