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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.  To get a glimpse of what a Family Session or a Beloved Session is like, just click on one of these awesome videos by Park Life Wedding Films... then sit back, relax, and enjoy the fun!

    • ..................................join in the fun of a family session..............................

    • .......................... or get a glimpse of a Beloved Session.........................

I can hardly believe that this guy is seven months old already — it seems like just yesterday I was at his home in Champaign for his newborn photography session, yet here he is – sitting up, smiling, giggling, and loving being seven months old! I had a lot of fun at his session, and he did great even though we encroached on his regular naptime… and once he did get to sleep, it was a good opportunity for his mom and big brother to play with bubbles outside for a bit.  I really like this image of the two of them, and I’m looking forward to capturing some more fun and snuggly shots like it at the Mom & Me Mini-Sessions coming up in June!  If you haven’t booked your session yet, you still have time — but there are only a few spots remaining so don’t wait too long!

Mom & Me Mini-Sessions will take place on Saturday, June 4th all afternoon at a new outdoor location in Champaign-Urbana. Each mini-session is just $350 and includes 20 minutes of hugs and giggles, at least 20 images to view, three 11×14 fine art prints, and 20% off all digital collections. As an added bonus, anyone who books a Mom & Me Mini-Session will receive a 25% off coupon to Bella Bambini, valid through June 1, 2011 so you can get your kiddos some gorgeous new clothes for the session!  Click here to see available times (and all of my regular summer openings too) then shoot me an email to reserve your time.

Filed in: babies | families | mini-sessions | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • May 19, 2011 - 3:05 pm

    Molly - What beautiful boys (and mom!). Great pictures!

I had a lovely family photography session with these fun girls a few weekends ago up in Chicagoland, and usually I have no problem deciding whether to show an image in color or black & white… but today I’m feeling a bit indecisive!  So what do you think… I know these girls are pretty either way, but which do you prefer?  Leave a comment below and let me know… and if this sneak peek gets 25 comments, I’ll gift these lovely ladies a 5×7 print!

Filed in: families | kids | sneak peeks
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  • May 19, 2011 - 9:47 am

    Tim - I love them both, but think that the glow of their eyes in the color makes it my choice.

  • May 17, 2011 - 9:39 am

    Andrew - Definitely color.

  • May 16, 2011 - 10:08 pm

    Michelle - I LOVE THIS!!! SO BEAUTIFUL 🙂

What do you get when you combine one happy family with a new box of sidewalk chalk and toss in a few baby chickens for good measure?  Yep, that’s right – you end up with a great family photography session!  I hope you guys enjoy your sneak peek as much as the session itself — and if you have 25 people leave a comment here on the blog, I’ll toss in a free 5×7 print!

Also, remember that the Summer Schedule is now OPEN!!  If you click here, you can see all the available dates for the summer – including some mini-sessions!  Book a special Mom & Me Mini-Session to capture the unique love you feel for your beautiful babies, no matter how old they may be.   Mom & Me Mini-Sessions will take place on Saturday, June 4th all afternoon at a new outdoor location in Champaign-Urbana. Each mini-session is just $350 and includes 20 minutes of hugs and giggles, at least 20 images to view, three 11×14 fine art prints, and 20% off all digital collections. As an added bonus, anyone who books a Mom & Me Mini-Session will receive a 25% off coupon to Bella Bambini, valid through June 1, 2011 so you can get your kiddos some gorgeous new clothes for the session!  Click here to see available times and contact me to book a session!

Filed in: families | kids | sneak peeks
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  • May 19, 2011 - 9:51 am

    Tim - Allyson, thank you so much for preserving memories of the kids at this age.

  • May 16, 2011 - 10:07 pm

    Michelle - Too cute! Love the chicken and the curls!

  • May 14, 2011 - 7:49 am

    Tom - What a great way to start a day! Really wonderful pictures.

  • May 13, 2011 - 6:03 pm

    John Kellogg - Nice pictures! I will enjoy the kid’s stories about picture day.

  • May 13, 2011 - 5:39 pm

    Jan Kellogg - Great pictures. Of course they are a beautiful family! Jan

  • May 13, 2011 - 4:21 pm

    HERM - Well done. The fam photo is a great pic of the 4 of you. John, you look very focused (prob b/c you don’t have uncle chris attacking you). Jen, um your teeth look SO pretty. Tim, wow … great hair. Tawney, LOVE the hair flower!

  • May 13, 2011 - 1:24 pm

    Marylou - Very cute! All great pictures!

