Dandelions and Willow Trees | Pittsburgh Child Photographer

We set off on a mission to capture the perfect photograph that was canvas worthy…to hang in this beautiful little girl’s room!  

We could not ask for a better evening..of pure lushes light, warm air, and of course my absolute favorite Persnickety dress of the season!!

Oh, and we dragged along a bestie just to make the whole experience a whole lot more fun..  This session was short and sweet, nothing more nothing less then a fun little playdate by the lake picking dandelions and hanging out under the willow trees..

sounds pretty perfect to me right?! Enjoy the Peak! 

Get this look at Lullabye Landing!

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Ladies Man | Pittsburgh Children’s Photographer

So this post comes way later then I had anticipated but unfortunately, I got caught off guard with sick kids, sick me AND lots of planning for my upcoming Photography Workshops!  This session was a quick little put together to showcase some beautiful new head pieces from Maya’s Curls and a fabulous new dress from one of my personal favorite little shops Eden’s Bouquet.

 It just goes to show you what you can do with about 15 minutes of prep when you have two willing little “friends” some adorable clothes and some big personalities! I photographed this entire session in about 20 minutes and it is ranking up there with one of my favorite children’s photography sessions yet!  I wish i had a crystal ball to see what lies ahead for these two.. who knows maybe someday in the future I will be resurrecting these images to show them..or capturing some new ones when they are all grown up …that look just like these (wink wink) 

Happy Spring! 

gg1 Ladies Man | Pittsburgh Childrens Photographer

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gg13 Ladies Man | Pittsburgh Childrens Photographer

Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

Who is ready to win one of these darling dresses from Lillipops “Dear Jane collection and a fabulous matching hair accessory from Maya’s Curls???!!!  Read on to get more details on how to enter the contest and hear about the new direction of Lillipop’s Designs, a special Feature on Miss Lillipops herself and browse through these beautifully crafted vintage designs available now for purchase at lillipopsdesigns.com !  

(Hair Clips available at Maya’s Curls, and legwarmers, cuffs and pill cap fromLisa’s Mini Mad Hattery)

dearjane1 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

When Jayme from Lillipops Designs reached out to me to photographer her new collection “Dear Jane” I was beyond excited..and as she went on to describe the design direction of not only this new line but her her company I was so thrilled and honored to be on board and to execute her vision! Here is what She had to say when we had our chat abut the new direction of Lillipops Designs: 

“The Lillipops Dear Jane Collection is an homage to my favorite author of all time, Jane Austen. It’s a nod to the strength of her heroines, the gentleness of the era, and the beauty of her stories. This collection also ushers in a new era for Lillipops Designs. I’ve always loved a vintage aesthetic, and I’m highly influenced by European tradition. From this collection forward, each season will be themed around a bit of vintage ephemera. This season, vintage correspondence is key. Future seasons will feature inspirations from antique naturalist field guides, travel scrapbooks and so much more. I’m so proud to introduce this collection, and thank Jen so much for making this dream shoot such a spectacular reality!”

dearjane2 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

Tell us a bit about yourself….   I’m Jayme… mother, maker, design afficienado. I like to say that I’m a “former hater of all things pink”, but I’ve since been converted. My children and I live on a small rural island in the Pacific Northwest, where beauty and inspiration abound. I consume books like food, and they are the only things I own that I refuse to part with. I’m a complete night-owl (I relish the hours of quiet after my three little monkeys go to bed), and you’ll often find me at 3am, sewing away happily with some BBC literary miniseries playing in the background.

dearjane3 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

How did you come up with the name Lillipops Designs? Well… my last name is Lillie. I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate part of my name into my branding, but still keep it young and fun. The name itself came to me in the shower, which everyone knows, is where all great ideas come from (I keep whiteboard markers in there for such occasions).

