colton zakovixh: newborn.

Monica and Tyler welcomed their first child, Colton, a few weeks ago, and I was fortunate enough to meet them and spend a couple hours documenting such a special time in their lives. As a new mom myself it's great to be with other first time parents, share our tips and tricks, and breath a sigh of relief that we're not alone. Taking care of these little ones is no small task and Monica and Tyler are doing such a good job. 

Thank you again Zakovixhs for inviting me into your beautiful home and letting me meet Mr. Colton. He is one lucky baby to have the two of you as parents

Enjoy some of my favorites from our time together.

willa jarrett: newborn.

I've known Amy for the past 22 years (wow, that makes me feel old). We met in the fourth grade when she wore shorts to the first day of school (shorts weren't allowed at our school back then, so she was unknowingly quite the rebel). We've lived so much of life together as friends, and I love her so very much. 

A month ago, Amy and her husband Dan welcomed the newest member of their family, Willa, and I was so happy to meet her when I visited Rockford last week. I find myself wondering how on earth we will be able to take care of one child, and Amy now has three. I don't know how she does it, but I was definitely in awe. 

The Jarretts are a beautiful family navigating newborn life, work, a three year old, homeschooling, and a dog that may or may not have taken a liking to pooping in the house with grace, humor, and a lot of hard work. They are the good ones, and I'm so happy that despite all the years and all the miles, we can always pick up right where we left off. 

Cheers to you Willa and the beautiful family that calls you their own.

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the arandas: family.

A few months ago my church hosted a silent auction to raise money for our new building, and I donated a photo session into the mix. The Arandas were the highest bidders, and we met last week at Hudson Gardens to take their family photos, specifically 6th month photos for their little guy Marcus.

I loved chatting with Allison, walking around the gardens, laughing at their adorable little girl Beatrice, and watching all the love that is more than obvious between them. I feel so lucky to meet and photograph such awesome families.

Thank you Arandas for such a lovely evening. I'm glad the rain held out and we could capture this time in your lives. What a wonderful family you have. Marcus and Beatrice are so very lucky.

the rays: family.

Every time I photograph this family, I think "they make my job too easy," and it's true. Hattie and Austin are completely adorable, it's kind of unfair, and Ann and Tyler are so easy going and are great parents for these little girls. 

I love that Ann and Tyler always choose to have me photograph them at home. We are in their element (their home, neighborhood sidewalks, front porch swings, and sandboxes). I love freezing this extremely special and yet fleeting time in their lives with the places and people that mean the very most. That is the power of photography after all. 

Thank you again, Ann, Tyler, Hattie, and Austin for being such a wonderful family and some of my favorite people to photograph. I can't wait for all the porch swing pictures yet to come.