Johanna - Maternity

Here are a few of my favorite shots from our Maternity Session last week... Johanna is having a baby boy, Ari, in just a few short weeks! Isn't she just glowing?!

Hyatt- 3 years old

Here are just a few of my favorite shots from a shoot I did a few weeks ago... Hyatt is a 3 year old with the cutest personality!

"Ashton's Bedtime Songs" A Playlist of my Own Heart

Ashton loves all kinds of music, from the music he hears on cartoons, to the tunes I play in the car. He even enjoys watching American Idol with me, at least Id like to think he does! 

I sing to him every night and I have a playlist, well more of a mental playlist, of songs I like to sing to him. I slow some of them down and speed some of them up, but all have some sort of sentimental value to me. He only gets through two or three songs before he falls asleep so the songs I end up singing to him probably reflect my mood more than anything. 

I realize this list is all over the place as far as genres go, but none the less they are the songs come to mind most often while rocking Ashton in the glider, the only light coming from a projection of sea creatures on the ceiling which also brings the peaceful sounds of the ocean. 

I hope you enjoy the songs in the list of "Ashton's Bedtime Songs" and the reasonings behind them. 

Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell

When I was little my mom loved and still loves Joni Mitchell. She would belt her songs out in the car while my brother, Dylan and I were in the backseat. Needless to say, I learned every word, but this song was always my favorite.

Desperado - The Eagles

When I hear this song, I hear my dads voice. He sang this song to me almost every night he was home. His job required him to travel about 50% of the time so when he was home I knew I would hear this song without a doubt.

Glitter in the Air - Pink

I loved this song ever since I saw Pink perform, twirling, suspended in the air, at the Grammy's in 2010. It was so captivating. After listening to it over & over, the lyrics are really beautiful. The song to me is about appreciating the little things in life. Pink, you ROCK!

Sweet Child of Mine - Guns & Roses

This one is just a classic. Self explanatory, right?

Satellite - Dave Matthews Band

Dave Matthews Band was the first concert I ever went to. I just happened to go with Stephen when we were 17. They played this song at that concert. Not to mention, my mom loved to sing DMB while we were in the car! We go way back.

I miss you - Incubus

Stephen introduced me to Incubus also when was 17 & this was/is our song when we have to be away from each other. Anything that reminds me of our love for each other I love to sing to Ashton. 

The Only Exception - Paramore

Ive been a big Paramore fan for a long time. The Only Exception really hit home for me because it reminded me about the feelings I had after my parents divorce, but it is song about hope. True love does exist.

Who you Love - John Mayer & Katy Perry

Not only is this song a lovely duet, but describes love between two people as something you just can't help. You just got to love a good duet.

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Who doesn't like some Bob Marley? Every kid needs a little Bob in their life. When Stephen and I were on our honeymoon in Jamaica, we experienced these three little birds. At 3am every morning. We weren't as thrilled about them as Bob Marley, but still the song reminds me of one of the best times of my life.

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson

This is another song about the little things in life. Everyone has times in their lives when they get caught up in work, the hustle & bustle, and anything else that life throws at you. Sometimes you just need a day to just stop and smell the roses or in this case banana pancakes. 

Well, its bedtime for my little man so I am off to sing him some songs. Not sure which few it will be tonight but based on my mood, Im thinking Glitter in the Air & Banana Pancakes. Good night or if you read this tomorrow, Good Morning!

With Love, Paige

Springtime is here! Bringing Flowers, Warm Weather & Photography Sessions!

Happy April! Spring is here & finally it feels like it in South Carolina! The warm weather brings all that yucky pollen so naturally my household is full of itchy eyes and runny noses. Luckily it doesn't seem to be bothering Ashton as much as Stephen and I!

The pollen will subside in a few weeks and all the gorgeous flowers will be in bloom, the grass green, and you can finally put on that cute dress you have been waiting to wear! What better thing to do than get some Spring Family Photos taken before the muggy summer weather arrives?!

Spring family or portrait photo sessions in May will be 25% off all month!

Take advantage & get your Spring Photo Session booked today for only $200!

Keep that hand sanitizer at the ready, allergy medicine handy & enjoy Spring!

Business Cards : A Sneak Peek

Very thrilled to announce that not only is my website officially under construction, but my BUSINESS CARDS are also about to make their debut... The official Grand Opening of Paige Phillips Photography LLC is about a month away! Here is a peek at the new business cards! 

I decided to do 3 styles of business cards to appeal to a variety of clientele. Don't worry there is a back side with more ways to contact me!

I can't wait for one of these beautiful cards to land in your hand very soon!

10 Things I Have Learned About Having A Baby

Having Ashton was probably the scariest, most AWESOME thing that has ever happened to me. That boy has changed me so much since I saw that pregnancy test become positive. Fear, happiness, anxiety, motivation, awe, love and powerlessness are just a few of the emotions I have experienced over the past few months. Needless to say I have learned a lot. 

