I sit here in my family room with a little bundle of baby newness asleep on my lap. She stretches slowly then scrunches back into a little ball. This is my Sophie. This is the girl I’ve been wanting forever, since I was a girl myself. So, I’ve been desperately wanting to show her off!!! I’ve been thinking about this post for months now. Only, I haven’t wanted to part with her long enough to get the job done. I’ve been soaking up her presence during this first month of her life. But in honor of her being 4 weeks old today, I had to just do it : ) And I wanted all the pictures to be absolutely perfect and everything I could’ve ever dreamed of posting on this first Sophie blog… Anyway… Haha. So, yes, I’ve taken many, many, many, pictures of her. But deciding which ones to use was near impossible, and I didn’t want it to just be a mish mash of random ones. Oh decisions. So, for now, you get a few faces and some of the boys and well, a miss mash anyway : ) I’m sure there will be many more posts, so it’s ok : ) Yay for random photos of the cutest baby in the world!!!! Here she is!!! Miss Sophie!!!
4 days old
3 days old
4 days old
12 days old
2 weeks old, my girl and me (taken by Nathan)
3 weeks, 3 days old
3 weeks, 5 days old
That’s all for now folks!!! : )
If you head just a few miles out of town, hang a left, meander up a country road, then go just a little smidgeon further, you’ll likely show up at the Riddle Ranch (trust me, these are the complicated directions). Once there, you’ll see a couple of red barns, a few goats, some cats, some dogs, chickens… Then you’ll likely notice the incredible view and stop for a moment and wonder why you didn’t get your own country cottage. If you’re lucky enough to get an invite inside, you’ll inhale the aroma of some sort of wonderfully wholesome meal cooking, and, if it’s winter, get to cozy up in front of the wood stove. Oh, but it gets better!!! Then you’ll hear the laughter of 4 amazing children and probably see the cutest pregnant momma ever, making some ridiculously decadent treat and thinking, how on earth is this deliciousness healthy? That’s what Katie does : ) She makes sure her family is the healthiest they can be, eating the most nutritious foods available (like fresh from the dairy, people), then she shares how she does it all (from scratch) on her blog, Riddlelove. All this while rallying and encouraging countless others to embrace health, which they all joyfully, eventually do. Then there’s Jeremy. If you like worship or even just music, you’ll love him. That’s what he does : ) You can find his latest music at Bethel Music. So, while all this nourishing food is cooking inside, there’s probably an epic worship song being written in the study, just a few feet away out the back door. It’s so unassuming when you drive up that you really have no idea what the Riddle Ranch even holds. But, I tell you, it’s treasure, that’s what it is. The neighbors probably can’t quite really remember when the birds started chirping just a little bit louder and the sky got a just tad bluer, but I’m sure they aren’t complaining. There, you’ve unofficially met the Riddle family. I have gotten to know them over the past year and pretty much, I think they’re awesome. And here they are welcoming their 5th, that’s right folks, 5th (5 deserves exclamation points. So, here ya go > !!!!!!!!! It really deserves a medal of some sort as well, but I don’t think the hospital hands those out) baby into the world in just a few short weeks. This super blessed little one (who prefers to keep their identity unknown) will have 3 spunky and beautiful older sisters, a handsome, homesteading big brother, and two pretty much world-changing, life-altering, history-making, movement-starting parents! And I’m not exaggerating. Really. If only you knew… : ) Does it really get any better? I think not! So, all that to say, we went out and took some pictures to document the fabulous belly along with the fabulous family. And here they are!!! Enjoy!
Being that I’m growing one right now myself, I’m really finding myself loving capturing babies lately!!!! I had the pleasure of seeing my cousin Hannah and her sweet baby, Anu, this last weekend. So, put me in the same room as a baby for more than 24 hours and the inevitable will happen… Of course we did an impromptu photo shoot!!!! She is an absolute doll of a baby and I’m hoping that since we share a gene pool (her momma and I are DOUBLE cousins), my baby will have as good of a chance at being this cute and so well-behaved ; ) Although, surely no bias here, my boys and all their cousins are so darn cute, I should have nothing to worry about 
So, here are a few shots of one of the cutest 6 week old babies I’ve ever seen!!!!! Love love love!!!
