Sweet baby boy.

Just needed to share this adorable baby boy, his sweet family and a few of my favorite images as they start off their life journey together, as a family. The outdoor images, were created in a spot incredibly near to their hearts and everything about the session, just felt right.

Welcome to the world little man, you are surrounded with love. Loving awesome parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles and most importantly fabulous cousins! May your journey be full of adventure, passion and all of your hearts desires.

The end of 2010

If I were to sum up how I feel right now. It might be the above image.

On Saturday I finished my last photo shoot of 2010. I can scarcely believe I made it at times. I have mixed emotions about the whole year. It was quite the journey. Quite the adventure. Quite the ride. There was no way I could have predicted any of it. However in 2009 I was faced with booking weddings on the assumption that I would be ok. That I could shoot weddings 2 months after giving birth to our first baby. I had no way of knowing that I actually could juggle breast feeding, and pumping, and emails and working, and not sleeping and whacked hormones and being creative, and being in the moment, in your moments... that I could be inspired. I made it.

I would have never made it, even one step without Bryce. At times, we were barely making it. At times, we were flourishing, but in the end we made it. Together. Our own journey. Together.

I also wouldn't have made it without Shannon (aka Thelma). You really are a spectacular being. Your energy, your light, your joy. Beautiful. Thank you for lighting your hair on fire with me and being ready for anything. For doing the impossible along side me, and for always, being normal, awesome, alive, creative, inspired, careful, thoughtful and ridiculously selfless. You are a rare bird my friend. Incredibly rare. Thank you for an amazing 2010.

I also need to thank all of you, anyone reading now, YES YOU! for your support, encouragement... blog comments and emails. I am seriously grateful.

The reason for all of this, with these images is because I loved their session so much. I also, loved what Shannon said about her upcoming session while we were corresponding about it initially "This photo shoot is very special to me because it not only celebrates Cypress turning one but also the fact that we all got through the crazy, unpredictable, emotional, and truly amazing first year together... as a family." You may remember the stunning Shannon from our maternity session HERE. I know what you mean Shannon. I truly do.

I'm officially on Holidays. Christmas Holidays. Starting NOW. Yes, I'll blog and update a bit. But, most of all... I might not. I will be doing a Best of 2010, so stay tuned for that!

In 2011 I'll be back, full of all sorts of wild ideas, inspiration and images. A girls gotta charge her batteries and fuel her fire somehow.

From the outside, in.

I know that photographs are important. They serve as a visual record of what is now, and what will inevitably end up as what once was. There are times, when I get a new take on the importance of photography.

Tonight... I was watching a slideshow of our photographs, our story. Of course, I wound up in tears. It is beyond important. I officially now get it. Seeing that little girl, a newborn baby... a three month old... sitting up... yelling... laughing... waving. It's not just a cute photograph, not to me. It's what a love struck parent looks to after a long day, when their little baby is tucked away in bed for the night. It's what I do late at night, and I've caught Bryce doing the same. We look at photos of our little marvel. Life is busy, fast... at times you are getting through moments, sadly somewhat unconsciously. A photograph causes you to pause. Put the noise on hold. Stop. Look. Feel.

After photographing Sarah and Jode and their gorgeous twin boys, and hearing her reaction... something struck me. In our daily lives, it is hard to see yourself. Hard to see your own family, difficult to remove yourself from your own situation, be a fly on the wall and look in. Nearly impossible really.

I looked in to Sarah's life, through my camera, freezing those moments for Sarah to see for herself. Part of her email read, "Thanks for giving me daily photographic evidence on those hard days that I'm the luckiest mom and wife on earth."

Life truly is a beautiful thing, I'd be willing to bet that yours is too... if you just stand back, get a bigger view, be still and look from the outside in. We have so much to be grateful for.

Twins, and puddles and gumboots?!? Yes please!!! I had so much fun with you guys. I always do. Your family is a treasure. > A pretend sleep? Why not!

A little more time.

One thing is blatantly clear to me tonight, I am definitely NOT in Maui anymore! It's cold on the island friends!!

I'm still here! So hideously behind on blogging, it's barely even funny. I have sooo many beautiful families that have recently been photographed. In fact, I have so many beautiful families and weddings from the summer that haven't even been blogged yet. How, will I catch up? Or will I?? Lately its been so cold outside, and the fire has been going, and my baby won't be a baby for much longer. I just want to keep squeezing her and making her smile. She is almost eight months old. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Some times I think, "I need to blog... right now" and then, Maisie does something cute, and I think... "later" and I loose track of time. At so many points during the day, one phrase keeps ringing in my ears from a wise and beautiful woman this summer.

"Enjoy that time with your lovely baby, it goes by way to quickly. I am sure you will catch that in the eyes of all the parents you photograph. We all wish for a little more time...."

It breaks my heart, daily and I can't tell you how often it echoes in my head. So, although it is cold outside, I'm going to post a few images from the lovely Robin's family photo shoot in July. Her words, so powerful, so sincere have left such a distinct impression on my heart.

Not only in my personal life do I hear your words, but also as I am shooting family sessions, I can't help but think "We all just wish for a little more time". Robin, I can't thank you enough.