Just wanted to wish all that drop by a very Merry Holiday Season & a totally Rockin New Year!

Thanks to all of our Amazing, Awesome and Super Fantabulous Clients for a Spectacular 2011!  Your lovliness, personalities, stories, milestones & celebrations have inspired another year full of visual yumminess!

I know the Blog has been rather quiet the last couple of months.  It has been a crazy busy Wedding & Holiday Season.  Way more than anticipated and we still have a lot to wrap up on.  Once things are caught up, and after a few good days of sweet relaxation, I will be sure to dish out lots of Photo Blog love and catch up by featuring some of the yummy highlights from 2011.

In the meantime enjoy some Holiday sweetness brought to you by the ever adorable and always lovely Avery!  Who always comes in with the most super cute & stylish little girl outfits!

Cheers!  Til next year!

Grace

Harrisburg Children’s Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography 

Meet Nate!  This little munchkin is just the cutest!!!  And so is Sam!!  Who now gets to proudly wear the new title of “Big Bro”.  Not quite 2, Sam had the refreshing curiosity you would find in a happy toddler boy.  It was really cute to watch how he interacted with, observed & examined his little baby brother.  (My, what is that curious thing sticking out of his belly button?    )  And what an awesome model!  When asked to give Nate a kiss, he humored me every time!  Oh if these 2 only knew how much playing & fun is in store for them as they get older…  How wonderful to always have someone to play with!

I had the opportunity to chat & correspond with Amanda several times before our session and what a beautiful person she is inside & out.  Although I am sure her hands are quite full with 2 young boys, her heart is enormous enough for dozens more.  Just kidding!  (I am imagining Lance’s eyeballs growing wide at this statement)  Amanda radiates such warmth, love & pride when talking about her 3 favorite guys in her life.

So a big yellow birdie told me that Nate’s room is decorated in a vintage Sesame Street theme.  I bet it looks stunning just listening to some of the things Mom & Dad collected to pull the look together.  One of the items is an antique Philco record player/radio which they brought to the Session, complete with a treasure trove of old vinyl Sesame Street records.  (Wonderful, wonderful idea Amanda!)  We incorporated them into a few shots for some beautiful one of a kind vintage laced Sesame Street themed portraits which I envision to be the pièce de résistance in Nate’s nursery!

For more of this handsome little cookie monster & his beautiful Family, please click on the image below & enjoy!

And a warm welcome, despite the pre Halloween snow (crazy!), to Central PA.  I can only imagine the kind of impression that might be felt to someone who just moved to the area and had to deal with all of these unusual and extreme weather events.  I promise, it is a fluke, Central PA is usually way more relaxed than this.  =)

And thanks to the always amazing Jackie Malocu owner of Mark of Elegance Salon & Beautiful Dream Team Hairstyles & Makeup for fitting in a cut on short notice.  Love you doll!

Grace

Hummelstown Newborn Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

I have been photographing the Marshall Family ever since this adorable ball of energy, giggles & beautiful curls was snuggled inside her gorgeous Mommy’s belly.  And now she is 2!  Unbelievable!  It is just the cutest to hear her talk now with her cute little voice.  And I LOVE Hailey’s smile!  It is like her whole body is smiling and it makes me smile just looking at her’s!  And those beautiful curly locks… don’t get me started on those…

She inherits her curly locks from her stunning Mommy Leslie.  And I like to say that Leslie is one of the most beautiful people I know inside & out.  She has the brilliance, positivity & warmth of sunshine.  I adore her to pieces and feel so fortunate to have become friends with her over the years.

So how in the world can the Marshall Family become any more cuter or more awesome then they are?  Well… by getting the cutest puppy in the world of course!!!  The Marshall’s recently adopted this Autralian Shepherd AKA the sweetest little ball of fur!  And they said she is normally a handful but I find that hard to believe, she was such a good puppy!   I want one too!

For more of the Marshall Family, just click on the image below & enjoy!

Please leave a comment and let us know, did you smile as soon as you saw Hailey’s smile?  =)  Betcha did!

Grace

Mechanicsburg Family, Child & Pet Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Once upon a time Melanie started a new job.  That is when she first laid eyes on Dave.  After that very first day of working together, she announced to her friend that she was going to marry Dave.  And so it came beautifully true… Dave just didn’t have a chance, and from what I gather there was very little resistance

And this is where I make up what I believe happens next…  After becoming Mr. & Mrs. and enjoying married life for a while, Melanie announces ”I am going to have the cutest, happiest little baby boy ever!  He is going to have his Dad’s eyes and my hair.  He is going to expand our definition of love & happiness & open the door to new and amazing adventures.  And we will love him to pieces…”.  And so it came beautifully true…

And Grant is such an amazingly handsome and happy little guy!  He could easily be the face of “The Happiest Baby on the Block”.  Grant just enjoyed his very first birthday this past month!  And what a perfect way to celebrate this most wonderful time in this Family’s life…

For more of Grant & his 2 most favorite people in the world, please click on the image below!

