What is this?? Blogging three days in a row?? That never EVER happens but I'm trying to make sure all the sessions get blogged for now on. Gotta catch up before all the newborn boys are born this next month. Thus year has been full of boys. It is craziness. Levi was so sweet! He took a little while to get into sleepy mode but once he did, he was golden. Finally got to use the teal knitted sleepy cap that I made.
Taylour and Chris were so fun to be with. They both love fishing and each other so very much. Can't wait to meet their little guy....any day now!!!
Caroline broke my boy streak so I brought out alll the girly things. Finally got to use some sets that had been sitting for a while. Vintage yellow and white doilies, a Mint set and a quilt that I'd been dying to use from Oh Love props. Caroline's big sisters were so sweet and loved their new little sister so much. They watched my every move and told me all about her. Can't wait to see them grow up together.
Noah was the 6th boy in my newborn boy streak. Oh my goodness he was so cuddly and squishy. In every pose, his cheeks over flowed into his hands or arms. Now the question is will he be the end of my boy streak?
This Newborn session was a little different from my norm. I went out to Sir Isaac's home and we did a mix of my normal newborn and then a more relaxed lifestyle version in the comfort of mom and dad's bedroom. I was present during this little guys birth (which will be posted soon ) so it was so nice to be back in and get some newborn snuggles.
We had a freaking blast during this session. The boys didn't want to go home! This mama has a special place in my heart. She assisted in my healing amazing birth of my Iggy. Although I did the work to being my Iggy earthside, knowing that I had a team of people who were on my side was everything that I needed. I am so glad I was able to capture her with her boys.
Guys....I have done a lot of newborn sessions and I've worked with tons of babies. That being said, I think Blake is the most handsome baby boy I've ever photographed (other than my own boys but Blake is almost just as handsome) While editing I tried to cull a reasonable amount of images but I ended up editing 200+! I couldn't choose! There were so many good ones!
I have been on pins and needles wanting to post Gunner's newborn session! Mama had to stay home for a few weeks so it wasn't the usual 1-2 week waiting time. When Gunner and his mama came over for their gallery viewing I was shocked with how much Gunner had grown! I had been editing all these pictures of him where he looked like a newborn and there he was looking like a 3 month old! This is why it's so important to capture their cuddly, squishy newness! It goes by so fast! They will never be that little again.
Delaney's newborn session featured lots of pastels, lace and rusticness. Delaney is the youngest of six children! The day of her newborn session we tried for a shot of everyone but the size of my studio didn't allow us to get the perfect shot so we did an outdoor session a few weeks later! I am so excited to share these with the world! Some of the props used in Delaney sessions were:
Pink Headband: Baby Bliss Props
Yellow Headband: Emmy Blue Handmade
White Knit Blanket: Muted Newborn Essentials
Purple flower headband and Vintage Quilt: Golden Stitch Prop Shoppe
Lace Bonnet: Tiny Bean Baby
Doe Headband: The Dainty Miss
Mint Headband: My Darling Emma
Flower Crowns and Knit Romper made by Me!
Sweet baby Ava surprised everyone about 3 weeks earlier than they thought. Ava's mom messaged me and I made arrangements to get her session scheduled. Ava was so smiley during her session! I caught a lot of the smiles but she was sneaky and would smile when I didn't have the camera in front of me. Ava's big brother Aiden was such a joy to have in the studio. They were so cute together! I hope to be able to capture this family for years to come! Aren't they perfect?
This beach, this couple, the lighting, everything was perfect on that Sunday evening. Sam and Phil are so perfect together. The session went by so fast and the two of them just went with the flow. Phil told me he was nervous in the beginning but after a few poses they forgot about me and were just themselves. It was so amazing. I myself LOVE beach sessions so I soaked up every minute of it. Sam and Phil's wedding is set for October of this year and I couldn't be more excited for them.
I have worked with a lot of babies during my time as a photographer and each one has been so different and special. Every baby that I've had the privilege of photographing steals a little piece of my heart. Travis was definitely one of those babies. He reminded me so much of one of my {not so little anymore} siblings. He had the creamiest skin and perfect soft hair. Travis' Mommy and Daddy were a joy to have in the studio and I can't wait to see them here again!
