Autumn Fun: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

The mini sessions have come and gone and here is our first sneak preview. We had a whirlwind day at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville but it was full of fun. These sessions were fairly fast paced but as this preview will show, we had plenty of time to take beautiful photographs.







This might not be your typical family portrait, and maybe that's why I love it.



and one of my new passions, capturing the relationship between mom and dad. We are always so attentive to our families and doing our most to be the best at our parent roles, that sometimes we fail to give our marriages the proper homage. So here's to the spark that sets the wheels in motion to bring forth the family.

Blessed Be: Asheville Maternity Photographer, Sonya Stone

I love capturing families growing and changing. And there is nothing like adding a baby to the mix of a family with children. Mama S has already been through this and she knows what a special time this is. This is also the last baby she plans to have so it was only fitting that we photograph her and her sweet older children. Even though this is her third baby, it was her first time getting maternity photos. I am so glad we were able to sneak in this session before the birth! Congratulations to all of you!!











and as you should already know by now, I love it when we get to have some fun at a session. these kids are ready for the runway...they loved being models!

Family Together: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

In this tech savvy world we live in with all it's social networking and skype and cell phones and email, there is still nothing that compares to being with the people you love in person. I appreciate seeing families together and even more...being asked to photograph them. Because truly the medium that has stood the test of time is the photograph. I can pick up an album from my childhood or from the last visit and bring back memories and emotions and remember what is most important in life.
So go tell your family you love them and by all means, when you have the chance, take photographs!







Our mini sessions are all set (and booked up!) to go tomorrow. I can't wait. And if you are still interested, the minis for Friday, Oct. 21 still have one opening!! These are limited offerings, only twice per year! A quick, easy & fun way to update your portraits just in time for the holidays with special packages with gift giving and cards in mind. Send me a note here or on Facebook if you are interested!

Autumn in Asheville: Asheville Photographer, Sonya Stone

Every year I am amazed at the colors right in our back yard. Just wait to you see the on location sessions I have coming up!



filled another mini session appointment today...this Sunday (10/16), 9:15am and 5:30pm still available. Minis are a great way to update your portraits. Quick & easy while fun and ending in fabulous photographs. With the amazing backdrop of the autumn colors and holidays approaching, you do not want to miss this!!

Fall Mini Sessions: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

Fall is here and in the mountains that means we are about to hit the sweet spot for outdoor backdrops. The amazing colors and spectacular mountain views will peak in only a few weeks so you won't want to miss this opportunity.

If you want to update your family photographs or prepare for the holiday season, you can do so during this prime time and we'll make it quick and easy!



Our mini-sessions are 30 minutes of shooting time on location (yay, quick!) and will result in 10-15 edited proofs for you to choose from with special holiday minded packages (yay, easy!). And best of all, you will have fabulous photographs of your most loved to keep and to share (yay, fabulous!).

When? Sunday, Oct 16 & Friday, Oct 21
Where? On-location (for clients' eyes only!)
What? Heirloom portraits, amazing gifts & stunning holiday cards
Why? Time is fleeting, life is about loving & memories are meant to be treasured
Who? YOU & your loves!
Returning clients will receive a special gift and clients who refer get a $50 print credit.
Special $95 session fee (prints start at $40, holiday packages start at $395).

Don't delay, reservations are limited and some sessions are already claimed! Email me today to reserve your spot!

see you soon!
Sonya

Decisions, Decisions: Asheville Maternity Photographer, Sonya Stone

It still amazes me how sessions unfold so personally, so individually. This maternity session is totally different from my last, but still so beautiful (IMHO!). The portraits are a match to this fabulous woman...natural but cute, relaxed but with some spunk, comfortable and beautiful. These were to be surprise for her hubby but she clued him in the day of the session after having some good laughs at his guesses about what she was up to.

And it was very special to have her mom there too. I loved that our session was a special thing they could do together to celebrate becoming a new mom. So not only will she have these breathtaking, once in a lifetime photographs, but she will also have the memory of having her mom be a part.

and now, here's a selection of some of my favorites from this session. I knew it would be hard to narrow down this session, and it was!



okay, Baby Anson, you and I have a date, right around the first of December. can't wait!

And Then There Were Two: Asheville Maternity Photographer, Sonya Stone

attention: the following slideshow contains a pregnant woman showing some skin so if pregnant bellies, bare skin, or beautiful women make you uncomfortable, don't look. If you are like me and think the most amazing miracle of the human race is the journey of creating, nurturing and bringing forth a new life, then click on. here's one to give you an idea...



Maternity Gallery

I don't usually do this. In fact, I've never done this. I am sharing a slideshow I created for my last maternity session. It is the entire gallery of the shoot...and actually, it's two shoots because we did one in downtown Asheville and one in the river in Pisgah Forest. Why? Because this mama is so amazingly beautiful and she was such a trooper. She let me be creative and push some boundaries, even when it made her a little bashful. And I think it paid off...I love these photographs!

And I love this woman! She is a good friend and now is ready to welcome her TWINS any day! Right? Go back and look again...twins. She looks fantastic if she were having one, but when you realize there are two...wow. And more importantly, she has accepted this journey with the same grace and patience that she parents with. It is with much love and many blessings that I share her amazing pregnancy and upcoming births. ;)

Back to School: Asheville Children's Photographer, Sonya Stone

This year we made a big transition as a family...we enrolled our girls in full time school. It's the standard of most families, but up until now, we have choosen to home school. The change in schedule and routine is huge and so far, so good.

Just before the first day of school, I realized the magnitude of this step, especially for my third grader. Of course, we had to take some photographs! Remember the standard school pictures? Cookie cutter poses, lame props, assembly line experience...yikes! I shutter at the thought. But these are the kind of school photos I want for my kids! If you want some for your family, let me know. ;)

One Trip Around the Sun: Asheville Child Photographer, Sonya Stone

I am fan of birthdays; to me, birthdays are a time of reflection and celebration. And any excuse for cake and presents, I'm down. The first birthday is so special...there is so much going on, transitions every day making this little person less a baby and more a toddler. It goes so fast! If you don't catch it, you'll miss that window. And if your memory is like mine, you'll find yourself frantically searching your mental files in a few years for the details of this baby who is now so different. Perhaps one of the reasons I love photographs to keep those memories easily accessible and to look back with joy at the sweet little faces (especially when the older version has just rolled her eyes at me!).

A few days ago I met a sweet little birthday girl and her grandma. The big party will have to wait because baby I's mama has to be away, but what a wonderful gift that grandma is giving by booking a session to capture this special time. And I love sessions like this...relaxed, fun, getting to know this precious little child. xo

Welcome Home:Asheville Newborn Photographer, Sonya Stone

I tell my clients with new babies, we will follow the baby's lead. And the baby will pick up on the parents' vibe...so relax and let's have fun. Well, this family just had that vibe. Everyone was easy going and flexible. We had fun, especially big brother who was on the go the whole session!

While most newborn photography sessions are within the first few days, at three weeks old this little guy was exceptionally cooperative! It's pretty well documented that I love babies, and if you need to see why, just look at these.













I couldn't resist...the wild child who looks so perfectly content.