I loved documenting this family for their little guy's first birthday. Lifestyle sessions are my favorite way to document a first birthday. Seeing them taking a bath in the sink, reaching out for you in their crib, crawling away, these are all such fleeting moments. Everyone says how time goes so fast and while you are in the thick of it, you don't get to cherish these moments and realize how much you will miss them. Soon they will no longer fit in the sink, they will climb out of their cribs, and they will be running.
What is a lifestyle session?
You may have seen or heard me refer to a lifestyle session or lifestyle photography and be left wondering what the heck I am talking about. Well lifestyle photography is all about capturing the here and now. These sessions are different than your typical portrait sessions. These sessions are about emotion, connection and honesty. For me, my favorite photographs are not those of my family perfectly posed, but of my daughter trying on her "high heels" with her baby in her arms. My children will only be little once, they won't always want to play with legos, or draw Star Wars characters. One day I will look at my husband and say "remember when.." I want those memories captured, which is why I created my lifestyle sessions. I want to come into your home and document your family and what makes you unique. I want to tell YOUR story. Remember how he used to reach his arms up out of the crib? Remember how she used to love to play dress up? Remember how he smiled on the swing?
The Russo Family
I met Christine over ten years ago when I first started teaching in a new school and we were both teaching fourth grade together. I wish I could say we were instant friends, but that wasn't the case. Unfortunately for both of us what formed our friendship was the struggle of infertility and miscarriage. So you can imagine that being able to capture the love and bond between her and her boys is extremely special and sentimental to me. You never want to welcome someone into that club, you feel their pain and much as you feel your own. I am lucky that my miscarriage brought such amazing women into my life that are still such a huge part of my heart.
The Patten Family
A year ago we first met the Pattens. They had just moved into town and were looking to introduce their son to other kids who would also be in first grade. Our boys were in the same class and became the best of friends, and our little girls bonded over their love of Elsa. This family has become like a lifeline for me and my family, we are beyond lucky they moved into our neighborhood!
Lifestyle Newborn Session- Matthew
I have recently realized that I like more lifestyle newborn photography than the posed newborns. I just love how authentic the lifestyle newborn photographs come across and the connections that I am able to capture between new parents, siblings and the baby.
This lifestyle newborn session I made sure to include mom's first baby, Taylor, her dog. This family certainly looks like the All-American Family, especially the photographs out on their front porch. I felt like they could be a Ralph Lauren advertisement. Also, I have a thing for yawning newborns, aren't they so cute? 
