champaign – urbana child and family photographer | sweet pea photography »

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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.ย  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.........................

Yep, that’s definitely what these little girls are made of – and they had lots of fun exploring the park during their family photography session last week in Urbana. From blowing bubbles to throwing leaves, they enjoyed it all – and mom and dad had a great time too!ย  Thanks for a lovely morning with your family, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek from your session.ย  As always, if 25 people leave a comment here on the blog, I’ll gift a 5×7 print to these sweet girls!urbana_family_photographer101110

  • October 18, 2010 - 4:43 pm

    Larry Dean - Great pictures. Very professional. what a cute family!

  • October 17, 2010 - 5:31 pm

    Kelly Douglas - These pictures are amazing and beautiful, just like the people they capture ๐Ÿ™‚

  • October 17, 2010 - 4:10 pm

    Warren - Beautiful!

  • October 17, 2010 - 3:18 pm

    Anne - Cute pictures! Love them.

  • October 17, 2010 - 1:57 pm

    Erin - What a good looking family!

  • October 17, 2010 - 1:57 pm

    Celina - Some very precious moments you got captured!

  • October 15, 2010 - 8:59 pm

    Tracy - Absolutely, positively beautiful!

  • October 14, 2010 - 6:06 am

    Emily - Amy-these pics turned out amazing…can’t wait to see them hanging on your walls!

  • October 13, 2010 - 8:34 pm

    Laurie K. - Oh my goodness these are beautiful. That first one is breathtaking! Bubbles! What a GREAT idea! I am going to steal that one for my family session this weekend. Wonderful job Allyson!!!

  • October 13, 2010 - 8:04 pm

    Kortny - These pictures are beautiful! I love the close up pictures of the girls!:)

  • October 13, 2010 - 2:35 pm

    Bobby - Great pictures! Looks like everyone had a good time!

  • October 13, 2010 - 2:23 pm

    Shannon - Great pictures! So precious!! : )

  • October 13, 2010 - 1:06 pm

    Jennifer - The girls are adorable! What a great set of pictures. Captured their wonderful personalities!

  • October 13, 2010 - 10:03 am

    TL - Luckily the girls take after their mom.

  • October 13, 2010 - 9:16 am

    Pat Warren - Great pictures! I always like the ‘back’ shots.

  • October 13, 2010 - 8:18 am

    Liza - Those girls are beautiful! The photos are amazing.

  • October 12, 2010 - 9:05 pm

    Jen - So cute!! Love the matching tutus and C’s curls ๐Ÿ™‚

  • October 12, 2010 - 8:46 pm

    Tina - These are gorgeous!! Love the colors.

  • October 12, 2010 - 6:29 pm

    Mindy - Look at those sweet girls!! Too cute ๐Ÿ™‚

  • October 12, 2010 - 3:56 pm

    Bob Lybarger - Good shots – I’d like them even if they were’t my family!!!

  • October 12, 2010 - 1:02 pm

    Talia Dean - Your family is beautiful!

  • October 12, 2010 - 12:44 pm

    Jamie - So adorable!! Those tutus are great. I love the family shot with the girls on the blanket in front of Amy and Tim.

  • October 12, 2010 - 10:35 am

    McMahons - The girls are gorgeous!! These are great shots. ๐Ÿ™‚ Well done!

  • October 12, 2010 - 10:23 am

    Vanetta - The pictures are wonderful and so creative!

  • October 12, 2010 - 9:57 am

    Lacey - Awww! such sweet girls! This looked like so much fun! Great photos!

  • October 11, 2010 - 9:23 pm

    Amy - Yay, I’m so excited these are done! I can’t wait to see the rest.

  • October 11, 2010 - 10:43 am

    Jennifer Clements - I love the tutus! Precious!

champaign_family_photographer100710These twins were super sweet at their family photography session last week, and we had lots of fun finding (and tasting) apples at Curtis Orchard in Champaign! The girls were happy to show off their newest tricks for me (standing up on their own and crawling like crazy!) and the family dog even joined in the fun for a bit.ย  Thanks for a good time and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek from your session. Remember to leave a comment here on the blog – after 25 comments, I’ll gift these birthday girls a 5×7 print!