Enola Family Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

I know as of recent I have been a neglectful blogger and I apologize for that.  It is not due to the lack of loveliness to share but moreso the lack of time to get them posted.  Hopefully the following feast for the eyes and soul, brought especially to you by the Lovely McNaughton Family, will make up for some of that… =)

Talk about an easy going, fun & very funny Family to hang out with!  Not to mention ga ga GORGEOUS!  The McNaughton’s were definitely all that & more!

Trying to estimate the arrival of Spring AND avoid rainy weather was definitely a hurdle for this year.  We had to reschedule this session a couple of times but what we ended up with was a gorgeous golden evening at Little Buffalo State Park.  And with some hints of fresh greenery on the trees to boot!

One thing that I quickly noticed and immensely admired about this Family was how easy going, content & happy they were the entire time.  Dad was a refreshingly willing & easy participant, even coming up with cool ideas.  When Brayden accidentally bonked his sister on the head, no scowl from Mercedees, just an “Ow!” and a smile.  When Brayden cried because he was hungry (and I chuckled as I was reminded how 2 year olds communicate ), Mom never even hinted at losing her cool, she just strolled over to the car and brought back some snacks which Brayden devoured and was all smiles again.  Mercedees at 8 was far from shy and she delighted every moment of being in front of the camera.  And on a side note doesn’t Mom look like she was pulled strait off the beaches of sunny California?  I feel like there should have been a surfboard somewhere.  However there WAS a kayak which is something Dad & Mercedees enjoy doing together.

Anyways enjoy the love, McNaughton Family & their fans…

- Grace

Millerstown Family Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

It is so hard to believe that when I first met Mira she was this teenie weenie adorable 2 month old babylicious cutie… 

And look at this beautiful little girl now!  2 years old and just so expressive, fun, imaginative and full of personality!  And the thing that always gets my “awwww”ness meter going is when I hear their little voices!  Mira has the cutest little voice and speaks so clearly! 

So what kind of things does Mira love?  Princesses, Scooby Doo, dancing to Just Dance Wii music, playing tea party, cooking, her bunny, her blankie and of course being adored and loved by close knit and loving Family.  And what a little fashionista!  Super stylish just like her Mommy!

Mom brought Mira’s tea party furniture (Which I am so in love with!  Tracy, if you ever lose your marbles and decide to sell it, I will gladly buy it from you!) and we played a little tea party together.  FYI Mira is just stupendous at this game and makes the best orange marshmallow tea! 

She also makes a mean banana split ice cream sundae for just 25 cents!  What a steal!

Check this little lady out by clicking on the image below.  Oh and I twisted Mom & Grandma’s arm and got them to step in for a few shots.  I mean, if you are going to come to my studio looking that good, I can’t be blamed for needling you to get in there. 

- Grace

Harrisburg Modern Children’s Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Meet Ryan!  He is turning 1!   This beautiful little boy is just chock full of life, energy and happiness!  I talked to his Mom who hinted at the possibility that Ryan might be a little too full of energy to stay still enough for me to snap up some shots, so I started working out fine tuning some of my toddler handling skills   Did I need to?  No way!  Ryan was super awesome!  Although much credit goes to Mom & Grandma who knew all the little tricks needed to get Ryan to giggle with sweetness.

I first met Ryan’s Mom & his brother Kyle about a couple years ago.  I knew Kyle had beautiful dark hair & eyes (like his Dad) and was surprised as Mom Amy described Ryan with blonde hair and light blue eyes (like Mom).  To see the physical difference in person of the 2 young brothers though was striking.  I bet there is a sort of pride though in have 2 very opposite looking yet extremely handsome and awesome little boys.  I know Kyle didn’t remember me but we hit it off again like old pals

So Ryan has these beautiful blue eyes but it wasn’t until I started editing that I realized his eyes have this sprinkling of lighter spots in them.  I had to pull back a little on my eye enhancements because his eyes already were naturally brilliant.  Ryan has the type of eyes that you could literally get lost in…

For more sneak peeks of Ryan as well as one of Ryan & his equally beautiful and awesome big brother Kyle, please click on the image below!

