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modern ... real ... artistic ... playful ... relaxed ... life's sweetest moments!

Welcome to Sweet Pea Photography! Scroll down to find lots of current images, sneak peeks from recent sessions, info about blog contests, scheduling announcements, and my thoughts on all of the above! Or check out the tabs at the top, especially if you're interested in scheduling a session.  Finally, if you want to take a closer look at the sweetest moments in the life of my family, feel free to visit my family blog and see what my kiddos are up to.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy the fun!

bubbly blonde | champaign family photographer

I’ve had the privilege of photographing this beautiful and bubbly blonde little girl for the past two years, and I must say… I think this session was the most fun we’ve had yet! The bubbles were a big hit, and then we moved over to the slide, then the climbing wall, then snacks, then hide & seek, then jumping on the bed… whew!  I’m getting tired just thinking about it!  Thanks for an awesome family photography session last week, and I’m already looking forward to the arrival of your newest addition – so we can start the fun all over again.  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog, so I can gift this great family a 5×7 print after 25 comments!

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July 25, 2010 - 12:20 pm shannon - So sweet! Beautiful family!

July 25, 2010 - 1:13 pm Paige - You look great! Avery is so big.

July 26, 2010 - 6:16 am Perry Soldwedel - Great pictures--beautiful and precious 2 year old. We love her so much.

July 26, 2010 - 9:28 am Dustin - Avery, you are the cutest!

July 26, 2010 - 9:42 am Danielle - What a gorgeous family!

July 26, 2010 - 10:05 am Travis - More mystified by the bubbles, Brian or Avery?

July 26, 2010 - 10:21 am Rita Soldwedel - Avery is such a fun girl--these pictures really capture her personality!

July 26, 2010 - 11:40 am Haruka Honda - These pictures are beautiful! Avery is so cute!

July 26, 2010 - 2:18 pm Jana - I'm pretty certain she is thinking of David ... that is why she's smiling so big.

July 26, 2010 - 10:09 pm Molly - Thanks, Allyson, for doing another great job!

July 27, 2010 - 1:56 pm Ashley - I second Jana's comment. Do you think David would fly to IL for some David and Avery pics:) Adorable, Molly!

July 29, 2010 - 1:14 pm Rachel Wickness - Beautiful pictures!!

July 29, 2010 - 6:06 pm Claire - Molly, she's adorable!!

popsicles please! | champaign family photographer

champaign_family_photographer072110Have I mentioned that it was HOT last Saturday? Well, this family didn’t let a little heat spoil their fun!  No way… they simply beat the heat with popsicles!!  Yum, yum, yum!  I just have to say – I love relaxed family photography sessions like this one, where your family can just hang out and enjoy being together, and I get the fun job of capturing images that show your love for one another.  Now that’s a treat.  Thanks for another great time with your family, and I hope you like this sneak peek even more than those tasty popsicles… if you do, then leave a comment here on the blog because after 25, I’ll gift this family a 5×7 print!

July 24, 2010 - 6:02 am shannon - Thanks Allyson! Amazing work, as usual, can't wait to see the rest!

July 25, 2010 - 3:25 pm kathy - Great pictures!! Sweet, sweet, sweet

July 25, 2010 - 4:10 pm Katherine Wall - Gorgeous family captured in gorgeous photos! Can't wait to see the newest member of the clan! :)

July 25, 2010 - 10:10 pm Robin - Such fun pictures Shannon!! I loved seeing your little belly too. :)

July 25, 2010 - 10:11 pm Molly - I love these pics....can't wait to see them a year from now with the next addition to the family!

July 26, 2010 - 8:41 am Kelly - Love these pix Allyson and Shannon! Shannon, what an adorable family!

July 28, 2010 - 2:44 pm Jen - Shannon, these are ridiculously cute!

July 29, 2010 - 9:08 am Steph Moore - Wonderful pics!!! What would this family look like with a little girl??? Anxious to find out!

July 29, 2010 - 1:16 pm Rachel Wickness - These pictures are so adorable! I love them! These boys are my girls future husbands!!:)

July 29, 2010 - 2:07 pm Mary - Perfect! What a great summer pic!

July 29, 2010 - 3:56 pm Betsy Bradley - The boys are adorable and you look fantastic!!!

July 29, 2010 - 5:55 pm Abby - Love the pics. Can't wait to see baby #3 added to the family!

July 29, 2010 - 6:05 pm Claire - Love the popsicle idea! What cutie-pies!!

July 29, 2010 - 9:59 pm Mindy - Such cute pics! I can't believe how big the boys are getting. So excited, too, to get to see a pic of your cute belly since I haven't seen you in about 6 months!! You look great :)

July 29, 2010 - 10:05 pm Teresa - Great pictures!

