Vincent's First Birthday!

This little cutie celebrated his first birthday this past Saturday.  He may not remember this day in years to come but his parents certainly will.  A first birthday is such a joyous occasion, celebrating countless milestones, lots of smiles, and a love your heart once never knew existed!

It was evident that his mom carefully thought out many many details.  I just LOVE details!

And on this day Vincent was surrounded by so much love.  As well as some adorable friends who were ready to celebrate!

When it was time for cake, everyone gathered to sing a traditional Happy Birthday!    It's always a big moment of anticipation as everyone awaits to see if the birthday boy or girl will dive into the cake.  In Vincent's case, he was not interested!

The day has passed with so much focus on Vincent, the birthday boy, as it should.  But I hope that Mom and Dad took a little time to Congratulate each other.  Together they have survived the sleepless nights of a newborn and quite possibly teething.  Together they have made monumental decision on how to parent.  Together they have celebrated amazing and heart warming milestones like rolling over, crawling, and the first smile.  Together they have created a beautiful family!

Love with the Lythgoes

Those Lythgoes sure know how to have fun with a photos!!!  I couldn't wait for this family session.  The Lythgoes have become family friends and I knew photographing them would be natural and playful.  There are so many photos that I love from this session.  But this is my favorite...

I love that the boys are being boys.  I love their natural smiles.  I love that they are so into the moment that eyes are squeezed shut.  I love that I can hear their little laughs.  I love that big brother is tackling little brother and little brother doesn't even care because he is having so much fun.  Did I mention I LOVE this photo?


Mom and Dad adore their little loves to pieces.  And it's becomes evident when you see happiness just beaming from their two little boys.

While they stopped to smile at the camera from time to time, I think the real beauty of this session lies in the photos of this family at play.  So often we are told to just enjoy every moment while it lasts.  And it's exactly what the Lythgoes did during our session.  It wasn't about having the perfect background with everyone looking at the camera with "picture perfect" smiles.  Their picture perfect smiles come from enjoying their moments as a family!

We ended the session by grabbing a few silhouette shots.  I hope in years from now these silhouettes will be treasured.  I hope the Lythgoes will be able to look back and remember a time when life, although busy, was so simple because all that truly mattered was the love of their family.

Thank you Lythgoe family for allowing me to capture the spirit of such a fun-loving family!

Happy Mother's Day

Over the past month I have been blessed with the opportunity of photographing many beautiful moms with their precious children during my Mom & Me mini sessions (as well as a few other family sessions I was able to sneak in).  They each exemplify the characteristics of great moms.

Loyal

Compassionate

Strong

Thoughtful

Intelligent

Gentle

Creative

Understanding

Charismatic

Imaginative

Affectionate

Kind

Honest

Selfless

Thank you ladies for allowing me into your lives to photograph such joy and love.  I wish you all a Happy Mother's Day!

A Different Flavor of Awesome

"J is an awesome little guy, he's just a different flavor of awesome than most kids." ~ J's mom




A little ago on a facebook page dedicated to the community I live in, Mountain's Edge, this was posted...

Hi. I'm looking for a family photographer in the area. Especially one that likes to do outdoor photos. Does anyone have a great recommendation? Thanks!

Like many other photographers I threw my name in the hat because A. I love photographing families and B. I prefer natural light.  I didn't hear anything for a quite a while and I assumed the mom  had decided on someone else.  Then on the same post I saw her write...

Thanks!  I am still working on this ladies.  I'm trying to find someone who has experience working with a family like ours.  I will let you know who turns out to be awesome!   

And shortly after I received this message in my inbox.

  Hello!  I am trying to find a family photographer that has experience with special needs kids or high activity kids.  My son has some sensory issues and avoids eye contact and looking at people/cameras.  We only have 2 pictures over the last 18 months or so with his face in the shot and this Momma is hoping for a miracle.  We want to do family photos, however we need to find the right photographer.  Please let me know if this might be in your wheelhouse.  Thanks!  


My immediate thought when I read this email was I just want the chance to take this family's photos.  My years of teaching, volunteering for programs like Head Start, and my Master's Degree in Special Education made me think I just might be the right person for these clients.  However having this background, left me completely aware of the real possibility that I would not be able to capture the images Mom was seeking.  I'm not sure what it is I said but ultimately the M family chose me as their photographer.  I was thrilled and a WHOLE. LOT. OF. NERVOUS.   I want every client to be happy but this one completely and entirely pulled at my heartstrings.

The night before our session and the morning of I prayed for a beautiful session filled with love, smiles, and happiness.

Our session was indeed filled with love,  smiles, and lots of happiness!

J is so loving and completely full of life.  His smile is simply contagious.  I left our session overjoyed, smiling and feeling on top of the world!  Have you ever met a child and felt lucky just to have met him or her? That's how I feel about this little guy.  He is that flavor of awesomeness!