Life with London: Six months together

Six months ago this little strawberry blonde made her way into my life. I have been trying to take time to document her life through photos and words so I can always remember this time. Her photos are slowly getting edited and the journal doesn’t have quite as many entries as I’d like but I’m glad to have something. While looking through it tonight one morning jumped out at me. On April 12th, I texted her image to Daddy while he was at work (something we do almost daily) and he texted back,

“I fall in love with her more everyday”

My eyes watered as I saw his words come  across my phone and I thought to myself, there isn’t a more true statement.

This little girl is changing every day right before my eyes just like everyone told me she would. She has graduated to sleeping in the crib in her own room yet the tiny bassinet still resides next to our bed. I am reluctant to take it down because it will mean that portion of her baby stage is over. It’s a catch-22. I want to see her grown and mature yet I also want to keep her little. I realize the need to slow down and enjoy all the moments I get to spend with her each day.

I’m starting to feel more and more like a mama… like I’m learning what to do and adjusting to this new role in my life. And maybe I’m getting somewhat good at it by now. I don’t know, you may have to ask London next time you see her.

To Londy,

You are beautiful, a true miracle answer to my prayers. I love you lots baby girl. The most important thing I can give you is love and I hope you always feel it surrounding you like a big bear hug.

I have a lot to show and share with you in this big, exciting world. And I know we’ll be laughing together while I make good on that statement.

Love, Mama

My new little assistant

Her daddy and I have waited patiently and prayed for this miracle and she has finally arrived, beautiful as ever. There is an angel baby in heaven who preceded her that makes us even more grateful for this gift.

Born with a full head of hair, the same color as her daddy’s beard, here she is… baby girl London Everleigh. She may have my nose but every other feature belongs to Chuck including her dark blue eyes.

February 5th, 2011 – 6 pounds 11 ounces – 20 inches long

I can’t begin to say how thankful I am that my friend Stephanie Kraft-Terry was there to capture the events of the day. She graciously put together a slideshow in record breaking time and had it posted on the internet the very next day. Chuck and I sat in the hospital bed and watched a recount of the event as tears streamed down our faces.

So where do I start on the subject of motherhood? Everyone told me it was a life changing event, duh. It is in so many ways. I’ve tried to jot down or at least mentally journal little points that I want to remember. And the photographs, oh boy, I have already purchased a separate external hard drive and labeled it “London” because it will quickly be filled with photographs and videos of her. And you know what images are my favorite? Not the posed, setup shots. I love the everyday images that show how we live our life and love on her. Most of these are taken with the iPhone and that’s okay since that’s what we have closest to us at the time. It doesn’t matter as long as the memory is captured.

So on to share a few more images of this little light in our life. Of course her mama adores her and it’s easy to see in this image that Stephanie took on her birthday. When they wheeled the bassinet into my room I kept thinking, “I can’t believe that’s my baby!”.

My favorite part of this journey is to watch my husband with her. He was never really into babies before she came along. I’ve probably seen him hold three in his life and two were his nephews. He has become the father, the protector, the lover of cute little miracles.

So here we are on this ride, joking about how we won’t get any sleep for the next eighteen years. Yes, it’s tough, it’s life changing, but of course it’s worth it! We’re finding that out more and more each day.

Portrait of a new family

Having just returned from a week long trip to WPPI in Vegas I’m fresh from the desert, full of inspiration. I was initially scheduled to photograph this little guy’s birth but he decided to arrive just as I was boarding the plane. Heartbroken, I realized it just wasn’t in God’s plan and I told Mama I’d be over just as soon as I got home.

While at WPPI I took a class by Amber Holritz that really opened my eyes to the way I photograph families. I always strive to capture real life while it occurs showcasing the bond between parents and children but I want to take it a step further. I want to spend even more time with the families I photograph getting to know how they spend their time together. I want to document how they *love* each other. My goal in this is what Amber explained to us. She said the portraits she had of herself growing up told her what she “looked like”. Instead, she wanted to see what her “life looked like” and “how she was loved”. I instantly related to her thoughts thinking of how I don’t have many images of my mom and I together since most often she was the one taking the photograph.

I photographed baby R’s newborn images and then I hung around to showcase the new dynamic this family has having added one more child to love.

These images are my favorite. Everyone in Mom and Dad’s room getting “cozy” as big sister K would call it. She’s dressed in her PJ’s with accompanying ballerina skirt and accessorizing the third child with a feather boa. This is *their* family. This is how they spend their Saturday afternoon together. It isn’t scripted . . . it’s real and I hope these pictures will stir up memories for these kids someday when they’re grown. I hope they can feel the laughter and love and silliness going on here. I hope they see the looks on Mom and Dads faces and know how much they’re cherished.

Thank you for inviting me in to document and be a part of it.

Baby “D”

Newborn photographs are a favorite of mine but even more so when I already know the parents from photographing their wedding. This good looking bride and groom sure made one good looking baby!

Meet the newest excitement in their life:

I have been waiting to use this new little prop for awhile now. How cute is a naked baby in a necktie?

And these eyelashes .  .  . gorgeous!

I enjoyed my viewpoint for this last image. Sure, we took some more traditional face forward portraits but I was drawn to the closeness in this image. A big, tight hug with all three members of the family in their beautiful home. The loving gaze they share on the new little guy is beautiful. Thanks for inviting me in to capture this special newborn time. We all know it doesn’t last long.

Well hello beautiful

Introducing the most recent newborn I had the pleasure of photographing. Isn’t she beautiful? Shown here with her extremely proud, and very loving older sister.

And look at this beauty in pink, all wrapped up and ready to snuggle.

I was drawn to this exquisite, antique chair in the front room. So happy to be able to use it as a prop. I later found out this chair belonged to baby’s Great Grandmother. 

This was such a beautiful, sweet family that welcomed me into their home. Thank you for sharing your new little bundle of joy with me!