Some BIG baby eyes!!

Malcom came in for his 11 month portraits, his big sister has some taken at the same age, so now it was his turn! This was sure a fun shoot, he came with character, giggles, wonder and of course those BIG baby eyes!!!

KID'S WANTED...

... to be featured in a book!

We're looking for everyday kids!

This is not a baby show, nor is it a model contest!
A very special limited edition coffee table art book will be published at the end of 2009 featuring stunning photographic images titled,

"Kids of the North Island, a portrait of a generation"

This is your chance to have your child included in this exciting project!

A nomination fee of $50.00 per child or $75.00 per family with more than 1 child, ensures your child's participation. Each child ages newborn - 16 years old photographed will be featured in the book with proceeds donated to the

Help Fill a Dream Foundation

Throughout 2008 together with families of the North Island we raised $6125.00 for the Help Fill a Dream Foundation, which has helped them to continue to fill dreams for Kid's of the North Island!

Jerry Van of Vans Portraits with Marty Schubert of the Help Fill A Dream Foundation

Together we can help make a difference - Call us Today to ensure a spot in this years book!

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about"

-Angela Schwindt

To see MORE images from the 2008 book - check out our website http://www.vansportraits.com/

Mothers and Daughters and cherry blossoms too.

Cheryl is a long time client of ours, Jerry has had the chance to photograph her son Cohan and daughter Eberle since they were just new babies (We posted a couple images of Eberle's 2 year images a few posts back), and he photographered their wedding a few years ago too.

This year, they participated in the Mother/Daughter event, and this is one of the great panels that was created from the session.

When clients continue to come back and share their family moments with us it is always a huge encouragement, and a lot of fun, to get to see the change and to be able to remember the last time they were in!

We still have a few spots open for the Mother/Daughter tribute so if you or someone you know would be interested give us a call today!

An 80th Birthday Celebration!

Happy 80th Birthday! That is the celebration that brought the Mitchell family together on one April day. It was the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful memories of the family together.

First I'll introduce you to the whole clan, this is a 4 generation shot!


There were so many great images to choose from, and we created some awesome story boards but above all I want to share with you some very cute kids!

I love all the expression in this one

And now for some big brother - little sister love...

A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams

First off, I'd like to introduce you to Nate, he came in for 1 year portraits and he didn't fail to impress. He was full of big smiles, great expressions, and of course brought along his teddy to share in the fun. Here is the amazing panel that was created for Nate.


Next big brother Jack got in on the action and a 20x20 storyboard panel was created of the boys together. I absolutely love the image of them laughing.


As you can see these were taken right here in our studio, and it's a great place for little ones, you don't have to worry about outside elements, and bundling them up to stay warm or dry. In the studio we have a variety of props and backgrounds to help create the perfect portrait for you!

A walk in the woods

When the Larocks came in for their portrait consultation, we realized that Jerry had photographed them years ago. It is always fun when clients come back years later and Jerry gets to photograph them again, and he is able to see how the family has changed.

There were so many good ones from the session, and I couldn't resist sharing this storyboard panel of their kids.

And here is one of the whole family.

The portrait session was held near Forbiddon Plateau, at their fathers wood lot and really encompassed the nature value that this family holds. The location was almost the exact spot where their last family portraits were taken years ago. We always encourage you to chose a location that is important to you and your family as that can bring a lot to the portrait.

New bambino!!!

This new little babe entered the world and already had admirers 2 big sisters, and 1 big brother! The image was taken when the little baby was just a few weeks old!! I love the tender moments of this image - You can tell they are all intrigued with this new baby, and have so much love already. I love the little hand on the head, it just melts my heart!


Congratulations on your new baby, and thank-you for choosing Van's to share these precious moments with you!!

A walk on the beach.

The images in this storyboard were taken at Airforce beach a few weeks ago. Jerry came back to the studio and was thrilled with the images that he got! He said it was a great family to work with and that they were laughing and having fun the whole time! When they came back in for their viewing this is the storyboard that was created, I just love the individual images of the kids!

There were so many great images to choose from and a storyboard is a great way to have multiple images in 1 place, and we can't say enough how much they really do tell a bit of a story from your session!

Cousins x 11

The portrait was done last fall - and when Jerry left, it was a drizzly-cold day... and when he came back, he had caught 11 smiles on camera, had lots of great images, and was so happy with how the shoot went.

When it was time for their viewing, they came in and this awesome storyboard was designed!



This is a great example of why storyboards are so great! The larger image is all of the kids together, and the smaller ones are images of each set of siblings. What a great way to display them!