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.  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.........................

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!

Filed in: bambini | family | kids
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  • August 17, 2010 - 12:19 pm

    Mom - I definitley need this one for the photo wall at school!

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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Filed in: family | kids
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  • August 8, 2010 - 2:59 pm

    Mom - Just can’t get enough of seeing those girls! Love ’em both!

  • August 5, 2010 - 9:52 pm

    mema - Would love to see more!

  • 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.

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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Filed in: families | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • September 11, 2010 - 6:56 pm

    Mindy - Beautiful family 🙂

  • September 8, 2010 - 9:03 am

    mark neiswender - what a beautiful family, great pictures

  • August 3, 2010 - 6:29 am

    Carolyn - Gorgeous pictures! Hard to pick a favorite – what a cutie!

  • July 29, 2010 - 6:06 pm

    Claire - Molly, she’s adorable!!

  • July 29, 2010 - 1:14 pm

    Rachel Wickness - Beautiful pictures!!

  • 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 26, 2010 - 10:09 pm

    Molly - Thanks, Allyson, for doing another great job!

  • 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 - 11:40 am

    Haruka Honda - These pictures are beautiful! Avery is so cute!

  • July 26, 2010 - 10:21 am

    Rita Soldwedel - Avery is such a fun girl–these pictures really capture her personality!

  • July 26, 2010 - 10:05 am

    Travis - More mystified by the bubbles, Brian or Avery?

  • July 26, 2010 - 9:42 am

    Danielle - What a gorgeous family!

  • July 26, 2010 - 9:28 am

    Dustin - Avery, you are the cutest!

  • July 26, 2010 - 6:16 am

    Perry Soldwedel - Great pictures–beautiful and precious 2 year old. We love her so much.

  • July 25, 2010 - 1:13 pm

    Paige - You look great! Avery is so big.

  • July 25, 2010 - 12:20 pm

    shannon - So sweet! Beautiful family!

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!

Filed in: families | kids | sneak peeks | toddlers
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  • July 31, 2010 - 1:38 pm

    Becca - Great pictures, Shannon. Those boys are so cute!

  • July 30, 2010 - 7:33 pm

    Brooke - Great pics!! Sean is getting so big!

  • July 30, 2010 - 1:38 pm

    Chris - Love looking at my beautiful wife and my handsome boys.

  • July 30, 2010 - 11:07 am

    Jill Ressler - What a beautiful family! Great pics! The boys are really growing up.

  • 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 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 29, 2010 - 10:05 pm

    Teresa - Great pictures!

  • 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 - 6:05 pm

    Claire - Love the popsicle idea! What cutie-pies!!

  • July 29, 2010 - 5:55 pm

    Abby - Love the pics. Can’t wait to see baby #3 added to the family!

  • July 29, 2010 - 3:56 pm

    Betsy Bradley - The boys are adorable and you look fantastic!!!

  • July 29, 2010 - 2:07 pm

    Mary - Perfect! What a great summer pic!

  • 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 - 9:08 am

    Steph Moore - Wonderful pics!!! What would this family look like with a little girl??? Anxious to find out!

  • July 28, 2010 - 2:44 pm

    Jen - Shannon, these are ridiculously cute!

  • July 26, 2010 - 8:41 am

    Kelly - Love these pix Allyson and Shannon! Shannon, what an adorable family!

  • 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 25, 2010 - 10:10 pm

    Robin - Such fun pictures Shannon!! I loved seeing your little belly too. 🙂

  • 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 - 3:25 pm

    kathy - Great pictures!! Sweet, sweet, sweet

  • July 24, 2010 - 6:02 am

    shannon - Thanks Allyson! Amazing work, as usual, can’t wait to see the rest!

I had a blast with this family last weekend, and I’m so glad they were in the mood to explore downtown Urbana and capture some fun images of their family.  It was a HOT day, but the ice cream shakes at the end made it all worth it, right?  Thanks for being up for a creative (and sometimes silly) family photography session! I hope you enjoy this sneak peek – and remember to leave a comment so I can gift this great family a free 5×7 after 25 comments!

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Filed in: families | kids | sneak peeks
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  • August 1, 2010 - 2:03 pm

    Adele O'Keefe - These are wonderful! I adore the one of the two boys but the ones of the family are wonderful ~ you really captured joy in each one… I also love the colors in the mural that served as an urban backdrop ~ very cool!

  • July 21, 2010 - 9:08 am

    Holly - downtown Urbana, huh? 😉

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I can’t believe that this sweet girl is already turning 2 years old!  It seems like just yesterday that her family booked a newborn session with me… and here she is now, all grown up.  We had a great time at her family photography session last Saturday, exploring Japan House and blowing bubbles… or at least trying to!  Thanks for another 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 family a 5×7 print from their session!

Oh, and a quick congratulations to the winner of the June raffle at Bella Bambini — Susan Cavey!  Susan won a free photography session with Sweet Pea Photography – and you can enter to win any time at Bella Bambini!!

Filed in: sneak peeks | toddlers
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A few weeks ago, it was my privilege to photograph a very special birth.  My cousin has spent the past year on a journey that allowed her to give the wonderful gift of life to another couple – for the second time! I’m so glad that I was able to witness this birth, especially because the biological dad was in London when this little guy was born, and didn’t arrive until the next day!

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Surrogacy can be a hot topic, but in my opinion, it’s a beautiful thing when done right. Thanks Megan for letting me document this awesome experience!

Filed in: birth | families | newborn | sneak peeks
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  • July 31, 2010 - 8:45 am

    Shuva Rahim - What an amazing experience for all involved, and kudos to you for doing such a great job documenting this fantastic event! Nice work!

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It has been such fun working with this family over the past four years, and I was so bummed when they moved to NY earlier this year.  So what a treat it was when they drove all the way back from NY for a family photography session a few weeks ago!!  I hope you guys had fun at the wedding (especially this lovely flower girl) and your drive back east was quick and easy.  Remember to leave a comment here on the blog, because after 25 I’ll gift this smiling girl a 5×7 print!

Filed in: families | kids | sneak peeks
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  • July 14, 2010 - 12:59 am

    ~SarahInParis~ - Beautiful summery images Allyson and that last one is just divine. What a gorgeous little girl! Beautiful images!!

  • July 8, 2010 - 11:19 pm

    tara k - oh, allyson…her eyes in that last shot are divine! such a cute shot. 🙂

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