All week my students have been reminding me that we are in the final days of “Summer 16”. It was a busy one, and it zooooooomed by – as all summers do when you’re a teacher! Before it is long gone, I want to make sure that a few of my summer shoots make it to my little corner of the web. First up is Nicole, Richard, and their amazingly awesome and beautiful baby boy, Cruz. I’ve been waiting on Nicole to book a family shoot since she announced her pregnancy. Hehe! I’m not joking about this! I just knew she’d come with some type of cool coordination, and I knew they’d be naturals in front of the camera. I gave them a little direction, but all in all…I simply captured their family interacting with one another. I don’t think the things that they did and said were much different than what I’d catch on their snapchat feed, and I have to say I LOVE shoots like that! I literally teared up during the shoot when Cruz got sleepy and Richard starting singing the sweetest song to him while Nicole tried rocking him. When I think of photographers that I want to someday photograph my own family…I LOVE photographers that capture natural smiles in natural light with genuine laughs/smiles, and sweet snuggles. If that’s the type of photography sessions you’re into – I might be the photographer for you, and I think you’ll enjoy this shoot because that’s the essence of this one! 😉

 

I was pretty excited to hear that The Vanderpool crew is expecting a new addition, and I can’t hide that I was ECSTATIC when Cheryl asked me to shoot their maternity pictures. Since working with their family back in 2013,  I have enjoyed watching their family blossom via FB! It is always an honor and a blessing to be able to “grow” with families. I’ve probably said that here before, but I truly mean it. Anyhow – Enjoy the pictures below! 😉

Thanks for looking! XO.

 

Man oh maaaan, I love maternity sessions. I love talking to expecting families, and I RRREALLY love it when my expecting mothers BRING IT for their maternity shoots. Latoria definitely showed up appearing to be very comfortable in her skin. She started with ONLY wanting a silhouette shot, but I’m glad that she decided on a full on shoot because I think her shoot turned out amazing. Congrats to this couple on their baby girl! I can’t wait to see her when she gets here!

My fave!!! 

I really used to dread going out to the enormous Piedmont Park. I’d literally try to steer my clients away from that park, but I’ve really fallen in love with it this season.

 

Thanks for looking!

Goodness! I edited these pictures thinking “Dear Lord. If you ever decide to bless me with twins…or even just one sweet baby…pppplease let me look like this during my pregnancy!” Nikita is carrying these babies with so much confidence. I mean, I’m sure she has her moments, but for her and her husband’s maternity session, she sure showed up and blew me away! She’d planted the seed of me shooting her TWIN maternity session months ago…so I’d always thought about cute things we could do, but her session surpassed anything that I saw in my head.

These two were a dream. They trusted me on the location, the time, the props, the everrrrything. The only request they  had was to incorporate the dad-to-be’s job. When she told me he was a firefighter…I thought HECK YEAH! I knew it’d be HOT and different from anything I’d ever done, but again…it turned out so amazing in my opinion. They rocked the shots with that hot gear on like I’m sure no one else could do (or at least they set the bar pretty high)! I’m just loving incorporating a little of my client’s visions + a little of my vision.

On a deeper & personal note, when Nikita saw these images for the first time, she sent me the most thoughtful message that made me tear up and feel so honored and blessed to be a part of these moments for such amazing people! 🙂 Believe me, each and every time I hear such powerful words from my clients and just people in general I humbly think “Really?!” I compare myself so often to photographers that have been doing this for YEARS, but you guys sure push and inspire me to keep on keepin’ on with this photography journey.

Anyway, take a look at these awesome parents-to-be.

I really love the evening sunlight. I’m thinking about just shooting exclusively during the “golden hours” now.

The tops that Baby Girl and Baby Boy will wear home!

I can’t imagine Nikita and Eddie’s excitement…I’m even overly anxious to see their pictures when they make it here!!!:D

Thanks for looking!!!

Thank God for patience because HE knows that Jawelle (Jae) and I had to have it for this shoot to happen. I mean, we talked SOOOO much about the weather over the last month or two that I felt like we became a little closer than we would have otherwise. The rain continued to ruin our plans…weekened…after weekend…after weekend. I think eventually we both just prayed that baby girl would be patient with us and Mother Nature. Luckily, we were able to make the shoot happen.

Again, I’m thankful for the support that I am continuously getting, and it’s always great when people suggest me to their awesome friends and family members. I believe Jae found me through suggestions from a few friends. Not only was she so sweet, but her boyfriend and mother were pretty sweet too! I did something that I don’t normally do, and I shot a birthday party (see previous blog) AND this maternity shoot. I played it cool, but after being in the sun, chasing babies for pics, etc……..I was DOG TIRED. I also knew I  had a 10 hour drive ahead of me. As soon as I met Jae and her family, I felt very positive vibes, and I just knew that all was going to go well. We chatted throughout the shoot, and I remember leaving the shoot and calling my boyfriend (as I do after every shoot), and just telling him how this family was such a breath of fresh air! I wouldn’t have wanted to work with any other family on the evening of her maternity shoot.

Prayers for a safe delivery, Jae! I’m looking forward to someday getting baby girl in front of my camera! 🙂

Piedmont Park is just so huge that I never think to suggest it for maternity shoots, but Jae was all up for it! I love the city behind them! 

Her little dog, Wiz, was a nice touch, with his little cute Polo shirt. LOL!

Thanks for looking!