Baby M: Delta Maternity Session

I'm not sure where to begin on this couple as they're special to me in so many ways! Steph and Eric and I grew up together and went to high school together at DSS. Many a fond memory include these two crazy characters on various band trips and, even back then, they were a pretty special couple with a wonderful connection. Over the years, Steph and I spent lots of time together, working at McDonalds and had an extra connection through her brother, Derek, who was in my grad class and eventually my grad date.

Some of the far less enjoyable connections between us came after graduation, when Derek passed away suddenly and, a few years later, my brother passed away. After that point, in a lot of ways, our connection and bond was solidified. I had the privilege of singing at their wedding and I couldn't be happier to be a part of helping them capture this amazing stage of life. I may not understand life and the loss both Steph and I have experienced, but I do thank God for allowing our paths to cross - that has truly been a great blessing to me.

I can't think of two people who will be more loving, patient and kind parents and I'm so glad that this blessing has come into their lives. I love you both and hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoy knowing you and being a part of your lives. Here it goes :)



We started out at Derek's bench, a spot where I hadn't visited before, but it was a great location and, apart from the teenagers having some morning 'beverages' on the pier, we had the place to ourselves!





Steph looks so amazing for almost being done her pregnancy and I loved the outfits she picked - so fun to have some variety in the photos!



After the shots at Derek's bench we headed to Deas Park for some different backdrops and there were so many to choose from that, I'm pretty sure we were all starving by the time we were done.....White Spot afterwards was a very welcome treat but I'm so glad we stuck around to take a ton of different poses :)



Look at this gorgeous lady!







I have to give Eric a lot of credit for enduring a lot of photos! He was game for whatever I suggested and did it with a smile on his face! Stephie, you are a lucky girl :)





We kind of thought this one was funny because, if you just glance at it you think it's Steph's two hands but, as you look closer, something just isn't right ;)



I love their smiles at one another in the bottom photo. Priceless!



These two are so adorable together and I loved capturing this next sequence of interactions between them. Love you guys!





We lucked out with such nice weather and a great location, not to mention the beautiful subjects so I just kept going until we were too hungry and had to stop ;)



These next ones were Steph's idea and I'm so glad she was up for climbing on the railing. Thanks Steph!



A few shots of the rings :)



Finally, you have to have some belly shots so here they are ;) I love the butterfly they brought along.



Steph and Eric, thank you for a wonderful morning. It was so much fun to share in your joy and excitement and I will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of your little one. He/she is so lucky to have you as parents and I'm thrilled to continue to walk through life with you and your growing family.

Hudson & Co: Langley Family Session

This session was very special (aren't they all? that's kind of why I love doing this sort of thing :) ) for so many reasons! I have had the privilege of sharing a church community with Keith and Melissa for the last 4+ years and, just over a year ago, was able to take maternity and newborn photos for this beautiful family! This is one of my first families where I've been able to follow them from birth onward and their little boy, Hudson, has grown into an amazing and handsome little guy!

We had a beautiful location and a beautiful day as well as a beautiful set of subjects so enjoy :)




Melissa planned for the shoot to be in the morning as this is Hudson's best time of day and she was SO right! He was so smiley right from the get-go and kept it together for the whole hour+ that we were there!



I brought some toys with me, just in case, but there was some stealth work required to get this giraffe out of his hands once I showed it to him....luckily a major meltdown was avoided :)





The sun was blazing but, I love this spot because there are so many shaded spots and even some of the wide open shots work as along as you're out early-ish in the morning, besides, a little sun-kissed look is nice every now and again!





I love the little smile Hudson is giving as he looks back at his parents and so nice to see such love between these two - pretty sure that bottom pic is one of my favorites of the day.



Candid moments might be some of my favs and the bottom photo definitely falls in that category. Keith and Melissa, you guys have great smiles and such great interactions. It was so fun to hang out with you guys for the morning.



Melissa came so prepared with multiple outfits for her and her boys and it came in handy. It's always nice, through a long photoshoot, to have some variety in wardrobe and their second wardrobe looked just as great in photos as the first. Here are a few of Hudson before, during and after the wardrobe change and snack break :)



Heading over to the barn, ready for round two :) Hudson totally posed himself on that wheel!



Knowing that, once you have kids, it is rare to have photos of just you and your spouse, we decided to get a few of Keith and Melissa while Hudson ran around for a bit. They're pretty photogenic, don't you think?



I'm pretty sure I was 'mooing like a cow,' 'barking like a dog' and all manner of other things in order to get the smiles out of Hudson in this location. Wierd but totally worth it :)



In transition to the next location... A few moments spent upside down, a snuggle with dad and a moment fixing the tiny TOMS. I have to admit, Ben may need a pair of those shoes now, they were so cute!



The bottom right photo might be a bit of a glimpse 14 or so years into the future ;)



Last but not least, we decided to head down to the water, which is admittedly one of my new favorite locations - gorgeous sand, not many people there (except for a few fishermen here and there) and lots of room for little kids to run around.



I can't believe what an amazing smile Hudson was still giving us at this point - way to go buddy :)



During the 20ish minutes we were down by the water, the fishermen that were there caught two salmon so Hudson got his photo with one of them and, it was a great thing for him to focus on during some of the last family photos!

The last ones of the day...



Being a bit of a perfectionist, when I went through the photos at home after the shoot, I wished I had been able to get a photo of Hudson walking along the beach where he's not too dark and the mountains are exposed properly too. So, I emailed Melissa and asked if she or Keith and Hudson could meet me (& both boys) back at Derby Reach the next day so Ben & Hudson could play but also so I could try out a different setting and see if I got better results. They were super great about it and we went back and had a fabulous morning. Ben had so much fun playing and Hudson was perfectly happy to let me take his picture. By the time I got there he had already got himself pretty dirty but it totally didn't matter because it gave me a chance to capture him in his element :)



What a character :)



He has some seriously cute dimples and great smiles.





Just before Keith and Hudson left, Hudson was handing out smiles, left right and center, plus there was a big barge that went by that kept his attention and gave me a chance to snap quite a few shots!



I didn't quite expect to take so many of him on day 2 so, Keith and Melissa, you'll have a few to choose from but I couldn't resist - he was in such a good mood!

Finally, a shot I was happy with where you can see the gorgeous mountains and this adorable little boy :)



Keith and Melissa, you are wonderful servants at our church and your family is a blessing to me and so many others. Melissa, you have such a wonderful easy-going, friendly, thoughtful nature and Keith, your ability to connect with others and reach people in our church through your personality and preaching is so appreciated. It really is no wonder that Hudson is such a happy, easy-going guy. Thanks for letting me follow the growth of your family and I look forward to our continued friendship.