“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

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.

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.

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.

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!

So thankful it was a warm day outside because newborns won’t stand it being cold. After some coaxing from Mom and I, we got him asleep in this position. We faired pretty good too, only one minor hiccup. Nothing a little Armor All couldn’t fix. While we were photographing Dad said he was going to send this image into the Victory Motorcycle dealership. Bet they don’t have too many like this.

I’m excited to use this image on a custom birth announcement!

Then we headed back inside for some more traditional newborn images. This little guy was an angel throughout the session. He slept really good and looked so cuddly.

This family is absolutely adorable. I really enjoyed talking with Mom and Dad about the different trips they’ve taken on their bike. Sounds like fun.

I photographed this session right before I left for Memorial Day weekend. I couldn’t have asked for a better session to end my week. Mom and Dad are so happy to be parents, it just shines. I left that day smiling after seeing them love on their new baby son.

Speaking of smiles, I was quick with my camera and look what I captured. It’s like finding a four leaf clover, you gotta keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready. So happy I was able to get this baby’s smile on film. 

And I just had to show this cute set of images. When baby “L” was still in her Mama’s tummy we took some pictures with these little socks as a prop. I remembered the socks and wanted to show them on her tiny baby legs compared to when she was still growing inside.

How can I say these last couple images are my favorite? It just seems that every new shoot I go on lately I keep getting images that I want to call my favorite. I realize they can’t all be my favorite but still, I’m very pleased with them. So cool to see a family from the very beginning. I hope they look back on these photos years from now and remember what it felt like when they were parent newbies. They’re doing an amazing job with this little one.

Congratulations Christine and LeRoy, you two have a beautiful start to your family.

This new Mom definitely has a big reason to celebrate on Mother’s Day this weekend! A big thank you to you both for welcoming me into your home and sharing your little guy with me. And thanks for turning on the Fleetwood Mac while I was working. I think it calmed both me and baby C and made the morning even more fun.

And just a quick note to any last minute Mother’s Day gift givers-

Follow this link for the best gift idea yet . . . cb Yates Photography gift certificates. Drop me an email and I’ll be sure to get yours mailed out in time for this weekend. Perfect for Moms and Moms-to be!

Her eyes are simply gorgeous! She’s such a lucky girl.

I told her mama that I wanted to clone her so I could have a baby as cute and sweet natured as her. 

Thanks for such a fun photoshoot you two. I enjoyed the morning we spent together.

Baby “K” sportin’ her ladybug outfit. A person could stare into those eyes all afternoon.

Baby “C” with his adorable red hair. I was lucky enough to photograph his parent’s wedding so I was thrilled to get to document another new step in their lives.

Check out his little smile!

Baby “S” was so good and very easy to photograph. Her mama taught me a thing or two about swaddling. She’s definitely a pro.

So happy to see this cute one grow up.

Also, wanted to share with you something else I’m excited about. My new prop! See the vintage high chair pictured below? Well I have big plans for it. I’ve used it once already and I’ll have to share pictures from that session later this week. Next time I use it I’m picturing a chubby little 6 month old seated in the high chair in a field of wildflowers. We’ll have to let the weather warm up and give the plants time to grow but I’m ready. So who wants to sign up for that session? Drop me an email if your baby will be around that age this summer!

Also pictured are baby K’s birth announcements. Mama and baby are dropping by today to pick them up. Love how they turned out. Check out this post for more info on custom cards.

I’ll be back later this week with more updates. I apologize for letting so much time lapse in between blog posts. I’ve been busy!

More to come about where I’ve been which includes a wonderful workshop in Dallas taught by JVS Pictures.