dearjane4 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

dearjane14 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

What was the inspiration and the story behind Lillipops Designs and when was the company founded? Lillipops was born in the fall of 2008. I was home with a 4 year old, a 3 year old and a 1 year old, and my mind was turning to oatmeal. I’d been sewing since I was 4 years old, and all of a sudden, I was just too busy to indulge myself in my favorite past time. I made a very conscious decision to start designing again, but the business aspect didn’t really hit me until my friends started raving about the kid’s clothes I was making. The first Lillipops were all made from recycled men’s dress shirts- as a challenge to see how far I could take a design without buying new materials. I opened an Etsy shop with 5 one of a kind pieces and the rest is history.

dearjane5 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

What is your process in creating your beautiful garments? I have a few processes. If I know I’m designing for a collection, I go back to my vast collections of inspiration books. Not necessarily fashion inspiration, but just looking for a theme to emerge. For the Dear Jane… collection, I wanted to give a thank you to my favorite author of all time, Jane Austen, who wrote characters that are as familiar as old friends. Then I start to put together color swatches, ephemera, photos, words… anything I can to get me to focus on the look and feel I want for the collection. I have a passion for vintage patterns, so I went on the hunt for really unique patterns that I could break down and rebuild into a Lillipop. Then it’s onto to fabric sourcing, sample making and finding just the right photographer to capture the essence of what the collection is about. Now, if I’m designing pieces outside of a collection, I just do what pleases me. I often have flashes of inspiration, and I just HAVE to make it happen. It can’t wait or won’t fit within the confines of a collection.

dearjane6 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

dearjane7 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

Where do you look for and where have you found your inspiration when designing your line? Oh… just about everywhere. I’m surrounded by inspiration. I watch my children play, and an idea will hit me. I’ll ride the ferry, and the light will hit the water just so, and an idea forms. I’m also a total Pinterest addict, and I could happily while away an afternoon just looking at gorgeous travel photography. Most of my collections have a very European feel to them. I was lucky enough to travel extensively throughout Europe many years ago, and so many of those places and images have stayed with me. 

dearjane8 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

dearjane9 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

What makes the Lillipops Desings experience different from other brands or boutiques? I hope that there are a few things that set Lillipops apart. I hope that people discover Lillipops and find that my work is something that can’t be purchased anywhere else. It runs along this very fine line between vintage and modern… while still being very wearable. I strive to make every piece that comes out of my studio an heirloom. Nothing would make me happier than seeing the next generation wearing something today’s child passed down to them! 

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If you had to describe the Lillipops Designs brand in one word, what would it be? VintageFeminineWithAnEdge. (so there!)

dearjane12 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

here comes the contest!!………..

ENTER TO WIN THE “EMMA DRESS” BELOW AND MATCHING MAYA’S CURLS HAIR CLIP….!!

Here is how to enter:

“Like” – Jen Carver Photography Facebook Fan Page

“Share” – from the Jen Carver Fan Page Share the contest Link on your Business Page or Personal Page

“Like” Lillipops Designs Facebook Fan Page

“Like” Maya’s Curls Hairbows and Accessories Fan Page

“Comment” – Come back here and Comment that you did all 5 steps! 

Eeezy Peezy! Winner will be Chosen Friday 3/30 via Random.Org

Good Luck!!!

dearjane15 Commercial Pittsburgh Child Photographer | Lillipops Designs

Wardrobe- Lillipops Designs

Hair Clips- Maya’s Curls Hair bows and Accessories

Hat, legwarmers and Cuff Accessories – Lisa’s Mini Mad Hattery

Styling- Natalie Spacciapolli

Hair- Azemi Salons

 

Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

So much to say in this post.. although I think these photographs say it all!! I was so thrilled to shoot some of Ritchie Rags New clothing pieces for Spring/Summer.. I just adore her clothing line for little girls..!!  So when they arrived my stylist went straight to work concepting for this shoot.. after a few weeks of collaboration this idea was born!  We asked Jeramie a few questions about herself and the inspiration behind her adorable line !

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…..

WE ARE HAVING A CONTEST!!!!!!!