  • November 18, 2010 - 6:21 pm

    loren cowdrey - We are blessed with this beautiful family. Grandpa Loren

  • October 19, 2010 - 10:39 am

    Courtney - Beautiful, beautiful girls!!! Love the family pic. So anxious to see the rest!

  • October 18, 2010 - 6:08 pm

    Nick Correll - Love the pics cant wait to see my cousins again!!

  • October 13, 2010 - 5:40 pm

    Laura Snyder - They are beautiful! Congrats on the first year:)

  • October 12, 2010 - 10:56 am

    Barbara Onken - Love the pictures! Can’t wait to see all of them!

  • October 12, 2010 - 10:27 am

    Mark Rudder - Can you say doubly AADDOORRAABBLLEE!! WWOOWW!! What a beautiful family. Truly blessed.

  • October 11, 2010 - 10:44 am

    Jennifer Clements - I love it!

  • October 11, 2010 - 10:22 am

    Laura Barragan - Great Pictures! They are absolutely precious!

  • October 11, 2010 - 6:57 am

    randy rose - I can only imagine how much fun they must be! Great shots!

  • October 11, 2010 - 1:51 am

    Rachel O'Neil Photography - These girls are just too cute. You captured them so sweetly.

  • October 10, 2010 - 6:34 pm

    Emily Parrott - I love the pictures. So excited to see the rest!

  • October 10, 2010 - 5:12 pm

    Kris - i really like these pics! i can not belive they are almost 1 year old!

  • October 9, 2010 - 3:26 pm

    Sue Cowdrey - I love them. They are very natural and beautiful. Says the proud Gram.

  • October 9, 2010 - 9:15 am

    Nicolle Ely - I knew the pictures were going to turn out awesome! They were so much fun. You all look great! Happy (almost) First Birthday!!

  • October 8, 2010 - 10:12 pm

    Valerie Wright - You all look sooo adorable! Where’s the doggie? ๐Ÿ™‚

  • October 8, 2010 - 8:35 pm

    Julie Curry - What a beautiful family!!!! It’s hard to believe the girls are one year old. I can’t wait to see all of their birthday photo’s.

  • October 8, 2010 - 7:55 pm

    Nana & Papa - These are adorable!!! Can’t wait to see more.

  • October 8, 2010 - 7:47 pm

    Kris - Adorable little ones who light up everyone’s hearts who see them!

  • October 8, 2010 - 4:35 pm

    Donna Dodge - Very sweet little girls, great family photo!

  • October 8, 2010 - 4:05 pm

    chris davidson - Awesome pictures! They are sooooo cute!

  • October 8, 2010 - 4:03 pm

    Jul Schneider - very cute!

  • October 8, 2010 - 3:55 pm

    Michael Schneider - It’s hard to believe that a year has passed already and wow have the twins grown!! I love the look of wonder and amazement in their eyes as they take in their surroundings. Thanks for sharing!

  • October 8, 2010 - 3:47 pm

    Jane - Great pics of a beautiful family.

  • October 8, 2010 - 3:42 pm

    Bill Brinkmann - Wow! Great pictures – they are beautiful!

    Bill

  • October 8, 2010 - 3:37 pm

    Gayle - Great pictures! The girls are getting so big!

I had a great time with these five fun-loving cousins in Champaign recently — and walked away with an incredible appreciation for parents who have more than two children under the age of four!ย  Whew!!ย  We had lots of fun during their family photography session, exploring their “NeeNee’s” backyard and finding treasures all over the place… pumpkins, apples, bubbles, leaves… all the little things that make an autumn afternoon special.ย  Thanks for a great time, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek!ย  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog, because after 25 comments the lovely grandma of these busy kiddos will receive a 5×7 gift print!

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  • October 11, 2010 - 10:44 am

    Jennifer Clements - These kids are sooooo adorable!!! Great pics!

  • October 4, 2010 - 6:08 pm

    Jill Kellner - So cute! Thanks for sharing.

Summer has gone… fall is here… book your family photography session soon before they all fill up and autumn flies away…

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  • October 11, 2010 - 10:45 am

    Jennifer Clements - I love the bottom pic of the little girl and the butterfly! It’s perfect and she’s gorgeous!

  • October 3, 2010 - 11:20 pm

    Rachel O'Neil Photography - This family is just so cute!!! and what a beautiful surprise visit from the butterfly. I just love these!!!

