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  • 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..............................

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Winter arrived this week, and I still hadn’t had a chance to blog this family photography session from this fall! So here’s a quick look back before we move forward into the holiday season…

Okay, now winter can arrive in all of its snowy, sparkling glory!  Of course, my favorite way to kick off the holiday season is with a GIFT CERTIFICATE SALE!! Yes ladies and gentlemen, it’s back… the annual Sweet Pea Photography Holiday Gift Certificate Sale!  Here are all the details you need to know:

During the next two weeks, each time you purchase a $200 gift certificate to Sweet Pea Photography, I’ll toss in an extra $50 print certificate FREE!!  Yep, that’s right…  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!!  What an awesome Christmas gift for a friend or family member (or even yourself… yes, you can purchase these and use them for your own 2011 photography session!)  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. So contact me today before the rush of the holidays takes over!

Filed in: families | kids | sale | sneak peeks | special events
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  • December 6, 2010 - 4:52 pm

    Jennifer Shike - Thanks for capturing these great shots – can’t wait to see the CD! I love how your photos make me “smile out loud.” I have such a talented friend! You are amazing!

You can tell by the gleam in their eyes… that in a few years, these sweet sisters are going to pull off some sneaky shenanigans!  I sure hope they share some of the silliness with me in their family photography sessions in the future!  Thanks for another relaxed session at your home, and I hope you guys enjoy this sneak peek before your ordering appointment at the Sweet Pea Photography studio in downtown Urbana later this week.  And don’t forget to leave a comment for these sneaky girls — after 25, I’ll gift them a free 5×7 print!  Oh, and also be sure to check back here later this week for an exciting announcement… holiday surprises are right around the corner!

Filed in: babies | families | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • December 3, 2010 - 10:17 am

    Nanny - These pics capture their adorable personalities so well!

  • December 1, 2010 - 3:29 pm

    Dustin - Cutest lil girls I’ve ever seen.

  • November 30, 2010 - 4:33 pm

    Molly - Great job again, Allyson! Should I send out two Holiday cards this year….LOL!

  • November 30, 2010 - 3:49 pm

    Haruka - The girls look so cute in these pictures! I love the matching outfits!

  • November 30, 2010 - 12:18 pm

    Mindy - I love the pics of H! She is such a precious baby. Just like her big sis.

  • November 30, 2010 - 12:00 pm

    Danielle - Adorable is all I can say! Love these little ladies!

  • November 30, 2010 - 9:38 am

    Jessica - What lovely girls…I am partial to sisters too!

  • November 30, 2010 - 9:08 am

    Jamie Clausen - What darling girls!! Love these!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday today!  I know that I have so many things to thank God for each and every day… a loving family, a supportive husband, two fun daughters, a warm home and plenty of food to eat, a job that I love with clients that are really more like friends… what are you thankful for today?

I think these kiddos are thankful for leaves to toss, parents that love them dearly, and each other!  Take a second to leave a comment on this sneak peek (after 25, they’ll receive a free 5×7 print!) and share something that you’re thankful for this year!  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Filed in: babies | families | kids | mini-sessions | sneak peeks
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First off, a big CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of this weekend’s Sweet Pea Photography blog contest… randomly chosen by random.org… Bridgette Thompson!! Hooray!  Bridgette will be receiving a $100 print certificate in the mail, good toward any prints or products offered by Sweet Pea Photography!  Congratulations Bridgette, and thank you to everyone who entered — now I have lots of yummy cake ideas for my girls’ birthdays in February!  🙂

Secondly, aren’t these kiddos cute?  I can hardly believe that I’ve been working with their family since the beginning (both of my business and of their family)… and when we had one last glorious, sunny-and-70’s day a few weeks ago, I knew that I couldn’t let it pass by. So we did a fun last-minute mini-session in Urbana!  I’m so glad it worked out, and the kids had a great time throwing leaves, playing with pumpkins, making silly faces, and soaking up every last minute of warmth before chilly weather moved in to stay.  I hope you enjoy this sneak peek from their session, and remember to leave a comment to help them earn a free 5×7 print!

Filed in: contests | families | kids | sneak peeks
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  • November 24, 2010 - 2:53 pm

    Tracy - Wow… Those are a couple of adorable kids… Thanks for the fantastic photo session Allyson!

