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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.........................

This beautiful couple waited on God’s perfect timing to start their family – and this darling boy is definitely the perfect gift from God!  He was absolutely PERFECT for our Sweet Pea Photography newborn session this week in Champaign, and I can just tell that he’s going to be a great kid (which will definitely make up for all the sleepless nights his mom and dad are experiencing right now!)  Thank you again for a relaxed session (and tasty coffee!) with your family this week, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek until your proofs are ready.  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog — just like in 2010, with all sneak peek blog posts in 2011 I’ll give the family a free 5×7 print after 25 people leave a comment on their sneak peek!

Oh, and one more reminder — if you haven’t completed the 2010 Sweet Pea Photography client survey, please take 2 minutes and do that right now… just CLICK HERE.…  I’ll be choosing one person from all the responses to receive a $100 print certificate!  Last year, about 50 people were in the drawing and this year only 15 have completed the survey so far… so your odds to win are really good!

Filed in: families | newborn | sneak peeks | special events
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  • February 3, 2011 - 3:33 pm

    Dawn Black - Congrats, this such a beautiful picture! God Bless your new precious baby boy. I can’t wait to meet him. love to all!

  • February 3, 2011 - 12:12 am

    Christie - So beautiful and sweet.

  • February 1, 2011 - 9:24 pm

    Bre - Cuteeee babbbyyy. [:

  • February 1, 2011 - 4:42 pm

    Andrea Avery - I can’t wait to meet him! So sweet!

  • January 31, 2011 - 12:10 pm

    Connie and Eddie Lopez - What a truly beautiful Family. Congratulations Missy and Derek. You are blessed.

  • January 26, 2011 - 10:58 pm

    Jane - Beautiful Pictures and Family…Congrats Melissa and Derek…Good Job

  • January 22, 2011 - 9:30 pm

    Erin and Aaron Libman - Precious, what a joy and a blessing!

  • January 21, 2011 - 11:35 pm

    Susi Boastick - So beautiful! (I know…I know, you’re NOT supposed to say that about boys, but oh well…) Can’t wait to meet in person! Congratulations!!

  • January 21, 2011 - 7:44 pm

    Ashley - Love these pictures! You guys are such a beautiful family!

  • January 21, 2011 - 4:36 pm

    jodi - oh beautiful family, derek & melissa!

  • January 21, 2011 - 9:11 am

    Heather - Congratulations! Allyson captured your bundle of cuteness beautifully!!

  • January 21, 2011 - 8:54 am

    Karen Kleinman - beautiful family, beautiful photos! so exciting that they have a little one!

  • January 21, 2011 - 8:51 am

    Laura Finke - Beautiful! Congratulations!!

I don’t really have words to add to this image… except maybe to say thank you for the privilege of spending time with your family this week. It was truly my pleasure…

Just a reminder that the Sweet Pea Photography 2011 Winter schedule is now open. Click on “session info > availability” at the top of this page to see the times I have open in the next few months. I would love nothing more than to capture moments like this for your family!

Filed in: families | kids
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  • January 18, 2011 - 9:34 pm

    Meghan S - Amazing picture.

  • January 18, 2011 - 7:51 pm

    Crystal - Okay, I was doing well, until he touched your head. I had that experience myself with my son. I was profoundly moved. Knot in my throat. Laughing and crying at the same time. It truly captures what I think exists between the two of you. Beautiful….

  • January 18, 2011 - 3:07 pm

    Sunny McMurry - Awesome. There really aren’t many more words that fit.

  • January 18, 2011 - 1:32 pm

    Vicky - I have never experienced something so beautiful and full of love in my life. I am in AAWWWW..

  • January 18, 2011 - 11:11 am

    arin cox - jen is incredible! i refer to her as my angel on earth. i’m amazed by the picture. her beauty and love for her child has been captured. that’s priceless!

  • January 9, 2011 - 5:03 pm

    Cheri Gorrell - Love this picture! A definition of LOVE, MOTHER, and FIGHTER!

  • January 8, 2011 - 9:10 am

    Emily Greta - This is LOVE! What a beautiful shot 🙂

  • January 7, 2011 - 11:13 pm

    Erin Shumaker - Super-love, Jen!! And speaking of “super,” it’s like C-man is your super hero “cape”!!!

  • January 7, 2011 - 5:29 pm

    shannon newman - I am speachless. Simpley touching. You both are perfect.