  • May 13, 2011 - 12:26 pm

    Kay Tawney - Great shots–love the one of John—but also the whole family

  • May 13, 2011 - 12:17 pm

    Jennifer - I love the family photo! We had a great afternoon!

Well, it looks like spring has arrived, and all I can say is… finally!!  Thanks to the crazy weather over the past month, this patient family had to reschedule their family photography session THREE times before we finally got a sunny, warm day… whew!  Thanks for a fun time at the park, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek — remember to leave a comment here on the blog, so they can earn a 5×7 print after 25 comments!

Also – a few reminders of some exciting things here at Sweet Pea Photography… the Summer Schedule is now OPEN!!  If you click here, you can see all the available dates for the summer – including some mini-sessions!  Book a special Mom & Me Mini-Session to capture the unique love you feel for your beautiful babies, no matter how old they may be.  Admit it moms… you’re usually stuck behind the camera, trying to capture special moments as your children grow up… but when your kids look back at those pictures, the ones they’ll treasure the most are the images that include you! This is your opportunity to let me hold the camera while you hold your sweet pea.  Mom & Me Mini-Sessions will take place on Saturday, June 4th all afternoon at a new outdoor location in Champaign-Urbana. Each mini-session is just $350 and includes 20 minutes of hugs and giggles, at least 20 images to view, three 11×14 fine art prints, and 20% off all digital collections. As an added bonus, anyone who books a Mom & Me Mini-Session will receive a 25% off coupon to Bella Bambini, valid through June 1, 2011 so you can get your kiddos some gorgeous new clothes for the session!  Click here to see available times and contact me to book a session!

Filed in: families | mini-sessions | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • May 14, 2011 - 10:57 am

    Gayle & Mark Rohde - Is he ever growing & changing! Still the same wonderful
    smile and beautiful eyes. Great photos!

    Nana Gayle & Papa Mark

  • May 9, 2011 - 3:41 pm

    Amy L. - Aww, look at “my” sweet boy! He looks so happy!

Do you need to celebrate today?  You’re looking at it — this chubby-cheeked boy is ONE!  It seems like just yesterday that I was at his home in Mahomet for his newborn photography session… where he slept soooo soundly and was just an angel. And now, he’s a grown-up one-year-old!  We celebrated with hugs and giggles and, of course, CAKE!! (which he was actually pretty mystified by…)  Thanks for another fun session you guys and I hope you enjoy your sneak peek! (It has been great seeing so much of you this spring at CrossFit C-U too!)  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog for the birthday boy, and after 25 comments I’ll gift him a 5×7 print!

Do you need one more reason to celebrate today? Okay, here’s another…  the Sweet Pea Photography SUMMER SCHEDULE IS OPEN!! Click HERE to view all the available session times – including some fun mini-sessions in June!  I’m looking forward to seeing you this summer!

Filed in: families | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • May 14, 2011 - 9:01 am

    Kim Timmons - What an adorable little man! These pictures are fantastic!!!

  • May 12, 2011 - 2:08 pm

    Sarah Martin - Soooooo cute! I can’t believe how big he is getting!!

  • May 12, 2011 - 12:27 pm

    Aunt Sandy - Great pics…beautiful little boy! Loved seeing them!!

  • May 11, 2011 - 10:40 pm

    Debbie Weber - I love our little Brady B! The pictures are precious – what a
    beautiful family!

  • May 11, 2011 - 5:56 pm

    Brenna - Adorable! I can’t wait to see you guys again!

  • May 11, 2011 - 1:38 pm

    Lori Smith - Wow – I can’t believe how big he has gotten. Russ and Jenny he is absolutely ADORABLE! Continue to have so much fun with him and take care!

  • May 11, 2011 - 11:28 am

    Sully - The young gris, looking like a future champ!

  • May 9, 2011 - 10:06 pm

    Amy - Ahhhh, so cute. Can’t believe he’s already a year old. What a beautiful, happy family.

  • May 9, 2011 - 6:16 pm

    Beth Fuchs - Now that is a mini Russell if I ever saw one! So sweet!

  • May 9, 2011 - 7:20 am

    Aunt Nan - Your smiles say it all. What joy Brady has brought to you and all the rest of us. Happy 1st B’Day.

  • May 7, 2011 - 10:38 am

    Kelsey Sheedy - Can’t believe he is already one! Love him so much! Pics are great!

  • May 6, 2011 - 6:19 pm

    MeMaw - I want to give him a hug!

  • May 6, 2011 - 9:40 am

    Tara and Alex - He is so handsome! Jenny and Russ, you guys make great kids! Love you!