This week over at chambanamoms.com, they’re celebrating their first birthday with a week of great giveaways… one of which is from Sweet Pea Photography!  And because I LOVE it when kiddos get SUPER messy during their first birthday photography sessions, I wanted to put some icing on the cake and do another great giveaway here on the blog!  Here’s the deal….  leave a comment here on the blog stating your favorite type of birthday cake, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 print certificate from Sweet Pea Photography!  I’ll choose one lucky reader at random from all the comments received on this post before midnight on Monday, November 22, and the winner will be announced here on the blog next week!!   And if you haven’t already, hop on over to chambanamoms.com before November 22 and enter the awesome Sweet Pea Photography giveaway there too!

Filed in: babies | contests | special events
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  • November 22, 2010 - 10:54 pm

    Lisa Frerichs - Plain ol’ Vanilla topped with vanilla icing covered in coconut!

  • November 22, 2010 - 10:44 pm

    Bridgette Thompson - My favorite cake is chocolate cake with chocolate icing!!!

  • November 22, 2010 - 10:38 pm

    Valerie - Any cake with frosting!

  • November 22, 2010 - 6:42 pm

    jodi - my fav is strawberry jello cake

  • November 21, 2010 - 2:07 pm

    Jen - Love chocolate cake with chocolate frosting 🙂

  • November 20, 2010 - 11:47 pm

    Lori Benso - chocolate cake with a thin layer of white icing swirled with raspberry! Love the pics!

  • November 20, 2010 - 9:20 pm

    Kristie - Ice cream cake! Especially with birthday cake flavored ice cream! All this cake talk is making me really hungry for cake!

  • November 20, 2010 - 5:55 pm

    Amy Schiff - I love your work and I love cake! 🙂
    My favorite kind of cake is Strawberry Shortcake.

  • November 20, 2010 - 5:24 pm

    Kelli - My favorite cake is Ho-Ho cake. Rich chocolate cake with creamy white filling. It’s the signature cake of one of the grandmas at our church. Lucky for me, she was willing to share her recipe. 🙂

  • November 20, 2010 - 5:17 pm

    rebecca - Red velvet cupcakes with dark chocolate frosting! Decadent!!

  • November 20, 2010 - 3:02 pm

    Tara Miller - Carrot Cake!

  • November 20, 2010 - 10:58 am

    Heather - My favorite cake would have to be a Chocolate Rasberry Truffle Cheesecake by far!!! But if you’re looking for a real “cake”, I’m going to have to say Carrot Cake 🙂 Yummy….I’m getting hungry now!

  • November 20, 2010 - 10:35 am

    Quint - My favorite is plain white cake w/ buttercream frosting. Mmmm

  • November 20, 2010 - 9:48 am

    Kim - Marble cake with cookies n cream filling and buttercream icing

  • November 20, 2010 - 8:49 am

    Rachel - I love this pictures! My favorite cake is yellow w/ fudge swirl (all from a box) and store bought chocolate fudge icing, it kills my mom cause she makes homemade cakes.. 🙂

  • November 20, 2010 - 8:23 am

    Kristie Langley - I’m going to go with Julie on this one, definitely cheesecake.

  • November 20, 2010 - 8:07 am

    Aman - My mom’s chocolate bunt cake with chocolate chips that have sunk to the bottom and get all melty when warmed up!

  • November 20, 2010 - 7:58 am

    Lindsay - I LOVE, LOVE ice cream cake!!

  • November 20, 2010 - 7:17 am

    Jody - I LOVE these pictures, and I LOVE red velvet cake!!!

  • November 20, 2010 - 7:16 am

    Rachel Wickness - my favorite type of birthday cake is any one my girls help me make…. it is imperfect which makes perfection!

  • November 20, 2010 - 6:23 am

    Jessica - I love white cake and buttercream frosting! I also love the foot in the cake picture, you might as well experience all aspects of cake when its your first experience!

  • November 20, 2010 - 1:32 am

    Leisha - German chocolate cake with coconut icing… ymm!

  • November 20, 2010 - 1:22 am

    Breanne - My classic favorite is chocolate, but I’ve been on a red velvet kick lately!

    Thanks for the giveaway here and on Chambana Moms!! 🙂

  • November 20, 2010 - 1:07 am

    Julie McClure - Definitely cheesecake!! But if it has to be regular cake, then chocolate with chocolate frosting.

