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

Meet Jaxon & Sofia.  It was so exciting to meet this precious little pair and the parents that are so lucky to call them their own.

At just around 2 weeks old their individual personalities were already shining.  From what I gathered from Mom, Jaxon seems to enjoy his space & Sofia loves to invade it…  and I could already envision them at 11 going through the exact same thing

But for the present day my eyes & heart were in a whirl as I took in all of their beautiful & tiny similarities & differences.

Jaxon has the coolest boy’s name that I have seen in a long time.  I mean how many names get to have the letter x?  Love it…   He also has this beautiful head of caramel colored hair which is so different from his twin sister’s jet black overflowing mane of hair.

Sofia’s abundence of beautiful black hair in combination with her big wonderous eyes will without a doubt tally up numerous comments & compliments throughout her 1st year.  She was quite alert for most of the session so I was able to capture her calmly taking in her surroundings with those big beautiful eyes of hers.

Dad is a huge, and I mean HUGE Dallas Cowboys fan.  So you know these babies are going to accumulate a wealth of Cowboy’s clothes, toys & blankies.  (Note to Family & Friends, if you are unsure what kind of gift to give on special occasions & Holidays, you can’t go wrong with Cowboys stuff… oh and DC Capitals stuff too…  oh and lots and lots of diapers! ;) )

Thank you to Sapna & Andy for letting me turn their beautiful home into a studio for a good chunk of the day.  You both are amazing Parents and super cool.  Thank you for the honor of photographing your beautiful Twins which I am sure have grown even more adorably beautiful since we met.

For more of Jaxon & Sofia, please click on the image below.

- Grace

Harrisburg Newborn Twins Baby 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

Welcome to the world Sweet little Sopia!  I can just imagine the celebrations that occurred all over the country when you arrived!!!

I know how lucky & proud Diane & Jon feel to finally get to hold, love and adore this precious little angel.  And at this point Sopia, in all her newness, has no clue yet as to how lucky she is to have such adoring, free spirited, fun and huge hearted parents… 

Myself having spent several hours with Diane & Jon from this Session and from their awesome Expectation Session, I feel I have gathered just enough about them to imagine what their next 18 years or so might look like raising Sopia.

So hold on a sec while I go fetch my fully customized and fully imaginary magic 8 ball…  Okay I got it here (giving it a little shake)…  Alright now… let’s see what wonderful things are in store for this beautiful little Family to look forward to…

I see an adorable little tyke in pig tails & a Red Sox jersey cheering as loud as she can in her tiny voice along with her Mom & Dad at their favorite baseball stadium.

And there will be hundreds of hours of ski trip memories to recount where Dad will teach Sopia the ropes and help her fine tune her skills to the point she outskis most people twice her age.

Many beautiful days will be spent strolling through art shows and fairs & funky little shops with Mom while they open each other’s eyes to the next great find to add to their eclectic & inspirational collection of art.

Countless afternoons will be spent running around in the yard in bare feet, splashing in the nearby creeks and discovering bugs & minnows, roasting marshmallows, laughing and watching sunsets together.

Hundreds of hugs and kisses will be set specifically aside to console Sopia when she scrapes her knee, stubs her toe, gets her feelings hurt or drops her ice cream cone.

Appetites will be gleefully ruined together with delicious and all-natural homemade cookies, cakes & pies!

Mom & Dad will one day start exchanging way too many knowing glances as boys become less “ewwww!” and more “ooooh!”.

And then one day it will happen when Mom & Dad will suddenly realize with both sadness and a deep sense of pride that their little girl has become all grown up.  And they will see that she is even more beautiful and more amazing than she was the first few weeks they held and adored her, exhausted & bleary eyed due to lack of sleep, but smiling nonetheless at their great fortune…

And when Sopia is no longer a child but instead a young woman, the moments will come with more & more frequency where she will pause and say to herself ”Wow, how lucky I am now and have been all my life to have such amazing Parents…”

So many wonderful things to look forward to… 

But you know what is even better?  Enjoying & savoring every little second, minute, hour and day right now as she is in this moment…

- Grace

Camp Hill Newborn Baby & Family Portrait 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

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