Lumen was an absolute joy to have! I am so glad I got to meet her and her family! I got to use a bunch of new props on miss Lumen. It was awesome, I felt like a kid playing with new toys. We tried our new backdrop which turned out amazing, Vintage egg basket, a new quilt and headband set from The Golden Stitch Props, a pink romper (knitted by me) and my french angora bunny bonnet (also knitted by me). I tried some new parent poses which I will definitely be doing more often! Kirstan (Lumen's mommy) was glowing and beautiful as ever. It was a great day!
This past Saturday I took part in The Natural Birth & Baby Expo. Man was it amazing!!! My little guy strapped to my back and camera in hand, I got to capture it all! Every single person I encountered was so nice and welcoming. It was like a big family gathering, to celebrate moms and babies. During my time at this awesome event, I met Charlie Rae and Erica Lea of Barefoot birth who gave me hope and confidence for my future births whenever they may be. Next to their booth was a mommy and baby area to take a seat, nurse your baby and a changing table which is forgotten most of the time but so necessary at big events. This was all set up by Community Roots Collective which is part of Barefoot birth.
As I was walking by the isles something caught my eye. It was an image I had seen before. The light switch came on and I realized it was an image taken by one of my favorite Birth Photographers, Jennifer Martin of Jennifer Martin Photography. I was starstruck and probably really dorky. The ooos and awes spilled out of my mouth as I looked through all of her work and admired her beautiful booth. I want to have another baby just so she can capture my birth! Jennifer wore her precious little one almost the whole event. Now where else can you work and wear your baby?
Recently I made a new friend, her name is Gladis and she owns Crunch Natural Parenting. The first time we met was at her store, we talked and our kids played for a good two hours! Her inviting personality really shines when you walk into her doors. I didn’t want to leave! She somehow brought all of the goodness of her store to the birth event. Her mini shop was adorable! Full of wraps, carriers, diapers and the cutest baby moccs from Freshly picked! If you ever need some good baby wearing or cloth diapering advice, Crunch is your one stop shop! When I make the switch to Cloth diapers I will definitely be going to Gladis!
Next to Crunch was The Tampa Bay Birth Network. They set up a mock up Birthing room complete with a birth tub and bed. As I walked into the dimly lit “room” I felt relaxed and as if I were about to witness a birth. Pictures hung on the walls and music played in the background. It showed what birth should be like for mothers who can do it at home! I snagged one of the last beige Tampa Bay Birth Network tanks to wear during my newborn sessions (represent!)
I could go on and on about all the amazing booths and people I met but really I will never be able to explain how awesome it was. I can’t wait for next years expo and I hope that you will join in and take part in the fun too! Here are some of my favorite shots from the expo.
This is a little late but I figure better late than never! This past November I got that call that I had been waiting for, that call that I worried I wouldn't wake up to. It was about 5 am when I answered the phone to a very sleepy Nate, he let me know that Brittnee was doing well and they were at the hospital. It was the very beginning of labor so I went back down for a tiny little snooze as I watched my phone for any updates. I got up around 8 and made sure I had all my stuff ready to go so that when Brittnee reached 5cm I could pack up and go. My little family and I went to church, which got out right as they broke her water. I drove to the hospital to find a very calm and relaxed couple with family and friends surrounding. The whole room was filled with love and anticipation as we awaited the arrival of a sweet baby Grayson. Time passed and by 3:00 Brittnee was 10cm! Once it sank in that Grayson would make his arrival very very soon there was not a dry eye in the room. The doctor and nurse started to set up and by 3:30 she was pushing. Just a few pushes and Baby Grayson came earth side at 3:48 PM. Tears rushed into my eyes as I was trying to look through the peephole in my camera. A little suctioning some meconium out of little mans airways and he was in his mommy's arms, gazing and taking in all that was new. Now their little family was complete. It was truly an amazing day. I am so lucky to have a job that combines both my love for birth and babies. I would;t have it any other way.