  • November 20, 2010 - 12:09 am

    Jennifer Shike - yellow cake with chocolate frosting and homemade ice cream…

  • November 19, 2010 - 11:16 pm

    Sarah - Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

  • November 19, 2010 - 9:07 pm

    Carla - italian cream cake from sweet indulgence

  • November 19, 2010 - 6:38 pm

    Audrey M. - I just found your blog today & I love your work! My favorite birthday cake is yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Mmmmm…

I had a great time meeting this family in Champaign a few weekends ago for a lifestyle family photography session in their lovely home. The new big brother in the family was one busy boy!! We shared lots of giggles and he had a great time eating a lollipop, smashing pumpkins, and kissing his new baby brother… and what a sweet baby he was too!  Thanks for allowing me to step into the life of your family, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek from your session — don’t forget to leave a comment here on the blog! After 25, I’ll gift this great family a 5×7 print!

Filed in: families | kids | newborn | sneak peeks
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  • November 26, 2010 - 5:26 pm

    Marcia Clausen - What great candid moments! Forever memories!

  • November 17, 2010 - 10:54 pm

    Molly - What great pictures of a great family! So excited about their newest addition.

  • November 17, 2010 - 1:48 pm

    bridget clausen - Jack looks so mischievous. Love these and hope there are many more,

Wow. There’s not much I can add… those beautiful blue eyes say it all.  I really enjoyed this family photography session last week in Urbana –what a darling girl, and such friendly parents too! Thanks for a fun time, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek from your Sweet Pea Photography session – remember to leave a comment here on the blog, because after 25 I’ll gift this lovely girl a 5×7 print!

Filed in: families | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • November 17, 2010 - 2:20 pm

    Donna McGrath - what great photos!

  • November 17, 2010 - 1:40 am

    Wendy - I love these types of family photos. They totally capture the emotion and connection within a family. Beautiful.

  • November 16, 2010 - 10:15 pm

    Doris - Wonderful pictures of my great granddaughter.

  • November 16, 2010 - 10:14 pm

    Hanna - These pictures are great of my blue eyed niece.

  • November 16, 2010 - 3:16 pm

    Marjaneh - Aww look at how beautiful and grown up she looks! 🙂 great pics

  • November 16, 2010 - 1:29 pm

    Carl - Great photos!

  • November 16, 2010 - 1:12 pm

    Christina - What a cutie! Can’t wait to see the rest of the pics! 🙂

  • November 16, 2010 - 1:12 pm

    Zach - Awesome pics!

  • November 16, 2010 - 1:05 pm

    Ursula - The pictures are very nice, and the eyes are so beutiful. =) very very beutiful

  • November 16, 2010 - 11:12 am

    Kirstin - These pictures are beautiful! What a sweetie!

  • November 16, 2010 - 9:52 am

    Hilary - She is such a sweetheart! Beautiful photos — can’t wait to see more! 🙂

  • November 16, 2010 - 8:36 am

    Andy - The whole thing was a lot of fun. Allyson was great, I can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures.

  • November 15, 2010 - 10:29 pm

    Kathy Crudele - What a sweetie. Not hard to make her look good!

  • November 15, 2010 - 10:29 pm

    Heather - I have the most beautiful niece!

  • November 15, 2010 - 10:13 pm

    Sally - These pictures are amazing can’t wait to see the rest.

  • November 15, 2010 - 8:52 pm

    Diane - Nice pics can’t wait to see the rest.

  • November 15, 2010 - 8:33 pm

    Liz - Great pictures!

  • November 15, 2010 - 8:14 pm

    John - Awesome Pictures

  • November 15, 2010 - 8:08 pm

    marjorie - sooo beautiful!

  • November 15, 2010 - 8:08 pm

    Rick - My granddaughter is beautiful !

  • November 15, 2010 - 8:04 pm

    Ann Balog - Yes ,she is very beautiful but I already knew that, she’s my granddaughter.

  • November 15, 2010 - 7:08 pm

    Danielle Balog - You have captured the beauty of Rae so perfectly!!! What awesome pictures of the family!!!!

  • November 15, 2010 - 7:03 pm

    Becky Van Loocke - Great Pics!! Can’t wait to see more!

  • November 15, 2010 - 6:44 pm

    Melissa - very cute!

  • November 15, 2010 - 6:09 pm

    heather angel - sarah she is beautiful!!! these are the cutest pics……….you have a beautiful family 🙂

  • November 15, 2010 - 6:08 pm

    Dan - Absolutely beautiful eyes!!

