Melissa's Baby Bump | White City, OR Maternity Photographer

Melissa and I had been talking about a maternity + newborn package for several months. We emailed back and forth, waited, and then finally had our first session. Melissa and her husband were great--they were relaxed, casual, and Melissa seemed to be absolutely glowing. {Man, if I looked so gorgeous while pregnant, I think I'd do it all the time!} The light at Table Rock was just gorgeous, and so when I arrived home, I excitedly pulled up Lightroom to take a look at some of the photos right away. As soon as I opened up the photos, my husband Justin commented that he actually went to high school with Melissa's husband, but since we'd gone to different high schools, I had no idea! Southern Oregon is nothing if not a small community!

Introducing Ember | Phoenix, OR Newborn Photographer

Between November 2012 and April of 2013, I took some time off photography--Justin and I welcomed our second daughter Rebecca in November, and while Becca is just a *joy*, one thing that she is not is a sleeper. For quite a few months there, I was averaging no more than three hours of sleep a night, and I just felt like my brain had completely turned to mush. Ember's session was my first real session back in the game, and I just couldn't imagine a better session to start with. Newborns are usually some of my absolute favorite types of sessions, and Ember was no exception--she snuggled, she slept, and I really enjoyed watching her sweet parents interact with her so conscientiously. I'm so thankful for Ember and her parents, who reminded me that while a bit of maternity leave was a blessing, this is really what I love to do!

Spires Family | Eagle Point, OR Family Portrait Photographer

Christie contacted me to do photos both for their immediate family, and also as a larger group of extended family that was in town for a limited amount of time. When we scheduled the session towards the end of October, I think we were both expecting perfect fall weather. However, 2012 brought us some of the warmest fall weather that I can recall...which is how it came to be that we were shooting a fall session in 100+ degree weather! In fact, had I not been there myself, I think I would have actually thought that this was a spring session--there's no sign of fall at all!

I've said it before and I'll say it again--I am a *sucker* for black and white photos. They are by far my favorite--there's something just so emotion-filled and classic about them. So, it's not uncommon at all for me to give clients some of my favorite images in both color and black and white. This is one such example--which do you prefer?

Meet William | Eagle Point, OR Newborn Photographer

Missy and I were pregnant around the same time, due about a month apart. So when it came time to do newborn photos for Will, it may or may not have been one of my most emotional sessions ever--I remember just being completely overwhelmed with sweet Will, and also watching this sweet family go from three to four, while knowing that my own family was about to go through the same transition less than a month later. Will's session was also special to me for another reason--it was one of the first times that I departed from strictly formal newborn shots, and began to incorporate some lifestyle photos as well. I absolutely love shooting more formal newborn photos, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY love incorporating a few shots of those special moments between the newly formed family as well!

The Vaccari Family | Rogue Valley Family Photography

Our family met the Vaccari family about a year ago, after they moved to the Rogue Valley from Las Vegas, and we think they are an absolute blast. SUCH a fun family to hang out with, and I'm so glad we've gotten to know each other better over the past year :)

Yesterday, I had the chance to do some family photos for them out by the Rogue River, which was really just perfect since this sweet family loves to spend time outdoors. Almost every weekend during the summer, they are off camping, hiking waterfalls, or just exploring--which is something that I'm completely jealous of and wish that our family would make time to do more often!

Introducing Lyla Mae | White City, OR Newborn Photographer

My newest niece Lyla may or may not have completely stolen my heart. When we had our newborn session at just days old, she was already brimming with personality--my sister-in-law Renee and I sent our husbands to the park with our kids, thinking that we'd knock out Lyla's newborn photos in peace. As we should have known, when the house was quiet? Lyla didn't sleep one bit.

As soon as the kids and the noise and requests for granola bars and juice boxes and movies returned? She was out like a light. And that's just how it goes with newborns sometimes--we can make all the plans in the world, but sometimes they have their own agenda. Spoiler alert: their plans always turn out better than ours.

Renee's Baby Bump | Eagle Point Oregon Maternity Photographer

My sister-in-law Renee and I are both currently pregnant and due to have babies this year--she's due to have a little girl in July, and I'm due in November! Renee and I have been meaning to get together for about a month to do some maternity photos, but our schedules just wouldn't seem to align...or if they did, the weather wouldn't cooperate with us. Last night, we were both at an end-of-the-school year BBQ for the school that Renee teaches at, and so we quietly snuck off for a few minutes for what may have been the fastest maternity session in existence! I think it was worth it :)

We're still hoping to squeeze in another mini-session with Renee's kids and husband, but in the meantime, I'm just loving these! Isn't she stunning?!