Remember the sweetest maternity session ever? Savannah arrived a few weeks later, and her newborn session took place on a quiet and rainy Sunday afternoon. Big sister Scarlett proudly showed off her tiny new sidekick (and gave her daddy a makeover). Savannah stayed awake and calm most of the session. It was a conversational, pass-the-baby and tickle-the-toddler session that left everyone content in the way that celebrating an expanding family should. So many photographs in this collection to love!
October Daily Photos
With October's close, four months of daily photos have been captured, and the rhythm continues to be meaningful and fun. This month included a ton of work along with a weeklong visit with dear friends from Australia. I saw so many beautiful moments during sessions and weddings and lived so many beautiful moments while working and playing and running and breathing. I love the mix from this month.
October 1: Farmer's market radishes.
October 2: Sweetest sisters at a framily brunch.
October 3: On the eve of my sister's return to work we updated her family photos.
October 4: Evenings at our house are spent playing green bean games with Millie.
October 5: Hair wash.
October 6: I got to do newborn photos for my friends James and Devon's second son. This was my favorite image. Is there anything better than brothers who are buddies from the get-go?
October 7: I spy a hint of fall.
October 8: Emily on her wedding day.
October 9: He cleaned the house and did all the laundry while I was shooting a wedding, and I came home from work to find them like this.
October 10: One of those portraits that spoke to me when I shot it.
October 11: Adoption.
October 12: State Fair.
October 13: Christina and I run our portrait businesses separately, but when one of our first wedding clients welcomed their sweet girl, we shot their newborn session together. It's so fun when we get to shoot work we usually do as individuals alongside each other.
October 14: Tater came our way for a tennis and birthday date.
October 15: We met Ty's cousin and her family for a photo session in Waco, and this shot... I love that Cole looks like both his baby and big boy self as he clings to his mama's shirt.
October 16: Grandma met Jameson. Here she was sharing mothering advice with Meghan.
October 17: Dusk.
October 18: Their mama has worked with me for several years now, and she has continually referred me new and amazing clients. I'm grateful for her kindness. I'm also grateful that these girls now know me, that they bring smiles and hugs when they arrive, and that they bring high fives and more hugs when they say goodbye. This is the good stuff of this job.
October 19: Millie. As she is.
October 20: Batman in the shadows. Cat in the light. Probably not what Commissioner Gordon had in mind.
October 21: Super G wore a tie to "look like a college kid." I had the privilege of being his nanny when he was a baby. We had dinner after the session, and after our goodbyes, Ty asked me, "how do we get a kid like that?"
October 22: Gold sequined table cloth for the win.
October 23: Halloween costume approval.
October 24: It was shocking. Apparently. Sweet Carson was just 5-days-old at his newborn session!
October 25: Kate (and Steve) arrived from Australia, and we spent the day after drinking coffee and shopping and laughing and talking, and my world was better for it. Emily Dickinson's, "my friends are my estate" rings true.
October 26: Two of our favorite people in one of our favorite places.
October 27: A wetsuit was required, but Steve learned to wakeboard, and we skied the sun down.
October 28: No costume required.
October 29: If guests from Australia during the lead-up to Halloween, then take them to Target because consumer culture at it's finest.
October 30: Scary handsome. First Halloween.
October 31: I spy a peacock princess raiding the trick-or-treat giveaway stash.
Waiting for Savannah: A Summer Maternity
Emily emailed a few days before her maternity session and asked if I thought we could do a few photos using her in-laws' pool. We'd planned a morning session in their backyard. August in Texas, well, it's hot. The pool sounded like the perfect ending for the shoot. The anticipation of baby girl number two alongside of delight in big sister number one filled every frame of our time together, and I especially love that towards the end Emily suggested a family jump into the pool. Those photos turned out downright magical, and with the thermometer still pushing 90 in mid-October, revisiting these photos for the blog seemed pretty perfect.
Here is September in Thirty Photographs.
What I didn't foresee in setting out to do a 365 project was the way it would point me towards gratitude. My life is rich: the people, the places, the work I get to do and the beauty I get to see. The ordinary is extraordinary when held up to the light. Here is September in thirty photographs.
September 1: Selfie with Jameson.
September 2: Georgia spreads her arms and legs in the pool and shouts "Starfish," and the cuteness kills me.
September 3: Leftover 4th of July fireworks on Labor Day.
September 4: How many kiddos can you fit on a paddleboat with Uncle Rudy?
September 5: Ice cream, before and after.
