Smithville Mansion Children's Photographer: Blake is one!

Blake is turning one today, and to document this special time, we met at Smithville Mansion in Mount Holly to get some great shots of him and his awesome mommy and daddy. We had a great time exploring and finding fun spots to entertain a one-year-old. Blake is a totally happy, smiley guy- which makes my job easier! To make him the happiest little guy ever- we ended with a cake smash! Didn't his mommy do an awesome job coordinating his outfit and this adorable cake?! Happy Birthday, Blake! Keep smiling :)

South Jersey Children Photographer: 9 Months Old

About one year ago, Lauren contacted me to take her maternity photographs. I was delighted- she was an absolutely stunning momma-to-be! Who would have thought that almost a year later I would be photographing her 9-month-old and I would be the pregnant one?! Oh the irony! Meet Autumn. She's nine months old and JUST as happy and smiley as her momma! She's a photographer's dream- happy and keeping constant eye contact with me- unheard of!

Seeing how adorable Lauren, Tony, and Autumn were made me sooooo excited for my little girl! What more could you want except a happy little family?

About one year ago....

This makes my heart melt

Cooper River Two-Year-Old Session: Holden

Holden is turning two. Feels like just yesterday I was photographing his first birthday- turns out it was a year ago :) This year, he moves much faster, talks more, and is even more adorable with his cute little hairdo (if that's possible!). We met at Cooper River to have some fun, which included: playing with a trash truck, a soccer ball, a chalkboard, and let's not forget chasing me around like a dinosaur. In conclusion- a totally fun evening! Holden is a happy little guy and I think we totally captured that!

This is Holden last year- now look at him!

I'm not sure what was so funny- but this makes my heart smile!

This is what getting chased by a dinosaur looks like!

Such a cute & happy family!

New Jersey Children Photographer: Alaina is two!

On a Saturday morning, I went over to Alaina's house to capture her adorableness at two-years-old in her backyard. Alaina is a sweet little girl who loves her mama, pups, and playing with her dad. I'm so thankful for sweet little girls like her because it helps me imagine what my sweet pea could be like- and it's so comforting! We got some shots on a turquoise chair that Candice (Alaina's mom) thrifted and painted- absolutely adorable! We had fun blowing bubbles, playing with a chalkboard, and playing with the pups. Enjoy!

Cooper River- One Year Old Shoot- Andria

As you might have noticed, I have quite a few nieces and nephews. Today, my youngest niece turned one! I cannot believe how quickly time flies by! A couple of weeks ago we went to Cooper River Park for a one-year-old session. The best sessions always get a little messy at the end with a cake smash! Happy Birthday, Andria! <3

Cooper River Family Shoot

This is hands down one of my favorite families- quite possibly because they are part of my family. If you've been reading my blog posts for some time, you'll notice this family is familiar with my camera. The scary thing is how quickly the kids grow up- that's why family shots are so important! We went to Cooper River on a Sunday afternoon for a quick family shoot with the promise of going to the Pop Shop in Collingswood for dinner and ice cream. I'm not sure who was more excited about the ice cream- me or the kids!

Katelyn is One!

You may have seen Katelyn on the blog before... I photographed her about a year ago when she was just born (and just a teenie little babe) and also this summer in LBI. With Christmas was upon us, we got some shots of Katelyn in her Christmas pjs near the tree. Then we ventured outside for sunlight and playtime. There was a gorgeous blueberry farm behind us and her favorite two pups running around us. It was the perfect backdrop! Enjoy!

Five tips for amazing Christmas photographs

Let's face it, the holiday season is hands down, the best ever! So we've gotta capture it! Read below for five tips for amazing Christmas photographs.

1- Choose a versatile location.. This season I chose to hold holiday mini sessions at Smithville Mansion. There are so many different textures and backgrounds, I could shoot there all day!

2. BYOF (bring your own flair) We came prepared with tinsel, ornaments, and Christmas lights.

3. Get sweet. It's cold outside! If you have a cutie in need of some bribing- a candy cane always helps ;)

4. Santa hats. It's okay to get silly for a couple of shots in a santa hat!

5. Sneak in a couple of non-holiday pictures. So the shots you took in your Santa hats probably won't make the cut for a canvas on the wall. Make sure you get a couple of shots sans decorations.

Penns Landing: Fall Family Session

We were so happy to greet Meghan, Dave, and baby Sophie on Black Friday for a long weekend. The Z family is one of our closest friends, but they live too far away... in Massachusetts. Our relationship has been a long-distance one from the beginning, when I first met Dave and Meghan in Aruba (my husband's family vacationed with their family throughout their childhood). Dave and Meghan might look familiar from their maternity session shot in Aruba, or baby Sophie's newborn pics seen here or even Sophie's baptism. We went to Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, and Smithville Mansion the next morning. This is just a portion of the blast we had that weekend. Miss you already Z family!!!!

Smithville Mansion: A Very Ahern Christmas

I may be somewhat partial to this session... it is my fabulous family. Meet my sister-in-law, Lisa, and her husband, Dave, and their two adorable children <3 I feel like I have been documenting their lives for the past two years since they moved back to New Jersey. We also had Pete (Dave's brother) and his son come to hang out at Smithville Mansion. I had a great time chasing around three small children in Santa hats and trying to make them smile... let's just say there was lots of bribing involved. Enjoy! <3