Last newborn of 2010 | Stamford Connecticut Newborn | Debbie Allan Photography

I had the pleasure of meeting baby Kavin and his family this week. What a perfect way to end the year. He slept so soundly for almost the entire time. Just when it was time for photographs with proud mommy and daddy he woke up.

At one week old he was so content to curl up in a ball and sleep. I LOVE LOVE LOVE his perfect little lips.

His maternal grandmother was visiting from India. I just had to have an image of her with her first grandchild. She was a little reluctant when I first asked her, but once she decided to partake she was so natural in front of the camera. I was thrilled with the image below. It was such a tender moment. The second I clicked the shutter I knew it was going to be amazing. I cannot wait to hear what she thinks of it.



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I am looking forward to editing the rest of the gallery as they are truly incredible.

Happy New Year. I will return in 2011......

Belated Merry Christmas

Wow, what a busy run up to Christmas it was. My poor blog got neglected once again. I was expecting December to be a quiet, catch up time, but I ended up with several last minute shoots as well as several layflat book orders and before I knew it Christmas Eve was upon us.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are now preparing for your New Year Celebrations.

Our Christmas did not quite go as planned. Our friends were stuck in UK due to canceled flights and so they did not make it to Tarrytown to celebrate Christmas with us, which has been the tradition since we moved here five years ago.

Somehow I guess it was meant to be that they were not here as the boys both ended up having to go to the doctor on Christmas morning (after opening their gifts). They both have Strep!

As you can imagine Christmas Day was rather quiet around here. I am hoping we will be able to have a belated Christmas with Roz and Stuart over the New Year weekend. Fingers crossed their third attempt to fly back from London tomorrow actually happens.

It was great to get out today. I took the boys to the NY Botanical Gardens. We are heading back tomorrow morning to see the Train Show.

Santa was kind enough to send me an annual family membership to the gardens and so you can expect to see lots more photos through the year!

For now my favorite from today.

Layflat Albums

I had so much fun putting together my latest layflat album. I enjoyed looking back on a gallery I had put together back in April. It was a pre communion shoot for Emily. It seems like such a long time ago.

If any previous clients would like me to put together an album of their gallery please do not hesitate to contact me. They are such beautiful keepsakes. Something you will want to leave out on display on your coffee table for all to enjoy.











I think you will agree - this is beautiful. Layflat Books are truly spectacular. Exactly what their name implies, they lay flat so photographs aren’t distorted by binding or creased by a hinge.

Anna Turns 3 | Stamford CT Family Photographer | Debbie Allan Photography

Having two boys I do not get a chance to hang out with too many three year old girls for tea parties, so as you can imagine I was excited to be invited to Anna's 3rd birthday party. Mom had gone all out on the party planning and her attention to detail was AMAZING. The girls enjoyed flower shaped sandwiches, butterfly shaped cookies, personalized Hershey Kisses and pretty pink lemonade with butterfly straws.

They decorated their PINK cupcakes with sprinkles and spent some time dancing/flying around like butterflies as well as completing a little craft activity.

It was fun to watch how they enjoyed wearing their butterfly wings the entire time. Such girlie fun. A million miles away from my mommy world!



I put together a little slideshow for the family to enjoy.

Newborn Twins | Upper East Side | Debbie Allan Photography

I was thrilled to be contacted by the sister in law of one of my local clients. She had just given birth to twins and had seen the newborn shoot I had done of her nephew earlier this year.

It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with the A family and their adorable babies. G and G were a month old and were already in an amazing routine. Mommy called that a gift from NICU. The routine was thrown a little off by their first photo session, as little sister thought her brother was food at one point.

It is always a little more challenging doing a multiples shoot - to get both babies settled and asleep at the same time. However G and G seemed to be so at ease and most relaxed when they were next to each other. It was incredible to see them together.

Their personalities are already developing and it was so much fun to see them in action.

Mom and Dad are so calm and confident with them. I always love meeting first time parents and seeing them taking their new roles as parents in their stride. It was hard to believe they were new to it.

Thank you so much for welcoming me into your beautiful home.

I owe Daddy a huge apology. Not being a football fan I had NO IDEA that there was such an important game on during your session. I hope you did not miss too much. I was wondering why Manhattan streets were so deserted as I drove home!



