“She laid on my chest & her breathing filled me almost to beyond what I could hold.” — StoryPeople

The sweet pressure of their tiny body on your belly. The sighs and gurgles. The stillness and magic of the moment. Any mother knows this feeling. It’s not long before they are too big to hold this way…or too squirmy. But in the early days, well, I know I could lay this way for hours just soaking in every inch of their newness. Feeling utterly complete. Overwhelmed with gratitude and in awe of the miracle of life. Anyone who has held a baby softly cradled to their chest knows this too.

Welcome Maggie. My last newborn of 2011. You are a blessing, a miracle from head to toe.

What’s not to love about Kevin? His innocent gaze had me at hello. This baby Longhorn is the grandson of an Apple farmer, so the last shot was a request by mom. While I don’t normally use many props in my newborn work, I thought this one was adorable–it’s a basket from his grandparents’ orchard. Won’t it be fabulous when he can reflect on a time when he was small enough to fit inside? Heartfelt thanks to Siobahn and Jeff for commissioning me to capture your precious boy–you are already phenomenal parents and abundantly blessed!

October has been an incredibly full month in no small part to a baby boom here. Lucas is just one of the sweet babies I have had the pleasure of photographing. My favorite images are always the ones that capture a new mama’s or daddy’s fascination and love for their new bundle–after all, the most important photos for me are those that capture connection. These are the ones that say — you were here, you were beautiful and you were loved. Welcome Lucas, you are adored.

“There are two things in life for which we are never truly prepared:  twins.”  ~Josh Billings

Reed and Ellyson were a wonderful surprise. Their mom and dad planned to add a third baby to their family–and instead were blessed with twins! We love this family (we’re actually distant relatives) and are so grateful to have them in our lives for a bit. Their sweet mama is nothing short of a superwoman — and their daddy is just as phenomenal. These first few months have been life-changing and challenging, but just one look at these darling faces and it’s apparent that they have been worth every sleepless night. Greg and Merritt, we are so happy for your beautiful family of six! What a treat it was to be invited to capture these precious and fleeting moments. Here’s to a magnificent year ahead.

Being commissioned to photograph dear friends’ families is always an honor. Keene’s mama has been dreaming of him for a long time and I feel so blessed to have been able to capture his newness and the love that emanates from his doting family. Of course, with a last name like Fry, we couldn’t resist the shots at the end. Wishing you many years of happy, Fry family. You deserve every bit. XOXO