September 6: Engagement session magic light goodness.
September 7: New kitten for my little friend.
September 8: The reluctant daily photo subject.
September 9: *NOT* his birthday, but my lunch date on the 9th loves dinosaurs, and NEEDED to wear his t-rex shirt.
September 10: Wherein all of my photography dreams came true.
September 11: Nadine in four frames.
September 12: Nightly kitten routine looks like fetching and jumping for green beans.
September 13: Anniversary photos for Debo and Tyler. So. Much. Love.
September 14: Every time I vacuum these two camp out on the landing.
September 15: Pink.
September 16: Early morning stalker.
September 17: Photo by Ty. I am finally getting consistent at landing *small* jumps on the wakeboard. Ty surprised me with a properly fitting board, and it's made a huge difference.
September 18: Grease... high school musical edition.
September 19: Besties.
September 20: The reluctant daily photo subject, location scouting in the Jeep edition.
September 21: Photo by Ty. An eff cancer kind of day.
September 22: The look Albert gives me when Millie stalks from overhead.
September 23: Lake sunsets win every time.
September 24: Abba's senior photos looked like recreating a photograph we took when she was 10.
September 25: Savannah.
September 26: Happy birthday, Josh!
September 27: Never let go.
September 28: Because date night.
September 29: New glasses.
September 30: Dinner and a movie with friends. Elim kept yelling "ooky." I think he's ready for October.
These Two
Sarah and Eisley and I scheduled and rescheduled because of rain, rain, rain. When we finally met for photos on an overcast evening, a tiny girl with the bluest eyes warily assessed me. It took a while for her to warm up, but when she did Eisley remained intently focused on her mama, wanting her close. The bond between these two makes me smile; they are the sweetest little family. Sarah is one of those moms who takes her kiddo in stride and parents with ease and laughter. Eisley is one of those babies who is inquisitive and busy. I loved watching this session unfold.
Everyday Extraordinary
Allison and Adam first contacted me before their firstborn arrived, and from the time we did that initial maternity session they've wanted photographs that reflect the simple beauty of everyday life. Our sessions have been conversational and low-key, allowing me glimpses into a family's growth and change over time. When we did family photos last year, Allison told me she was expecting twins, and we pencilled in a newborn session. I never imagined when booking that session that their newborn session would shift to a family session a few months later. The boys arrived early, and their precious Sam never left the hospital. You can read more of their story on their blog. I found myself amazed at the extraordinary courage this family displayed.
I am so glad Allison and Adam decided to do this session at home, letting the nuances of their family shape the session's flow. Home often trumps the most interesting of locations, because it's so decidedly specific and familiar. This session was passing boys back and forth, reading stories, tickling bellies and a demonstration of the great love that belongs uniquely to one family. The desire to honor Sam was an integral part of this session, and we did some photos in his memory. That said, the truth is they honor Sam all day every day in the way they love and care for one another and his brothers. It is beautiful to see.
Incredibly Not Perfect
When Caitlin inquired about booking a session for her family, their third with me, she thought a lot about what she wanted to preserve about this season with her brood. Just before their shoot she sent me an email that said, "I've finally decided to face the fact that every time my family is in front of a camera I try very hard to make us all look 'perfect.' (I use quotation marks because it's really such a farce.) Well, despite my efforts, my family and I are so incredibly NOT perfect... And I just can't do masks anymore...
"...Where I am now is that I want REAL... even if the cost is imperfect pictures where the darkness is captured along with the light." I heard a quiet yes resonate in me as I read her email. I knew their session would be something special from the moment Caitlin shared her heart. And it was. It really was. We hiked the muddy woods the children love. We wandered and talked and paused and laughed. It was incredibly not perfect. It was incredibly real and raw. Mostly it was incredibly beautiful.
This session makes me want to capture these kinds of photos for all the families I work with. They move me. I hope they move you.
August: A Continuance in Paying Attention
The rhythm of a daily photo has benefited and challenged me. It awakens my creativity, but more importantly, it causes me to pay attention. Every day. To life happening. I'd forgotten the importance, in our (my!!) social media inundated world, of looking around, of stopping, of seeing, of noticing and of choosing to be present. For me, a daily photo invites me to be constantly interested in my own life and the lives of those around me. It's become a valuable personal project.
This month included trips to the lake and a Cape Cod visit. It included many days at home, in the summer lull before work picks up. The goodness was as present in the mundane as it was in the extraordinary, and for that I am grateful.
