greg & lindsay wait for liam: fort worth maternity session

Lindsay contacted me about photographing her and her bump a few months back and when we met for her client meeting, I sorta, kinda, completely fell in love with her. She was adorable, she loved her husband, and she had the most perfectly perfect belly that you ever did see. 

I always get a teensy tiny bit nervous when clients tell me "Oh, whatever you want to do, we trust you!"
Ummmm...right. That never really works out. As a client there are always expectations you have. You want to remember certain things from your pregnancy, you've seen all of the adorable poses on Pinterest, there is *something* that you are looking for.

Not this couple.

They were clay on a wheel (drop dead gorgeous clay) and I was supposed to make a vase.
So we met at the Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art and made our way through Downtown Fort Worth.
And had a BLAST.
Lindsay was shy, and took direction perfectly, Greg adored her (and took direction just as well), and Liam, he just kicked back, makin his mama's tummy all perfect.

The best part, I get to photograph their sweet son when he arrives throughout his entire first year. I cannot wait to meet him and watch the Mr. & Mrs. grow as parents. Have a blessed birth, Lindsay! I am giddy to meet your son! 

One Year for The Wells'

When a mama contacts me about documenting her baby's one year milestone of nursing, I always get excited. Thrilled for the mom, thrilled for the baby, yay first year.
When a mama contacts me about shooting in the Fairmount District in Ft. Worth. I do a little happy dance.
When a mama contacts me about shooting in her historic home in the Fairmount District, I pee my pants, *just a little bit* with excitement.

Imagine my excitement when Meagan contacted me wanting to do all three.

Thank you so much, Wells family, for allowing me to spend an evening with your gorgeous family, and congratulations on your one year milestone! 

Top 12 of 2012

I still (technically) have a birth and a maternity session to finish from this year, but since it's the last Saturday of 2012, I thought I would try and narrow down my absolute favorite images from the year.

In no particular order, here it goes!

This sweet repeat family that turned friends and also mentee

This gorgeous Mama at the Eastern Market in DC

A beautiful, redemptive homebirth

Fun at the Texas State Fair with this knock out lady

Celebrating a year of breastfeeding with her birthday boy (blog to come soon!)

Above knock out mama nursing her precious new son.

Dear friends catching their first baby and meeting their daughter.

Waiting for a bloom in her brood of boys.

Sincere, sweet snuggles from a daugher.

Peeking in on a mid-afternoon snack

The love only a true friend/doula can give.

Golden light for a glowing mama (blog to come soon!)

2012 was an amazing year for me.
Le Leche League International used one of my images in a worldwide campaign, three of my images are being toured around Europe in the exhibit "With Mother's Milk", and my mamas & babies have been featured in blogs, magazines, and books. I photographed a few seniors, some boudior, 4 births (a first for me), 8 pregnant mamas, 30 families with adorable babies, and 37 nursing mamas (plus a couple hundred in DC at The Great Nurse-In).

Professionally, it was a huge year of growth.
Finding my voice as a photographer was huge for me. Knowing what I want my work to speak (whisper, shout, sing!) was a revolation and a huge contribution to any success that i may have.
I also didn't buy a single piece of new camera gear. While I have updated some editing software/tools, I left my camera where it was, regardless of the fact that I wanted/needed an upgrade. I taught myself how to push my gear, to work with what I've got, and not rely on my camera, lenses, or editing software to "make" my photos. Too often I see photographers talent come from their equipment, and surprise, surprise, their work looks the same as everyone else's. I want my work to stand out, and this year, I think I've finally started to do that.

2013 holds many great things:
My sweet new baby will be entering the world.
I have some BIG plans on getting some more work published.
Film will become a regular part of my business.
I will be (with one exception) fully emerged in a new way of doing business, breaking the shoot & burn cycle once and for all.

To the mamas, babies & dads of 2013: THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart for chosing *me* to photograph your family. I pray that these memories will now be with you forever, and that you continue to make many, many more!