.elizabethpetteyphotography.

Free photos

2012-01-23T07:27:00.000-08:00

Ill-take-FREE-photos-if-they're-wearing...

This is one of my boards on my obsession, Pinterest. I am completely serious... if you present me with an adorable creature under the age of 12 in any of these clothes, your session is free, just pay for gas & postage (15$)! (Oh the joys of being a photographer for the love of it, not the money)

Lily

2012-01-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

3 months

2012-01-05T21:08:00.001-08:00

I can't believe Treyce, my childhood friend's son, is already 3 months old!

my fabulous little cousin

2012-01-05T19:57:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has EVER gone to Target, Gap Kids, another continent, ANYWHERE with me knows that I absolutely love this kid! I'm guilty of sending at least one new wardrobe every two months up to where she's held hostage from me in Wyoming. Every year I think she can't get any more beautiful or delightful or smart or fun, but each Christmas as we re-kindle our love over Barbie.com, I realize she has!

Big Sibs!

2012-01-05T19:27:00.001-08:00

These two are TOO photogenic to not snap a quick photo of them after new baby brother Hans' photo-shoot! For a two kids under six, they were pretty darn well behaved and patient as we all cooed over Hans' cuteness.

Hans

2012-01-05T19:18:00.000-08:00

Mary Hyatt

2011-12-20T15:58:00.001-08:00

If you follow my blog you've seen this little one's newborn shots you'll agree it's amazing how much Mary Hyatt has grown in only five months! If there was a contest for loving something: MH's adoration for her dad, Ben, would win over my love for these photos... but only by a little! I promised Christen I would put up the photos after Christmas, but I HAD to share one of this smiling blue-eyed CUTIE!

ps: this is one of my favorite "bloopers" because it truly captures the "essence" of the shoot!

two crazy kids

2011-12-15T14:42:00.000-08:00

Emma

2011-12-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

I really have no idea how a two year old can have such bright lips and gorgeous coloring!

Emma Kate

2011-12-10T15:44:00.001-08:00

I will have so much fun "editing" this shoot of precious big sister to-be 2 year old, Emma! Do you loveeee her coloring?!

Just one more!

2011-12-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

Never knew indoor photography could be... fun!

sweet baby A

2011-12-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

Although her mama is a fabulous photographer, I couldn't help but snap a few myself!
I couldn't have had a better day of babysitting with this little one... she is so sweet, silly, HAPPY, smart, joyful, and delightful. I want 10 kids one day that are this fabulous!

sisters? cousins?

2011-12-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

Meet my perfect-in-all-ways, everyone-loves-her, most beautiful sorority sister, Payton. And her MOM! (no way, right?!)

Twins!

2011-12-02T22:29:00.001-08:00

A few more of the Trantham twins... those blue blue eyes aren't edited! Thank you, God, for the great weather in December!

Hattie Grace & Mary Holland

2011-12-02T15:17:00.000-08:00

I never thought I'd see the day where these two girls were chunky babies!

Another great family!

2011-11-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

I LOVEEEEEEEEE these kiddos!

Maggie & Evan

2011-11-22T20:11:00.001-08:00

These two munchkins LOVE having their photos taken. The White fam is spending the year in Alabama and I'm loving getting to know Maggie and Evan ... Merry Christmas ya'll!

...and OF COURSE Elmo made an appearance!

Tucker & Sawyer

2011-11-22T19:20:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've learned Fall isn't so bad after all!

editing ...yuck.

2011-11-22T10:33:00.001-08:00

Someone gave me the grandest compliment the other day. He's a fellow photographer who adores photoshop ... his photos are so artistic and thought provoking and over the top, usually with a lot of symbolism within them.

Me, I loathe photoshop. Give me a fat baby, some shade, and I'm set.

Said photographer said "I can't believe how good your photos are right from the camera"

... THANK YOU!!!!

How I "edit" a photo...

11 Weeks

2011-11-18T15:51:00.000-08:00

Check out this cute newbie!

