Contest Winner::: Miss Leighton, 2 years!

This a size XXL post!! Lots of images to show off the winner of my Cutest Baby on the Block Contest for 2010. There were several dozen submissions, but Leighton came out the winner as decided by me and 2 other judges/fellow photographers.

Her mommy brought her over last week for her prize: a free studio session in my new Rockwall space. Chances are that Mommy was probably more excited than Leighton. But, I hope this shows that when you hear "studio" - it doesn't have to mean stuffy, faux-painted swaggy backdrops, shaggy carpet covered boxes to sit on, or an overly excited, but somewhat creepy guy behind the lens! Not that that has EVER happened to me or anything...

I don't even have to say this, but Leighton is just an absolute doll. I swear I get to photograph the most beautiful children! She came with plenty of outfits and accessories, and we had fun with the stuff she wanted to wear. You know, when you're two, you sometimes think you're the boss.

Starting out pretty calm. Pretty much the perfect little portrait here...


But we needed a little more spice!




She wasn't into wearing this tutu for long, but it sure was cute when she did!
These are only a couple of the neat fabric backgrounds I have in my prop and goodie closet. I have plenty of stuff fitting for a boy as well. She actually went in there and picked this one out herself.





And now on to the good stuff. There are so many I love from the session, but these just make me laugh. This is what being TWO is REALLY all about. Only a child can go from this....

to this...
to this....


in about 5 seconds flat!

Oh, and she picked out this chair, too, by the way.



We did a nice mix of studio strobes as well as natural light.



And finished up the session with some classic studio black and white. She is just adorable.



Leighton's session was so much fun. I think I have another couple studio sessions coming up on the blog. I'd love to continue using the space as much as I am now, so please keep me & the studio in mind for those blistering hot summer days when you are in need of some new family artwork but would like to avoid sweat beads, wet shirts, and super squinty eyes! Promise I'll run the AC for ya!

Oh, and you can also see this sneak peek plus a couple extras on my facebook page: Click HERE and become a fan. Or, wait, they changed it like yesterday. You don't become a fan anymore, you "like" a page. That sounds goofy, but whatever!