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.

dougan family: newborn.

It's always such an honor when I get the chance to photograph a family multiple times, especially when they are welcoming a new child into their lives.

I first met the Dougan family last fall and was so thrilled when I heard they had another baby! Jay arrived in June, and I visited their home a few weeks ago to document such an important time in their lives. 

I couldn't help but laugh when big brother Knox covered his ears when Jay would cry (I feel ya!), and I loved watching both Erin and Hank love and play with their boys so tenderly. Life with a newborn is definitely not easy (as I now know), but they are doing an amazing job.

Thank you Dougans for choosing me to photograph your growing family and welcoming me into your home! Enjoy some of my favorites from our time together. 

nora madeline grace lesley: personal.

In the past month my life has been turned completely upside down. 

Nora Madeline Grace Lesley joined our family on June 30th (exactly 2 weeks after her due date), and I know for certain that nothing will ever be the same. 

It's difficult for me to put into words what it means to be Nora's mom. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed at how much I love her. Other times I feel like a crazy person when I'm trying my best to figure out why she's crying or how to just get her to sleep already. And other times I wonder if we will have enough money to buy all the bows that she clearly needs to be wearing at every second. It's been a wild ride, but I wouldn't change it for the world. 

One thing is for certain though...this little girl is going to be my new muse. I hope she likes getting her photo taken because this is clearly just the beginning.

Here are some of my favorites from our first month together...