2011-11-18T15:41:00.000-08:00

I could eat these two up! They're so fun to photograph!
I interchanged cameras during the shoot so I have no idea if these are some of the "best" (however, I never put the "best" on the blog) and these are the tail end of the group that I'm just playing around with.

Brothers

2011-11-17T19:56:00.000-08:00

These guys give "mini session" a whole new standard! We were in and out of the botanical gardens with loads of photos in (gasp) 25 minutes!

Rolling Stones

2011-11-11T12:19:00.001-08:00

I'm not putting up my FAVORITE shot (you know, the one where everyone goes "Man I wish my kids were that cute... how did they get 3 wild girls to sit still long enough to snap that, etc etc"- the one that as a photographer I have a sigh of relief that Molly can have a cute christmas card) but here are some silly ones.

Side note: Of course I don't know how to spell their names ... even after 2 years of these monkeys climbing on my back, making "masterpieces" with my hair (that take a fist full of conditioner to expel) and millions of 20 minute photo shoots.

The Culpepper Kids

2011-11-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

International Culture Week

2011-11-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

Submitting this non-edited photo to our Birmingham-Southern photo contest for International Culture Week under the "People" category.

Caption: I did not edit this photo, you NEED to see the mirror of the jungle he conquers in his eyes, the dirt on his face. Three year old Jason walks four miles through the remote jungles of Panama, across a barren desert-like terrain, through a flowing river, and past the tiny village of Chiruqi to go to school down the only paved road. Alone. Every single day.

Emme

2011-11-10T18:12:00.000-08:00

I loved this camper, kidnapped her during rest period one day, and snapped this photo 2 years ago. Just found it!

Jackie

2011-11-10T18:10:00.000-08:00

My beautiful sister, Jacqueline Ryan Cox.

One of the strongest actresses at Birmingham-Southern.

And... well... I don't know her name, but sometimes that happens!

Roadrunner!

2011-11-05T18:06:00.001-07:00

I love Greenville, Alabama. I always thought life slows down when I take the exit off I-65 ... until I met wild child, Ann Kathryn! If I could harness her 16 month old energy, I'd never need coffee again!

Itsy bitsy Isabella

2011-11-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-11-03T12:36:00.001-07:00

twins!

2011-10-26T20:30:00.001-07:00

After spending every day with these two monkeys all summer then not seeing them in months, it's unbelievable how big they've gotten! Big enough to say "Pettey". Big enough to not waddle around on fat-baby-legs. Big enough to scrape their knees like big-boys (a lot!). I LOVE Harrison & Jack Henry BIG TIME!

Wednesdays

2011-10-26T19:55:00.001-07:00

One day of the week is spent with the Esti Clan ... just fooling around with some Christmas templates for my own dorky photographer enjoyment.

Rosie

2011-10-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

This "photoshoot" happened with the help of two extra large bandaids.

John Preston

2011-10-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

I always say "man they were such a great baby to photograph" ... but newbie John Preston set the bar high for all of my future newborns. No tears, no fussing, nada! ... Just content swinging in his swing literally in the middle of chaos from vacuuming, hammering, and contractors coming in and out of the house all afternoon. Amazing! Those Sartelle's really know how to combine some chromosomes; all of their children are BEYOND GORGEOUS!

Professional Personal Assistant

2011-10-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

Mary Ashley, the Sartelle's next door neighbor came over Friday to help me babysit. She is a 9 year old super star personal assistant and co-babysitter who can literally talk to anyone, anywhere, about anything- mostly her expert knowledge on the fam's new renovated home. While Ella Rose napped, I snapped a few photos of SWEEEEEEEET new little baby brother, John Preston. Couldn't have done it without you, Mary Ashley!

Issi

2011-10-19T22:22:00.001-07:00

One day, I hope my child is as silly, curious, witty, delightful, fun, and FULL OF LIFE as Issi!

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Bel & Sophie

2011-10-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

...better ones to come!