SOOO read through this fabulous feature, browse through these fantastic images of some new pieces coming soon to Ritchie Rags and enter to win one of these FABULOUS OUFITS!!  READ ON!! 

ritchierags1 Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

ritchierags2 Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

1.  Tell us a bit about yourself….

I grew up in the Midwest & I love big rolling spaces where you see nothing but wild land and skies.  I graduated with a major in Germanic Languages and Literature and a minor in Russian. I married my college sweetheart and we have 5 kids, 2 dogs, and a gecko.  I love books, photography, designing, hiking, the beach, movies, coffee, music…I try and enjoy every single day and am happy doing loads of things, and doing nothing at all!

ritchierags3 Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

2.  How did you come up with the name Ritchie Rags?

Ritchie is my last name and pairing it with Rags was a fun twist.  I am drawn to gorgeous fabrics ( luxurious…rich…sounds like Ritchie), and for children it is important that clothing be comfortable and wearable…rags seemed perfect.  I did not want to seem “stuffy” or made only for special occasion…Ritchie Rags can be anything!

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3.  What was the inspiration and the story behind Ritchie Rags and when was the company founded?

My children were the main inspiration, though I began creating garments when I was a child for my dolls.  I did not plan on having a clothing line, but after requests started to come in for clothes like I made my daughter, I decided perhaps a little business would be a good idea and fun!  In 2005, Ritchie Rags was introduced.

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4.  What is your process in creating your beautiful garments?

The actual process always  starts with the pattern drafting and first runs, and then a tweak and rework if needed.  As the garment is constructed, I might change trims, hemlines, sleeves, etc until it is just right. The end result is almost always a bit different than the original sketch.    I am a stickler for proper construction.  I want pieces that wear well, and can pass down from child to child and even on to the next generation.

ritchierags6 Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

5.  Where do you look for and where have you found your inspiration when designing your line?

Everywhere!  Children are the main inspiration…the best ideas come from listening to their ideas.  My daughters have co-designed much of my line. And, many of my designs are also inspired by history and nature.  Sometimes it is a particular period of time, a vintage garment, an inspiring person in history, a character in a book, the ocean, the prairie (this is generally a big one for me), the skies, flowers, a color, I can go on and on.  I hand select all of my fabrics and trims.  The inspiration is brought to life with children as the focus.   Childhood is a time of innocence, adventure and wonder, and clothing is an integral part of that.  

ritchierags7 Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

 

6.  What makes the Ritchie Rags experience different from other brands or boutiques?

Each customer is very important  to me.  I try my best to let each person know that and feel it.  Many of our line is made at order, and others are very limited editions.  That makes Ritchie Rags clothing personal and unique for every customer.  I attend to questions and focus on what they are looking for and needing.  It brings me such joy to hear later about the smile my clothing brought to each little customer, to see photos, and to hear a story about what they have done.  I absolutely love that!  

ritchierags8 Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

7.  If you had to describe the Ritchie Rags brand in one word, what would it be?

Ohhh…that is a tough one!  I believe it would be charming.

ritchierags9 Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

 

HERE COMES THE CONTEST ! WIN THIS RITCHIE RAGS DRESS AND LEGGINGS BELOW !!!

HERE IS HOW TO ENTER!!

1. “LIKE”-  JEN CARVER PHOTOGRAPHY FACEBOOK PAGE

2. “LIKE” – RITCHIE RAGS FACEBOOK PAGE

3. “SHARE” – GO TO MY FB PAGE AND FIND THE CONTEST LINK AND SHARE THIS ON YOUR PERSONAL PAGE AND YOUR BUSINESS PAGE

4. “COMMENT” –  COMMENT ON THE “LEAVE SOME LOVE COMMENT SECTION OF THIS BLOG POST THAT YOU DID ALL 4 STEPS!”

(YOU MUST DO ALL 4 STEPS TO BE QUALIFIED!)

WINNER WILL BE SELECTED THURSDAY THROUGH RANDOM.ORG! 

GOOD LUCK! XO

ritchierags10 Commercial Child Photographer| Ritchie Rags

Clothing- Ritchie Rags

Hat Accessory- Lullabye Landing

Photography- Jen Carver

Photo stylist- Natalie Spacciapolli

Hair- Azemi Salons