Meet Ellie! Look at that face! This adorable little girl was amazing at our shootCheck out the blog to see more!
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Babies
I really cannot express how much love I have for this family. They make my heart so happy. I loved every minute of this session. Check them out on the blog!
Today on the blog is an in home session dear to my heart. Check out a look into an afternoon with Jacob!
Being a Mom is hard. People say that to you when you become pregnant. You believe it but you don't fully understand. Women will talk about the pains of childbirth, the early sleepless nights, the terrible twos, teething, sickness, fatigue. They will share their stories. Which we all need. We need these stores. We NEED to talk about all of this. We rarely talk about ourselves though. We rarely discuss the loneliness, the guilt, the boredom, or even the yearning for a previous life.
I wasn't in love with my daughter. Not at first. Everyone tells you that when a baby is born it will change your life. That you can never imagine loving something more. I cried big hot tears when they first put her on my chest. Tears of relief and exhaustion. I knew that she was mine. That I wanted to protect her, care for her, and do what was best for her. But I also didn't know her. Our love affair was a slow one. Getting to know each other. Her revealing her brilliant shining personality one small moment at a time. And then one day there it was. That unimaginable love. The kind that brings tears back when I think of anything happening to her. I had a lot of guilt at first about not being bonded with her. People asked if I just couldn't get enough of her. If I just wanted her with me all the time. Nope. I needed space. I needed to be me without being a Mom.
These days its hard to find space in a small camper with a one year old. She sleeps in the same room as us. She cries, she snores, she coos--she wakes up really damn early. As a Mom, Photographer, Navigator, Wife, and Researcher I'm still trying to find the balance in myself. And we need to talk about that. There are days I just want to be one thing. I just want to be a photographer that day. Or I just want to be a tourist. Or I just want to be a lover. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the roles and demands. To pine for a simpler time instead of being present in this whirlwind. Right now there are no babysitters. All of my roles are full on all the time and I would be lying if I said it wasn't exhausting.
But its also beautiful. There is a lot of living in my life right now. I get to experience a beautiful world that I shamefully haven't seen before. I get to roam streets and woods and beaches and swamps. I wash our daughter under the full moon. I sing her to sleep amidst the background of crickets, tree frogs, and cicadas. I read. I photograph what is before me. I talk about what is whispering to my soul. I tell myself the truths I need to know. It's okay to be overwhelmed. Live here now. You are enough.
I've had the pleasure of photographing all of Angela's kids in the hospital (see Meeting Macey and Meeting Maddox). Each one has been special and fun in their own ways: the anticipation of Macey as the first child, the joy of Maddox being the first boy, and now the pure fun of Merrick's arrival. Macey was SO excited to have another sibling. You can tell she is just in love with him. I had so much fun sharing in this time with them. And now it's time for you to meet Merrick...
In case, I forgot to mention it...Speed Racer and I are pregnant! We are having a baby and quite soon too I might add! Our little one is set to make its debut February 3rd, 2015. So between holidays and preparing for baby, the posts and updates may be few and far between. I appreciate your patience during this time, especially all of my clients who have already shown me so much patience and love! I cannot wait to share the next stage in our life with you as well as my photography career. Here's to the next adventure!
A special thinks also to Kayla with Kayla F Photography! I cannot get over my amazing maternity session with her and adore each and every beautiful image she took!
For weeks and weeks you heard me talking about the Holiday Mini Sessions I was going to hold at Riverdale Elementary School. Well the day finally arrived and it was such a wonderful, fun day! I loved seeing all the cuties out in their holiday outfits as well as capturing so many fun family moments.
I had so many favorite from this day! I think everyone enjoyed playing around in the gym as well as being able to go outside thanks to the beautiful weather. Thank you to all my amazing clients for being willing to travel some for these mini sessions and for showing up for such a fun time. I will definitely be offering this again next year and am already thinking of different possibilities. Until then, I hope these help put you in the holiday spirit!
I'm not going to lie, I've been wanting to photograph this kid since before he was born. When I found out Heather was pregnant, I knew this kid was going to be sweet and adorable, just like his parents. So as soon as Brennan came into the world, we booked a session for when he was about 6 months old.
Unfortunately our first effort at a session got completely rained out. Not just drizzle, we're talking serious downpour. But that was okay, we waiting a month or so until the afternoon rains died off some and Brennan had mastered his sitting up a little more.
It was a really amazing day and I just loved spending time with this little guy. He's so laid back and just happy to be around! We've already got a Holiday Mini session scheduled with this cutie and I cannot WAIT to see how those turned out. Stay tuned!
I absolutely love when my job allows me to reconnect with old friends and coworkers! I was thrilled when Heather contacted me (we used to work together) saying that she had just had her new baby girl and would love some family portraits. We had so much fun and it was such a privileged to meet such a sweet baby girl.
Leiah was born premature so she is just a tiny little bundle of joy. We did these photos just a couple weeks after she was born so she was still sleepy, tiny, and precious.
Leiah's Dad, David, is in the Marines so we had fun doing a lot of different shots with his uniform. Amazingly, the uniform survived without any accidents!
After talking with Heather and David, they let slip that they had never had portraits done of just the two of them, not to mention as a family. So while Grandma and Grandpa took a shift feeding Leiah, we snuck off to do just a couple pictures of them.
Just as a side note: I am a huge fan of making sure you have couple portraits taken at many stages of life. This isn't just because it's what I do, but because everyone needs some photographs that show the love that you feel for each other. It reminds us of whats important and gives us a visual reminder when times are tough.
David and Heather radiate love not just for each other but for Leiah too. You can tell they are going to be fabulous parents! Congrats you two! I can't wait to see Leiah through each stage of life grow in the loving environment you have created for her.
It's hard to believe that this little guy used to be this little baby! He's growing up fast and he's on the move. I was so excited to go to my hometown for the weekend to photograph and hang out with Mr. and Mrs. Hokie (and baby Hokie).
Silas had a big day of egg hunts (complete with mini cookies) with both sets of Grandparents, playing with sticks, running around, and even getting to go up in a big boy tractor. I love spending a day with families in this way because its like getting to open up a door to their house while everyone is sitting down for dinner and they don't know you're there. Everyone's personalities and love just over-pours and I just drink it up.
We started with Mrs. Hokie's parents. We had a lot of fun playing around in the back yard with Silas and experience the beginnings of spring.
I love watching Grandparents just come alive around grandkids. There's something special about that bond.
Although this day was mainly about Grandparents (and Great Grandparents) we managed to get a couple photos of Silas with his own awesome parents. Being kissed by Mom and getting to be a man with Dad equals a pretty swell day.
Next it was over to Mr. Hokie's parents for another easter egg hunt and a chance to romp around in the great outdoors. Grandma's do know the best tickle spots.
And of course, the day wouldn't be complete without getting a chance to sit up on the big tractor with Granddad. All in all I think you can safely say that Silas is a hit with his grandparents. His parents think he's alright too. I hope that these photos helped capture this growing boy at such a fun stage. Thanks to all the Grandparents and parents for taking me into your home. I had a blast!