  • May 6, 2011 - 8:24 am

    Lora - what a beautiful family!

  • May 6, 2011 - 8:00 am

    Great Aunt Carol - Such a Sweet boy!! I can’t wait to see all of the pictures!

  • May 5, 2011 - 10:54 pm

    glo - Great pics! He is such a cute, sweet little boy.

  • May 5, 2011 - 9:39 pm

    Joyce White - Such a cute great-grandson – and such a nice party. Brady, you are a really special little boy! The pictures are precious!

  • May 5, 2011 - 9:15 pm

    Janet - Can’t wait to get him down to Florida!!!!! He’s going to love the BEACHES, and the “MOUSE”! Don’t wait too long, Russ & Jenny!

  • May 5, 2011 - 8:36 pm

    angel davis - Jen he is amazing! you guys are a very beautiful example of gods amazing clay molding ability!

  • May 5, 2011 - 7:18 pm

    Jodi - So cute, Jenny!!! What a sweet boy. Happy Very 1st Birthday, Brady!!!

  • May 5, 2011 - 7:00 pm

    Michelle Shanks - I love these pictures of Brady!!

  • May 5, 2011 - 6:42 pm

    Jenny - Oh my gosh Allyson these are so cute! I cannot wait to see the other ones. We are going to have a hard time choosing just like we did with his newborn pictures. GREAT JOB as always 🙂

  • May 5, 2011 - 5:19 pm

    Sandy - These shots are awesome!! He is so cute. Happy Birthday Brady!!

  • May 5, 2011 - 4:45 pm

    Amy Anderson - He is soooo darn cute! The pictures look awesome!

  • May 5, 2011 - 4:07 pm

    beth - Jen, I think he’s got Aunt Bernie’s (and your) beautiful eyes. Bring pics next week to L and K’s bash??

  • May 5, 2011 - 2:56 pm

    Shannon Sheedy - Aww! Look at him! He’s so darn adorable and getting so big so fast! Great pics! I can’t wait to see the rest Russ and Jen! He’s such a sweet little ham! 🙂

  • May 5, 2011 - 2:40 pm

    Linda Sheedy - That’s my cutie pie grandson! Such a joy! Love the pics so far. Can’t wait to see all of them!!!

  • May 5, 2011 - 11:50 am

    Julie Yeoward - Would LOVE to get ahold of those cheeks! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADY!

  • May 5, 2011 - 11:37 am

    Russ - Top notch as always, Allyson! These look great. It was great having you over again and I’m glad Brady man was awake this time. He started walking on his own just a couple days after this. See you soon I’m sure. Thanks again!

This big brother is loving his new title and embracing it wholeheartedly!  He’s all ready to teach his baby brother how to play basketball and football (he showed me his mad dunking skills and Brian Urlacher impression during our session) though I’m curious as to when he’ll realize that those “teaching” days are a ways off in the future… 🙂  Thanks for another fun family photography session at your home in Champaign – I’m so excited to watch your newest little fella grow up just like his big brother!  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog — after 25, I’ll gift these cute boys a 5×7 print!

A quick reminder that the summer schedule will be opening up later this week – so if you’d like to receive the email announcement when that happens, please fill out the contact form link above so I can add you to my list!  Thanks!

Filed in: families | newborn | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • May 21, 2011 - 8:28 am

    Jessica Davis - Love the pictures!! Congrats on your new little arrival!!

  • May 11, 2011 - 9:35 am

    Sunny McMurry - Abby, Congratulations! Allyson, gorgeous photos!

  • May 11, 2011 - 9:02 am

    Diana Blane - What sweet and handsome boys you two have!

  • May 8, 2011 - 11:06 am

    martha gleason - Pictures are precious! Can’t wait to see the rest.

  • May 5, 2011 - 8:30 am

    Debbie Evans - Love the picture! So sweet.

  • May 4, 2011 - 7:10 am

    Mark Lynn - WOW.. what great looking boys you two have…

  • May 2, 2011 - 10:34 pm

    Sue Franz - Adorable!!! I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of them!

  • May 2, 2011 - 8:47 pm

    Abby Franz - I don’t know how you make Nolan’s eyes look so blue! I can’t wait to see the rest. Thanks Allyson!

  • May 2, 2011 - 7:11 pm

    Megan - so cute!! love these pics

  • May 2, 2011 - 4:14 pm

    Rachel Wickness - So sweet!