August 1: Nieces visiting made for some laughter filled days in our very crowded apartment.
August 2: Mornings.
August 3: Lake days mean seeing this sight, time and again, and it never gets old. Ever.
August 4: Multi-tasking. I turned to see Ann pushing Emory while reading and snapped this photo, laughing.
August 5: Proud uncle and Papa watching our niece ski.
August 6: To quote my sister-in-law, "I'm not sure there's anything cuter than a hamster eating."
August 7: I stood with my dear friends Rob and Jenna as they baptized their children and became Blythe's godmother.
August 8: Afternoons.
August 9: A senior portrait session for a young lady I've known since she was born. I hadn't seen Emma in several years and was amazed at the beautiful, poised woman she's becoming
August 10: Uncle duties, as supervised by Jax.
August 11: I'd follow him anywhere.
August 12: Family gatherings mean Rosie and Nana Joanie hangs.
August 13: My sweet honey Bea is growing up. Bridget and Bea visited for a long weekend, and this girl has my heart.
August 14: Cousins. Cuties. I die.
August 15: How to kick off a photo session with your favorite triplets.
August 16: Making wishes. Christina, my friend and partner at Honey and Salt, and the triplets came to the lake for an overnight.
August 17: It seems like I've taken this photo of Darby many times with many children in the cabin, but this one with Quinn is a favorite.
August 18: Downpour from under the carport.
August 19: Catnap.
August 20: Catnap.
August 21: Sunday Funday, Jameson edition.
August 22: We'd just arrived on Cape Cod, and while we were thrilled to be there, we were also hangry.
August 23: A morning walk at high tide.
August 24: Blue.
August 25: "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea." -Isak Dinesen
August 26: Same beach, similar shot, different companion. Truly a gift to have a surprise visit. In ten years of photo taking, there are few I've taken that I love as much as this one.
August 27: Six years ago in October I photographed their parents wedding. We met on the beach for some sunset pictures and then had ice cream, and now the girls are asking if they can play with me when they go to the park. This is my favorite part of my job: seeing families grow and change over time.
August 28: Magic light and end of summer meet.
August 29: Lunch with my cousin Patrick on my last full day in Massachusetts.
August 30: Goodbye Cape Cod escape.
August 31: Nothing like a thank you note from a recent bride and groom to ease me back into work.
Sunsets and Sweetness
Shelly and Justin were some of my first clients, and I'm amazed at all the goodness in their lives. I've had the privilege of capturing so many significant moments. This session, Riley's six-month and Cooper's three-year session, took place a couple of months after both significant dates. That meant Miss Riley was sitting up and Mr. Cooper had even more words than you can imagine a precocious kiddo having. I love these kids. I love this family.
We played and laughed and carried on, and towards the end Justin headed to the playground with Cooper so that Shelly and Riley could do a few nursing shots. They are among my favorites from this beautiful family in all of our years together. I love her chubby hand reaching up, her feet kicking wildly, the sun setting in the distance. It was one of those sacred moments in my little corner of the world when everything seemed just right.
Austin at Three Months in Black and White
The black and whites of Austin's three-month session: this boy is loved, cherished and wanted by a proud big brother and a busy big sister. His pudgy feet kicked and kicked as their play surrounded him. His patient mama redirected them when it was time for Austin's solo portraits, but they hovered close, watching me and doting on him. I've worked with Austin's family on an ongoing basis for the better part of three years, so capturing this little man growing up makes my day. Isn't he adorable?
July Life
Snippets of life in July. Being intentional about a daily photo has caused a creative shift as well as a growth of gratitude. Paying attention and pulling out the camera daily has been so good for me. I'm looking forward to sticking with it for while. I hope you enjoy seeing as much as I enjoyed making.
July 1: Making a list of the things she wanted to do at the lake.
July 2: When it comes to baby whispering, we are a matched set.
July 3: Beers in the water and endless jumping off the boat.
July 4: Playing cornhole; taunting Mom. Let's be honest; she probably won.
July 5: After the rain.
July 6: Goddaughter. Super hero. Both.
July 7: All in a day's work.
July 8: They are so much braver than last year.
July 9: Slalom.
July 10: Celebrated Donna's birthday with a 15k. We both got age group awards and chased running with tacos. Win.
July 11: Mom sitting at my sister's bedside almost 24 hours into her labor. We thought we'd meet Jameson on the 11th, but that wasn't to be. I love this photograph, as it tells so much about the way my mom loves.
