::head:: ::hand::, repeat

Today I had a session. If people knew how much goes into preparing for a session, I doubt anyone would ever want to be a professional photographer. I spent the night before weeding through all of my props for my little 4 day old client, and putting them aside in a very specific spot so I wouldn't forget a thing. I made sure all of my contracts were printed, and put it by the door. So I wouldn't forget it. I gathered my camera paraphernalia, plugged in my battery to charge it and put all of it together. So I wouldn't forget it. You get the drift.

This morning I pack up the car with tons of baby junk and kids, took the kids to the sitter's, and headed down to my client's house. Because I'm rather paranoid about forgetting my camera (it's actually one of my biggest fears), I fondled it pretty much the whole way. You know, in case my mind was playing tricks on me the last time I touched the lens cap and was able to see the super cute pattern on my camera strap.

I got there a few minutes early, greeted my clients with a congratulations on their new addition, lugged 4 trips of baby junk up 2 flights of steps. I chatted with Mom while she fed her new little guy, I set up everything just so. Which takes a while, might I add. We finally get him asleep, and I begin to position him on the setup. Finally. An hour and a half after I got there, I was ready to start.

I grabbed my camera and turned it on. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Umm.....what? I flipped the switch again - nothing. My stomach sank and I realized that I had forgotten to bring the camera battery with me. OHEMGEEEEEEEE. Red faced from both getting a million pounds of stuff upstairs into a hot room and embarrassment, I ran to Best Buy to purchase an emergency battery. Which I was told would only have half of it's juice. Just awesome.

I get back, had the little guy fed again, and finally started shooting. Over 3 hours later. Spectacular. On the bright side - I am the proud new owner of a backup battery.

On a more positive note - the little guy was just delicious. 4 day old perfection and sleepy and squishy and....well, and just an amazing sight to behold at new life starting. Always an amazing piece of God's work to witness. People ask me often if having a session with a newborn makes me want another baby. I can answer honestly - no, it doesn't. I've never really been one to enjoy my kids as newborns. It's not that I didn't love them, it's just that I prefer them a bit bigger with personality and interaction. And to be honest with you, I never really wanted a son. I said I did, but really it was for the Mister (hubby) and not for me. But let me tell you this - as I sat in this little guy's room waiting for him to fall asleep, I looked around and just completely, totally, fell head over heels in love. With the room. I mean, SERIOUSLY? It was blues and reds and greens and yellows, with surfboards and madras plaid. Tiki masks and wooden wind chimes. Awesome shark boards on the wall reflecting a surf shop. It was THE cutest boys room I'd ever seen. And it totally made me want a little boy. Because I wanted to have a room like that in my house! I really wish I had thought to take a picture of it.

And on that picture note, I do have some to share. None from my big girl camera, however. Because honestly, that would just be wrong to share here and not let mom see first! But I did take some with my trusty iPhone. :)

This one's the close up of the above shot. Look at that face!

And I couldn't resist this one. I told you he was delicious!

The real shots will sit in my camera for the next few days until I can get over my frustration at myself for forgetting this goofy battery. Lesson learned. I now have one more thing to check off of the paranoid "it could happen - session style" list.