and then there were three

I have had the pleasure of photographing the children in this family for the last three years and I've loved every single session. Mr. R and Mr. J have always hammed it up with me and given me gorgeous smiles. Well last year this family went from two little boys to adding one giggly girl, Ms. A. I was so excited to get my hands on her since she is so bubbly and full of grins every time I see her. During our session it was sibling shenanigans at their finest. From running around in circles, pulling hair, and wrestling, I think I saw it all-- thankfully everything was done with smiles and jokingly.

You can definitely see the love between the boys and this new little girl. I can only hope that if I have a daughter one day, that my son will embrace and love her just as much as these two love their baby sister!

The Littlest Hero

Every once in awhile I come across a family that truly emanates the meaning of love and perseverance. I had the honor of working with the Joines family to celebrate the life of a very special little boy, Caleb. The following information was given to me by Caleb's amazing mother. I want to thank her for letting me into such a private experience within her family. I am truly blessed for her trust and her willingness to educate me about the difficulties her son has faced so far in his short life.

"Caleb was born on July 7, 2009. We were honored to receive such a blessing. In the delivery room upon examination Caleb was immediately taken to NICU. We didn't know it yet but he was born with Esophageal Atresia. We were devastated. At less then a day old Caleb was taken to the OR for his first of many procedures. He received his g tube so that we would be able to receive nutrition while we waited for repair.

Caleb spent 9 weeks in the NICU in the Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters and in that time he endured many tests and stretching procedures to help the esophagus grow, however it became painfully obvious that we would not be able to have the necessary to fix him anytime soon so we refocused our attention on getting our beautiful boy home. I spent day in night by his bedside, by the time Caleb was a month old there was nothing I was not allowed to do (barring medical procedures), I did all his feedings and suctioning. We buged doctors everyday about releasing him, though reluctant at first they finally yielded and we set a release date which came and went as he later developed a UTI, which added an extra 10 days to our stay. Caleb finally came home with us on Sept 6, 2009.

When we got home we had nursing care 7 days a week 12 hours a day and it seemed like the appointments we endless. During this time I thought and thought and prayed and prayed and could not imagine waiting such a long time so I got on the computer and did not research and found the wonderfully, amazing Dr. John Foker who directed us to the equally amazing and fabulous Drs. Jennings and Linden.

On October 25, 2009 after a hospital stay due to respirtory distress and chronic aspiration we were flown to the Childrens Hospital Boston for treatment. On October 27 Caleb went down to the OR were his esophagus was placed in traction to induce growth. It would take 3 attempts at repair before Caleb was finally repaired on November 20, 2009. It was such a tight repair that he was remain heavily sedated and seated in a chair position to avoid damage.

In all this time I was unable to hold my baby but I was finally able to hold him on December 4, 2009! What a wonderful day it was.

All did not go as smoothly as we thought it would and Caleb developed a leak at his connection sight which meant he still need his chest tube and more waiting. It was then that we knew Caleb's first Christmas would be spent in the hospital in Boston.

Before Caleb would be released from the hospital the he would endure several infections and a battle to keep his esophagus from stricturing. He received two dilations before doctors realized they needed to try something else. Caleb had a stint placed in is esophagus on two occasions. Finally it stayed open though narrow. We were able to be released from the hospital on February 3, 2010.

We thought hour jouney was coming to an end but in March at our home hospital Caleb under went his routine esophagram. I knew something was wrong when the radiologist stopped the procedure in the middle of it. He got on the phone and called up stairs to our GI doctor. We went up for a meeting and received the news that Caleb now had a TEF. I burst into tears unable to control my emotions. We went home and once again made arrangements to go to Boston for treatment and once again right before we were to leave Caleb had a serious asthma attack and was hospitalized. Once again the doctors would not allow him to be taken to Boston by us so they arranged another med flight.

On April 22, 2010 Caleb went into the OR to repair his TEF. He did amazingly well and after a short stay was released from the hospital on May 8th, just in time for mothers day.

It was after this last procedure that we started to try and feed him by mouth again and it was this time the he would not receieve another g tube feeding. On October 19, we were directed to remove his g tube and on November 29th Caleb had is last trip to the OR to have his g tube site closed.

We are so proud of our little miracle, he amazes us every day. Developmentally he is right on target, he loves to talk and run. He loves playing with his daddy on the computer and helping mommy "cook" in the kitchen. He likes to keep clean and "asks" to wash his hands and brush his teeth.

Though our journey continues as we go from test to test and from doctors visit to doctors visit one thing is for sure: I wouldn't change any of it! My son was made especially for me!"



22 months have gone by. Caleb is thriving. He is energetic, happy and loving. During our session he easily took my hand and led me into the field to go play. Listening to him laugh over and over again brought smiles to all of our faces--and there was no denying the love present on his mother and father's faces.

