Our Summer | Waterfront Park | Charleston Family Photographer

I've decided to start sharing more personal pictures on this blog. Picture are pictures, right? 

Today, the baby and I decided to blow off nap time and head to downtown Charleston for the day. I've haven't taken him downtown alone yet because, well, he is wild! We started our day-date at The Battery for a picnic under the Oak trees. Then we headed over to Waterfront Park for some water fun. Y'all this baby loves the water. Every time he would leave the water area I'd ask him if he was all done. He would shout, "nooooo!" and run back in. Every single time. I thought we'd stay for a half hour... we were there for TWO! I dragged his pruned little body out of the water and distracted him with popcorn while I convinced him we should go home. 

It was such a fun time down at Waterfront Park. Mommy got a suntan and baby ran out some energy. Oh, and bonus! He's currently upstairs napping. Woo hoo! 

Backyard Water Fun | Charleston Family Photographer

We celebrated Landon's birthday last weekend (a month late) with family and friends. When he opened this water toy, I knew it was going to be a huge hit. All I had to do was say "water" and this baby threw on his swimsuit and ran outside. Even old, lazy Millie got in on the action.  

And then he waved the white flag and we were done. We are loving life back in the South. Landon loves all of the water - we've been doing swim lessons, going to the pool, the beach and now we are breaking out the backyard water toys. The photographer in me is loving East coast light. 

A Birthday Story | Kitsap Birth Photographer

I always call my husband to let him know I'm leaving a birth. Naturally, he always asks me how it went. This time I didn't even wait for him to ask. I immediately said, "Whoa! How do women do that? How did I do that? Birth is intense! Birth is so awesome!!!!!" 

Late Saturday night I got a text from this momma saying "I'm in labor! I'll let you know". All night I sat up waiting for the "It's time!" text that never came. Morning came and I got a text from the midwife saying she was progressing but slowly. I kept telling my husband I hope it speeds up for her because I knew how important a natural delivery was. Finally, the, "you should head this way text" dinged on my phone. I grabbed my stuff (did I shower while I was waiting? Of course not.) and bolted out the door towards Port Townsend. 

Mom really wanted a completely natural, hospital free birth. Unfortunately, she did have to move to a hospital, but they staff were really good about keeping her birth-plan as intact as possible. It was amazing to witness the pains of labor and a midwife coaching momma through the contracting, repeating positive mantras in her ear. 

Old Mill Park Family Session | Silverdale Family Photographer

It was so cold and windy during this session, but you'd never know based on how happy this little girl was. She literally smiled non-stop the entire time we were walking around Old Mill Park. 

The cold weather gave us the excuse to take a lot of snuggly pictures and pull out the mouse hat... which is the cutest thing you've ever seen. 

Birthday Session | Downtown Charleston, SC | West Ashley Family Photographer

When it came time to take my baby's Birthday pictures, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. The Battery has to be one of my favorite places in the entire world. The architecture, the colors, the palmettos, the ocean... need I say more? 

I have to admit, I'm pretty pleased with just how many images I ended with. If you know my son, you know he is W.I.L.D. Much of the session was spent singing B-I-N-G-O and eating M&Ms while chasing him down the cobblestone streets. At one point my husband looked at me and said, "Do you think you have anything?" Got to love the dads who work so hard to make sessions go well. 

Landon has this photog-kid thing figured out. Give her a few quick smiles and she'll go away. We were trying every trick in our wheelhouse to get all of the locations I had in mind. After a few rounds of jumping off a box, climbing on fences and singing B-I-N-G-O, Landon looked at my husband and said "NEXTTTTT!!!" 

He's everything a 2 year old should be - spunky, silly and a little naughty. Happy Birthday, buddy! 

First Look | Birthday Session in Downtown Charleston

I took my baby out for his 2 year session tonight. We sang lots of B-I-N-G-O, ate some M&Ms, ran down cobblestone streets, looked at the "wadder" and managed to grab some cute pictures in the process.

First Look | Downtown Bremerton Family Session

It was a rainy afternoon in Downtown Bremerton, but it's always a blast with this crew.

First Look | Port Orchard Family Session

When shooting in new locations, I always get there early to scout out spots. I really wanted these two pictures, but was worried asking a new family to climb up in a window would send them running for the hills. They were game for anything and I am obsessed with the resulting pictures! 

Just the kids session | Silverdale Family Photographer

I got to work with baby brother for his newborn pictures about a month ago. I was so excited he brought his sisters back for a follow up session. Big sister loved everything about the session. Posing for me, telling her sister to pose, helping me push the button to take pictures - she loved it! Little sister was just there for the fruit snacks and showing me her "little sister" necklace. And brother, he didn't really care what was going on. This sibling session was so much fun and I think momma is going to love having this (crazy) phase of life captured forever. 

I think follow up sessions are a wonderful idea for bigger families! Newborn sessions are long, parents are tired and your little one is still trying to figure out life outside of the womb. This session was pretty quick, we had a lot of laughs and baby brother didn't have to go through even more baby yoga and outfit changes. Everyone wins! 

First Look | Howe Farm Family Session | Port Orchard Family Photographer

I would call her sassy pants, but she "doesn't even have on pants!" You can't even imagine the personality bottled up in this tiny three year old body.

Howe Farm, Port Orchard, WA