Shannon Montez Photography Blog » San Jose's Family and Child Photographer, Shannon Montez, captures all aspects of family life: Families, newborns, children, babies, high school seniors, and weddings.

I’ve been shooting this sweet girl since before she was born. It’s just SO much fun to watch these kids grow! Watching other people’s kids grow and change is fun and doesn’t come with the tinge of sadness that happens when your own baby gets bigger. So, bonus.

Anyway… We had lots of fun.

This baby feels like it belongs to me, just a little bit. I don’t think her parents would agree… Mom is my daughter Sophia’s teacher… but that’s practically related, right? Which means this baby practically is mine. Right? No? Oh.

Anyway… have you ever seen a more beautiful baby?

I love the colors here…

A snuggle with grandma…

Gosh, she’s YUMMY…

Perfect. Look at those lips!

Thanks Mrs. H for being an AMAZING teacher, and for letting me play for a bit with your perfect sweet baby!

Tomorrow (Thursday) I’m participating in a panel discussion for the PPGBA (Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area)… They’re calling it a Diva Panel, and it’s a bunch of women who are photographers talking about the photography/woman thing. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve ever been anywhere near being associated with the word “diva”. And I don’t think I’m comfortable with the word “diva” at any time for any reason, ha ha.

But anyway…

I think it will be fun and I was flattered and excited when they asked me to participate. I’m the “crazy family life/successful business/trying to balance it all” angle.  I don’t know that I’ve mastered my life in any way, I’m probably more an example of “what not to do” at times, but I HAVE learned a lot about life and business in this journey! I always love it when people get together to share what they know and help each other along the way. While I walk into it feeling nervous, I walk out of it feeling really happy and excited and inspired. So, tomorrow should be lots fun.

Of course, while I’m here, I’ve got to post pictures! I’ve got a really special place in my heart for families. Even my weddings/engagements I consider to be “family” photography because it’s really just the first family photos they ever take. It’s all people who love each other and devote their lives to each other and stand by each other and sacrifice for each other. Seriously, what could be more beautiful?

Here’s an awesome family welcoming a new member. Such a magical time, I always feel so honored to be there to witness it.

Time to post a recent session! I’m so proud of all the entries I’ve made in the past month (and still have a ton to share), but I want to change the need to even “catch up” by posting images as they happen.

So here goes…

A sweet baby. Love them!

Yummy little rolls.

I’m not really sure what this bowl is meant to be used for, but to me, it seems perfect for little babies!

I love the interaction in these two shots.

Sweet little family.

I’m pretty sure if I bit him, he would taste like marshmallows. (I didn’t try, tempted though I was…)

Look at those beautiful eyes.

Grabbing those toes. Why do they do that? Isn’t it cute?

Baby rolls and creases and dimples just make me smile.

With mama, who has immensely enjoyed the last few months with this long-awaited sweetie pie.

aaaand…. a relaxed family portrait.

A moment of silence for Courtney and Toby. Toddler twins and a newborn.

They are amazing parents with a lot on their plate right now!

You know these girls are trouble. That’s the beauty of twins! (when you’re not the parent, ha ha)

A trouble-making team that makes trouble really cutely. (I know… cutely isn’t a word, but I’m using it anyway… adorably would also work, but where’s the creativity in that?)

What… you don’t believe me?

And their sweet, sweet baby sister.

I love this moment as a mother… sweet passed-out baby with the back of their neck all waiting to be kissed… good stuff.

Man… those newborns sure are yummy. Love them! I’m always tempted to just bring them home with me, for a few days. You know, until I get all sleep-deprived and exhaused, then I’ll take them back. Is it weird when I say stuff like that?

Anyway… here’s a beautiful sweet baby for you to enjoy.

I love that shot. It looks like Baby Girl is not so sure about big brother. She must realize how 2 year old boys can turn on you in an instant!

So, today I had my first session of the new year, a delightful sweet newborn.  And while I wish I had same-day turnaround, I do not. Instead, I’ll post images of a newborn that, due to my former slacking in blogging, is no longer new, but probably on the verge of sitting up. They change so unbelievably quickly those first few months! So, as a reminder to sleep-deprived new mothers… they DO sleep sometimes. And isn’t it wonderful when they do? All passed out with milk breath? MMmmmm….

I’m soooo behind on blogging! This session was from last July. I’m really want to share (and show that I really do work!) so I’m really going to try my best to catch up. I think part of my problem is wanting to post too many pictures, so blogging takes more time than I can spare. So to remedy the situation, I’m going to limit myself to 1-3 images per session for the time being.

Today, I want to stare at a cute baby, so I’m going to share this one. She was a serious little sweetheart with the most amazing eyes.

That little furrowed brow killllls me. I really want to grab her out of that picture and give her a big squeeze!

I’m pretty sure she’s getting her fair share of squeezes, though.

And a pretty family shot, even with the dogs.

Ok, breaking my new rule already… just one more shot of those gorgeous eyes (with a bonus of sweet wrist and fingers).

I first met this little guy just a few days after his birth. (apparently it never got blogged, slacker!) He was tiny… for comparison, here’s a storyboard from that session…

Crrraaaazzzy how fast they grow. This session was shot at this little park across the street from where my husband works. The dad in this session also works across the street, but not in the same building… funny coincidence. Anyway, I’ve driven past this park a bazillion times, and never thought “perfect for a session.” But it was convenient, and I know I can make anything work, so we decided to meet here.

Surprise! It was one of my favorite places I’d shot in a long time… I’m still amazed that I’d overlooked such a gem for so long…

Man, I love this age…

A stream? Seriously? Where did that come from?

I love this family shot…

Tear your eyes from the sparkly eyes if you can, and see that Mr. Man is getting a new tooth on the bottom… so CUTE!