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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!

harvest baby | central illinois child photographer

hammond_child_photographer083010This darling farm girl was born during harvest season last year, and another harvest will be here soon (I hear it’s going to be fast and furious this year – so stay safe out there in the fields, all you farmers!!)… which means the year has flown by and I can’t believe she’s almost one already!  Her mom is a smart gal and knew that once the combines are in the field, it would tough to do a family photography session – so she scheduled this birthday session a little early.  We had fun exploring their family farm and checking on the corn, and even had time for some games of peek-a-book (which produced the awesome laughter in that last shot!)  Leave a comment here on the blog if you like this sneak peek, and help this farm girl earn a free 5×7 print after 25 comments!

August 31, 2010 - 1:54 pm Kasey Sutton - These are great pictures! I love the colors and angles and of course the adorable farm girl!! :)

August 31, 2010 - 2:00 pm Jenny Trimmell - Harvest Baby is so Cute! Love that wrinkled nose!

August 31, 2010 - 2:04 pm Heather Gillett - These are awesome! The colors are great and so vibrant! I love her tiny teeth!

August 31, 2010 - 2:04 pm Ashley Trimmell - There's Aunt Ashley's photogenic monkey. What a personality! Love that girl!

August 31, 2010 - 2:10 pm Kristin Jones - OMG, she's a doll! She's such a great subject. And what a photographer to make the lil' angel feel so comfy to catch her natural cuteness! Love love love it!

August 31, 2010 - 2:20 pm Amy Weber - She is so adorable! I love the combination of the colors on her outfit with the colors of the grass and field. Such a beauty, love her eyes =)

August 31, 2010 - 2:37 pm Kim - Aw, she's cute as a button!!

August 31, 2010 - 3:00 pm Carrie - Amazing photos!! she's too cute :)

August 31, 2010 - 3:18 pm Sarah Pruitt - She is absolutely adorable!

August 31, 2010 - 3:34 pm Kim - She is too cute! So happy! ADORABLE!

August 31, 2010 - 4:00 pm Erica Carter - LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures :D Such a cute baby!

August 31, 2010 - 4:01 pm Becky - Super awesome job Allyson! I can't wait to see the rest. This sweet baby girl just melts my heart!

August 31, 2010 - 7:36 pm Sara Cheely - She looks just like Josh in the firt one. Adorable!

August 31, 2010 - 8:25 pm Carmen - Great pictures of an adorable country girl!

September 1, 2010 - 10:47 am Amy Hiles - These are absolutely adorable. Love her sweet little smile. Cutest farm girl ever.

September 1, 2010 - 11:04 am Jessica Allen - So cute, I love the pictures of her with corn!!

September 1, 2010 - 5:46 pm Karen - She is such a cutie!!

September 2, 2010 - 10:39 am Maria Swanegan - Such a cute little face!!! The pictures are so sweet with her happy smile : )

September 2, 2010 - 10:42 am Jana Hanner - Awe I love the fact you can see her little beautiful teeth coming in. She's a doll!

September 2, 2010 - 11:00 am Matt - Those are great. They will look great on a billboard when she turns 16!

September 2, 2010 - 11:04 am Desiree - She makes the corn look fun and full of light, not dark and scary and full of bugs like everyone keeps telling me. She's too cute!

September 2, 2010 - 12:09 pm Erin Beck - Annelise is as beautiful as your Mommy! I can't believe she is almost 1!

September 2, 2010 - 3:24 pm Jessica Bradford - I can't believe how big she is getting! She is such a cutie! Great pictures!

September 2, 2010 - 3:35 pm Loretta Esworthy - Too cute. She is so growing up. Don't see her enough.

September 2, 2010 - 7:35 pm Dana - Oh my gosh, that last photo is amazing. Who knew peekaboo was so hilarious? Hope I'm the 25th comment for you. :)

September 2, 2010 - 7:40 pm Misty Myers - Sweet!! I love these pics!!

beautiful girls | champaign family photographer

I’m not sure why, but every time I look through the images from this family photography session, the song “Beautiful Girls” from the musical Singin’ in the Rain starts playing in my mind… perhaps because these girls are simply beautiful?!  But don’t let their beauty (and super-cute dresses!) fool you – these girls were all about climbing trees and running through the park! I had a great time at their session in Champaign-Urbana last weekend, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek! Remember to leave a comment below – here on the blog – and after 25 comments I’ll gift this family a 5×7 print.

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August 29, 2010 - 12:22 pm Carolyn - These are gorgeous - thank you so much Allyson! We can't wait to see the rest!

August 29, 2010 - 10:23 pm Maggie - These are so precious!!!! Great job on the pictures, and capturing the girls' different personalities! Can't wait to see the rest of them!

