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

Meet Drew!  I was SOOO eager to meet this handsome little guy!  His stunning Mommy Erin styles our Family’s hair and we have gotten to know & adore her and her Family over the years.  As her due date was coming closer, I was of course checking in regularly on Facebook for any news of Baby Drew’s arrival.  When he did arrive, the masses of “Yay!!!!!” & “Congrats!!!!” posted on her wall were deafening!  This is one very celebrated little boy =)

And what a lucky little guy to be born into such a loving & close knit Family…  I hear Chloe is an amazing big Sister.

Congrats Erin, Matt & Chloe!!!

For more of Drew and his gorgeous Family please click on the cuteness below!

- Grace

Camp Hill Newborn & Family 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

Gosh, this little girl was just so precious!  And simply one of the best little sleepers…  Sessions like these make me feel so incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do.  The feeling is akin to being 5 and jumping into a pool of adorable kittens & puppies to play & snuggle with.  I am sure her Mom & Dad know exactly what I mean. 

Meet Sienna Rose.  (Does the name not invoke romantic visions of pink tinged hazy summer sunsets in your bare feet with nothing better to do than lay in a hammock, blow dandelions and look for faces in the clouds?)

And yes, it goes without question that Mom & Dad are so lucky to have this beautiful little Angel in their lives, but even more so, Sienna is one of the luckiest little girls in the world to have Summer & Dustin as her parents.  The stories Summer told me of how amazingly supportive and hands on Dad was throughout the labor, delivery & at home did not surprise me.  And the pride in Dad’s eyes as he told me how hard Summer worked through labor and how incredible she is as a new Mother was something I felt I already knew as fact.  It was was still quite touching to listen & watch these 2.  And I am just so excited for all the amazing things they will experience and have to look forward to while raising this beautiful little newborn, into an incredible young woman…

And that gorgeous head of hair…

Sienna was just so unbearably adorable that I even asked my Husband that evening if by chance might we have another one?  ( The answer is still “No” =P) 

Our delight and our best to Sienna Rose & her Family on this incredible first year.  Enjoy!

We’d love to hear your comments, please be sure to leave one if you enjoyed this post.  If at least 20 people leave a comment, we will give this awesome couple a free 5×7.  And if at least 40 people leave a comment, we will upgrade it to an 8×10!

- Grace

East Berlin & York Newborn Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Melt my heart… this is what it is like to be in the presence of this sweet little baby girl.  This lovely little brunette not only possesses a beautiful name (LOVE it!) but she also has the most precious little lips that do this adorable little pouty thing when she is dreaming.  I must have mentioned how beautiful she was dozens of times.  But I am sure it will add up to millions by the end of her 1st year.

So what is in a name?  It is something I think about probably more often than I really should but Kroix definitely possesses one of the most unique and coolest names I have heard in a long time.  It is different without feeling too different and definitely one that is not easy to forget, I know I will always remember it…

Mom told me that when they took their baby girl to her 1st Dr’s appointment, the nurses were all a flutter asking about her name and the origin of it.  Origin = Mom & Dad.

For more of this beautiful and unforgettable little girl, please click on the image below and brace yourself for all the preciousness to follow.

- Grace

Duncannon Newborn 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

Mason stood out as one of the happiest little babies!  By the end of the session he was all squeals & grins and kicks & excitement!  And how could he not?  With a pair of lovingly devoted (and stunning inside & out) parents and a super adorable mug, life is nothing but sweetness, hearts and butterflys.

(The face that should be plastered over millions of Valentine’s Day Cards…)

Little Mason is 6 months now.  Some of his favorite things to do include smiling, rolling over, getting kisses and praises, melting hearts, wrapping his parents around his tiny & chubby little fingers and bringing sunshine into every room he is in.

Mason’s Dad is a retired pro Soccer player who played for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, so soccer is a huge thing for the Hartungs.  If my future visions are correct, once Mason is old enough to play, Dad will don the hat of “Soccer Coach Head Honcho”, Mom will take on the role of “Hot Soccer Mom” and Mason will be looked up to and regarded as the “Cute Soccer All Star”.  No pressure though, it is all about having fun

Check out some more sneak peeks from their session below!

So shortly after I started shooting some shots with Mom in it, I exclaimed “You look like Brittany Murphy!”.  She said she has heard that before.  Doesn’t she though?  And while I was editing the one Family photo, I kept thinking that if Brittany Murphy & Angelina Jolie had a baby it would look like Mason’s Mom…  Lucky girl!

I could tell right off the bat, the Hartungs are an exceptionally cool & fun family.  So just a warning to you 3, prepare to have a full social “dance card” as Mason completely blows open up your social world =)

Harrisburg Baby & Family Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Meet Charlie, one of the first baby boy’s I had the delight to photograph this year.  And what an amazingly beautiful baby…  Perfect pouty lips, big beautiful eyes, and blessed with a generous head of soft brown hair.  Equally beautiful were his amazing parents who were awesome during the session.  

I always love it when people bring in personal items to use and we can find a way to incorporate the items into the session to create one of kind images.  Mom Maggi brought in this stylishly hip upholstery fabric she had and we used it as a blanket for the “Crib” shots.  Dad Tommy who is an amazing tennis player brought in some tennis equipment too.

Another thing I absolutely love is skin on skin portraits with a newborn baby…

At 1 month Charlie was alert for most of the session and what a treat it was to get so many shots of him absorbing the strange new world around him (aka our studio) with those lovely baby eyes.  And gosh, I don’t have to say how incredibly stunning this Family is, just click on the image below to see for yourself…

When doing naked baby portraits, I always anticipate at least a couple of accidents and Charlie did not dissappoint   His parents were wonderfully calm and had a very good sense of humor during these surprises   It was well worth it =)

- Grace

Camp Hill Newborn Baby & Family Portrait 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