Little Penny here came in today for her six month portrait shoot... and I have to say, that I think Penny is the cutest name for a little baby girl! But her name isn't the only adorable thing about this child!  Look at those eyes!! Swoon!!!  And little rosey cheeks... and little baby rolls on her legs and arms!  Too cute!!!

I just had to share!

Well, I had a fantastic Mother's Day.  I woke up late, hung out with my kids, took a walk to the coffee shop in the sunshine, worked in the garden, and then walked up the street and photographed the wedding of my friends and neighbors, Shelley and Gary, who after 25 years (and two adorable kids),  tied the knot in one of the loveliest little ceremonies I've seen in along time!

The wedding took place in their backyard and the only attendees were their moms, their two sons, their dog, and their four chickens.

It was a beautiful day and exactly what a wedding should be; full of love, laughter and good cake!

All the best, and continued happiness to Shelley and Gary.  And happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there. :)

I know I've said it a million times, but there is just nothing better than a newborn baby.  I love their tiny fingers and toes, I love the way they smell, I love the way they curl up when they sleep... I love it all.

Check out this little guy... isn't he such a cutie!!

This is the first maternity photo that I ever took.  It is of my dear friend Ginger, when she was pregnant with her first child; a little girl.   Well, that little girl is now ten (and a half) years old!  I can hardly believe it!  My life was so different then.  I was teaching kindergarten.  Photography was something I did for fun.  It was my hobby.

But Ginger, along with two of my other friends (Angie and Ursula),  suggested that I offer my services as a photographer to other pregnant women out there.  This was way back in the olden days and maternity photography was not really around like it is today.  I had no idea if other women would be interested in such a thing.  And I had no vision in my mind as to what maternity photos should look like, but the idea was thrilling to me nonetheless.  So I took Ginger's photo, made it into postcards with my name and number on them, and hit the mean streets of Seattle, putting those cards in every coffee shop, and every maternity store that I could find.  And the most amazing thing happened!  People started to call me!!!   It was incredible.... and I was terrified. 

Well, within six months I was booking enough clients that I went down to part time teaching.  Within a couple of years, I quit my teaching job entirely and launched Sandra Coan Photography.  The rest, as they say, is history.

I feel so incredibly lucky that I get to do what I love for a living.  I also feel beyond lucky to have amazing women in my life who are there for me as friends and Muses, and who can imagine things for me that I often times can not image for myself.  Thanks ladies!

My boys go to bed each night around 7:30, which means I go to work around 8:00.  Even though I tell myself that I'm going to take a night off, there always seems to be something to do.  This evening's tasks included answering my email and updating my website (woohoo... check it out).  Anyway....It's been a long day!  I'm sleepy, so I'm going to toddle off to bed.  

Nighty Night  

This family was so adorable together.   And aren't they all just so darn cute!

I had these little ones in the studio last week.   I love how they just cuddled up together and fell asleep.  Adorable!

Look how cute this little sweet pea is!  She was so fun and so easy to work with.  And look at those eyes!!!  Just too cute!