  • January 7, 2011 - 3:54 pm

    Jennifer Clements - I love this! Jennifer is such an inspiration!

  • January 7, 2011 - 11:13 am

    Paige - What a beautiful picture!!

I can hardly believe that 2010 is gone, and 2011 has arrived… but it’s true!  I have really enjoyed the past few weeks of holiday celebrations with family and friends (like this sweet boy!) but I have to be honest… I’m ready for school to start again… yep, it has been great hanging out with my girls 24-7 these past two weeks, but it’s time to get back into the groove of things (and I think they’re ready for school again too!)  So, some quick housekeeping items before 2011 gets into full-swing…

1) The Sweet Pea Photography Winter Schedule will open later this week, so keep your eyes open for that email announcement — and if you want to be added to my email list, just fill out the contact form and let me know.  I’m expecting the calendar to fill up quickly, as usual, so I’ve decided to schedule things a little differently this time…  at this point, I will only be opening up dates in January, February, and the first half of March.  Then I’ll open up a Spring Schedule sometime during the first half of March, which will include session dates in late March, April, and May.  Just a little different, but hopefully it will help me better serve you!

2) Congratulations to Lindsay Bigler, the winner of the Bella Bambini raffle for December!  Lindsay has diligently entered the raffle for the past several months, and her name was finally pulled out of the hat — yay!!  I can’t wait to meet her family this year.  If you’ve never entered the monthly raffle (or even if you’ve entered lots of times like Lindsay) be sure to stop by Bella Bambini this month and drop your name in the jar as you check out (because you really can’t walk out of there without buying something super cute. Seriously.)  Bambini is closed this week for inventory, but I can’t wait to stop by and see all the new spring cuteness once they open up again next week!

3) Finally, as I’ve spent time thinking about how to make 2011 the best year yet, I’ve been lacking one thing… your opinions!  So if you have a minute, click here to take a short 10-item survey about your Sweet Pea Photography experiences and hopes for your family’s session in 2011 – I’d love to hear what you think!

I guess three items are enough for today… have a great Monday!

Filed in: babies | bambini | families | sneak peeks
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  • January 3, 2011 - 7:57 pm

    Lindsay - Yippee! What a great way to start the New Year! Stop by Bella & put your name in! I think I only entered 3 times! Those are great odds! Thank you, Sweet Pea Photography!

I had a great time with this family in Mahomet yesterday and just couldn’t wait to post these sneak peeks from their newborn photography session!  This was my last session of 2010, and these kiddos put me to work!  Their lively chatter was nearly non-stop (although a fun game of Simon Says slowed them down) and their new baby brother was just darling throughout the session.  Thank you for the privilege of hanging out with your family — I had a fun time and I hope you enjoy these images. Remember to leave a comment here on the blog – after 25, I’ll gift them a 5×7 print!

A few items to remember as 2010 draws to a close…  the holiday gift certificate sale is now over (a big thank you to everyone who took advantage of it — I’m looking forward to seeing your families next year!)… the Sweet Pea Photography winter schedule will open up in a few weeks (so if you’re not on my newsletter list yet, fill out the contact form asap — you don’t want to miss that announcement!)… and thank you to all of my wonderful clients!  You make my “job” so much fun!

Filed in: families | kids | newborn | sneak peeks
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  • January 3, 2011 - 8:21 pm

    Johanna - What a great way to finish up 2010. Beautiful, sweet images Allyson. Nice work, as always!. Happy New Year!

  • December 30, 2010 - 3:31 pm

    Lindsey - Wonderful pictures, beautiful family! Love them all!

  • December 25, 2010 - 8:29 am

    Kristy - Beatiful photos, beautiful family!

  • December 18, 2010 - 4:49 pm

    Molly - What a gorgeous family…just love them all!

Yep, sweet babies are the best gift that God can give… and this baby girl is definitely a gift to her parents this Christmas.  Thanks for a wonderfully relaxed newborn photography session, and enjoy your sneak peek!  Remember to leave a comment below to help this sweetie receive a free 5×7 print (after 25 comments here on the blog).