12 months

2011-10-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

:)

2011-10-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

Question: What's holding me back from creating a new website? One that doesn't embarrass me into spilling a life story of "Oh, well, thanks, BUT that one's from 10th grade... those photos are so old. Check my blog..." One that doesn't make me want to ever google Elizabeth Pettey ever again? One that doesn't look like a tenth grader designed it?

(Well... I HAD tackled that feat... then allowed my six year old macbook to crash and loose 125,000 photos + said website)

Answer: A new "logo". A watermark. A "Hey, I took this photo, I love taking photos. The end" kind of logo. Something that can tie my blog, website, marketing materials, photos, and shipping shi-stuff-t together. Something that's so ME it'll last for a while.

This is NOT what I had in mind, but when you're a broke college student who charges 50$ for an entire shoot and had 30 minutes of free time between meetings... you make do.

...I guess I have to make a new website now...

Twins

2011-10-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

Usually the Botanical Gardens, classic-scape-goat-of-photographers, isn't so scape-goat-y after all! The peace + quiet, gorgeous greens, and these two butterballs served as a perfect backdrop for the twins' 5 month portraits!
Mary Holland and Hattie Grace... how are they this big already?!

MH

2011-10-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

Practicing my Christmas-card designing...

Treyce

2011-10-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

He didn't cry. He didn't poop. He didn't fuss. He was perfect.

Lily

2011-10-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

The photographer gets her photos made

2011-10-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

I needed some headshots, and self-timer isn't as reliable as you'd think.

I channeled some hard-earned $'s into a photographer here in Birmingham who I'd LOVE to intern for. She's a 5'1"-ish fabulous, kind-hearted, creative monster.

Innocent Bystander

2011-09-12T07:30:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the perfect baby model is in the arms of their hipster father on 2nd Avenue in the middle of Birmingham Downtown Art Walk.

sweet P

2011-09-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

the kid loves bubbles

my job

2011-09-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

I babysit for some delightful families in Birmingham! If my camera's in the car, I always have a 2 minute photo shoot.

... one new delightful fam sends me texts saying, "I can't believe you unloaded the dishwasher!" (SHAME on any babysitter who doesn't!)... who have three year olds who are on a cognitive level of a 2nd grader... and the cutest darn one year old I've ever seen! My sorority sisters ask why I didn't kidnap said family.

Old!

2011-09-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

Miss this bunch!

McMasters

2011-08-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

I have never met someone who didn't want to kidnap these two! Mary-Reed and Emma Hensley couldn't be cuter. Couldn't be loved and adored more. And definitely couldn't be dressed any more perfectly. Choosing only a few photos was nearly impossible, they are a hoot!

boss

2011-08-26T07:55:00.000-07:00

love this kid

Kindergarten

2011-08-23T19:59:00.000-07:00

I loved meeting up this silly kid for a quick back-to-school shoot with big Kindergartener/ Pander lover: Jack! Those eyes... there's NO mistaking that he's a Spillman!

reflecting...

2011-08-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

My lens broke and, after waiting 3 months while it slumbered in Atlanta, it cannot be repaired because of Japan's tsunami and therefore, lack of available parts...my computer crashed and i lost 125,000 photos, Photoshop, and a new photography website that I'd worked on for about a year... my own and borrowed lens was stolen while I trusted in the integrity of visiting campers while I was (horror music) hospitalized so I was responsible for replacing said lens (to a very patient, very lovely best-friend who never held it above my head) ... my car was broken into and mucho dinero was stolen (money to replace camera)...i almost see it as a sign i need to quit, sell my life, and cave in to use the Elementary Education degree. NEVER!

Ava

2011-08-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Vintage frock, cool mom, dusk, those dimples... oh, my soul was content!

MH + HG

2011-08-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

2 months!

