Alice: Florida Beach Session

This is it.

The last photo session before you ceded your place as baby of the family.

I’m simultaneously elated and heartbroken. You’ve been my one and only for so long. You made me a mother. From the months you spent molding and stretching me from the inside out, to the five beautiful years that followed. You pushed my boundaries, stretched the limits of my patience, showed me what love really is, and taught me so many lessons about motherhood while I watched you grow and change by leaps and bounds.

It’s been the most wonderful roller coaster ride, and I know you’re more than ready to step into your new role as the older sister.

Here’s to new beginnings.

Alice: A Magical Birthday

I don’t often write about my personal life or the wonderful people in it, but…

Happy birthday, my darling. It’s hard to believe five years have just flown by. Wasn’t it just yesterday we were blearily stumbling through your newborn days, exhausted, elated, and woefully underprepared?

Your only-child status is coming to an end, and I just want to savor these last few months before that transition. Don’t get me wrong. I’m excited, and I can’t wait to see you blossom into an amazing big sister, but for now you’re still my baby, and I will cling to that for as long as I can.

I love our early morning cuddles before you get ready for school. You say and do things that will be stamped into my heart and mind forever. I love how you’re constantly kissing my pregnant belly, unprompted, so excited for the baby that you can’t help yourself. I love that you share my love of horses and Harry Potter. You’re a quick learner, bursting with a natural curiosity that I hope you’ll never lose.

It has been such a joy to watch you grow and change over the years.

You bring magic to my life every day, and I hope you know how much I love you.

Seattle: Child Portrait Session

I moved to Seattle nearly two years ago, and I have to say I've fallen in love with this place.

The sheer variety of gorgeous, photo-shoot-worthy locations in the city alone is staggering. Want an urban feel for your engagement session? There's a spot for that. A windswept beach vibe for a family portrait session? There's a spot for that. How about a perfectly manicured garden in full bloom for a sophisticated senior photography session? There's a spot for that, too. 

For this session, I wanted a backdrop that would perfectly complement the vintage feel of this darling pinafore dress, and I think this location was spot on. 

Bonus: what child doesn't love throwing pebbles into water or climbing rocks and balancing on giant pieces of driftwood?

The essence of childhood truly comes out in those pure, unguarded moments when a child just lets loose her imagination and plays. 

During this portrait session, little Alice looked for pirate ships on the horizon and tossed pebbles into the waves to count their ripples. She ran up and down the small stretch of beach, chasing imaginary dragons up the rocky "mountains" and showing off her amazing twirling skills. 

I may not be able to literally freeze her in time and keep her small forever, but she'll always have these photos to look back on and remember the innocent joy of childhood.