July 29, 2010 - 10:39 pm lorraine murray/shikles - What a beautiful family! A little girl would be so cute with those darling parents and sons.

July 30, 2010 - 7:09 am Glenda - I love these wonderful pictures-the relaxed nature of the poses are great. Truly the love in the family shines through.

July 30, 2010 - 11:07 am Jill Ressler - What a beautiful family! Great pics! The boys are really growing up.

July 30, 2010 - 1:38 pm Chris - Love looking at my beautiful wife and my handsome boys.

real family fun | urbana family photographer

I had a blast with this family last weekend, and I’m so glad they were in the mood to explore downtown Urbana and capture some fun images of their family.  It was a HOT day, but the ice cream shakes at the end made it all worth it, right?  Thanks for being up for a creative (and sometimes silly) family photography session! I hope you enjoy this sneak peek – and remember to leave a comment so I can gift this great family a free 5×7 after 25 comments!

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July 21, 2010 - 9:08 am Holly - downtown Urbana, huh? ;)

darling girl | urbana child photographer

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I can’t believe that this sweet girl is already turning 2 years old!  It seems like just yesterday that her family booked a newborn session with me… and here she is now, all grown up.  We had a great time at her family photography session last Saturday, exploring Japan House and blowing bubbles… or at least trying to!  Thanks for another fun session, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek.  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog, because after 25 comments I’ll gift this family a 5×7 print from their session!

Oh, and a quick congratulations to the winner of the June raffle at Bella Bambini — Susan Cavey!  Susan won a free photography session with Sweet Pea Photography – and you can enter to win any time at Bella Bambini!!

beautiful gift of life | champaign-urbana birth photographer

A few weeks ago, it was my privilege to photograph a very special birth.  My cousin has spent the past year on a journey that allowed her to give the wonderful gift of life to another couple – for the second time! I’m so glad that I was able to witness this birth, especially because the biological dad was in London when this little guy was born, and didn’t arrive until the next day!

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Surrogacy can be a hot topic, but in my opinion, it’s a beautiful thing when done right. Thanks Megan for letting me document this awesome experience!

July 31, 2010 - 8:45 am Shuva Rahim - What an amazing experience for all involved, and kudos to you for doing such a great job documenting this fantastic event! Nice work!

secret smiles | champaign child photographer

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It has been such fun working with this family over the past four years, and I was so bummed when they moved to NY earlier this year.  So what a treat it was when they drove all the way back from NY for a family photography session a few weeks ago!!  I hope you guys had fun at the wedding (especially this lovely flower girl) and your drive back east was quick and easy.  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog, because after 25 I’ll gift this smiling girl a 5×7 print!

July 8, 2010 - 11:19 pm tara k - oh, allyson...her eyes in that last shot are divine! such a cute shot. :)

July 14, 2010 - 12:59 am ~SarahInParis~ - Beautiful summery images Allyson and that last one is just divine. What a gorgeous little girl! Beautiful images!!

hot and happy | urbana family photographer

I had a fun family photography session with this lovely bunch on a HOT afternoon last week… but the heat didn’t keep us from having fun! We explored the flower garden at this kiddo’s grandmother’s home, and then stopped by the Japan House in Urbana to climb on some rocks and pick four-leaf clovers.  A sunny summer day doesn’t get much better than that!  Thanks for a fun afternoon, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek — and be sure to leave a comment, because after 25 then I’ll gift this happy family a free 5×7 print!  Oh, and have a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend!!

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July 6, 2010 - 4:39 pm Heather - Such a cutie! And can I just say...I love your yellow dress! Color is beautiful for your photos.

July 6, 2010 - 9:34 pm Leila - love that last one, so sweet

July 19, 2010 - 4:05 pm Lara - Allyson...Thank you! These are wonderful.

July 19, 2010 - 4:24 pm Whaley - 1. Seeing these makes me a. want to have a baby and b. want to be a baby photographer. 2. I heart Lara Jobe!

July 19, 2010 - 4:25 pm Bonnie - So cute. I love how happy Arlin is.

July 19, 2010 - 4:32 pm joey - What a cutie that one is! These are great family photos!!

July 19, 2010 - 4:45 pm teresa - great photos of a super-cute family!

July 19, 2010 - 4:54 pm Robyn - I want more!!

July 19, 2010 - 6:53 pm Cristina - Great pictures! Arlin is a Jobe for SURE!

July 19, 2010 - 7:54 pm margie jobe - I loved the black and white. Great photos of a great family!

July 19, 2010 - 9:35 pm Rebecca - Super sweet photos!