MHA

2011-07-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

Mary Hyatt Adams

Jack Henry

2011-06-25T14:09:00.001-07:00

I am ITCHING to get my hands back on my camera with all these cute babies here at Camp Winnataska ... guess the Iphone will have to suffice.

adventures with stones

2011-06-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

Another wild adventure with the Stones

Mary Holland + Hattie Grace

2011-05-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

My best best best friend Brittany Arias (click the link for HER blog!!) and I rushed out to camp tonight to capture the Trantham Twinz in their prime time of new-born cuteness during the best time of the day for photography, dusk.

Lib & Jack

2011-04-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

God is sovereign. The kids had to bail on Easter due to the "sick-as-a-dog" bug... 2 days later and they're wrinkle-free french-lace wearing troopers!

While the mac stays DEAD (along with good friend, mr. photoshop) and until I can beg and offer my first-born to the geniuses at the mac store to save my laptop, here are about a million photos of professional marshmallow gobblers Lib & Jack.

Rain?

2011-04-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Nothing stops Anne Bailey (spelling?) Stone. Nothing.

My Boyfriend

2011-04-11T12:01:00.001-07:00

Gasp! WHAT?! Yes, he's in a polo. (I could be annoying and say HES SO GREAT AND IM SO HAPPYYY but I "wont")

fierce contenders in my "favorite family" awards

2011-04-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is what Spring does to the photographer in me. It buys a 6 year old a cheap outfit from the thrift store, takes em on a walk, and has a photoshoot. I love when I can actually capture the personalities of the kids I shoot... I think Ellenie would cartwheel around the world if she could.

Rosie

2011-04-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

I kidnapped Ella Rose for an Easter photo shoot last week. Two friends set her photo as their background on their phone... she's THAT stinkin' cute!

1 1/2 going on 20

2011-04-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

11 days

2011-03-07T18:27:00.000-08:00

Dana McArthur-Porter's newest, Baby B.

Selah

2011-02-28T15:41:00.000-08:00

AM + Tom = great genes = one cute baby

Lily

2011-02-28T15:16:00.000-08:00

SO STINKING CUTE! One of the happiest bebes I've worked with this year!

Peru Babies

2011-02-28T15:14:00.001-08:00

ojos

2011-01-25T14:49:00.000-08:00

We camped out under a hut at Machu Pichu during some rain... this woman was BEAUTIFUL. Argentina.
want more peru pics?
www.petteygoestocollege.wordpress.com

Ava

2011-01-04T11:25:00.001-08:00

Possibly the greatest baby alive... Ava @ 6 months.

day off

2010-12-31T11:04:00.001-08:00

School closed for Christmas and I was homeless with zero plans so I kidnapped the fabulous A.B.

jj

2010-12-23T12:18:00.000-08:00

Happiest kid, ever. Until she snacks on jalapeños.

day off

2010-12-23T11:50:00.000-08:00

I swear God's a baseball pro... he keeps throwing curve balls.
I love every inch of this kids soul.

Feliz Navidad

2010-12-23T11:45:00.000-08:00

I feel like my mom and I have been in role-reversal since I was about six. This includes organizing the infamous Christmas photo card. A huge undertaking if you've ever met my fam. I stole the initial idea from here

Merry Christmas from our annual family vay-cay.

Chaos

2010-12-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

escape

2010-12-15T15:42:00.000-08:00

I got to escape the reality of the freezing temperatures boxing me in my dorm and a horrible exam week depressing campus to take photos for my final photography project!

Social Landscapes: Dance

I was able to escape the reality of the freezing temperatures boxing me in my dorm and a horrible exam week to take photos for my final photography project.

Izzy & Liam

2010-12-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this family!!

GET your flu shot

2010-11-28T17:14:00.000-08:00

Pneumonia + Flu + Thanksgiving Break - health = AS:LKFIEN(#$&(*@fl;kjw238

more to come

2010-11-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

i can make it by myself but i don't want to

2010-11-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION HORRIFIED PARENTS:
School Project.

the only garment I own in this photo is the white tshirt. satire/irony incorporated into a "white t" subject requirement. aka: an excuse to drive back country roads to my favorite spot on Earth.

show these to Leon

2010-11-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

This 13-almost-14-year old brings me so much joy. She proves that photos are only a perception of reality... what these don't show is her bright red sports bra and UMBRO soccer shorts under the dress.They don't show that she hasn't showered in 3 days. They don't show her tackling me, her inappropriate pick-up lines, or her killer insight of what matters in life. More people should be like Laura Beth Passey and jUST. BE. THEMSELVES. There's nothing more beautiful that that.

