mica & myla

"We are made up of tiny little pieces and we have to take care of all of them." -Myla

There's something a bit magical about Mica & Myla. They have garnered plenty of attention for their work so I will let that speak for itself (See it here!), but their connection and the way they work together is so moving. I feel so honored to have been able to capture a small slice of the sweetness of their ongoing collaboration. Myla's imagination is so so incredible and Mica's way of nurturing that is amazing. If you flip through their sketchbook with them, they have so many stories and silly backgrounds. SO whimsical.  

Take a moment out of your day to browse around their Instagram if you really want to be inspired. I have browsed through the #stuffmylasays many many times and it just always leaves me in awe.  

mary

Curiousity and playfulness seem to be reoccuring themes in all of my favorite sessions this season.

I love letting littles be themselves. Watching and capturing the way they take in the world around them is so much more priceless than them posing perfectly.   Mary loved running, checking out different leaves and climbing on rocks. I loved her little curls and the way she lights up when she hugs her parents. 

eleanor is one

One of my favorite everyday things to shoot is snacking. Toddlers eating is so so silly and cute. And I promise you will enjoy looking back on it when they eat like normal humans. ;)

I've been photographing E since before she was born! One of the best things about my job is watching littles grow. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of so many magical first years of life. The change and personality that happens in a short year leaves me in awe. What a lovely job I have. 

nicole + family

A gorgeous family in a gorgeous location?! Yes please! 
I love that Nicole and her kids came up with shooting at the lake. It's somewhere that means something to them in this season of life. Plus I love shooting in different places. 
Enjoy these giggly goofy kiddos and their momma. I know I did!

gratitude

I realize it's cliche to talk about gratitude on thanksgiving. I am a firm beliver that you should work on making your heart and soul thankful every day, month, and season. It's not just something that should be acknowledged or practiced because there's a holiday telling you to. It's foundational to a joyful, wholesome life.  But since it is Thanksgiving, I felt what better time than to express how throughly grateful I am to everything and everyone. 

"Gratitude is a magnetic energy that draws people to us." -Anne Lamott

I think gratitude is a practice. You have to train your human tendencies, it takes a lot of grace. I'm not saying I'm amazing at it, but I do know the importance of it. Being grateful is an anecdote to anxiety, self importance, emotional imbalance, and so many other things. Of course I am only speaking from my own experience. This is just my practice. I'm publicly sharing how important you are to me if you're here. 

To my clients, the biggest thank you. Your investment into my passion and purpose is so so incredible to me. I am throughly, deeply, passionately grateful for each and every one of you. 

To my peers, THANK YOU. The guidance, understanding and encouragement I have received from you all is immeasurably soul-warming. I have this warm nest of creatives that will lift me up while also being honest with me. What else do you need?!

To the mysterious magic that are Inspiration and Creativity, thank you. (And thank you to Elizabeth Gilbert for giving us a way to talk about this magic.)

To my family, thank you. For believing in me and supporting me always, in all ways. 

shawn + katelynn

I've known these two since high school, so capturing their wedding day was effortless and personal. I love the modern vibe that the art gallery provided. Katelynn said " It was a really heartwarming feeling to see so many of our friends and family come together to make our wedding day perfect. It was at an art gallery that I've shown at, and we have spent endless hours installing my work there. I loved the days leading up to the wedding having everyone sleeping at our house, going to one of our usual restaurants for dinner and drinks on the patio, anxiously getting things ready the day of... it was wonderful and I wouldn't have had it any other way."

Their ceremony was so authentic and true to their characters that I had to shoot through tears.  Here's some snippets of their vows, just to share some feels.

"Shawn, every day with you is like getting a hug and a high five. You're my best friend, my biggest fan, my rock, and my heart. I promise to support you as you have supported me, to allow us to grow independently while weaving ourselves together. I promise to love you unconditionally, as you have loved me."

"Katelynn, you are truly the perfect partner for me to spend my life with, you are the reason that I strive to improve myself daily, be it on a personal level or on a professional level, you have helped me become a better, stronger, and more ambitious person and I am incredibly thankful that you have chosen me as the person you will spend the rest of your life with. I promise to do all that I can to ensure that I see you smile every day, whether we be together or apart."

palmer family

"Molly's kind, easy presence made us feel comfortable, allowing her to capture a very ordinary Saturday morning for our family. I love that we have beautiful documentation of Caroline's extreme love of puffy tacos." -Ashley Palmer

The Palmer's little family tradition is to go to the farmer's market every Saturday to have tacos and dance to local music. And WOW wait until you see how much Caroline likes those tacos. I love how the Palmer's answered my question "what do you do as a family?" with such a fun tradition. I truly think it makes all the difference.
I absolutely loved capturing the Palmers in their natural routine. It's so authentic and makes these photos just that much more valueable.

Plus, Caroline is just a little doll baby in the most literal definition of that phrase. Just look at the sweetness that shines through. 

tenleigh turns one

I have had the pleasure of having Tenleigh's parents and their families as clients for years. But I hadn't met Miss Tenleigh until this session and WOW. She is a light. The sillest, giggliest, sweetest little thing. I love this age when babies are curious about everything and have a budding little sense of humor. This session was so fun and honestly, Tenleigh just made me job easy.

Plus I can totally relate to her estastic reaction to cake.