While you’re here, take a second to think about your holiday gift-giving list… still need something special for your wife, or mom, or daughter, or best friend… or yourself? 🙂  Well, this is the last week of the Sweet Pea Photography Holiday Gift Certificate Sale!!  Yep, until this Friday 12/17/10 each time you purchase a $200 gift certificate to Sweet Pea Photography, I’ll toss in an extra $50 print certificate FREE!!  Once again — for every $200 gift certificate (which can be used toward session fees, prints, albums, canvases, digital collections, or any other product I offer) that you purchase between December 3, 2010 and December 17, 2010 — you will receive an additional $50 print certificate totally FREE to use toward print and product purchases from your session!!  These Holiday Sale certificates never expire – so you can use them anytime.  Just send me an email or just give me a call at 217.637.1657. The only fine print is that this offer is only valid for gift certificate purchases completed (ordered and paid in full by cash or check) by December 17, 2010.

Filed in: families | newborn | sale | sneak peeks
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  • December 17, 2010 - 9:53 am

    Amy OBrien - Adorable.! Just wanted to help them win there photo.

  • December 16, 2010 - 10:02 pm

    Heather - Such a precious gift! Oh, those expressions…love it!

  • December 16, 2010 - 12:08 am

    Lisa Frerichs - Absolutely adorable!!

  • December 14, 2010 - 6:47 am

    Auntie Steph - They are sooo cool….can’t wait to see the rest!!!!! She is the sweetest niece!!!!! xoxoxoxo 🙂

  • December 13, 2010 - 7:59 pm

    Shauna - Addison is so sweet – just beautiful guys! Love the pics!

  • December 13, 2010 - 7:45 pm

    Elizabeth - I need a picture to hang on my wall…hint hint.

  • December 13, 2010 - 7:34 pm

    Auntie Bev - I’m in loooove!

  • December 13, 2010 - 5:57 pm

    Katy - Shes so adorable! ….Can’t wait to see all the pictures!

  • December 13, 2010 - 4:22 pm

    Laurie Waters - So sweet! Can’t wait to see the rest!

  • December 13, 2010 - 2:53 pm

    Lori - Love the pics! Addison is just precious! I can’t wait to meet her in person.

  • December 13, 2010 - 2:46 pm

    Mary - Adorable!! I especially love the yawn in the one pic. So cute!!

  • December 13, 2010 - 2:05 pm

    Trish - Beautiful baby, beautiful parents! You guys look great, and so do the pics!

  • December 13, 2010 - 1:57 pm

    Renee - Congrats Mindy and Dave. She is absolutely gorgeous!!!

  • December 13, 2010 - 1:33 pm

    Karly - Can’t wait to see more! Congrats Dave and Mindy, she is beautiful!

A few housekeeping items today…  first, a quick reminder that the Sweet Pea Photography Holiday Gift Certificate Sale is going on RIGHT NOW!  Yep, until 12/17/10 each time you purchase a $200 gift certificate to Sweet Pea Photography, I’ll toss in an extra $50 print certificate FREE!!  Once again — for every $200 gift certificate (which can be used toward session fees, prints, albums, canvases, digital collections, or any other product I offer) that you purchase between December 3, 2010 and December 17, 2010 — you will receive an additional $50 print certificate totally FREE to use toward print and product purchases from your session!!  This makes a great Christmas gift – or if you’re a really good husband, you purchase more than one and surprise your honey for Valentine’s Day too!  Plus, these Holiday Sale certificates never expire – so you can use them anytime.  Just send me an email or just give me a call at 217.637.1657. The only fine print is that this offer is only valid for gift certificate purchases completed (ordered and paid in full by cash or check) by December 17, 2010.

Second item of the day – a big congratulations to Emily Pool, the winner of the November raffle drawing at Bella Bambini!  Emily has won a free standard session with Sweet Pea Photography sometime in the next 6 months.  If you’d like to enter to win the December raffle drawing, just stop by Bella Bambini (near the corner of Neil and Kirby in Champaign) to put your name in the raffle jar.  (And while you’re there — I know they’re looking to fill a few part-time positions right now, so if you’re looking for a job and you’re a person who loves everything about super-cute children’s clothing, you might want to bring along your resume too!)

One final note – I’ve started receiving inquiries about winter and spring sessions already (yay!) and I’ll be opening up my January-March calendar in just a few weeks… so if you’d like to receive an email notification when that happens, shoot me a note and I’ll add you to my list (my late March-May calendar will open up in early March this year).  As most of you  know, my availability fills up VERY quickly, so it’s important that you receive the newsletter announcement and respond right away!

And on that note…  here’s a cutie from last week!

Filed in: headshots | kids | sale
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