First Look | Charleston Family Photographer

There's a saying, "it's a small Navy." It amazes me how true that statement is. I meet this guy's momma when we first moved to Washington. She was pregnant at the time and our husband's worked together. They moved to Charleston about two years ago, when little P was about 6 months old. Of course, we just moved to Charleston a couple of months ago. I was so happy when I was asked to photograph their now THREE year old (what?!?!) before they moved on to their next big adventure. 

Our session was full of running around Hampton Park, looking for dinosaurs and jumping off boxes in the sunshine. Could you ask for a better evening in downtown Charleston? 

My Charleston Studio Tour!

It might be small, but I'm loving this new studio space. I learned a lot from my Washington studio space. I decided to set up my new Charleston space with as much as possible tucked away so my working space kept a light and airy feel. I actually feel inspired in this space and I can't wait to see all of the memories photographed in this room. 

First Look | Charleston Twin Cake Smash Session | West Ashley Photographer

"Born together. Friends forever." These two boys broke in my new space during their cake smash. Maybe I should call their session a cake slide because little Mr. L can tell you cake gets slippery!

Our Summer | Neighborhood Playground | West Ashley SC

There's this field. I drive past it every single day and admire its beautiful tall grass. I kept wanting to take Landon out there to play, but something always seemed to come up. Everything finally worked out last night where I could drag the baby out to the field for some pictures I'd been dreaming up. I'm saving those for a few weeks, but I'm telling you... the field was better than I even imagined. 

Anyways, the baby needed to burn off some energy after taking pictures. Since I had my camera in the car, I decided to bring the big camera to the playground. 

Howe Farm Family Session | Port Orchard Family Photographer

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!