A Family of Five
This family session was completely precious. Big brother was a big helper and big sister was full of personality! Both of them helped me set up the flowers for the newborn backdrop and at the end of the session, each of them were thrilled to keep a flower for themselves! Yes, I love the babies a lot, but having conversations with 4 and 2 year olds is quite entertaining!
I just need to stop and say
THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!!!
Mamas.
They give everything...and get back a fraction of it. This mama is stunningly beautiful. Seriously radiant. How does one look this lively with 2 kids and a newborn? I'll tell you.
It's a superpower called being a mom.
She's got it!
Baby Henry
I am always amazed at moms of more than two. I am a mom of two and I have no clue how a mom holds three hands while walking through a parking lot. Does she grow another? Put a kid on a leash? Leave them on the car and go get the cart first? I don't know how they do it!! So, to the moms of 3+ out there, I commend you and lift you up for you super power.
Henry is the third in this beautiful family.
I am amazed at how Sarah handles it. But Just look at her! Completely beautiful!
Worth the wait...
Laurie & Adam were anticipating this Christmas.
They were anticipating the birth of their 2nd child. Christmas came and went, as did New Years, but there is something about the moon that brings babies into the world. On the night that baby Daphne was born, the moon was as full as could be. She was well worth the wait.
We all expected Laurie's labor to be quick, so as soon as labor began, I rushed to meet them at the hospital. Things had progressed quickly and baby would be earth side very soon after I arrived.
A beautiful moment of serenity in the chaos. A deep breath. This is a moment of gathering strength.
Welcome to the world Daphne.
Laurie's labor was quick. Many women wish for a quick labor, but honestly it has a downside. Quick labors sometimes bring a sense of being out of control... not being able to get grounded. In spite of this, Laurie handled this birth with beauty and grace. She rocked it.
Who cut the cord? The woman who brought this baby into being. She fostered life and then was able to control the moment when that tender connection was removed.
This is empowerment.
Daddy's also need connection and skin-to-skin is a great way to begin the bonding process.
My relationship with this couple is a gift. As their doula and birth photographer, I was able to walk through the process of labor and recovery with them, as well as give them the chance to have a few of the memories from labor captured. I am honored to do this work and constantly feel humbled by each woman's birth experience.
Stevenson Family Photos
This winter photo session was up in the air due to a forecast of freezing temps & snow, but it actually turned out to be the perfect weather! It was the ONLY day of beauty and I am thankful I was able to spend some time with this family.
Yes, it was a little chilly, but that didn't keep the cousins from running around and playing! There is nothing better than spending time with family, and this one is usually separated by few states, so a family photo session was definitely a good choice to capture the memories.
Laurie & Adam & Zella
I am hanging out at my house on the Saturday before Christmas, anticipating. You might think I am anticipating Christmas, which I am, but really I am anticipating BIRTH! Laurie hired me to do some family maternity photos and I am thrilled to also be her doula! But that means, any day now, or any week now, we could meet her sweet baby. With all of that said, I just HAD to share these photos from her family session. This also might be in an effort to send some oxytocin to her brain and get her baby started on the journey out (secret doula tricks), but mostly it is because these photos HAVE to be shared. They are truly beautiful.
Sadie Rose
I am so glad that I was able to do this shoot in Carthage, NC. Firstly, I love heading into "the country" and secondly, this family is so lovely!
I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.
Damie's Newborn Session
My daughter was watching me edit these photos and she said "dat baby a princess?"...
OF COURSE SHE IS.
Look at how beautiful and perfect she is!
This session was just delightful. This family is beautiful. I will say it over and over again, but I love getting to know people and being able to hear everyone's stories. Having a new baby is not easy, but there is something freeing about hearing "you aren't alone" and "you will figure it out" and "it gets better". I have been there. Many of you have been there.
This is why we do it, right? These beautiful little babies. They cause us to sacrifice so much, yet somehow it is worth it.
So gaze upon this beauty with me.
Pfeif Family
Don't be fooled by the good looks of this family.
They are not professional models. They just look this good.
Every moment of this was so fun. Their smiles are genuine. I really enjoyed spending time with this family!
And now you will see a few photos of the parents. You know, we normally capture moments in the beginning of love, and we get all the babies and kids, but we forget to capture the moments after the refinement of love happens. These photos capture the love that has endured sleepless nights and soccer game and plenty of tough discussions.
Oh and look at this love.