Daddy Look a like





This slideshow requires tissues - they are so perfect. I love the way even their legs and feet snuggle up together.

Sisterly Love | Tarrytown Family Photographer | Debbie Allan Photography

I was worried that we were not going to have a chance to connect this year for the McC family shoot. Mom had scheduled it months in advance and then the night before the scheduled date one of the girls was unwell. This time of year can be tough keeping the children germ free.

Between my schedule and theirs is was proving a little challenging to reschedule. So glad it worked out. I always have such a wonderful time with C and G. They are both growing up. C is a very proficient reader now and was excited to read to me from one of her new books. She is quite the little book worm. Little sister G did a great job reading to me too, with a little ad lib here and there. I love that.





Enjoy the slideshow

S Family Christmas Photo Session | Sleepy Hollow Portrait Photographer | Debbie Allan Photography

It is impossible to believe that it was a year ago that I last photographed the S family. We headed to Rockwood Hall for this years session, which is one of those places I never tire of going to. The views of the Hudson and the Palisades are amazing. It was a little chilly at times, but we covered a lot of ground, which helped to keep us warm.

Little M, is almost three and was not really into having is photograph taken this year. He likes to be in charge and his plan for the morning did not involve having family photographs taken. Big Brother R is so patient and understanding. He was a huge help to me in ensuring that M was in the shots. Thank you so much for your assistance R.

This was the first shot of the morning and is one of my favorites. It sets the mood for the rest of the gallery. M looks like he is brewing a plan!



I love this one of R being spontaneous. Fortunately I was ready to capture him having fun.

Family Christmas Photo Session | Tarrytown Family Photographer | Debbie Allan Photography

The holidays are rapidly approaching, which I find hard to believe. As every family photographer knows this is the busiest time of year, with many clients booking sessions for their annual family Christmas card.

I have known the D family for quite some time, but this was their first photo session with me. We decided their home was the perfect backdrop for the session. What a great choice. The children felt relaxed, playing on their own "turf".

I love three year olds and little Miss D was so much fun. We played hide and seek for a while. Listening to her count was the cutest thing. She idolizes her big brother and watches his every move.

I have so many favorites from this session. I think mom and dad may have a hard time selecting from their gallery.

Proud Parent| Town Wide Kid Helpers - TWKH | Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow

Two weeks ago on a warm Sunday afternoon a group of VIPS gathered in the Children's Room at the Warner Library for a celebration. The VIPs ranged in age from 3 - 10 years of age. These children all have something very special in common.... their love for the community in which they are growing up and a sense of understanding what it is to volunteer time and energy to help others less fortunate than themselves.

Major Drew Fixell honored each and every one of the children at this special award ceremony, presenting each child with a certificate and reading a proclamation, declaring Monday 25th October Gunpowder Kids Day.

For a more detailed article see Tarrytown Patch








A huge thanks to Rob for the amazing cupcakes he provided for the children.

Bronxville Family Shoot | Westchester Baby and Family Photographer | Debbie Allan Photography

I love new locations for shoots. Although I have visited the NY Botanical Gardens many times this was my first visit with clients.

The K family were a pleasure to work with and four month old baby L is such a cutie. The weather was perfect, in fact it was unseasonably warm. No need for layers that was for sure. How the weather has changed in a very short space of time. Hats, jackets and gloves were in order this morning! Feels like winter already!

Multi Generation Shoot

I know only too well how hard it is to have the opportunity to get extended family photographs when there are thousands of miles separating family members. When I was asked by the A family to capture some moments for this family as they came together from Singapore and the Philippines I was thrilled at the opportunity.

It was so rewarding to observe the adoration D has for her grandfather. As she sat in his lap he melted with delight. The interaction between the two of them so was special.



IMAGES OF A GRANDFATHER MELTING??

The Highline

I have been looking forward to a return visit to the High Line for some time. This week my garden club, Hill and Dale organized a group visit.

I have now experienced the High Line in Spring, Summer and Fall. Just waiting for a cold, icy Winters day to complete the year. This is one place that I will never tire of visiting. There is something new to enjoy each time.

I particularly enjoyed the ornamental grasses and the hydrangea in their Fall state. Their muted tones seem to fit so well with the season.