It’s been a crazy, busy, fun-filled, holiday season!!!!! And to start off the new year, I’m FINALLY posting a wedding I shot in early December, yahoo : ) This wedding wasn’t your typical, traditional wedding. In fact, they disobeyed all the rules and invented their own type of wedding. First off, the ceremony was very small and private, and I wasn’t called to the scene until much, much later. By the time they saw me, they’d had their Starbucks and taken a few deep breaths… Had an afternoon nap, watched a few tv shows, taken a lazy walk in the park… Ha. Kidding. But they were THAT relaxed. Basically, you couldn’t get a more relaxed bride and groom. Pictures were a breeze. No nerves. No awkwardness. It was awesome. We had no rush or stress on our hands. It was fab. So, back to the awesomeness that was portrait time (my very favorite part)!!! I got to meet up with the newlyweds and have some fun before the reception par-tay began. We got a good 2 hours to play around before heading over to the Gaia Hotel, where all their friends and family would be meeting them to dine and dance the night away!!! But, not wanting to get ahead of myself, this blog is just my favorites of the portraits. I’ve been on pins and needles to share them, but had 5 too many parties to go to in December to get them done. Hey, I’m pregnant. Feel for me : ) But really, I couldn’t wait. So here ya go with some fun bride and groom pics. Enjoy!!!
There is a profound effect to seeing a newborn baby. I mean, it’s crazy how quick one can be bitten by the bug!!! The baby bug, that is (not some random bug, like a flea or something… that would be weird). But the beauty is, I think I’m immune to the baby bug. Ok, that makes no sense. It’s really a silly way of saying you can’t catch a cold if you already have one… I mean, can you be bit once you’re basically covered in bites? : ) So really what has happened is my itchy bites have been scratched… This thing is real (my bulging belly, in case you’re wondering)!!!! Sooooo, that was a strange analogy, but, it’s true. It made me excited to meet my girl (that’s right, I’m having a GIRL!!!!!). ANYWAY…. All that to say, I met the most precious little bundle of joy the other day that got me all excited for my wee one to arrive. Meet Malachi. He was pretty much delicious and edible (I always liked to munch on my boys’ baby rolls on a daily basis… so indeed, edible is an appropriate description, dontcha think?). There’s not a whole lot else to say about this little guy because he was so good (mannered, not tasting… I fear I’m confusing you). He didn’t cry. He didn’t make much fuss at all. He nodded in and out of sleep. And he even smiled for me He was 6 weeks old at the time of the shoot and his family was talking about how big he had gotten. “He’s so big now….” And I was busy marveling at how tiny he was, thinking to myself, how could he have possibly been smaller? Makes me giddy to have one as tiny as that again, as it’s becoming increasingly harder to recall how small mine once were. So, this was my 3rd fabulous time capturing this family. I’ve loved every time. They know how to jive with my laid-back-ed-ness. We literally went for a walk around their neighborhood and then took a few shots in their nice, warm, nakie baby friendly living room. Thanks guys so much. Your family is wonderful!
I had the pleasure of photographing Lucas again a few weeks ago, in honor of his latest album release. OSIL is now out and ready for you to enjoy!!! You simply must check it out. It’s very inspiring and fun and chock full of special guest artists. Here’s the official Oh Snap website where you can get all the info you need. Do it.
