Toddlers & Tiaras

This is a super sweet family I had the pleasure of photographing after their wedding in Jamaica. Too bad I didn't get to go with them there, right?? Their adorable boys are in the pageant circuit, and will be on the upcoming season of Toddlers & Tiaras. Maybe you'll see a guest appearance by yours truly?? ;)

Kids!

Here are a few of my favorite kids from recent shoots. I get to spend some time with some SUPER adorable kiddos!! Lucky me!

Father's Day

Father's Day is right around the corner! I have done a few of these adorable shoots, this one was a favorite! These kids were just awesome to work with. Imagine Dad's face when he sees these photos in a 3 piece frame for Dad's Day! 

I do!

I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Hailey and Will yesterday. I met this adorable couple over a year ago. We have done several shoots together, and they absolutely epitomize the word love. I have never seen two people more made for each other. Their wedding was beautiful, and I was honored to be a part of capturing their memories!

Analeigh's 4th Birthday Memorial

Today I got to do something that was special and sad. 4 years ago, one of the best mothers I know lost her first baby, Analeigh, 1 hour after birth. Today would have been her 4th birthday, so they went to the tree they planted in her memory on her 1st birthday, planted flowers, and released balloons with their other 2 children. I got to photograph it for them. Sheli has become a friend of mine, and when she first told me the story of Analeigh's life, I was at a loss for words. She had a healthy, full term, no complications pregnancy. She labored normally, contracted normally, everything was fine until the last 10 minutes. Analeigh's heart rate dropped and didn't come back up. When the midwives realized something was wrong, they did an emergency episiotomy and took her out quickly. The chord was wrapped around her neck 6 times. She was blue from head to toe. Her heart was beating, but she never took a breath. Her APGAR score was a 1, only because she had a heart beat. Instead of rushing her to the hospital to try to put off the inevitable, they chose to spend an hour with their baby girl, getting to hold on and love her until she slipped away. Why is this so special and strong meaning to me? I didn't know Sheli back then, so why am I so effected by it? I think that what she went through is my biggest nightmare. Preparing for a baby, feeling baby move, going into labor fully expecting to have a baby come home with you and leave with nothing. To see this little child you have loved from the moment you knew you would have her, and watch her slip away. That is just something I can't even imagine. So, being able to watch them remember her life with their other two children, born after Analeigh, was just very special to me. Sheli is the type of mother I wish I could be, the kind I try to be. She has more patience than I think I could even try to have, she is so kind hearted and smart, and I try to emulate her when I interact with my children. I am so happy that they speak of Analeigh like they should, like she is a current member of their family, just not present. To go what they went through and to be as strong and loving as they are now, is amazing to me. Anyway, these are a few photos from the memorial today.

Heather & Justin

This beautiful family is always so much fun to work with! I first met them around Easter, when I did pictures of Libby their daughter. This time, we celebrated their 5 year anniversary! They were such troopers, we hiked through my neighbors farm (cow patties and all!) and they are so in love that the shots were easy to get!

Weddings, Weddings, Everywhere

I had the extreme pleasure this week of photographing the wedding for a friend, Emelie. It was a hand fasting ceremony, beautifully different than a traditional marriage ceremony. In fact, it is what my husband and I have wanted to do (when we finally have a ceremony). Being a part of this day for this couple was amazing!

Nursing!

I am so blessed that a very regular part of my job is to capture the amazing bond between a nursing mother and her child (or children). I LOVE being able to capture these moments for a mother, for her to look back on when her child gets older. The bond between a mom (and even dad) and her breastfed baby is like nothing else, and to get to see it on a regular basis is worth getting out of bed for!

Adorable Alyssa

I got to play with an adorable Soon-To-Be Big Sister Alyssa the other day. She is so beautiful, and look at those  blue eyes! 

Wedding Season has begun!

This Saturday I had the amazing pleasure to photograph a wedding for a beautiful bride, Febi. She was so sweet, and her now husband is one of the kindest men I've ever met! They both had large wedding parties, and seeing her friends be supportive of her was amazing! Plus, one of the bridesmaids was the nurse who was with me when I delivered Quinn. It was great to see her. Below are some photos of her getting ready and during the reception. I can't wait for the next wedding!

Special Announcement!

Well, today I went to meet with and chat with the wonderful ladies at Lisa Ross Birth and Women's Center. That is where I have photographed all of the amazing deliveries I have posted recently. We have decided that we will display a lot of my birth photos on the walls of the delivery center, and some newborn photos up in the clinic! I couldn't be more excited about this! I'll be working with the Center, taking photos of the midwives/nurses in action, displaying work on the walls, be offered to the pregnant moms as a birth photographer, and I'll have a slide show presentation at the Natural Parenting Expo in April! Lisa Ross is the BEST example of an endorsement that I could possibly imagine. Their philosophy, practices, ideals and teachings are what I am most passionate about in life. Their patients are my "target audience". I couldn't be any happier than how I feel right now. Plus, my studio opens in 2 days! It is not "complete" quite yet (details details details!) but it is up and running. Two of my life's biggest goals are coming to fruition at once! I am so very blessed.

Gracie & Alice

This was a nursing shoot turned couldn't-resist-turning-the-camera-on-Alice shoot. This little girl is a photographers dream! So smiley and easy going, and her mama was a super cool chick too :)

Zara's entry to the world

This was a very special shoot for me. My friend Carrie-Cate was in labor with her second child, first daughter, Zara. She was such a strong woman, speaking softly to her baby and connecting with her while she labored to meet her precious gift. I was lucky enough to be there to capture her hard work and the unbelievable pay off when Zara came into the world! Carrie-Cate had such a support system, her parents and several friends, who all cried with joy and cheered when Zara was born. If I could photograph births for the rest of my life, I would! It is unlike anything I've ever done before and I can't wait for the next one!