I had a great time with this fun couple last weekend for a relaxed maternity photography session in Urbana.ย  I really thought it was cute how super-excited (and very prepared!) they both are for this sweet baby who will arrive in a few short months. Usually it’s just the mom-to-be who is interested in all the details that are involved in getting ready for a baby to arrive… but this great dad-to-be was even telling me all about the nursery and their fun (and exhausting) baby registry experiences! I just love the excitement of new parents – it’s contagious!ย  Thanks for a 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 cute couple a 5×7 print!
rantoul_maternity_photographer092010

Reminder…until NOON on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th, all 16ร—20 and larger individual gallery-wrapped canvases are 40% off!!ย  All you have to do is let me know youโ€™d like to order a canvas and Iโ€™ll reactivate your slideshow so you can choose your favorite images.ย  Then submit your order and payment by 12:00pm on Friday 9/24/10 to receive 40% off the regular price! The only fine print is that this sale is only valid for current and past session images (sorry, I canโ€™t apply this to future session orders).

  • September 24, 2010 - 7:49 am

    jodi - Congratulations Mindy & Dave!! I’m so excited for you both and that little baby is going to have the most beautiful scrapbook pages EVER! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Jodi

  • September 23, 2010 - 5:23 am

    Vera - Mindy and Dave, these are beautiful!

  • September 20, 2010 - 9:59 pm

    Stephanie Schempp - Very cool Pics can’t wait to have a new one on my wall in the Family Room!! I really like the heart one!!! Can’t wait to see more!!! Love you both!

  • September 20, 2010 - 9:25 pm

    Elizabeth - Just remember pictures make great gifts…hint hint. Both of you look so great!

  • September 20, 2010 - 8:34 pm

    Beth - Love the pics! Can’t wait to meet the little one!

  • September 20, 2010 - 7:54 pm

    Mindy - Thanks for doing such a great job with our pictures ๐Ÿ™‚ I just love how genuine they look.

  • September 20, 2010 - 7:11 pm

    Dave - Great job! We had a great time and look forward to meeting with you soon!

  • September 20, 2010 - 6:20 pm

    Shauna - Gorgeous! But such a tease to only see 3 ๐Ÿ™‚ Love the one with you laying down looking up at Dave.

  • September 20, 2010 - 4:25 pm

    Renee Johnson - Mindy and Dave – Great photos!! You guys are so cute! Can’t wait to see more ๐Ÿ™‚

  • September 20, 2010 - 4:11 pm

    Mary - Can’t wait to see the rest of the pics! They’re awesone so far!! Congrats, Mindy and Dave! You have lots to be and stay excited about! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • September 20, 2010 - 3:31 pm

    Karly - Mindy and Dave! You guys look great! I can’t wait to see the rest!

I am so excited about the opening of the Sweet Pea Photography studio in downtown Urbana!ย  I had so much fun at the Open House tonight that I didn’t want it to end… so let’s keep the fun going all week long!ย  Here’s the scoop… lots of you said how much you loved the gallery-wrapped canvases displayed in the studio – so now is a great time to get one (or a whole cluster!) for your own home!ย  From now until NOON on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th, all 16×20 and larger individual gallery-wrapped canvases are 40% off!!ย  All you have to do is let me know you’d like to order a canvas and I’ll reactivate your slideshow so you can choose your favorite images.ย  Then submit your order and payment by 12:00pm on Friday 9/24/10 to receive 40% off the regular price! The only fine print is that this sale is only valid for current and past session images (sorry, I can’t apply this to future session orders).

If you didn’t have a chance to attend the Open House this evening, here’s a look at the new studio!

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Now you REALLY want some canvases for your walls, right?ย  So here it is again… From now until NOON on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th, all 16×20 and larger individual gallery-wrapped canvases are 40% off!!ย  Yay!!

I have to take a minute to say thank you to all of you who have supported me through this process, as well as throughout the life of Sweet Pea Photography — my awesome clients, both new and old, who allow me to step into their lives and make my job so much fun; my friends, who have encouraged me along the way; my friend and studio-partner Holly, who inspires me with her wedding photography; my family, who have always been a great source of love and support; my wonderful husband Sky, who I love so much that this post would get way too long and mushy if I wrote it all out…; and God, who has blessed me with such a fun talent and the ability to share it with others!

