Leah is not only my awesome ninja like assistant but is one of my greatest friends. This post is titled maternity dos because believe it or not Leah and I met during her first Maternity session about 3 years ago.

That is where our friendship started and it has been blooming and blooming since. Corny I know, but true. So….fitting that Leah and I when discussing styling needed/yearned white spring blooms for her session. From their family session and video last fall, to this babies gender reveal. I always have a blast capturing this family. We get some great laughs in and don’t have any problems being dorky.

I most of all love the anticipation that is in these photos. I thinks it’s mostly excitement to meet baby love, but I also think it’s change. Change of a family from 3 to 4. Two babies and two boys for that matter. I can’t even imagine one right now. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Leah will be the best mommy of two and their little family will transition with grace.

Mr. Baby love, it’s almost time!! You can arrive anytime after June 15th 😉

My amazing branding designer Aurora decided to have a Porch Party one day last fall and it was splendid. She recently won a big award with the work she did on my brand. Yippee!! Her name is listed with some very big firms out there. So blessed to call her a friend. Take a peek at her adorable yellow home + swing that stole my heart last fall.

While looking through these photographs today, I felt a different feel. It was inspired, because while I love my clean bright white images…..these images are speaking to my heart in a totally new and beautiful way. The nature and the seasons right now directly parallel to this family. This family of three who is now soon going to be four. Another little guy to add to the crew, its such a time of growth and change, just like it is here with the grass finally turning green and the trees finally budding. It has been such a long winter and cold spring here in Minnesota. The season and this Momma even resemble themselves as I can barely see her baby bump at 8 months and we can barely see the buds on the trees.

Today I am grateful and thankful that I am able to experience all new types of beauty. Through clients, through nature, through the simple things. Even if it was raining pretty hard for half our session, this mother trusted me and it worked. Perfectly in my opinion. I am so blessed to have clients like these and get to help them celebrate, cherish and remember these important moments.

I would have to say the last image is my favorite in the set. It sums up all of the anticipation and just realness of having the second child. Big brother doodling away, new crib in the back, lil’ shoes and Momma’s belly just in the back hatch of the car. Those are the ordinary moments that define our in this lives. I just hope we all slow down to watch them bud.

Happy budding Monday.

Nobody is perfect, so get over the fear of being or doing everything perfectly. Besides perfect is boring. You’re perfect with all your imperfections. So today, instead of picking yourself apart in the mirror or with your friends. Start seeing your “imperfections” as unique traits that give you character and dimension – because that’s exactly what they are. – Author Unknown

I have had the privilege to travel the states and capture beautiful portraits/headshots these last couple of  months. This quote totally sums up why I love this work. To capture each persons unique traits. Perfect is boring. You your little dimples, cracked smile, your uneven eyebrows. They are you and I want nothing but to show you. The real beautiful you.

I will be posting these sets of portraits in random order. Meet Kathleen today. I loved shooting her in beautiful 77 degree D.C. weather. The colors were just amazing and it was pretty awesome that Kathleen and her outfit practically walked out of a J. Crew magazine.  PS. Doesn’t she look like the new Duchess Kate?