Mathenia Family is expecting

I should say the Mathenia Family was expecting. Their sweet little baby girl came joined our fair city a few weeks ago. ...more on that in a future post.

Sarah contacted me for a family shoot (maternity/newborn). She mentioned that she has followed the blog for a while -- to which I turned to look behind me to see who she was actually talking writing to. Who, me?! Please don't mind my beet red face. 

This family holds a special place in my heart. When Sarah contacted me, she mentioned that she wanted to do a "Day in the Life" shoot. You may have gathered from my recent 10 on 10 post, that this is where I draw my inspiration. Really. I LOVE being the person to capture those, real life, in-between moments. The moments where you forget for a split second that the camera is there and I am able to capture the real you. When you think about it, not only is it an honor for someone to trust me, to let their guard down, and let me in to their life, but what an amazing thing to have. Not a posed, "look at me and smile" photo, but a real, honest moment captured on film for your family to share forever.

These photos are far and away those that mean the most to me. I have a photo of my grandpa smoking a cigarette in his military uniform. It's not the best quality photo; the composition isn't anything to brag about and it's a tad overexposed, but it speaks to me and I will treasure the photo forever because it is the real Norman.

Okay, enough of me rambling. Let's get back to the Mathenia family. We used our time to do one of their daughter's favorite things, to read. She was so excited to show me all of her books. And she is ssoooo excited to be a big sister.

 

The idea that Sarah is just as inspired by the real moment and asked me to capture this time in their life is really an honor. I still can't believe that people invite me into their homes and let down their walls enough to give me a little glimpse of their real selves. Best. Job. Ever.

This little lady is so beautiful inside and out. Thanks again Mathenia family! I love your family and your sweet new baby girl. More photos soon.

Until next time...

Future Baby Brandski

Last weekend I had the opportunity to photograph Laurie and Mike. Ya, these two are probably the funniest couple I have ever met. Seriously, they were cracking me (and themselves) up the whole time. There were some tears that had to be wiped a way. ...and maybe a little pee too. TMI?

Anyway, one of the things that Laurie told me is that ever since she got pregnant she has had a tendency to randomly get a case of the giggles. Not a bad symptom if you ask me, and apparently Mike knows the secret button to push, because once he got her going, she just couldn't stop. Hilarious.

In addition to all the giggles and good times, Mike and Laurie are one of those couples that you can just tell by being around them that they absolutely and completely love each other. They had a hard time keeping their hands off each other, but it was in the way that just screams that they are each still crazy excited to be with the other. It was fun to be around, and I can tell you that this kid is going to grow into an amazing family.

I have this crazy premonition that may or may not ever come true (let's face it, I have a tendency to get carried away from time to time...). I can just see Mike and Laurie's kid(s) looking back at the photos above maybe in twenty five years and loving that sense of nostalgia they get from seeing what their parents were like when they were young, before their life began. Now that I am in my mid-twenties I find myself wondering what my parents were like when they were my age. That's my favorite thing about doing maternity photos. I love having couples that will let me in enough to capture that honest sense of who they are at this specific point in there life. It's so much fun to be in that moment and freeze it for their kids to find and feel later. These two are probably the perfect couple for this because they are always on point.

And seriously, look at Laurie. She's eight months pregnant and looks amazing. She wears "mom to be" so well.

Thanks again Mike and Laurie. I had such a great time. I can't wait to meet your little guy in just a few short weeks! Stay tuned everyone else, because there will be baby Brandski pictures coming up soon!

Until next time...

Baby Erickson is almost here!

Guess what everyone?! My BFF Brooke and her hubby are expecting!! Well, she is 40 weeks pregger now, so not only is she expecting, she is about ready to pop. A few weeks ago, they let me shove them in front of my lens to take some fun maternity shots. ...and soon, I'll be able to show you some little baby boy pictures!

Seriously, a pretty good looking family don't ya think?

It's funny, because since I've known these two, they have always been a super cute couple. Now that they have a little bun baking, they are cute to the enth degree. Really, this is what they're like all the time. One lucky kid if you ask me.

The Erickson family photos wouldn't be complete without some highlights of sweet little Olive.

And here's Luke sneaking a little listen to his soon to be son.

This is one of my favorite shots:

Brooke might punch me for posting these two photos of her, but I LOVE them. You hear about the pregnant lady glow, and Brooke is just about the cutest little pregnant lady you have ever seen. These are one of those pictures that I think her kids will look at in twenty years and adore how their mom looked and smiled before their life even began.

Okay that is enough of me getting all emotional and serious up in here. Baby E is coming soon, so check back for some adorable baby photos.

Until next time...

O'Neal Family and future baby Gracie

Last weekend, I made the trek up to Vancouver, WA for a photoshoot with the O'Neal family. Nabil and I have been good friends with the O'Neals since college, and I was so happy to have the opportunity to photograph them at such an exciting time in their life. ...and seriously, could mama O'Neal look any more gorgeous?!?

I LOVE this photo!

Love this photo too. The dogs are so bored cause they have been waiting FOREVER.

What good looking future parents. So excited for them!

That's all for now. More to come soon. Until next time...