  • November 15, 2010 - 5:44 pm

    Sarah - I love, love, love how you captured her beautiful eyes.

This family photography session documented a milestone in the life of this family, and I was privileged to be a part of their celebration!  Over the past several years, this family has been working diligently toward becoming debt-free… and they did it!!  To symbolize the new direction in which their family tree will grow from this point forward, they decided to have their family photography session take place at a park in Champaign with an awesome tree. What a great idea!  We had a blast (these boys kept me on my toes for sure!) and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek. Remember to leave a comment here on the blog – after 25 I’ll gift them a 5×7 print!

Filed in: families | kids | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • December 9, 2010 - 2:35 pm

    Wendy - WOW, I cannot believe how big Parker and Jackson are!! Where did all the time go????? What wonderful pictures Amy!! I hope you and the family have a very lovely holiday season!!!

  • November 28, 2010 - 9:58 pm

    Jerry & Kathie - Great stuff… love the colors, makes me want to take a trip to the Midwest. Congrats Amy and Quint!

  • November 17, 2010 - 10:39 am

    Chris & Marcia - I absolutely love the pictures. The boys are getting so big!

  • November 15, 2010 - 8:30 pm

    Joanne & Doug - Fabulous photos – thanks for sharing!

  • November 14, 2010 - 10:50 pm

    jen - awesome pics =)very cute

  • November 12, 2010 - 9:49 pm

    Marlene - Great pics! Boys sure are growing up so fast! Congrats on your accomplishment!

  • November 12, 2010 - 3:39 pm

    Cathy Hong - How fun! They look great! 😀

  • November 12, 2010 - 12:30 pm

    Vickie - Very good pictures.

  • November 12, 2010 - 11:20 am

    Jan - What a great looking family! These are beautiful pictures!

  • November 12, 2010 - 11:19 am

    Yvonne - Great family photo!

  • November 12, 2010 - 10:02 am

    Tina - These pictures are wonderful! Your boys are just adorable! I love how the photos caught you in action having fun. They will make great gifts!

  • November 12, 2010 - 9:49 am

    Ceciia Miller - Adorable family pictures!

  • November 12, 2010 - 9:44 am

    Jaime - Quint – These pictures are amazing! Congrats too by the way!

  • November 11, 2010 - 10:37 pm

    saras - Love them!

  • November 11, 2010 - 9:54 pm

    Allyson - @Carrie – this is at Trevitt-Finch park in Champaign. Go check it out!

  • November 11, 2010 - 8:09 pm

    Amy Chipman - Love the photos, Amy (and Allyson)! And congrats on your milestone. What an awesome accomplishment!! 🙂

  • November 11, 2010 - 7:31 pm

    Nikki - What fabulous pictures! Maybe next year we should travel over to Champaign for our pictures too 🙂

  • November 11, 2010 - 6:57 pm

    Rachael - Great idea, love the pics, adorable kids & great shots!

  • November 11, 2010 - 5:05 pm

    Ann Kirkland - I love your family pic… and congrats on being debt free! 🙂

  • November 11, 2010 - 4:53 pm

    sallie - what a beautiful family, congratulations on the milestone and God bless all of you, miss you

  • November 11, 2010 - 4:07 pm

    Karima Isberg - Beautiful pictures! I love that you guys did this in honor of being debt free as well. Congratulations!

  • November 11, 2010 - 4:02 pm

    Amy - Fantastic photos! Looks like a magazine spread. Helps to have such sweet faces in the shots. 🙂

  • November 11, 2010 - 3:11 pm

    Jaime Roberts - Those are so adorable!! The family one is precious.

  • November 11, 2010 - 2:46 pm

    Quint - Great shots Allyson – we’ll be anxious to see the rest of them!

  • November 11, 2010 - 2:36 pm

    Elizabeth Boehm - Absolutly Adorable!!!

  • November 11, 2010 - 2:25 pm

    Rachel - Wow! Such beautiful pictures of the whole family!

  • November 11, 2010 - 2:24 pm

    Carrie - Love the photos! Great idea family.

  • November 11, 2010 - 2:03 pm

    Diana Van Osdell - Awesome pics!! You have a beautiful family!

  • November 11, 2010 - 1:04 pm

    Carrie - These are wonderful – is this Carle Park?

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