There are all of these in-between stages with your children as they grow. I've gone through several myself with my girls. This is one of those moments where she's not quite a baby anymore, but not quite a toddler yet either. These moments where she relies solely on you to take care of her, but she's also starting to explore her independence. These are the moments, those in-between moments, that need documented just as much as all the milestones.
Last year I had every intention of blogging my sessions more thoughout the year. Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but I did a real bang up job on that. Though I may not have followed through so well last year, I’m also a believer that it’s never too late to revisit past intentions. So, consider this your forewarning of many more sessions from last year to come!
It’s so hard to believe that this session was done close to a year ago. It was such an honor to get to follow along with this family through their pregnancy journey. I was lucky enough to capture their maternity, hospital stay, and then we followed up with this session once they were settled in at home.
I love in-home sessions for a few reasons. There is the obvious that we are no longer at the mercy of mother nature, no need to reschedule if there is bad weather. I think the thing that I love most though about in-home sessions is the comfort and intimacy that comes along with them. It’s almost an immediate ease into the session that creates just a nice, relaxed, and easy vibe. It’s always a privilege to me when a family invites me into their home.
Please enjoy!
xoxo,
M
Back in August I met up with this family for the 3rd time to capture their family photos. It's not only fun to see their family grow throughout the years, because I would get to see that regardless, but to see my own growth as I take their images each time.
I've know Sierra since I moved to York in middle school. There was a period after high school where we didn't keep in touch, but it is so amazing how life works out and how someone re-enters your life and becomes such an important part of it. We have go to see each others families grow. We get to celebrate birthdays together. We make each other laugh...though I'm pretty sure that Sierra is the one that keeps us laughing. We get to do life together.
I'm almost positive that Sierra was the first person I ever mentioned the idea of pursuing photography too. She didn't laugh at me or tell me I was crazy or that I had really no clue what I was doing at the time. She told me that is was awesome and she supported me. And she continues to support me to this day. Having those people in your life is important. The people that believe in you before you are really ready to believe in yourself. If you have one of those people in your life...hold tight to them. And also, make sure they know it! Like maybe write a blog about it or something ;)
Okay this sweet little guy has given me puppy fever! Serious puppy fever! Sweet little Zeus seems to be the perfect fit for this family. Jenny just kept saying, "Am I crazy? I mean who gets a dog the same day they have their family photos scheduled!" I say more people should do it that way! They now will forever have images of them getting to know one another. It was so fun to watch Gavin just in total bliss as he fell in love with Zeus. It was also pretty fun to watch him and his mom fight over who's turn it was to hold him. And can I also say what a sigh of relief it was for me to see what an incredible relationship this mother and son have with each other. Middle school years can be tough and it can be tough on that parent/child relationship. I often wonder what the dynamic of my relationship will be with my girls as they hit this age. Seeing these two together gives me such hope that I can have that kind of relationship as well. Thank you for letting me snuggle your pup and I'm sure my hubs thanks you for the puppy fever I now have!
It overjoys my heart when a family asks me to encapsulate their family in photos...and then it about makes my heart burst open when they add that they would like your help announcing their pregnancy! You know you have captured something special when you look back at the photographs you have taken for someone and you smile and you laugh and you cry and then you smile some more. Congratulations {B} Family! We are beyond excited for you!
Have you ever had those people in your life that have just been there for almost as long as you can remember? This family is one of those for me. They have been there since the beginning of what is now my family and so many of my memories and stories of how our families started are intertwined. We've laughed together, we've cried together, we've been there for the bad times and for the really, really great ones too. We've had so many unforgettable times together. It's so fun for me to get to capture my friends and their families as they grow and it is always an honor that they have asked me to do that for them.
This post is a long time past due! It's been over a month since I've seen this gorgeous family. I've been friends with these two since I first met my husband. We've camped together. We've tailgated together. We've been a part of each others weddings. We've welcomed each others kids into the world. We've celebrated birthdays. Ashley and I used to work together, before she left to pursue her dream of starting her own business...which has been such a successful venture for her. Although we may not see each other as much as we used to, these two will always be some of those people that no matter how much time goes by, you can always pick up where you left off and go from there.
I love getting to take families to places they have never been to explore. It adds an extra element of surprise and adventure to their photos. Seeing kids light up when they get to play in the water. To walk down stream a bit to see where it leads. I think anytime you can add a waterfall to your session, it adds magic. You would never be able to tell that just a a couple days earlier this place was drenched in downfall causing the river to almost look like chocolate milk. This was the first day the rain had let up. The sun came out and was able to dry this place up beautifully.
I hope you enjoy looking through these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!
One of the best compliment that I could receive is hearing that I have been requested to do photos for a family. Every time. By the kids. 10 minutes into your session. That reassures me that I'm doing exactly what I set out to do...give mom, dad and the kids a fun experience. This family was absolutely amazing. I would be lying if I said I wasn't just a little nervous ahead of time because this is the largest family I have ever photographed. All of that changed though, the second the car doors opened and the kids started coming out. There was so much personality to capture...sweet, silly, funny, shy, spunky, outgoing, playful, curious, helpful. Mostly tough, there was a lot of love and a lot of laughter! I walked away from this session with a full heart and I can't wait until the next time I get to hang out with this family again!
There is nothing better than getting to spend a gloomy Saturday morning doing something you love to do, but to also get to do that with people you love! To say I'm excited about the sweet little babe in that mama's belly would be an understatement. That little babe is going to is going to be my niece and for the 6th time, I will have an other human being that will call me Aunt Maranda. I'm also pretty stoked to see this little boy as a big brother and for my girls have another girl cousin!
I love the elements that having a session in your own home can bring. It's laid back. You have a tendency to feel more relaxed which allows you to be more authentic and genuine. You don't have to worry about rushing to a certain location. You don't have to depend on what the weather is up to that day. Also, one day you will get to look back at these moments and remember the house you used to live in, or what your house used to look like at the time. Things like your home are a part of your story, a part of your family history, and I think that's pretty cool!
