"We're Singin' in the Rain!"::The Stewarts

I love this family so much.  Beth is one of my dear, dear friends who moved away last summer (boo, still trying not to be bitter about that).  They were down visiting this week to look in on their rental here and visit a few friends, me included, yay!  I met Beth through our MOMS group at church and we got along right away. At the time she had 3 boys and was done having kids, or so she thought.  When I found out I was pregnant with my youngest, Jordan, I was talking with her on the phone one day and she asked me when I was due, February 18, I said.  "Oh great, well I'm due March 3!"  What?!?!?!?  How is that possible?  Oh, but with God, all things are "possible"...and sometimes humorous. :)  And so we endured our lengthy pregnancies together, moaning, complaining, drinking our chai tea and laughing at ourselves.  All along, Beth didn't know what gender she was pregnant with, so everyone in her circle and beyond were on pins and needles to find out that she indeed had had....A GIRL!!!!!  Woo hoo!  

We had a small window of opportunity to fit their session in.  Unfortunately the weather did not want to cooperate, but as always, I try to have a back up plan.  I knew the park we were going to had a couple huge trees in an open ares, so we basically hid under those like a canopy for our shoot.  I wasn't able to get as much variety as I typically like to, but the kids were such troopers despite the drippiness and the cold.  Enjoy!!!

By far my favorite family shot of them!!! I hope they canvas this one! :)

The eldest, Micah! Getting so big!

Sweet, sweet Sam! He and my daughter play so nicely together. :) Hmmmm, love connection?

Silly little Jack!

Demure and shy Annie.  She did not want to be put down at all!

Trying so hard to get a nice shot of just the two of them without little ones underfoot!  Easier said than done!

This is the BEST we could with getting a shot with all 3 kids in there.

Annie's reaction to a group shot without Mom or Dad.  Not too thrilled!

You can't tell, but they are getting poured on, whilst I hover under cover of the trees. :)

Love and miss you friend!  I hope I was able to provide images that tell us who you truly are! :)

Christian::One Year Old!

I have been photographing Christian since BEFORE he was born. :)  His family, along with older sisters Grace and Faith, have been such wonderful clients to work with.  They have been so supportive and encouraging to me in my business endeavors and have sent countless referrals my way as well!  My day always brightens when I see an email from Martta, "I think we're ready for more pictures!" :)

Mr. Christian has been giving me a run for my money this year.  Mom has two huge portraits on the wall of his sisters and is in need of a "matching" one of him, outdoorsy, smiles!  At 3 months, we didn't get much expression out of the little guy, at 6 months, it was a very cold day which made him NOT so happy!  So here we are at a year, and I'm starting to feel like the aversion is toward me! :)  No, no, no, I will not be discouraged.  I popped on my 85mm lens so that I wasn't so close to him and let mom try to work her magic.  Still on the serious side, we got more smiles out of him this session than any other.  I hope one is perfect to grace the stairwell wall!

 Yay! THERE'S a smile! :)

 All this pressure...time for some snacks!

 Not loving the fedora! :)

 Hooray, another giggle!

Here's little Christian a year ago at his newborn session.  He's grown so much (well, we both have:)).  Happy Birthday little guy!!!

Welcome Home~Baby Brianne

Brianne's story is so special.  I've known her parents for a couple years now, being part of the same groups at church, and I've heard their story of preparing to adopt a little one.  It was so joyous to hear that they had been selected by a birth mother to adopt her child.  What a deserving family!  I felt so honored to be asked to come and photograph Brianne, safe and sound at home, with her mommy and daddy and ever so proud big sister, Grace!!!  What a petite little angel she was! It's always fun to get my baby snuggles on since this baby maker is closed for business. Haha!

 Brianne needed some snacks and cuddles before continuing with her shoot! I love little "life" moments, those are my favorite to photograph!

 An adorable headband prop I finally got to use, made by Angela Pollard.

 The whole fam!

 This one of mom and baby is my favorite! So much love.

Sweet dreams little princess. Welcome Home!