He's so sweeeet!

Nothing like a newborn baby to make you understand just how common miracles are. Little Gavin was so much fun to photograph, and this was hands down (some pun intended) my favorite image from the session. His mommy and daddy supplied the antique Coke box, and it was the perfect prop.

In case you don't already know, it does take a little fairy dust to get a pixie sized sleepy-head in this position for a photo. But not much. ;-)

Welcome to the family, Brooklyn

Ok, I'm gonna sound like a grandma, but honest, I'm her auntie. Miss Brooklyn is just the cutest thing, don't you think? These are some quick photos taken at my brothers house a couple of weeks ago when I got to meet her for the first time.

It's been a while since we added a little girl to the family tree, that puts the count up to 7 nephews and 3 nieces (plus a goddaughter and two godsons, don't forget them.) Gonna be fun buying some little girl stuff for Christmas-woo-hoo!

Bestest Buddies

Every little boy needs a dog during his childhood, don't you think? It's the perfect friend, one who will love you, protect you, teach you how to stick your tongue out. Yep, the perfect friend.

If you've been around me much, you already know how much I love photographing babies. And you might know that as far as I'm concerned dogs are just children with four legs, and of course they are always welcome here at the studio. But even at that, I'll have to admit, when we got ready to for this part of the session, I wasn't sure how it was going to go.

You see, Cora's an active dog, and a big active dog at that. I had no idea how she was going to act when we put little Alfred up next to her. Well, she showed me a thing or two. She was amazing! Completely docile and sweet. What a great pup. Looks like the start of a great friendship.

Welcome to the world, Little Miss Olivia

Sometimes I just love my job. Ok, most of the time I love my job, but some days are particularly wonderful. Like the day I got to create beautiful newborn photos of Olivia.

This is Little Miss Olivia, she's perfect and beautiful, and I just have to tell you, when I heard she was expected my heart sang. Not only because I thought I would have another sweet little one to photograph, (she is sweet, and I do get excited about new babies to photograph) but because of the history I have with her parents.

You see, I'm a volunteer photographer for an international organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS.) We provide infant bereavement photography free for families suffering the loss of a baby. Karen and Travis were my very first session for NILMDTS, and they hold a special place in my heart. Their first child, a beautiful little angel named Travis Jr., was lost due to a birth defect, and I photographed this precious family in the hospital shortly after his birth and passing.

I've done a number of sessions for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep since then, but none are as strong in my memory as Travis Jr.'s. His family are powerful role models for grace in difficult times, and my experience with them made a huge impact on me. I've prayed for them often over the past couple of years, and hoped they would have their hearts desire of more children.

So YEAH! When I met Olivia my heart melted. She's not only an answer to prayer, she's also one lucky little girl to have a loving home and two strong, faith-filled people for parents. Plus she has the cutest little toes! I'm going to enjoy watching her grow up. Yes, I am.