I am proud to be a part of The Littlest Heroes Project to provide such wonderful keepsakes to the families of little ones who truly are the littlest heroes to overcome the odds.

Creative artistry knows no age............

This past Friday I got to spend the afternoon socializing and working with two of the most amazing teenagers ever. Maddy and Steven definitely had chemistry in front of the camera lens as well as each other. Their personalities came through loud and clear throughout our session and every time I suggested something new for them to try they were ready and waiting!

Maddy is beyond gorgeous with her long blonde locks and eclectic fashion sense. She was able to bring Hollywood glam into urban grunge and for that I love her.




Steven meshes emo and rockabilly into his own style and on his own terms. I loved that he wants to learn the art of tattooing. He came to the session with his own designs decorating his arms and hands. Watching him cruise through downtown Hampton on his gravity board holding his guitar without a care in the world made me wish I would have had that type of confidence and happiness growing up.




Working with these two separately as well as together truly made my day. I couldn't have asked for better moments than the ones I caught with them. Not only do they tune out the world around them, they fall easily into a comfortable place with each other.






I can only hope that these two continue to pursue their art and interests. They are both severely talented and just all around good kids. I truly can't wait to go out with them again!

2010 Year in Review by Erin Colleen Photography; Hampton Roads, VA Photographer

This year has brought so many changes and unexpected gifts to Erin Colleen Photography. Not only did ECP change it's status from part time to full time, ECP also launched it's intimate side, "Gypsy Boudoir!"

Looking back on the past year I feel like I've been on an amazing roller coaster ride. I've experienced the highs, the lows, the unexpected twists and turns, and the like. This past half year since going full time has been one of the most fun, inspiring and challenging times I've had.

For those of you that have been on this journey with me from the very beginning, thank you for sticking with me so long! Some of you might just be reading this blog for the first time, I promise to keep writing, and adding to it. I ask that you give me time to prove that I wil make this blog a success. Part of the beauty of my job is that it's never ending and will always {hopefully} inspire other people.


Yes, it's a glamorous job sometimes, but it's also a lot of hard work, dedication, long and odd hours, and constant creativity. This job isn't for everyone--to be honest, sometimes I get scared about keeping up-- but in my heart I know it's the perfect job for me--I just have to stay diligent. I'm not sure why I'm calling it a "job" because I love what I do and haven't been this happy in a long time. When people love what they do it's not really a job at all, it's something they look forward to each and every day. I wish everyone actually did what they love to do. Imagine what the world would be like...


Speaking of next year, I have even bigger goals for ECP. Why? Because I'm the girl that cannot sit still. I get anxious when I have nothing to do. I'm never satisfied with my work--I am constantly seeking to improve, but I think that's the way all great artists live. Without goals, we wouldn't have a purpose for doing what we do. For that, I am grateful. Grateful that I have a loving and supportive husband who pushes me to set and reach my goals--Friends and family who encourage, critique, and support me as well--and clients who come back time and time again to work with me.

Thank you to ALL who have supported me on this journey. You constantly remind me why I do what I do :)

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?

Many times I hear "youre so much more expensive than ~insert chain store here~!" I know that my prices are a bit higher than those stores, but I hope that by contacting me; you, as the client, recognize that the experience and product are much better than at that chain store. I take the time to counsel my clients before and after the session if needed. We talk about what products they are interested in, what would look good in their home, or even what to wear beforehand. I work very hard to make sure everyone is attentive and looking toward the camera. I work to build a relationship with the children and families that I photograph. I know that I am only skimming the surface as to why there is a significant difference in value between my business and chain retailers---Please take a moment to visit the Professional Child Photographer blog---they have provided a wonderful educational page to explain why custom photography really is that much more valued and in turn, why it does cost a little bit more.


Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?

Good Golly Miss Molly!! Erin Colleen Photography, Yorktown VA Senior Photographer

Good Golly Miss Molly! This gorgeous girl will be graduating this year and all I can say is look out world! Not only does she maintain excellent grades, she races dirt bikes and four wheelers too! She is the epitome of sophistication and class meets tom-boy! This girl knows how to clean up and get down in the dirt and I love her for it!

This session was actually from earlier in the year, but I am only now getting around to really sharing anything from the start of 2010. All I can hope for is a set of just as adventurous and fabulous seniors to help me start 2011 with a bang!

Congratulations Molly C/O 2010!!!!

Cyber Monday means Great Deals on Gift Cards at Erin Colleen Photography

If you are struggling to find the perfect gift for friends and family why not consider a gift card from Erin Colleen Photography! Gift cards are the perfect gift because you can redeem them at a later date AND with my Cyber Monday deal you will get 2 for 1 cards with ever $50 you spend!! That's right, spend $50 and get $100 to use toward prints, boutique products or digital negatives.

There is no limit to how many gift cards you can purchase. Contact Erin by email at info.erincolleen@gmail.com or by phone 904-251-5146 to purchase yours today!