At Home with Ellie

I can't think of many things more fun than chasing after a one year old- letting them lead the way and completely being present in those moments. Their smiles, laughs and discoveries fill your heart with so much joy it can brim over for days.

Little Miss Ellie is exactly that type of one year old. We played, chased and she even paused here and there to let me capture some of the sweetest images of her. There was absolutely no doubt who was in complete control of her session ;)

Over the years I have fallen in love shooting lifestyle sessions with newborns- in their home, their nurseries and those special moments with their parents and siblings. As far as sessions with older children, this is the first intentional toddler lifestyle session and I am so thankful that Heather shared my vision for simplicity and just letting Ellie be herself.

We started inside and let Ellie take the lead in playing and snuggling in with momma for a story. When she was finished with her books she led us into the living room and there we enjoyed playing with all her favorite toys before heading outside :)

Once her little feet hit the pavement of the driveway she was off and running and only stopped for a few brief moments before taking a wagon ride.

After all was said and done we had only two goals with Ellie's session: 1) Capture her in all her one year old glory and 2) If possible have at lease one image with her and that oh-so-cute bonnet. And I definitely think that we not only reached those goals but exceeded them exponentially. Elli's expression says it all in one of the last images we took from her wagon ride back to the house for some snacks. So much fun!

Ellie enjoyed her snack while momma and I visited and shared reflections on motherhood, temper tantrums and the many blessings, fears, worries and joys children bring. It's a whole new world and I am so thankful for getting to see it through the eyes of this little one year old- Happy One Year, Ellie!

Welcome Baby Eryn

There are some things in life that make you slow down- make you step back from the busy day to day tasks, to-do lists, etc. Something life changing, something BIG but so small and fragile that you don't want to even blink!

The moment you cradle a newborn baby in your arms is one of those things. Wow, Just Wow! 

Every. Single. Time. 

My heart melts and I am completely in love with every tiny detail!

I was so incredibly overjoyed to be able to document these special moments with Stacy and Luke. They are not only wonderful friends and parents but two of the nicest people you could ever meet. I am honored to have been there to document their wedding vows, welcome their first son (big brother, Shelton!!!) and now his new baby sister, Eryn!

Shelton and I had sooooo much fun together and I was so happy to help him earn his yummy sucker! He was so loving with baby Eryn- such a great big brother!!! I can't wait to share those precious images of him loving on his new little sister :)

but for now, here's a sneak peek of a few more of my favorites from the session...

The series below has got to be one of my all time favorites- as a mom, simply timeless!

Welcome to the world, Eryn!!!!

Welcome Baby Connor!

There's very little in life that compares to the pure joy a newborn baby brings- but being there to share and document the love of a growing family is definitely top of my list!

And.... to be there for each newborn homecoming is simply Ahhh-mazing!!! I can still remember the excitement when Caitlin emailed me that they were expecting baby #2- and now he's here!!!!

It is my pleasure to introduce baby Connor :)

He was such a little champ! He settled in and definitely communicated very clearly his sleeping and snuggling preferences. His features are so handsome and defined as a newborn- just like a little man already!

And, I hope you are ready for this cuteness!!! Connor's little monster nursery was so adorable!!!

I think we all squealed a little when Ryan brought out the little gator outfit- A true orange and blue fan from the beginning- GO GATORS!

I had loads of fun with big sis, Paige! While Connor took a couple of breaks we set up for her portraits with her new little brother. Miss Bertha looked on as Paige played and snacked on her Goldfish- oh, and I almost forgot to mention we enjoyed a quick spot of tea with Minnie and Mickie ;)

Connor and Paige did so well! We wrapped up the session with some lifestyle family portraits. I am just over the moon with how sweet the images turned out and is such a testimony to the beauty and simple pleasures of living life within each moment. They are only this little once- and there's sooooo much to cherish!

This last one if for all the Gator fans- this is 100% all Connor- no baby posing necessary ;)