Being a mom has taught me many things, some are very personal, some are practical, while some make me chuckle. Here are just a few of them...

10 Things I Have Learned About Having A Baby

1.) You are no longer in control. You have some control over what he eats, where he sleeps & plays but the rest is up to him. Now you just have to pray that he doesn't get sick, that you burped him enough, that he will eventually poop, that he won't get fussy when you go out to dinner, and that someone else up there is watching over him too.

2.) Gas drops are AWESOME SAUCE! Two drops in the bottle with every feeding keeps that painful gas at bay. Gripewater is a life saver for immediate relief, although I haven't needed it since he was two months old.

3.) Once you think you have that little one figured out, he promptly proves that you absolutely do not.
You are on his time now, and its amazing to watch them go through growth spurts, trying new foods, begin to sleep through night (with that one night where he keeps you up for hours), he used to like laying on his side, but now he just wants to sleep in this one really uncomfortable looking position. He used to make this cute face where he puckers his lips, but now I get a handful of new cute faces. He no longer wants to recline, he wants to sit up or stand. Just a few examples.

4.) Diapers, Diapers, Diapers... can't get enough of them. I'm not sure about girls, but my little boy has  a bladder the size of a skittle I swear. I can barely have a diaper on him for 2 minutes before he pees in it. Ive realized that changing him after a few pees makes more sense than changing him every time. Pampers Swaddlers are my preference.

5.) The GLORIOUS BATH, this is my son's absolute favorite part of the day. He loves the warm water on his soft skin, thinks its hilarious to splash me, likes to pee in the water so I have to drain it and refill it and then tries to taste the soapy water. If he is having a bad day and is really fussy, a bath is my go to. It turns that frown upside down.

6.) The gift of song. I sing Ashton to sleep every night. He loves music in general, but something about mommy's soothing voice puts him to sleep in about ten minutes every time. Don't worry if you "can't sing". The beauty about babies is that they have no sense of judgement and they will still think that anything you do is amazing no matter what you sound like.

7.) Burp, burp and burp some more. Not all babies are gassy, but I have found that most do have issues with gas. If that baby falls asleep with the bottle in his mouth, burp him anyway, even if it wakes him up. Id rather have an awake baby than one that has painful gas later.

8.) Talk to your baby. I talk to Ashton all day long. I explain what I'm doing, when I'm cooking dinner, when I'm letting the dog out, when I'm folding laundry, when I'm cleaning, he really is taking in more than you realize. I don't talk like a baby when I talk to him either. I see the little wheels turning while I talk to him, and he watches my every move. Who knew I was so entertaining?!

9.) Socialize your baby. No parent wants their child to get sick, but if there are no siblings or animals in the home your baby needs to interact with other children and animals. Ashton absolutely loves our dog, Nishka. He reaches for her, laughs at her, thinks its funny when she licks him and they have a bond that is so fun to watch grow. He has no siblings yet, but I take him to the park, let him interact with his cousins and other play date scenarios. I also try to let friends that are new to him hold him so he gets used to interaction with different people. Its great for the development of social skills and will help him gradually build immunity.

10.) Its true, they grow way too fast. Cherish every moment, every phase, every milestone, every late night, every good day and bad day. These moments are fleeting and one day you will miss them.

I realize that not every child is the same, and some babies may not need to be burped as much or like baths. I also realize that not every mother will agree with these lessons I've learned, but I would hope that they would agree that being a mom is a learning process and its the most amazing feeling in the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Written With Love, Paige

The Resurrection of my Buried Business

Almost 3 years ago I started this blog right after Stephen and I got married. I was ready to make Paige Phillips Photography a lucrative business. At least, I thought I was. Naturally, the finances after the wedding were a wee bit tight so working full time as a waitress took all my time and energy, letting photography fall to the wayside yet again.

After years of late nights in the restaurant industry, spontaneous photo sessions, many a night filled with too much alcohol consumption, fun times and some not so fun times (but memories none the less), and a little traveling (including a trip to Cancun, wink wink) here I am resurrecting this blog on my bed with a 4 month old baby boy in my lap. I couldn't be more thrilled with this scenario. 

Not only am I resurrecting this blog, but Paige Phillips Photography. It is slow going because staying home with a baby is a full time job, but it is a job I love. Slowly but surely I am pulling Paige Phillips Photography from the ground where I had buried it. Buried under piles & piles of excuses, doubt & lack of motivation. 

With a fresh new look, experience I have gained over the past few years, new equipment & an entirely new sense of motivation, Paige Phillips Photography is on the verge of being reborn. I appreciate all my friends and family that have supported me through the ups & downs of my photography, and always believed in my talent.

Not only will this blog keep you updated on my photography business, but also my journey in becoming the mom I want to be & a few other dreams I am pursuing along the way. Look forward to photos, recipes, stories about parenthood, confessionals & lessons I'm learning along the way! Thank you for your support! 

Love, Paige