  • December 10, 2010 - 9:41 am

    tara k - i just realized i had never formally commented on how AMAZINGLY beautiful your new studio is! it is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for you, miss allyson. so happy for you!!! ๐Ÿ˜€

  • October 12, 2010 - 12:26 pm

    Lisa Phillipson - Gorgeous! Congratulations on your new place!

  • October 6, 2010 - 12:40 pm

    Nichole Johnson - WOW, looks amazing Congrats girl!

  • September 22, 2010 - 4:13 pm

    Johanna - So wonderful Allyson! You deserve it and I hope you enjoy every minute in it! Best to you!

  • September 22, 2010 - 2:52 am

    kim donohue - Oh Allyson,

    STUNNING! I keep looking at the photos. What a beautiful space. Blessings to you and your new studio!!!

  • September 20, 2010 - 9:21 pm

    Rachel Clare - I am IN LOVE! Congratulations on your studio! It looks FABULOUS!

  • September 20, 2010 - 10:26 am

    emily - CONGRATULATIONS ALLYSON!! Your new space is BEAUTIFUL! I hope someday I can see it in person!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • September 19, 2010 - 9:17 pm

    Carolyn - REALLY beautiful. I love the crisp, clean lines of everything, and of course, the photos are gorgeous. Congratulations Allyson!!

  • September 19, 2010 - 6:17 pm

    Mindy - Your studio looks awesome! Congrats ๐Ÿ™‚

  • September 19, 2010 - 8:52 am

    laura - FANTASTIC!

  • September 19, 2010 - 7:47 am

    Alison Connor - SO GORGEOUS!

  • September 18, 2010 - 11:04 pm

    Sheila McKay - Congratulations! Your studio is beautiful!

  • September 18, 2010 - 10:07 pm

    mema - Looks fabulous!

  • September 18, 2010 - 4:12 pm

    sarah - absolutely gorgeous. congratulations, and enjoy your well-deserved new space!

  • September 18, 2010 - 3:43 pm

    tim prust - am an aspiring photographer and stumbled across your blog. just had to say how awesome i think your studio looks. love the colors, the wraps and print and everything else. good luck with your new venture.

  • September 18, 2010 - 2:28 pm

    Heather - allyson, your studio is GORGEOUS!!!! i so wish we could have been there for your open house, and we’re so honored to have made your walls! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • September 18, 2010 - 10:10 am

    Kathi Cook - I’m so happy for you both. The studio, the design layout and all the beautiful work, simply stunning! Congratulations!

  • September 18, 2010 - 9:45 am

    Susan Kelelr - Allyson!!! What a beautiful space in which to do business! Congratulations on your new studio ๐Ÿ™‚

  • September 18, 2010 - 9:18 am

    Heather Woods - Allyson your studio is BEAUTIFUL!! You have got to be beaming from ear to ear. Congratulations on opening your own studio! Wish I could see it in person.

  • September 18, 2010 - 8:53 am

    Leila - IT looks amazing!!!!!!! That wood in there is gorgeous as are all the images! Sooooo happy for you girl!

  • September 17, 2010 - 10:15 pm

    Mom and Dad - Lovely! Congratulations to both Holly and you! A job well done!

I love this family (even more so because they’re part of MY family!) and I love the light in these images too… sweet sunset light…ย  If you’d love warm, sunny images of your family too, then think about booking an evening photography session with Sweet Pea Photography this fall!ย  There are a few more Champaign-Urbana evening sessions still available before it gets too chilly and dark outside, so head over to the availability page to see what date will work for your family! Oh, and don’t forget to stop by the OPEN HOUSE this Friday from 4-7pm at the new Sweet Pea Photography studio!ย  It’s on the 2nd floor of the Bennett Building at 110 S. Race St.ย  Hope to see you there!

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  • September 21, 2010 - 7:59 pm

    Kathy Hughes - I love this family too!! Great pictures.

  • September 16, 2010 - 10:04 pm

    Mom - What wonderful pictures of beautiful people! I can hear the giggling girls!

  • September 16, 2010 - 6:25 am

    mema - Beautiful photos, beautiful family.