Grandmas are special in a way that nobody else can fulfill… My own grandmas were so completely different from each other, and yet they were both awesome ladies!  I think that’s the case for this family too… Two unique grandmas, who clearly love their grandkids to pieces, and two fun grandkids who love nothing more than tickling and giggling with their grandmas! We laughed our way through a great session in Urbana last week and everyone had a fun time.  By the way, this session was a Mother’s Day gift to these grandmas (great idea!!!) and got me thinking… Mother’s Day is coming up next month and Father’s Day will follow it in June…  Have you decided yet what to give the best mom or dad in the world?  I have a few ideas for you…

1) A Gift Certificate to Sweet Pea Photography! (you knew that one was coming…)  😉  The Spring Gift Certificate Sale ends April 30th, so hurry and mail your check today!  Remember, for every Sweet Pea Photography $200 gift certificate you purchase during the month of April, I’ll toss in a $50 print certificate FREE!  These gift certificates (good toward session fees and all prints/products) and print certificates (good toward prints/products only) will NEVER expire… so you can use them for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gifts, stock up for your summer session, or use them right away if you already have a session scheduled! The only fine print is that you must purchase these gift certificates with cash or check by April 30, 2011.  That’s it!

2) Book a special Mom & Me Mini-Session!  I’m still working out the details for this one, but sometime in early summer, I’ll be offering one whole day of mini-sessions for moms and their kiddos!  After all, moms are usually the ones holding the camera… so this is your chance to put the camera down, snuggle up with your babies, and let me capture the sweet love that you feel for each other!  *ahem*… Dads? Are you listening? This would be a GREAT gift for your wife. Seriously. As a mom and wife myself, I would LOVE for my husband to give this gift to me.  I’ll announce all the details when I open up my Summer Schedule next week – so if you’re not on my newsletter list, get on it!  Email me and let me know you want more info about a Mom & Me Mini-Session and I’ll make sure you get it.

Filed in: families | kids | mini-sessions | sale | sneak peeks
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  • May 5, 2011 - 2:41 pm

    shannon - Fun with the mommies!!

  • April 29, 2011 - 2:30 pm

    Carolyn - Beautiful! The perfect Mother’s Day gift 🙂

  • April 28, 2011 - 12:14 pm

    Sunny McMurry - Lovely, as usual, Allyson! Can’t wait to see the rest! Thank you!

    Sunny

Last week, I had the awesome privilege of spending time with this family at their home in Champaign.  Two cheerful daughters, one strong dad, and one amazing mom who is living her life as a picture of grace.  Grace in the face of adversity.  Grace that can only come from God. You see, this amazing mom is fighting a battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease… and she’s doing it filled with grace, hope, peace, and faith.  Her friends and family are surrounding her with love and support, and you can help too.  Simply visit the Facebook page for the Evans Family Benefit Night to learn more. One of the items at the silent auction that evening will be a Sweet Pea Photography Lifestyle Photography Session and a 20×24 canvas gallery wrap …. so join us at this event and support this amazing mom and her family!

Filed in: families | sneak peeks | special events
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  • April 26, 2011 - 8:35 am

    Christine Dietrich - This is beautiful and captures the love of the family.

  • April 25, 2011 - 10:04 pm

    shannon - I do not know this family personally, but I can see the beautiful love!

  • April 25, 2011 - 9:07 pm

    Kim - I love seeing your gifts Allyson on my beautiful friend and her strong family!! Thank you for capturing their fun and love!

  • April 25, 2011 - 7:07 pm

    Mindy - Allyson, these are absolutely beautiful pictures of an amazing family.

  • April 25, 2011 - 4:27 pm

    Carrie Riggins - You’ve done it again, Allyson….God has truly given you a gift that keeps on giving….Can’t wait to see more!

  • April 25, 2011 - 3:41 pm

    Amanda - Beautiful pictures. The love of the family shines!!

  • April 25, 2011 - 2:39 pm

    Wendy Barker - Allyson,

    These turned out beautiful! I loved what you said about living her life as a picture of grace.

  • April 25, 2011 - 1:41 pm

    Rebecca - Oh Allyson! These are soo beautiful they brought me to tears! You did a phenomenal job capturing the true beauty and personality of the Evans family!! Tricia told me how comfortable and natural you made them feel.. thank you thank you for being wonderful you! And thank you for your beautiful words

  • April 25, 2011 - 1:36 pm

    Erin Shumaker - Thank so much for capturing the beauty of our friend and her family!”

  • April 25, 2011 - 12:58 pm

    Jennifer Clements - Love these!

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