< bliss >

These people might be the happiest family in the world. Words can't express the perfect, peaceful happiness I experienced in their home. It was even more magical to see them with their miracle baby boy than I expected. And seeing them both transform into different, even better (if that's possible) people than I knew before really brought tears to my eyes. I think I actually went home and snuggled and kissed and hugged my own kids more because the wonder in their eyes as they looked at their son reminded me how incredibly blessed I am.

Writing congratulations doesn't feel like enough, but a good place to start. Love you.

< 2 >

This beautiful girl is turning 2! I feel like I just took pictures of her in the hospital and then when she was only a few days old. It's so fun to see these beautiful little kids grow up. Happy Birthday, sweet girl! I sure miss you!

< miracle baby >

This is going to be an emotional post for me. This session in particular was dear to my heart. I love babies. I love pregnancy, I love families, I love birth, I love newborns, I love kids, I love it all. I especially love to photograph it all. And I sincerely believe every life is a miracle. So please bare with me when I call this family a miracle, because I know every family is. 

This mom stood beside me at the birth of my third child, and I can only imagine how difficult of an experience that must have been for her. And just moments after he was born, we both cried together as she thanked me for sharing that with her, when really I was so grateful that she was there for me. She was one of my first friends I made when I moved to Bloomington almost 3 years ago, and quickly became one of the closest friends I've ever had. We have so much in common and so much we respectfully but passionately disagree on, and we always have fun. She's seen me at my best and at my worst and I'm ok with both. She's always treated  my children with so much love and she is one of their favorite people in the whole world. 

The miracle is that after 13 long, painful years of unexplained infertility, they are now having a baby.

I was recently visiting Bloomington for another friends' birth and I knew that while I was there, I needed to memorialize this potentially singular time in her life that she would have this beautiful, pregnant figure. She and her husband are very playful, fun-loving people, and one of my favorite things about them has always been watching them interact. Especially watching the way he looks at her. His eyes brighten when he sees her, and he so obviously knows he is looking at the most beautiful woman he has and will ever meet. He adores her the way she deserves to be adored. And it was easy to capture because it is so sincere.

Oh, I love you guys. Congratulations. I can not wait to meet your baby.

< home >

When this baby girl got home, I got to meet up with the family and get some more pictures of them all together. I love these people. They know how to have fun and really enjoy each other's company. That hasn't changed since the last time I took their family photos. There is always a lot of laughter in their company.

Congratulations again! Can't wait to see you all again soon.

< meeting baby sister >

One of my absolute favorite things to do as a photographer is to photograph older siblings meeting their new baby brother or sister for the first time. It's rare that I get to do this, but when I do, it feels like magic. Everyone seems to forget that I'm there because this new life is so much more important, so I get to capture an authentic moment between these people who love each other completely, but are meeting for the first time. It's a unique experience that I am so grateful I got to be a part of the morning after my life-changing experience photographing the birth of the beautiful little girl.

And I'm sure they are tired of hearing this, but seriously. Any boy that wants to date this girl in about 16 years is in for a real challenge with 3 very protective older brothers to go through first.