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.

Adventures in the PNW with the Bestie and Her Sidekicks

"To live would be an awfully big adventure." -J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan A friendship forged during twenty-something globetrotting fueled by passion and marked by adventure started with a whole lot of wandrelust. It's fitting, then, that these days my friendship with Carla looks like everyday explorations with three inquisitive minds. We may not be collecting passport stamps these days, but our conversations remain rich. The time we get together these days, fleeting because of the many miles between DFW and the PNW, is something of a sacred space for me.

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I learn a lot from Carla. She's wise in her relationships. Her marriage is full of grace and kindness. Her intentionality with her children- genuine consideration for each little personality and heart- is something I hope to emulate in motherhood some day. The places she takes her brood on any given day invites imagination, wonder and an appreciation for what is beautiful on this good earth. While we didn't manage a single family photo during my last trip, what we did capture tells a whole lot of story about what really matters in the life of my dear friend. Revisiting these photographs inspires and delights me.

Two, On the Way

Their twins arrived at the end of May, and we spent a few minutes before sunset documenting Marie's pregnancy before the endless rain came. The location we used would be under water by the time the babies arrived, but this was an evening of a quiet calm. When a photo session serves the purpose of recording the kind of day that is all the good stuff of a family lived out authentically as I shoot, I get excited about sharing these images.

Nadine is Three, Part One

We planned Nadine's three-year photos around having golden hour light to compliment a favorite family outing. On the morning of the scheduled session, rain set in, so we rescheduled the bulk of her portrait session. Her parents were on a deadline for a few photos, though, so we did a mini-session on the front porch of their house. I'm so glad we did, because while the second part of her three-year photos is really fun (and will be shared soon), I love the beauty seen here. I see Nadine's contagious joy. It lights her face all the way into her eyes. I see the way she loves and is loved. I see a child I've known since birth coming into her own, secure in her identity because her parents are raising her to be strong and brave and honest and good. I've been doing Nadine's photos since she was born, and she's my little buddy, counting herself my friend right alongside her parents (she's right). That said, it makes me so happy to share these.

Bennett is ONE!

To go the cliche route, it seems like yesterday we were doing my sweet nephew Bennett's newborn photos. Before his first birthday, he was already promoted to big brother, Irish-twin style. He is such a gorgeous, happy baby, and I want to share a few of his one-year portraits today. This boy loves his Auntie "Eeeeeeee" and literally runs everywhere, arms outstretched, as if he knows that life is a gift. He's full-throttle; my sister and brother-in-law call him their bulldozer. He loves food and fish and dogs. I love him to the sky and back and hope these make you smile.

Introducing Beatrice Mae

Beatrice Mae, niece 3.0, arrived to a very full family and so wanted and very much loved. She is utterly delightful, and I loved getting to meet her. My mom and I went to Raleigh together to meet her, and we were in love from the first day. These photos were taken before she was two-weeks-old, over a few days. I'm a little sad to say we didn't capture any stunning family photos, as it was rainy and dark most of the trip, and the one day we attempted... well, I'll just let you see for yourselves. I love that we got some real life, real time, this-is-what-it's-like-to-have-a-newborn series in the midst of my time there. I have additional photos to blog from this trip, but I wanted to share some photos of our sweet honey Bea all fresh and new. She bookends a very full nest, and I love her so. Isn't she lovely?

Little Ladies in Red

With family photo sessions, it's the ways people interact and look when they're at their best that compels me to do this job. I love seeing the expressions on little faces and hearing the laughter that ensues as we pursue some glimpses at real life. This session felt so special, because they'd never had family photos done- not even wedding photos. I loved getting to bear witness to the goodness that is uniquely theirs. These three little ladies in red are treasures, and I loved getting to see that. The twins are doted on by all, and their big sister simply shines. We didn't do a whole lot of posing or setting up shots. Everyone just did their thing as a family, and I got to photograph just what that looks like. Those tend to be the very best sessions. I hope I get to continue to witness and document these beautiful lives.

Little Ladies in Red

With family photo sessions, it's the ways people interact and look when they're at their best that compels me to do this job. I love seeing the expressions on little faces and hearing the laughter that ensues as we pursue some glimpses at real life. This session felt so special, because they'd never had family photos done- not even wedding photos. I loved getting to bear witness to the goodness that is uniquely theirs. These three little ladies in red are treasures, and I loved getting to see that. The twins are doted on by all, and their big sister simply shines. We didn't do a whole lot of posing or setting up shots. Everyone just did their thing as a family, and I got to photograph just what that looks like. Those tend to be the very best sessions. I hope I get to continue to witness and document these beautiful lives.

Big Brother Love

Even before we met for this session, I knew we would capture some happy interactions, because these guys do life on the happy-beautiful-joyful side. I loved, though, that Mr. Charlie was so eager to help with "Sisters". We've been friends for a long time, Charlie and I, so I've witnessed his transition from only child to big brother, and he's so very sweet with them. His sisters are little wonders too, all wide-eyed and curious about the world. It's hard to believe this session was in October. The girls' first birthday was this week, so it seemed timely to post this blog to celebrate a beautiful family.

Little Girlies and Joy

This was our first meeting, and new families mean I get to hear and see their unique expression of what love looks like. These bright-eyed, beautiful little girls both gave me lots of smiles and laughs, and I got to watch their parents do that tag team thing that happens when a couple has a pair of busy girls. They did so with affection and ease, and while I'm sure there are days that aren't so quiet and simple, what stands out to me about this session is how peaceful it was. I am continually humbled by the goodness that occurs when I get to show up for a photo session and bear witness to a family who decides to fully show up for a session, bringing their best. That's what happened here, and while I love how wardrobe choices and warm light played into how these photographs look and feel, what stands out is the interactions illustrative of how a family goes together just so. So much joy to behold here...

Three, at Three

This beautiful family and I met up for the third time this fall, and the triplets are now three, talkative and full of ideas. I let the kids take the lead, and the end result was a collection of photographs that are pure joy. Any time I work with a sibling group, I want to capture both their relationships and the individual personalities of each child, and I think this session allowed me to do just that. Family photos that are illustrative of real life preserve the story of children growing up that I like to think they will one day show their children and grandchildren. When I get to photograph families who relax and enjoy the process, what is beautiful about that family naturally emerges. These guys shine, and the way they love looks good on them. I can't wait to see how they grow and change when they turn four.

Super G is 4!

Not sure how it happened that my little friend Super G turned 4. When I was growing my business, Grant was my nanny charge during his first year. One incredible part about being a photographer is that a lot of the littles I nannied through the years have an annual appointment for photos, so even if I don't see a whole lot of them in-between, we minimally cross paths then. These guys are so low-key and fun, so shooting around Denton was a great fit. I loved hearing an update of the past year and hearing Grant's stories from the State Fair (he'd been there the day before). This little man is learning to live big. I think everyone's favorite part of the session was hitting up Hypnotic Donuts, where Grant managed to put away his doughnut in about thirty seconds flat. I love how Grant's parents are committed to each other and to loving Grant well, and I think it shows in these photos. They're an amazing family.

The Baby Next Door...

My next door neighbors have the cutest little guy, and on mornings when they happen to be letting their dogs out when I'm coming back from a run, I get to see his sweet little grin. Getting to capture that grin for his one-year session made my day. Beckham loves my dog and wanted to grab everything in reach, and he took to family photos like a pro model. I love this whole collection, but my favorite photos might be the ones at the end of his mom and dad who told me they were engaged right in the middle of our session. I loved getting to capture a few photos of their beautiful selves and am so excited for their future.