Annville Baby & Children’s Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

It seems to only happen only once every 1 or 2 years when the moons align properly and everyone is together at the same time but it is always a treat seeing Kirk and his 2 beautiful Daughters Shelby & Chloe.  The last several times it has been to get updated Family Portraits and Kirk’s awesome Sister Keri usually stops by for those.  I wish it were more often than that though because his Family is really wonderful, hilarious and a lot of fun to be around, but I know with busy schedules and with Shelby living in Missouri (soon to be Florida as a college student!) we try and make the most of it before, during and after the Session.

This year we had a Family Portrait Session and a Senior Portrait Session scheduled on Christmas Eve which just happens to be Kirk’s Birthday!  Big day!  Happy Birthday Kirk!  I don’t know if I wished you that when I saw you!

The girls always come back more grown up and more beautiful each time I see them.  Oh and yeah so does Kirk too

Shelby brought back a May Day Parade shirt for Aunt Keri to do some fun shots together (I really thought it was some parade they do in Missouri in May…)  I asked Keri if she had a pair of shades, she went out to her car and came back with a huge tupperware container full of them!  There must have been 35 pairs!  I should have taken a photo of it…

And I just love the photo of Chloe with her fur hoodie…

For more peeks of the Nace Family, please click on the image below.

Kirk is a truly unique one of a kind person, I can honestly say that I have never met anyone quite like him (although there have been times where he reminds me of my Mom…).  He has a brilliant, unconventional and out of the box way of thinking and approach to life.  It can either be completely inspiring or can thoroughly ruffle your feathers.  (I personally find him fascinating and am a fan.)  I don’t think his mind ever stops going and his goal in life is success through helping other people achieve success.  Because of this and the fact he has spent most of his adult life in the Real Estate field, he has made an amazing career for himself as a Real Estate Coach. 

It seems like a lifetime ago but I did work a couple of years for him before I came into what I do now and it was very fascinating to listen to him coach.  The man was a tornado of ideas, but it kept me busy and the job interesting. 

He sends out a daily e-mail that includes an inspirational quote and thought or action provoking question.  And even though his coaching is geared towards Real Estate, I find that the e-mails are quite applicable and inspiring to anyone who is looking to better themselves.  One of my favorites:

“Thousands of Candles can be lighted from a single Candle, and the life of the Candle will not be Shortened.  Happiness never decreases by being Shared.” – Buddha

“What are you sharing today?  With whom?  Why?” – Kirk

Whether it is to better your results in Real Estate Sales or just to better yourself, feel free to visit his website The Results Group and sign up for the e-mails!  http://www.trghelp.com/ 

- Grace

Duncannon Family Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Oh my goodness, Avery’s Mom should be a stylist because Avery’s clothes and accessories are always SOOOO RIDICULOUSLY CUTE!!!!

I adore seeing how little ones grow up year after year.  And little Miss Avery was such a pure delight!  She is 2 now and quite the little talker and sweetheart!  When a song she likes comes on she starts to boogie too =) 

And I just love this photo of her! 

For more adorable & stylish shots of little Miss Avery please click on the photo below. 

Harrisburg Child & Family Holiday Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

So after talking to Heather I learned that she has an adorably cute little 4 year old named Lily, yet Mom has never really liked any of her school photos…   I also learned that Heather feels that when it comes to photos of herself she instinctively clams up at the sight of a camera and as a result she has never been very happy with photos of herself…

Oh the calamity of both of these predicaments, my heart sank and then rose right back up!  Completely unacceptable!  I donned my Miss Fix It cap and immediately devised a plan on how to overcome both of these issues.  And overcome we did!  With a sweet Mommy & Me Session for the two of them. 

While I hung out with Lily setting up and watching a little of her Barbie movie in the studio, Mom got pampered in the dressing room with the amazing Miss Jacqueline Malocu at the helm doing her hair & make up. 

Heather looked STUNNING!  And she must have felt it too because while she normally smiles with her lips closed… I was treated to some gorgeous smiles with teeth!  And although Mom pointed out that her & her Daughter have very little in common as far as appearance, they both do share their smile!  Mom has this extremely cute and alluring gap inbetween her front teeth and was delighted to find that Lily inherited that too!  How cute!!!

What a lovely pair these 2, obviously head over heels over each other, and just so fun, funny and playful!  For more sweet and lovely Mommy & Me Portraits of Heather & Lily, please click on the image below!

Thanks to Jacqueline Malocu for her Hair & Make Up Artistry and her Styling and Assistance during this session!

Hair & Make Up by Jacqueline Malocu of Mark of Elegance Salon & Spa

York Children’s & Family Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography