Bennett Comes to Dallas

Just a few weeks after his newborn photos at home in Raleigh, my sweet little nephew took his first plane ride to Dallas with an entourage of my sister, his daddy and my niece. We used that trip as an excuse to do a few more photos, and I am so glad we were able to. Raleigh was rainy and cold when I visited to do his initial set, so having some spring warmth and light let me show off my handsome little love in more ideal conditions. That first photo in this set? It slays me. I adore this tiny man.

Introducing Alexa

Just a few weeks ago, I did maternity photos for Alexa's mama, and on her thirteenth day earth-side, I got to follow up with newborn photos. Alexa gave me some bright eyes and sleepy sighs, and it was so lovely to watch her parents work alongside each other to care for their baby girl. The anticipation I saw in the maternity session became adoration at this session. Just a quick sneak peek tonight...

Introducing Claire

Claire arrived ten days before her newborn session, and her daddy had taken her big brother to school so that her first photo session could be a just-the-girls affair. I love her newborn chub and quiet demeanor. It was so obvious she knows and loves her mama already. Once she'd been fed and rocked a bit, Miss Claire settled right in for photos, and I didn't mind a bit when she needed a few mid-session snuggles. Getting to hold brand new babies in my arms feels miraculous every time. I love that for these first few photos it was just Claire, but it served to make me excited to do family photos in a few months. Here is a sampling of photographs from Claire's newborn session. I hope her perfect sweetness shines through in each image.

Five Years and One Bump

These two booked their maternity session on their fifth wedding anniversary, making these photographs doubly meaningful. We talked about how they met (college) and their adventures in New York, with their faithful furry companion. They're now in Dallas preparing for their biggest adventure yet, parenting a soon-to-arrive baby boy. I see so much life and love in these photos and am so excited to continue to document the story of this couple as they start their family. Their little man arrives late May. I can't wait.

"See You Next Soon..."

Alex shouted, "see you next soon," when I left their house last night; I had to drop by. It had been a few days since their session, and I guess he wanted to be sure there'd be a next time, and soon. Over time a tremendous thing happens in client relationships; babies I photographed brand new become into precocious little boys. As I watch those little boys grow up through my lens, it just so happens that they start to remember me. They start to tell me their stories and ask about my day. As much as I want to draw them out and make them laugh, they seem intent on getting me to laugh as well. They may not be the easiest ages for a low-key photo session, but they are delightful ages nonetheless. Alex and Sam are 2 and 4, and I've known them their whole lives. That I have been their photographer the whole time makes every session that much more meaningful to me. Their mom has become a friend.

I really love the feel of these photos- that the boys' eyes have light and laughter in them, that Leigh Ann looks happy and warm, that affection is woven throughout. These photos illustrate who they are at their core, and it's beautiful to see. Love photographs well.

Just the Boys

They're adding a sister to the mix this summer, so their parents wanted to capture a few "boys being boys" photos of their sons before the new baby arrives. If you give a pair of little boys open space and ask for silly faces, muscles, hugs, kisses and jokes, the end result will be a robust set of images that shows lots of personality and the obvious adoration the two have for each other. I wanted to share a quick sneak peek here and cannot wait to share the full gallery with their mom and dad soon.

Four Frames in a Row

I cannot believe how much baby Kendall has changed in just a few short months. Her first session was sweet as can be, and this follow up mini-session let me see a happy-go-lucky, busy and gregarious girl. The photos I selected to blog are four frames taken in succession, and I love the expressive delight shown here. Mini-sessions don't give the same variety as a full session, but they most certainly provide ample time to illustrate just who a little girl is becoming, and that's just what happened here.

Bluebonnet Baby and Her Bashful Brother Too

This year's first set of mini-sessions took place last Saturday, and this sweet little miss needed six-month photos. She proudly showed off her sitting-up skills while her big brother mostly ran away from the camera. Mini-sessions are quick, and I love the way the concentrated time always ends up being sufficient to capture real smiles and genuine personality. It was so fun to meet these two, and I can't wait until next time. Having the bluebonnets appear the morning of the session (literally... I had just checked the spot a couple of days before to be sure it was green enough... no bluebonnets then) added the feeling of Texas springtime to this set of images. I couldn't help but share a mini-session sized preview; these two are so adorable!

Introducing Mae

Mae belongs to some dear family friends, and I was most grateful for the opportunity to take her newborn photos. Mae seemed inclined to mostly sleep through her session, though she definitely wanted to take a few snack breaks. She reminds me of her sister when she was a newborn; the two look quite alike. Said big sister stepped into her older sibling role with grace and poise. She was quick to remind me, "Mae is our baby." I think she's learned in just a few days of being a sister that newborn babies who snuggle into your arms and settle in to sleep are hard to put down. It's so sweet to watch a family expand to include a new addition, and Mae's family has done that beautifully. I'm excited for this sweet girl. I can't wait to see who she becomes. Her parents are two of the most incredibly gracious and kind people I know, and Mae is blessed to be born into a family who treasures and dreams big for their daughters. Just a few photos from her session...

So Beautiful, Real Life

When we decided to book this session during the golden hour that happens just before sunset, I wasn't sure how two toddlers would do. I've worked with these guys for a few years, though, and knew we'd manage to get at least a handful of beautiful images, even if we had to work a little bit to keep the little ones engaged. I needn't have worried. It was a near-perfect evening, with a little chatterbox and a giggly baby brother, a silly daddy and a relaxed mama. I love a family just being during a portrait session. It is not difficult to show what someone looks like, but when a family really shows up, the images take on a deeper meaning and illustrate the story of who they are. I think these photographs do just that, and I love them. I see warmth and beauty and deep, compelling love... so much love. This is real life for this family, and it inspires me. Getting to see that makes thankful for the families who keep coming back when it's time to update their photographs.

Introducing Cole

When we did maternity photos before Cole was born, his family didn't know he was a boy. Cole arrived and surprised them; they'd suspected he was a girl. Cole, though, is a perfect fit in his family. A second little boy is exactly who they needed. This was a sweet newborn session, one that was straightforward and simple. The baby ate and slept. His brother napped until the end. Everyone was relaxed and happy to be doting on this tiny man who'd joined their family the week before. My favorite moment of the session occurred when we put the two boys on the couch together. Tell your brother a secret, I urged Beckett, who was lying on his stomach looking at the baby. "I love you," he whispered, kissing him on the forehead. His parents just beamed as their older son expressed his heart to the younger. When I started editing this set of images, those photos stood out. I like to think years from now that story will be told and retold whenever Cole's newborn photos are revisited. It's the good stuff of real life, and it's a huge piece of why I view my job as a privilege. So grateful to have spent a few hours celebrating baby Cole. I'm excited to share a few of his photographs here.

Introducing Bennett {Raleigh Newborn Photographer}

My longed for nephew Bennett Michael arrived a few weeks ago, and I am thankful that I was able to go to Raleigh and capture a handful of newborn images. They'll be in Dallas later this week, so these photos are just the start of the collection of photographs that will tell the story of this sweet little man. His big brother and sister think he's something amazing, and Bennett thinks he'd like to get a bit more sleep, I think... He's a treasure of a baby, wanting snuggles and love, and he's most content in his mama's arms. Thankfully, he's happy to be passed around a bit too. I'm amazed at the grace my sister shows as a mama, and I'm so excited for she and Brian. They have an adventure ahead of them with these three amazings they've been entrusted with. Bennett is already adored by all his aunties and uncles, and we are so blessed to have this wee man to call ours.

A Moose Hunt Two Years in the Making

It's hard to believe this little girl is two. A few weeks ago, I did some running photos of Nadine and her mom as a personal project, and those are some of my favorite photos I've taken to date. When we planned for Nadine's birthday set, we wanted to round out all the fantastic images of Nadine and her mom with some great photographs with her dad. I love how clearly their love and affection comes through in this set. At the beginning of the session, Nadine was a bit distracted, as two-year-olds are prone to be, so her mom made mention of seeing a "moose". Moose don't run around in Oak Cliff, but Nadine spent the duration of the session moose hunting, and that worked out well for capturing her personality and some family photos that look like exactly who these guys are, and by that I mean personality in addition to appearance. Nadine is lively and silly and conversational and inquisitive. I so enjoy knowing this kid and think this is a perfect two-year set for one sweet girl. I'm excited to share this blog.

Before This Baby Girl Arrives...

In just a few weeks, these two will welcome their little girl into the world. We did their maternity photos at River Legacy Park in Arlington, and it was a perfect day for being outdoors in the morning. I loved how casual our conversation was and how easily these two interact with one another. It's clear that they're crazy about each other and ready to begin the adventure of parenting. I cannot wait to do their newborn photos but in the meantime, here's a sneak peek of maternity photos. I'm excited to finish the full set!

