Inspiration

The family of three, though soon to be four.

Sort of reminiscent of this shot, no? Can you believe how old Naomi looks? It has been over a year since her first birthday pics and SO much has happened. Abigail and Naomi continue to be great friends. And her mama, Kelly, continues to be an inspiration to me. She was at Wally's birth, finishing my early labor baking projects for me (because early labor quickly gave way to active labor), and making me laugh when I finished each contraction. I'm so glad she was there! That's why I'm so excited for her to have her second baby in early December. And I get to photograph the birth!

Kelly, her husband, Lance, Naomi and I met at Discovery Park for some pregnancy photos. Kelly didn't have any photos from her first pregnancy and wanted to make sure that this one was well documented. I, of course, am thrilled to help out. Here are a few from our cool (but not rainy!), fall session.

Naomi coming for me.

I love the rings and the bellybutton.

Lance has the craziest laugh. He cracks me up.

Love the wind in her hair.

See how perfectly round her belly is?

Sort of an ominous sky, but a peaceful mama.

Back in Edmonds we took a few urban-ish shots. I can't get enough of this perspective. I told that to Kelly while taking this shot and she said, "Like the midwife's perspective?"

Stripes!

And my favorite family shot of the day.
Kelly, I was so nervous about doing your pregnancy photos because it's YOU and I want you to have the best of everything. Your friendship means the world to me and I am so, so blessed to have you in my life. Now we just have to wait for you to give birth so we can see if your baby will be Wally's best friend or his future wife!

Three Days Old

My dear friend Sarah gave birth to a beautiful, BIG baby boy on Wednesday. On Saturday two friends (Chrissy and Caroline) and I took a little roadtrip to see Sarah and the newest member of our extended family, Jackson. While Caroline and Chrissy grocery shopped and stocked Sarah's fridge with all kinds of goodies, I did what I do best. Here are some of the shots.

Need I say it? The bum shot.

Jackson and Marley. I was truly impressed by Marley's cooperation. I'm sure she and Jackson will be lifelong friends.

Marley gives Jackson a kiss.

Look at all the lines on his feet! Isn't it amazing that we are born with those creases already in place?

Sarah and P.J.'s house is full of beautiful wood. We dumped the pinecones out of this gorgeous bowl and filled it with baby.
P.J. set this shot up for me. Like it?

Father and son.

I love this family shot. Sarah, you look beautiful, and so in love.

Jackson looking up at mama. So sweet.

One of my absolute favorites.

Sarah and P.J., I'm so thrilled to have gotten to meet Jackson and to see you two in parental action. You are doing a beautiful job, and Jackson is so lucky to have you both. I can't wait to watch him grow and learn and change. It's an amazing trip! I hope you find some photos here to love. Enjoy!

And baby makes four

Every year during the holiday season friends from my class at good old Redmond High get together for dinner and drinks and lots of catch-up. Our gatherings have changed over the years from rather raucous rendezvous to last year's dinner with two moms breastfeeding (practically) at the table (yes, I was one of them) to this last year when no one brought kids, but two of us were pregnant with our seconds. It's crazy how time passes and lives change, but I love it.

At this last dinner, Jenelle was pregnant and due THAT DAY. Over the course of dinner, Jenelle and her husband, Greg (both Redmond alumni), decided to hire me for newborn pictures. So, one week after Jenelle gave birth, I showed up at their GORGEOUS Redmond home for some baby pics. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Olivia is Jenelle and Greg's first child. Twenty months is a challenging age to photograph, but she didn't seem to mind the camera at all. Check out her amazing blue eyes. Lucky girl got those from her mother.
Over Christmas, Olivia got a beautiful play kitchen. She had fun showing it off.

Once Olivia went down for her nap, we focused on baby Noelle. Such a sweet, mellow little one.

I love how she's snuggled up to Greg here. See the smile?

I can't get away without a hand shot.

Love, love, LOVE this shot. Cute little froggy legs.

This one makes me melt.

This was the first time I've spent time with Jenelle and Greg since high school, and they weren't a couple back then. In the few hours of our session I was pleased to see how wonderfully in love they are. Congratulations, guys!

Noelle's face in this one cracks me up. And I love the wonder in mom and dad's faces.

Jenelle and Greg, thanks for allowing me this glimpse into your lives. I'm thrilled to see how happy you are and what a beautiful family all four of you make. I hope you see some images that you'll want to fill those frames. Enjoy!

Just Trying to Keep Up

'Tis the season for family pictures, right? Last Sunday, my dear friends, Caroline, Marc, and Alex met me at Pike Place Market to see if we could catch some family images. Catch would be the operative word there, because 18 month-old Alex is a RUNNER! Sure, you can hold him in one place for a couple snaps, but that's not going to get a smile. Turn him loose and try to keep ahead of him and THAT'S where his smiles are. These are the days when I realize how long it has been since I worked out with Baby Boot Camp. Gosh, Baby Boot Camp should be a work write-off for me! Here are a few of the images we caught:

A sweet moment.

Alex loves stairs, too. I love the clouds in this shot.

One of my favorites from the day.

The coffee cup over Marc's head is SO appropriate. Alex and I ran this hill several times.

I can't stay away from these close-ups.

We thought we'd try the shoulders as a means of holding Alex down.

Love this!

Gorgeous pepper bunches hanging from one of the market stalls. The trick was keeping Alex from actually touching them.

Right before Alex takes off.
Looking back at mom and dad.

Walking through Post Alley. Maybe between swings?

Another favorite. This is one shot I don't get tired of.

Caroline and Marc, I hope you see something you like. Thanks for a wonderful Sunday morning and lots of exercise! Talk to you soon!