KP

2010-11-04T11:43:00.001-07:00

One of my all-time FAVORITEEE campers. I still have her 2007 Christmas card hanging in my room. For the record, this was for a class project... and a quick shout out to my fabulous "assistant" and 10-year old, Isabel.

Photos I'd never get a client... BUT LOVE!!

2010-10-28T22:33:00.000-07:00

You just gotta know these kids...

EF #3

2010-10-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

a few un-edited photos of the the best little baby I know!

why I'll never be a wedding photographer

2010-10-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

...because I take more pictures of the kids.

I tagged along to Merian, Alabama for one of my childhood hero's wedding. It was THE most gorgeous October day for a wedding! Here are a few I uploaded before my computer harddrive finally gave in and reached max capacity. Guess that's what happens after hoarding 30,000 pictures for a few years... more of the bride later!!

I love happy babies

2010-10-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Jasha

2010-10-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

4 feet, 10 inches of fiesty.

Mini Me

2010-10-22T10:54:00.001-07:00

Isabel is the coolest kid I know. I'm constantly blow away by how fabulous their family is. Those girls are going to save the world one day.

LB and AB

2010-09-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

I've died and gone to heaven when I visit the Stones. Life seems to slow down as I veer off 65 and into Birmingham's south side. Their mom is one of those camp legend types who I should have KNOWN would raise the coolest kids ever.
Have I mentioned that I'm considering kidnapping?!

BFFFFFL

2010-09-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

My best friend, Brittany, the Hanes white V-neck/ sweat pants/ sneakers QUEEN is doing prelims for Miss Alabama. 1st runner up to Alabama's Jr. Miss 2009 in their county pageant... she's 110% amazing at everything she does.

Mac

2010-09-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

He's rep'd by the Avenue agency in Nashville. He's awesome. He's a tree. His name is Mackenzie.

(cue Scream Trilogy theme song)

2010-08-06T17:20:00.001-07:00

A few fun photos from the "last family vacation ever" (Big brother graduating from college so from now one it'll be "Pettey, Party of 5" on family vay-cays) Everything was perfect... except not fitting into my clothes by the end of the week!

Ella Frances - 3 months!

2010-08-01T19:39:00.001-07:00

I am so behind on my photo-blogging... Here are a few of my favorites from a quick "short and sweet" session with Ella Frances. How I resist kidnapping her each time is a mystery! LOVE working with this family!

Why I love the beach

2010-06-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

Found this fantastic kid on the beach... her mom LOVED the free photo-shoot of her newly adopted little girl. Turns out they have a pretty awesome story behind the adoption. This is why I love photography... the unplanned shots, kids just being kids.

Emily Joy

2010-06-03T15:52:00.000-07:00

I LOVE baby toes

Engaged

2010-05-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

Such fun/ flexible/ IN LOVE people!

Babysitting

2010-05-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

Leah

Llewellyn

I LOVE the Souths! After cartwheeling around the front yard, eating 2 boxes of Dominos cinnamon-sticks, and being licked to death by two crazy pups, I decided I had to seize opportunity to take a few photos before I jetted of to Camp Winnataska all summer.

Margaret

Candice & Rick

2010-05-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

the COOLEST engaged people EVER

David

2010-05-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

What a happy kid! (Probably because his dad: one of my professors who makes me actually LIKE math && is now also "SUPER-DAD" after finding out he makes all of David's food from organic WholeFoods... can I be adopted?!) I may have to take a "baby break" EVERY Wednesday at noon... David was such a positive light in my day!

Happy Mothers Day!

2010-05-05T13:42:00.000-07:00