Sometimes photos tell the story best. One glimpse at a gal and mama-to-be as stunning as Lori (and her gorgeous family) tells you my job was simple. She is a fabulous portrait and wedding photographer based in Newport News–and there is nothing more affirming that being asked by a fellow photographer to take their portraits. I was thrilled to oblige. She is radiant inside and out — I wish we lived closer so we could hang out regularly. So thank you sweet mama, for driving to my side of the water for your session and for humoring me despite the crazy mosquitos that bombarded us. You are absolutely stunning…I hope you are as in love with these images as I am.

Sarah, this stunning mama-to-be, is a dear friend of mine–she glows from the inside out, is full of life and adores children. Her family’s warmth and love just shines through in their images. Of course, it’s all the more exciting that her darling girl Anna is about to become a big sister to a little boy. Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails, here you come! I can’t wait to hold your new little man.

“She softened gradually, melting in the light of the sun, all the while thinking, O, this is what it’s like to be a planet & suddenly it was over & the universe expanded by one.” — Storypeople

This darling mama-to-be has been waiting for the miracle blooming in her belly. On the cusp of motherhood, she is radiant and hopeful and eager. There is no family more deserving and I was honored to be able to capture you Angel. Your baby girl is just days away and she will change your life forever. I can’t wait to meet her. xoxoxo, s

“You’re the strangest person I ever met, she said & I said you too & we decided we’d know each other a long time.” – Kindred Spirits, Brian Andreas of Storypeople

Nicole is one of those rare, once-in-a-lifetime, beautiful, amazing, radiant, she’ll-do-anything-for-you- and you-can’t-imagine-your-life-without-her-friends. Many women (especially those from military families) understand how hard it can be to truly connect deeply with other women. When we find these rare opportunities, we savor them and hold them close to our heart.

The day we met nearly seven years ago — we were both newly married and kiddo-free. After spending our first afternoon together, I remember driving home giddy as a school girl and telling my husband I’d just met a woman who I was certain was going to be my new best friend. We shared the same military lifestyle, faith and love of all things crunchy. We had similar curly hair and could swap wardrobes too–some things that seem silly, just glue you together a little more. We were fast and dear friends.

Despite our many moves over the years (Nicole and her family just returned from a three-year stint in Croatia) our families (with four kids and two on the way) are incredibly close and our friendship is one of my greatest blessings. We secretly dream of the day when our husbands retire and our families can be neighbors. We’ll garden together, send our kids off to prom and grow old enjoying sweet tea in the evenings on our front porches.

This is a celebration of sorts, not only for the new baby-to-be arriving in May, but for her familiy’s homecoming from overseas. For the first time in more than four years we’re only going to be living a few hours apart. We are so excited to have our babies together — and to enjoy being just a short car drive away.

We snapped these photos during their visit with us last week. It was a beautiful, wonderful, chaotic time. We almost didn’t make time for a mini-shoot, but when I saw the magic we captured, I was so grateful we did.

Congratulations Nicole – you are glowing more than ever! I can’t wait for this sweet baby to make his or her debut. See you soon my dear friend.

“The moment a child is born,
the mother is also born.
She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother, never.
A mother is something absolutely new.” — Rajneesh

Occasionally, I encounter a couple so comfortable in front of the camera, the session simply flows. LaShawne is one of the most stunning pregnant mamas I’ve had the honor of photographing–she glows from within. And, together with her husband David, there is a connection so deep I couldn’t help but notice it in every shot I captured. Happy couple is an understatement — their home is buzzing with anticipation of the new life to come and the changes in store for their family. I am giddy with anticipation for their newborn shoot. This baby is going to beautiful and surrounded by faith and love. See you three soon.

XOXO
Stephanie