Renee Whiting/Nana's Empty Nest » Maternity

Sweet Little Belly~Santa Cruz Maternity Photographer

Renee Whiting — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:13:57 +0000

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon in San Francisco this past Sunday photographing the cutest little belly! Seriously, she does not look like she is 8 months along. In fact, her due date is exactly one month from today! We (my husband and I) met up with Matty & Kate mid morning. I was hoping for a little more fog or cloud coverage, because although it was quite chilly, it was bright and sunny! Not great for photos mid day, but sometimes it is what it is and you make the best of it. They had a couple of great locations picked out which was fun because all I know of San Francisco is Union Square and ATT Park. After photos, we had a great late lunch at the best little neighborhood cafe! Everything was delicious, especially Kate’s smoked salmon breakfast pizza. Oh my delicious goodness!

I could go on and on about this couple, explaining their cute little love story, how he’s a East coast college friend of my son-in-laws, how he lived in SC and we got to know him like family, her fulfilling career as a pediatric oncology nurse or how beautiful their wedding on Cape Cod was, but I won’t.

Here’s a little sampling of our afternoon and Kate’s cute little belly!

Matty & Kate, thank you so much for the fun afternoon and wonderful lunch! Kate you are glowing and look beautiful (and I know Matty is in love with your cute belly)! Little Baby “I” is beyond blessed to have the two of you as parents! And of course, to have her West Coast Nana & Papa too!

2010, My Year in Review~Santa Cruz Photographer

Renee Whiting — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 22:47:50 +0000

As I put this slideshow together, I realized how truly blessed I am! Blessed for the support of my family and friends, especially my husband and daughters, who believe in me! And blessed for each and everyone of my clients, who trusted in me to photograph their little loved ones! Words can not describe how happy my heart is when I look back on all these photos!

So, from me to you, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for making 2010 such a FUN and WONDERFUL year!!

I hope you enjoy my year in review as much as I do!

*please give the slideshow a moment to load before watching

Many Blessings to you and your family in 2011!

The B’s and soon to be Baby!~Santa Cruz Maternity Photographer

Renee Whiting — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 19:16:17 +0000

This was my first ever studio maternity session, and yes, I did admit that to my client! Our plan was to do a few in studio then move to an outdoor location, but we had so much fun in studio and got so many great shots that we ended up by skipping the outdoor location all together!

Look at this cute tummy! She looks fantastic and is only a few weeks away from her due date! Thank you so much for choosing me for your maternity photos and I can’t wait to meet little Miss Stella!

Mr. and Mrs. V~Santa Cruz Maternity Photographer

Renee Whiting — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:49:31 +0000

I found it so sweet that most of the “planning” phone calls for this session was with the husband! Isn’t that cute? Normally husbands just go along with getting maternity photos (or any photos for that matter) taken, but he was all about this session! I find that so heart-warming! We managed to work around the weather to get their beach session in.

I hope you enjoy your little sneak peak!

Featured Session-The B Family~Santa Cruz Family Photographer

Renee Whiting — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:55:57 +0000

Do not overshoot, do not overshoot, do not overshoot! That is what I kept telling myself going into this session! But how could I not? It was a family session w/ an 18 month old and a maternity session. And, we were at Wilder Ranch which is so much fun! I could have shot all day! With all that said, I over shot and their gallery is about 2x a normal gallery. And since I had so many images, I figured I should feature the session with a slideshow.

**Please allow a minute or two for the slideshow to fully load prior to viewing!

The B Family (Fun Family Session)~Santa Cruz Photographer

Renee Whiting — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:43:17 +0000

I met up with the B family on a drizzly summer morning for their session. They were so much fun and up for anything, including hauling their red adirondack chair to the session. We did a little bit of everything: maternity, couple, family and just their little guy! I must say the maternity/couple part of the session was a breeze, the family photos were simple enough, but to get Bryson alone and to get him to focus on me for just a few minutes was out of the question. There was too much to explore and there was no stopping him! I got some wonderful shots of his back (while he was checking out the goats or chickens) and a few of him enjoying the apple he found in the orchard. We might have to “corral” him in studio for his two year old photos!

Congratulations in advance on the arrival of your daughter, I can’t wait to meet her!