Landon Love! {Delaware Baby Photographer}

Landon was born on the same day as Harper, whose blog I posted yesterday, and his daddy serves in the Air Force as well. This little love was all smiles and eager to be in front of the camera. A rainy, cold afternoon couldn't keep us from lots of belly laughs and sweet moments with his mom and dad. It was a low-key, fun-filled session that went by all too quickly, and I am excited to share Landon's blog. He is one of the happiest babies I've ever met! I am so grateful I got to work with a couple of military families on my recent trip to Delaware and am already planning a return trip.

Here's Harper! {Delaware Baby Photographer}

When I went to visit my newborn niece in Delaware, I had the privilege of meeting a couple of her baby buddies whose daddies serve alongside my brother in the Air Force. Harper turned 7-months-old on the day I met her, and she showed off her brand new sitting and clapping skills all while sizing me up. Harper is one of those babies who makes you work for a smile, but her disposition is sunny, inquisitive and sweet, and I loved that at the end of the session she reached for me when I asked if I could hold her for a minute. Because let's just be honest here: a huge part of what I enjoy about my job is getting to love on sweet babies. For this set, we explored the house and picked fun favorites from her wardrobe and wished her daddy was home for some family photos. In the end we got a great collection of photographs, and now I can't wait to watch this tiny girl grow.

Introducing Georgia Suzanne {Delaware Newborn Photographer}

On February 6, Georgia Suzanne arrived, making me an auntie for the second time. She lives in Delaware, where my brother serves in the Air Force, so I planned a trip as quickly as I could. Trying to find the words to express the joy I felt when I met this little peach is difficult. Her disposition is quiet, peaceful and sweet. Georgia cries when she's hungry and sleeps easily, and she is every bit as heavenly as a newborn could possibly be. I cannot wait to see who she becomes as she grows, but at the moment I want to relish her newness. New life brings a freshness and delight to a family, and ours is delighted to welcome this much-anticipated little girl. Seeing Jaybo and Kendall step into their roles as parents is so fun to watch, and I know they will do an incredible job caring for their daughter. I love her so much, and while I'm not sure these photographs express the fullness of my heart in regards to this baby, I'm excited to share them nonetheless.

The Whole Family, Finally

When we did Brendan's newborn session, his big sister was globetrotting, so we planned a second session to capture some photographs with the whole family. Then we had weather and sickness and more weather and more sickness. It took a few months, but we finally gathered to do a photo session with the whole family. I love seeing how big baby Brendan has gotten and how doted on he is. This is a lovely family with a sweetness about their relationships. Everyone showed up with their best selves. Sweet Isobel is such a confident beauty, and she's taken to the role of big sister like a pro. I am so enjoying documenting this family's story. Previous sessions can be viewed here and here.

Introducing Stella

Her mama and I had talked on the phone several times before Miss Stella arrived, and we'd planned a good bit. I arrived for newborn photos to a very awake and busy little newborn, beautiful as could be but decidedly not in the mood for photos. We took our time, though, and between her mama, her daddy and I, we eventually convinced this sweet baby girl that having newborn photographs was in fact a brilliant idea. I so enjoyed this session. Seeing the way Stella's parents work as partners and with such consideration towards one another was compelling to witness, and their complete smitten-ness with their daughter warmed my heart. I'm so pleased to share a sneak peek of Stella's newborn session and look forward to continuing to document her story as she grows.

Darling Emmaline

Bad weather prevented Emmaline's parents and I from connecting for a maternity session not once but three times. Ultimately, I never got to photograph Emmaline as a baby bump. When I met her last week at ten-days-old, she slept. And slept. And slept. And ate a little then slept some more. It's hard work being not yet two-weeks-old, and Emmaline opted to get her beauty rest throughout her first photo session. And what a beauty she is, with her yummy cheeks and fuzzy baby hair. Her mom and grandma and I chatted easily during the session, talking about the miracle of a newborn and the wonder a baby brings to a family. I loved the details that were set out to be used in the photos, vintage yet fresh. It was tough to narrow selections to share for the blog, but I am excited to share a handful of photos from this tiny girl's newborn session. As I post these I am already excited for six-month photos!