July 19, 2010 - 9:48 pm Carolyn - The pictures truly capture the joy of the family. I love them all! :o)

July 20, 2010 - 6:42 am Ada Lovelace - ADORABLE!

bursting with love | morris family photographer

I had a blast at this family photography session in Chicagoland, and I think these kiddos did too!  It was a special treat to work with them for several reasons… first, because they’re simply a sweet family that’s just bursting with love for one another; second, because their oldest daughter and mine (Averhy) share a birthday; and third, because their youngest has been through some struggles in her short life — but she’s certainly not letting that hold her back!!  What a firecracker! Thank you for the joy of playing with your family and capturing these moments of love – it’s truly a privilege.  I hope you enjoy this sneak peek until your gallery is ready, and remember to leave a comment here on the blog because after 25 comments, I’ll gift a 5×7 print to this sweet family!

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July 1, 2010 - 10:07 pm Heather - What cute smiles you all have! I'm partial to seeing daddies with their girls :).....Love those shots!

July 3, 2010 - 6:48 pm julie - Love this family!!!

July 5, 2010 - 6:48 pm Lisa Hooty - Absolutely love the pictures!!!

July 6, 2010 - 8:42 am Melanie - they're a wonderful family and these are wonderful pics!

July 6, 2010 - 9:35 pm Leila - sweet shots

July 14, 2010 - 7:13 am heidi - Love these pictures!!

July 14, 2010 - 7:58 am Jessica Lavery - These Pictures are BEAUTIFUL!

beautiful day, beautiful family | chicagoland family photographer

I had a fantastic time at this family photography session last weekend, enjoying the beautiful day while we explored the grounds of a gorgeous residence on the banks of the Fox River in Yorkville. It was especially fun because the lovely mom in this family was also a high school classmate of mine long ago (15 years to be exact – wow!!).  These kiddos were a joy to work with, and I hope to see them again soon. If you enjoy this sneak peek, leave a comment below – after 25 comments here on the blog, I’ll gift them a 5×7 print!

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June 26, 2010 - 9:11 pm Deborah - What nice pictures. I love the black and white. Great Job!!!!

June 26, 2010 - 9:24 pm Kim Jones - Adorable. I would love to see more.

June 26, 2010 - 10:29 pm Rebecca - Beautiful photos! Great work!

June 27, 2010 - 9:04 am Alisa Benton - What gorgeous photos. You guys are very photogenic

June 27, 2010 - 10:32 am Karen Baumgartner - Adorable!!!!!

June 27, 2010 - 1:07 pm Heidi Jakubaitis - Heather ~ Beautiful pics! Can't wait to see the rest!

June 27, 2010 - 1:43 pm Lisa - Cute pics! Can't wait to see all of them!

June 28, 2010 - 10:58 am Leslie A - Great pictures!

June 29, 2010 - 7:21 am Tami - Beautiful portraits for a beautiful family!

June 29, 2010 - 8:01 am Laura - Fabulous photos!! Love them!

June 29, 2010 - 11:12 am Katie - Lovely pictures! Looks like some good smiles were captured.

July 1, 2010 - 7:43 am Jessie - These pics are adorable!!! We're going to need family photos soon and looks like this is the place to do 'em!

July 1, 2010 - 8:45 am Matt - Great Pictures! Foster looks like prince with that purple guitar.

July 2, 2010 - 9:15 pm Brooke - Beautiful pictures! Foster has gotten so big! Love the black and white photo of the family.

July 2, 2010 - 10:04 pm mike - Awesome pics I'm wondering if Olivia had to eat that whole sucker for the photo shoot. How many licks did it take?

July 3, 2010 - 10:03 am Keith - What a Great Looking family...not sure about that "Prince" comment

July 3, 2010 - 10:10 am Alla - Just beautiful

July 3, 2010 - 10:11 am Alla - Precious

July 3, 2010 - 10:12 am Keith & Alla - How special

July 4, 2010 - 8:03 am Sarah - Looks like you had fun. That makes for great pictures.

July 4, 2010 - 8:03 pm Heather - Love my photos! Can't wait to see our proofs next week :)

July 4, 2010 - 8:05 pm Jason - Like the photos Woodsy.

July 4, 2010 - 8:07 pm David - Creative!

July 4, 2010 - 8:14 pm Steve - Really like the family photo guys.

July 5, 2010 - 1:16 pm Lisa - Sooo Cute!!!

July 5, 2010 - 11:43 pm Judy W. - These pictures are adorable! You caught some really precious moments! Can't wait to see them all!

July 7, 2010 - 7:16 am matt bum - great pictures, looks like you guys were having fun

gorgeous albums | champaign-urbana child photographer

I just had to take a minute and show off a few of the gorgeous albums that clients have ordered this spring… It’s such a treat to have a square brown box appear on my doorstep every few weeks, and inside I get to find these treasures full of family memories! In fact, another one is due to arrive tomorrow afternoon – yay!!

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July 29, 2010 - 7:05 pm Casie - Hi wondering what print company you use for these...? I would love to order these for some of my clients. Thanks:)