Here’s a little sampling of our time together at Wilder Ranch.

She’s Expecting a Girl!~Santa Cruz Maternity Photographer

Renee Whiting — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:05:01 +0000

And let’s just hope that the Dr. didn’t make a mistake reading the ultrasound! This is my middle daughter and as you might have seen by a couple of the previous posts, she has had two very PINK baby showers! Most of the basics are neutral, but the room, her closet full of pink clothes and a drawer full of headbands are not going to work so well on a little boy. As my daughter recently said, “I sure hope she’s a girl!” I hope so too!

When I was down in Santa Barbara for her shower, we did a quick maternity session. We borrowed a friends yard and I’m telling you, I could have shot there all day. It is gorgeous!!

Here’s you peak Jamie, I hope you love them as much as I do!

Cupcakes, Sugar and Lots of Pink!~Santa Cruz Photographer

Renee Whiting — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:15:42 +0000

I am so glad that I got to help with this shower! I love planning parties!

Welcome to a little sampling of Jamie’s SB baby shower! The shower was officially hosted by her friend Mia and two sisters, Kendyll & Jenny. But, with PINK on my mind, I loaded up my car to help with some of the details. It was a wonderful shower and Jamie was totally blessed once again. The house was full of wonderful friends who showered her gifts for soon to be Baby Leighton!

I just can’t help but smile when I look at all this pink! Enjoy!

And the Mama to be….

It’s a boy! And a girl! Cousin’s Baby Shower!

Renee Whiting — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:37:42 +0000

My daughter, Jamie, and her cousin, Christy (who happen to be just 6 weeks apart in age) are both expecting and this weekend was their Santa Cruz Shower! My sister-in-law and I hosted the shower at my home and we had so much fun planning it, keeping with the pink & blue theme. Jamie is expecting a girl and Christy a boy! They are due just 5 days apart. How fun is that!! The shower was perfect and the girls were truly blessed to have been surrounded and showered with so much love from friends and relatives. The shower was quite large (about 50 guests) and we all enjoyed a wonderful luncheon on a beautiful sunny day!

Here are the Mommy’s to be….

And because it all began 26 years ago, when we were expecting ……

(I can’t believe I posted that picture, I don’t care for the before or after of me, but we loved that fact that we had this photo of us from so many years ago! My sister-in-law actually had twins (the gorgeous bride from my recent post), but you would have thought I had triplets in me, I was HUGE!!! Oh, and don’t you just love the fashion statement we were making with those maternity dresses?? Anyways……

And, I can’t believe I did this, but I was enjoying the shower so much, that I forgot to take photos of the food and dessert table. I guess it’s hard to be the hostess, the photographer and the mom, and I didn’t realize it until I was sitting and eating that I had forgotten. Oh well. But, the menu was DELICIOUS and I guarantee you the table looked good too! In case you’re wondering, the menu consisted of: Israeli Couscous Caprese Salad, Summer Watermelon Salad and Mixed Greens w/fresh berries, goat cheese & candied pecans. Mini Sandwiches: Cucumber Cream Cheese, Turkey w/Brie & Arugula, Tarragon Chicken Salad & Hummus w/Grilled Vegies. And in case we weren’t full enough, the dessert bar: Cupcake bar, Fresh Strawberries w/French Cream, Lemon Bars and Mini Fruit Tarts. YUMMY!

Enjoy a little peak into the SC Shower (minus the food tables)
**Please be patient while the slideshow loads**

Santa Baby…Hurry Down the Chimney…~Santa Cruz Maternity Photographer

Renee Whiting — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:17:51 +0000

…TONIGHT!! Well, that’s what the expectant parents are hoping for! Their due date has come and gone and they certainly don’t want to be in the hospital on Christmas and miss out on all the family festivities, so, “SANTA, PLEASE MAKE THEIR DELIVERY TONIGHT!!”

We did their maternity photos a few weeks ago, but I couldn’t share these, because they were maybe going to use them for their Christmas card and I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, but they’ve decided to forego cards this year in hopes that their little one makes her appearance before Christmas!

I guess family and friends are just going to have to wait for their birth announcement! It will be good, I promise!

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m Aunt Renee to this couple and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of little Miss Paige!