July 12: Capturing the miracle of new life amazes me always. Capturing the miracle of my nephew's arrival? I don't quite have the words.
July 13: Getting to know Jameson.
July 14: Hospital kisses.
July 15: I married a badass.
July 16: Jump!
July 17: Brothers. Eye roll.
July 18: Besties.
July 19: The linen cabinet.
July 20: Sleeping in the morning light.
July 22: When in proximity to Chicago, eating as much Chicago-style pizza as possible is essential.
July 23: My cousin Allie got married, and I loved being a guest at their wedding. A big camera photo had to happen, of course.
July 24: The skies at dusk, always friendly, even after a 3-hour weather delay.
July 25: A hard day.
July 26: Our cats prefer the dog's food.
July 27: How had he only been here two weeks, I wondered? It seems like we blinked, and he'd been here forever.
July 28: Experimenting with double exposure. Love him. Love this place.
July 29: Posed dog in the magic light. Cat walked into the frame and stole the show.
July 30: Our niece on his side meeting our nephew on my side. We scored in the family department.
July 31: Apprentices in Uncle Ty's lab.
Introducing Rosie Roo
In January, my dear friends welcomed their third daughter, beautiful Rosie. I cannot believe I'm just now blogging these photos. I'm mesmerized how wide-eyed this sweet nugget was then (and she remains so now). I'm amazed that this is the third little miss in this family that I've captured through my lens. I love that Ellie, Mae and Rosie get to grow up with the gift of each other and that they belong to two of my favorite people. Revisiting these photos makes me want to photograph All. The. Babies. and also makes me so grateful for friends who entrust me with documenting their families as they grow and change.
Paying Attention: A June Project
On June 6 I started taking a daily photo in an effort to regroup a bit and get back into the practice of shooting for myself. I was recovering from minor surgery and couldn't run, and I found myself in a rut. It's been a bit of a crazy year, and it felt like both my motivation and creativity had taken a hit. I plan to stick with the project, as it's awakened me. I remembered that paying attention causes me to be more intentional and more grateful. While I'm not sure I'll blog each month's photos, I want to share what I captured this initial month, because I'm loving these photos.
June 6: Morning light and nap time go hand in hand around here.
June 7: Birthday dinner with beautiful friends (and baby Woody!).
June 8: Mixing bread. I'm in a rhythm of making our bread using a sourdough starter, and I love the days when I actually bake it. The practice is good for our bodies and good for my soul.
June 9: Shaking off after a dip in the pond. While I couldn't run, Darby and I went for long walks, and I took my camera most days to practice noticing our everyday life.
June 10: Nadine gives me a belated birthday gift and a new favorite t-shirt.
June 11: Millie observes me observing her through our front window.
June 12: Anticipating my nephew's arrival at my sister's baby shower. He'll be here this month!
June 13: Naughty.
June 14: Kitchen windowsill.
June 15: Mellow Mushroom with my brothers. I love these kids.
June 16: Mae Mae brought this little buddy all over the house after I gave it to her for a photo shoot. Check out Emy and Annie for more handmade goodness.
June 17: The boy who lived.
June 18: Farmer's market haul.
June 19: Four years of family photos. The families who keep coming back add depth and meaning to my work. I've been doing the Traycoff family's photos since before Lauren's birth.
June 20: Forlorn much? That dogs are so expressive makes me laugh.
June 21: Three days later, baby Hank arrived.
June 22: Seeing what matters most. Through a paper towel roll.
June 23: Before their shoot I asked myself "what does a boy at three look like?"
June 24: To the lake!
June 25: Buttermilk sourdough cherry scones on deck for the Honey and Salt retreat.
June 26: I had half a day alone at the lake, and it was perfection.
June 27: Finally sharing my favorite place with one of my besties.
June 28: Saying goodbye to the cabin but only for a few days.
June 29: El Paso with my niece and the last few minutes of daylight.
June 30: Road trip from El Paso to home with my sister-in-law and her girls. Texas, in it's vastness, contains such beauty.
Magic Light and Real Life
Real talk: the families who sign up for a session at the day's end when the light is golden and beautiful have regular kids, meaning kids who get tired and are sometimes a *wee bit* grumpy towards the end of the day. When Andrew and Alex arrived for family photos they'd had a big day, so we spent a few minutes just kinda being. Real talk, part two: almost any kids, given the undivided attention of their parents at the park will warm up and get distracted from said end-of-day *ahem* challenges. A little bit of play, a whole lot of laughing, some fast running and a good bit of interacting created one of my favorite spring family sessions this year. So much love shines through in these photos.