Sadie's Arrival
I had this amazing opportunity to attend the Birth Without Fear Conference a few weeks ago. Throughout the conference, I kept hearing stories from moms who had babies in the NICU. So many strong moms in one room. It has made me so much more aware of how different this type of birth is. This birth gave me so much insight as well. Such strong parents, ya'll.
There are a lot of ups and downs to this post.
See, Autumn & Jace were planning on giving birth in the Eastern part of the state, then at 38 weeks, an ultrasound discovered that their sweet Sadie had a heart condition. They ended up giving birth at Duke so that Sadie could be in the best place for her surgery.
This is definitely an emotional birth session. But Sadie came out breathing strong and looking perfect! Autumn and Jace were so incredibly strong throughout this process.
And sweet Sadie came earth side on their grandmother's birthday. So it was perfect timing!
Aubree was curious :)
hahaha
This was the view that mom and dad had of their baby girl for the first few minutes.
This is not a typical “post delivery” photo. See all those people on the left? They are focusing on Baby. Now look to the right! See who is looking after Mom? One doctor and DAD! This photo gives us just a small glimpse of what NICU parents have to experience.
Reunited.
These were hard moments, but mom and dad have since been able to sit with Sadie while she is monitored. Her surgery went well, but they still have a lot of healing before they can go home with her.
Lots of love to this family and prayers of healing!
Baby Ella
I love to be able to watch our friends begin the journey of parenthood. Sara & Lou recently welcomed their first baby girl, Ella into the world. My husband and Lou grew up together, and now we all get to watch our kids grow up together. Looking forward to memories and watching this girl grow up.
Ella's room is so lovely. Sara and Lou (well, probably Sara) picked out some meaningful and simple decor to make this a room you just want to hang out in.
Everyone loves a pair of BABY VANS
Sara said this is the first thing Lou bought for Ella. So sweet!
(mid-sneeze)
hehe
Congrats Lou & Sara. This is one cool family!
Sevara + family
This job gives me the opportunity to meet some really wonderful people. Also beautiful people.
This is one beautiful family. The only trouble I had with their session is that I had TOO MANY wonderful photos.
I hope you enjoy walking through the park with this crew. They are simply lovely.
moms + babes
because all the moments between mom + their babes should be captured,
cherished,
and gazed upon
Jane & Kelly, I am amazed at the way you have entered the life of motherhood with strength and grace. I am so proud of the moms you are everyday. Both of you are rocking the mom life and showing your boys serious love.
I hope you see these pics the way I see them...
(tear bringing moments of beauty)
Capture all the moments people. These babes don't keep!
Mother Nature
Mother
Nature
This photoshoot is a product of them both.
This is Laura and her hubby JB. We met on a weekend getaway to the lake. I kind of have this habit of inserting myself into the lives of pregnant people (wonder why?), & I convinced Laura to do some photos while we were together.
The scenery at this place was phenomenal! Every morning and evening, the light was begging me to take photos. I just couldn't resist capturing some really lovely moments between some soon-to-be parents.
Did I mention that I kind of made Laura get into the water?
A little bit icky? umm, yes. But TOTALLY worth it! Just look at this water goddess!
Mother + Nature
Creation. It is a beautiful thing.
Katrina & the light
As a photographer, I have a comfort zone. That comfort zone is in the shade, or in the wee hour of the morning or late evening. Even if I am shooting in the middle of the day, I will walk to find the perfect shade. This is my confession
I am afraid of light.
But at this session with Katrina, the light came, and I had to face it.
Thankfully, Katrina is the kind of person who is relaxed and very "go with the flow", which gave me the opportunity to test and figure things out.
So here you go Katrina. I hope you aren't blinded!
Lucy LaCroix
That has a really good ring to it. Good job Kasey & Jordan for picking an excellent name for your first born AND naming her after family. You WIN.
You also win because of this! I mean look at this beauty.
I know Kasey & Jordan from...well, I guess college and Concord and family of friends. I had the joy of taking being a part of the birth of another LaCroix baby. If you want to see that story, you can check it out here
I am so thankful that the LaCroix family has entrusted me with so many of their babies. I will keep traveling to Concord to take all the pictures of all the babies in the future!
It's just so easy.
There isn't often a time where I feel uncomfortable taking pictures of people. I mean, honestly, I take pictures of a lot of intimate moments, from birth, to kisses, to nursing and in between. I just love the moments and I feel that they are natural, so there is nothing uncomfortable about what is natural right?
With that said, this maternity shoot with Casey & Josh was simply easy. They are both so fun and lighthearted and I really enjoyed spending some time with them. It was just so easy.