The best way to come back from 2 months of virtually no shooting whatsoever, is with a family as fabulous as this one. My couch was starting to get sick of me ; ) Actually, Sarah contacted me about 4 months ago to schedule this shoot to be the same day as her parents 40th anniversary. Everyone would be in town all together, and it would all work out perfect (weather willing). Who knew I’d get pregnant in those 4 months? Certainly not I!!! So, about six weeks after the plans went underway, I found out the great news that I was expecting. But what I WASN’T expecting (or at least in my dreams), was that I would be sooooo sick and hardly able to do anything for nearly 3 months. Yikes. So, this photo shoot fell at the perfect time. It was probably only days after my morning sickness finally left. And what a great re-entry. They were so much fun. My nosedive back into the photo world was one that left me inspired and happy and remembering how much I love what I do. We all had a great time (ok, I had a great time… Here’s to hoping they did too!!!). And I love this stage their family is in. It was so fun watching everyone doting over the only grandbaby/niece. She really was the star of the show : ) Thanks so much, you all. It was wonderful meeting and capturing you.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been on an unintentional hiatus. I’ve been laying on the couch doing a whole lot of nothing. I’ve thought and thought and thought of all the the wonderful things I could be doing, but, when it all came down to it, I had no motivation to accomplish and, quite frankly, zero drive to even stand up. I’ve dreamt about all the rooms in my house that I would like to redecorate, all the delicious meals I’d like to prepare, all the lovely organization I would like my house to be the essence of… I’ve thought of how great it would be to have my floors steam-cleaned every week. How marvelous it would be if all the clothes in the closets were the right sizes for the kids (and me… lol)… How fabulous it would be if someone came to my house every few days and did all the laundry. Oh how I’ve thought of these things!!! Alas, what occurred was none of the above. All I managed to do was sit and sit and GROW A BABY!!!!! That’s right. For about 13 weeks now, I’ve been “busy” growing a baby. It’s not in my nature to do nothing, but strangely, I’ve felt absolutely no urgent need to do anything else. It has been an extremely tiring and nearly vomit inducing experience so far. ANYWAY, I wanted to attempt an end to my hiatus. I took this picture several weeks ago of my sweet little Hahn. Hahn is 2. And he’s going to be a big brother. He has informed me on several occasions that he is going to change our baby’s diaper. Of this, I couldn’t be more proud : ) So, this photo is really all you’re gonna get this go-around. But I promise that the regular posts and, more importantly, pictures will return shortly (as soon as I stop falling asleep mid-sentence….). Thanks for all the visits!!! I really do miss you all!
Ah the glorious belly. I have to admit, maternity is truly one of my favorite things to capture. I can’t even tell you why, because I don’t know!!! I just love it! Perhaps it’s the chance to focus on something different. I mean, who wants their belly photographed for ANY other reason ; ) And if someone wants to document it, they’re usually also pretty excited to be in this place of ridiculous discomfort (for the ending of course). They want to remember one of the few times in life that they were physically stretched (literally) beyond their craziest imagination and so far out of their comfort zone. They want to remember because they will need some form of proof that it was real. It wasn’t imagined (yes dear, my belly button actually DID pop out when you were in there… wanna see pictures?). And because what the process did bring about was something so powerful and life-changing. It’s certainly something worth remembering (at least in pictures, lol). You don’t want to forget what you had to go through to get this incredible gift… Am I right??? Yep. The belly is glorious. So, I had a fabulous early evening maternity shoot with the Wandlers. Remember their wedding? And now, a glorious belly (soon to be followed by a glorious baby)!!!!! Amazing!!! I love these guys. And I love that I was there to capture these 2 huge things. This family is so much fun and I love even just hanging out with them!!!! Thanks guys for making this shoot so wonderful!!! And thanks for letting me in on your life’s special moments.
P.S. When pregnant ladies lay on tiny stair railings so I can get an awesome shot, they go up about 10 notches in my book… : )
The first time we met, Jacob and Hannah described the feel of their wedding as “post world war 2 parisian cafe with modern vintage chic”. Um…. LOVE! They certainly didn’t disappoint! The whole ambience and atmosphere was all that to a T. From the vintage farmhouse to the collected decor, I felt as though I’d somehow stepped into their world. And here’s the thing about weddings: They just make you want to fall in love all over again. Seriously. You see the way the bride and groom look at each other. You see how they’ve knit together this perfect day that tells the world who they are as one. It’s magical. Truly. Thank you Jacob and Hannah for the spectacular day!!! Everything about it was absolutely beautiful. And might I also say that the two of you certainly have some MOVES on the dance floor!!!! It was highly enjoyable : )
This particular wedding I also had the pleasure of working with 2 second shooters (Nichole was my righthand woman for the portraits and pre-ceremony, and Nathan, my hubs, was there for the ceremony and reception). It was fabulous and I LOVED having them along. I was blown away by their spectacular shots. Seriously.
Leave A Comment