If your photo shoot feels a little crazy while in process, have no fear. Good stuff is happening, and it looks like what is uniquely beautiful in any given family, through a camera lens. I love this job.
Almost Trio: A Maternity Session
Jessica and Sam's dynamic duo of brothers will expand into a trio in a few short weeks, and I got to take a few photos as they await the arrival of their new guy. It was the muddiest day, and the boys were so excited to have an excuse to get their feet dirty and play. I've done sessions with this crew for several years, so the kids know me. I love that the familiarity yields stunning results every time, and I love that I'm getting to watch a family grow and change and make room for one more. Such a sweet time. I cannot wait to post newborn photos soon!
Just a reminder that I'm running a maternity and newborn special through August, so if these photos appeal to you and you or someone you know is expecting in that time frame (or in the fall... the special can be extended by paying a retainer while it is running), I'd love to hear from you. Pricing starts at $425 for 20 digital files, a $125 savings with the option to upgrade to the full gallery. Maternity sessions are minis priced at $275, a $75 savings and include 10 digital files with the option to upgrade to the full gallery. Some restrictions apply. So excited to fill my summer calendar with beautiful bumps and babies!
Brand New Big Sisters Make the Sweetest Newborn Session Magic
Poppy's arrival meant two-year-old Violet graduated to a new role of big sisterhood. I love seeing the way a family grows and expands not just in number when a newborn comes home. Hearts open wide and even the tiniest toddlers discover they are capable of great big love. Violet's busy, big-girl-self nestled alongside of sleepy Poppy was not the only magic moment at the session, but it is a good place to start in sharing a family's warm welcome of a second beautiful daughter.
Newborn sessions are day in and day out among my favorites, and in sharing this session I want to share that I am running a newborn special through the summer. Full newborn sessions with all digital files are $550 (a $300 savings) or with 25 digital files are $425 (a $125 savings). Maternity options are also available. If you or someone you know is due June through August, I'd love to hear from you. I want all families to have beautiful photographs like Poppy's sweet session!
Introducing John Lucas Raymond
With a name like that how could this fella not be destined for greatness? With a family like his, the path in that direction is already well worn for him to follow. Marcus and Julie are the kinds of parents who encourage full family involvement, so the girls were eager to show off their not-so-tiny new brother. It was the kind of session where photographs were slowly taken because the baby wanted to eat, wanted to be held, needed a change... It mattered not; we all wanted to catch up. The session gave way to a dinner invite, and I left with more than just a collection of photographs to document the sweet time when a family welcomes their last baby. I left with a full heart because I'd witnessed life well lived.
On Dinosaur T-Shirts
The third time I met Aedan's family for photos (the first time he was two; now he is four... how does that happen?), his mom turned to me and said, "I let him pick his t-shirt. I didn't fight him." In so doing Christie gave her son a sense of ownership of how our day went. I'm realizing that any way a parent can allow their child to participate in making choices leading up to and during a photo session seems to enhance the quality of photos.
I love that Aedan wore his dinosaur shirt. I love that his grandma came along for family photos. I love that we created memories for this session in their neighborhood. And I love that these photos reflect that Aedan is at the age where "don't look at the camera" produces an innocent straightforward portrait and "don't laugh" produces belly laughs every time.
Brothers + Friends
Growing up with a house full of brothers made watching Cody and Jet interact that much sweeter. They brought a naturally playful and engaging feel to our session right off the bat. I enjoyed seeing how funny each found the other. I love when I get to see glimpses of who the kids I'm photographing are growing into through the course of our time. It happens when parents step back and let them be, and here I saw a lifelong friendship birthed along familial lines. I look forward to seeing that bond continue to form next time I photograph these guys.
Hudson at Home
When Brooke emailed about a newborn session for their soon-to-arrive daughter I was already invested. I'd photographed Brooke and Cliff's wedding a few years back, and we kept up on social media. When Hudson arrived shortly after they moved into their new home, we kept the session simple, focused on the rooms where they cuddled their new baby girl most and the interactions that came naturally to this sweet little family.
Newborn sessions allow a family to remember those fleeting first moments of welcoming a tiny baby. The flood of sleepless nights and busy, busy days that a new addition tends to bring make me want to capture details and moments that will help create documentary photos to take parents back to the story of their little one's first days. Hudson- in her mama's arms and nestled, tiny, in Cliff's hands- she is their treasure. It shows.