August 30, 2010 - 11:17 am Tracy Doubet - These turned out awesome, looks like you had a lot of fun too.

August 30, 2010 - 11:52 am Rory Gawthorp - These are fantastic!! Everyone looks so happy and relaxed. The girls' individual photos are just beautiful! :)

August 31, 2010 - 3:01 pm Jenn - Amazing pictures! That many beautiful people in one family is downright criminal :)

August 31, 2010 - 7:35 pm shiva - You are right, these pics are absolutely amazing! What a beautiful family and yes, the girls are a lot of fun too!

August 31, 2010 - 8:53 pm Erin - Such beautiful girls!! I see them breaking a lot of hearts in the future =)

August 31, 2010 - 11:27 pm Melinda - You really captured the personalities of each of the girls! Beautiful!

August 31, 2010 - 11:28 pm Steve - How did you make it look like everyone listens to Eric??? Really nice pics!

August 31, 2010 - 11:30 pm melinda - Love how you captured the personalities of each of the girls! Beautiful!!

September 1, 2010 - 10:24 am Angela - What a beautiful family! Love the new pics!

a different perspective | mahomet children’s photogapher

Ever wonder what it feels like to be a flower, right before a beautiful little girl plucks you from the soil? I think it might be something like this…

mahomet_child_photographer082610I had a wonderful time with this sweet birthday girl at her session last week in Mahomet. It’s hard to believe that she’s already one year old (and knows words like “whale” and “penguin”?  Seriously – what a smart little girl!!) Thanks for a fun Sweet Pea Photography session, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek!  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog… after 25 comments, I’ll gift this sweetie a 5×7 print!

August 29, 2010 - 9:40 pm Mary Alexande - LOVE the eyelashes - can't wait to see alot more pictures!! :)

August 30, 2010 - 5:49 am timkimgeving@netzero.net - Aww, such a doll!!!!!

sweet days of summer | sadorus child photographer

What gorgeous kids, what cute smiles, what a beautiful evening for a photography session… These kiddos have been coming to Sweet Pea Photography since they were born, and I’m so glad to have the opportunity to watch them grow up.  I hope you guys had fun on your vacation last week!

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August 26, 2010 - 11:18 pm Maggie - These are beautiful Allyson! I love watching them grow up through your lens.

(my) models | savoy child photographer

Just a few more of my girls from a recent commercial shoot for Bella Bambini… golly, I love them…

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lovely models | champaign commercial photographer

These girls were great models at a quick shoot last week for Bella Bambini – and if you like what they’re wearing, you really need to stop by the store on Neil St. and check out the new fall lines! Simply beautiful clothing for children!

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sweet sisters | savoy child photographer

Summer is winding down and school starts in less than one week for these girls (eek!)… where has the time gone?!  A few housekeeping items today…

1) I’m putting together my fall schedule, and will be opening up sessions in a few weeks – probably around September 1 – so if you’d like to be notified when that happens, simply submit a contact form (click “contact” just above here) and I’ll add you to my email list!

2) If you’re a fan of Sweet Pea Photography on Facebook, you’ve probably already seen the news that there are some big changes coming this fall… changes with 4 walls and a door in downtown Urbana… so check back here for some pictures as this project develops over the next few weeks!! (And if you’re not a fan yet, become one today!)

3) If you like the outfits that my girls are wearing, stop by Bella Bambini on Neil St. today — lots of new fall clothes are in, and the Illinois tax-free holiday lasts through this weekend I think!

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Have a great weekend everyone!

August 17, 2010 - 12:19 pm Mom - I definitley need this one for the photo wall at school!

(my) family fun | savoy family photographer

Just a few quick shots from our family’s vacation to New Brunswick, Canada in July to visit Sky’s grandmother at her cute little summer home.  We all had a relaxing week, and I used it as an opportunity to practice shooting from the hip – literally.  It can be fun to shoot without looking through the viewfinder, especially because the images you capture are often at an interesting angle and catch the subject in a more natural way… here are just a few of my favorites…

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August 3, 2010 - 12:09 pm Stacey - Those last two really show how much each of your girls looks like each of you. It's just amazing to me how that happens.

August 5, 2010 - 9:52 pm mema - Would love to see more!

August 8, 2010 - 2:59 pm Mom - Just can't get enough of seeing those girls! Love 'em both!

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!!

August 3, 2010 - 6:29 am Carolyn - Gorgeous pictures! Hard to pick a favorite - what a cutie!

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.

July 30, 2010 - 7:33 pm Brooke - Great pics!! Sean is getting so big!

July 31, 2010 - 1:38 pm Becca - Great pictures, Shannon. Those boys are so cute!