I had the opportunity to do something really fun with some friends in the beauty industry last month! We partnered for a Mommy Makeover Giveaway in the Orlando area. One special momma received hair color, cut and style by Jessica Travis from The Hive Beauty Bar, glam makeup with Caroline Throneburg, Makeup Artist and a motherhood photo session with yours truly!  

Jennifer was our giveaway winner! She went for a bohemian 60's vibe, channelling Brigitte Bardot with her half up bouffant and gorgeous long waves. Her look was completed with beautiful makeup inspired by the Mad Men series and a floral, cutout maxi dress. Momma was beyond stunning!!
After being pampered, Jennifer and her son, Weston, met up with me for their photoshoot. Our outdoor plans got rained out so we relocated the shoot to Jennifer's new home, which was just perfect! Despite the hurricane like rain and complete darkness that Mother Nature conveniently provided, we found some light!
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​Jennifer and her little boy are really so wonderful. They have such a sweet, playful bond that was so much fun to be able to watch and photograph. I hope the memories that were made on this rainy afternoon are ones they will always treasure! 

A huge thank you to Jessica Travis and Caroline Throneburg for making this experience amazing!! 

Hair: Jessica Travis @thehivebeautybar
Makeup: Caroline Throneburg @carolinealice_mua

That coastline, the movement, the colors, this sweet family!! 

Below are a few of my favorites from Lauren + Vern's family session at The Magically Mundane Workshop with the ever talented Daphne Mae Photography in Sausalito, CA! 

You know you are in a photographer home when the doggies that greet you are named "Bokeh" and "ISO"!! Nanette and Karl are photographers in the Naples area, their work is just beautiful!  I met Nanette on Instagram and was so excited to meet up with her in real life! I feel so honored and just over the moon happy that I was invited into their home during this special time in their lives. Their playful little boy, Teddy, is full of curiosity and so adorable with his big blue eyes and blonde curls. He seems to be ready for this big brother thing! These days leading up to the new baby are full of playful moments, complete with tickles and snuggles for Teddy and his fur buddies while they await the arrival of this little newcomer. The sweetest of anticipations!

Michaela and Jamie are just the sweetest  couple and I love their adorable little pup, Chewie. Any Starwars fans out there? My boys thought is was the best name ever, because according to them, he looks like a miniature version of the real character. I am so appreciative for Michaela and Jamie' s flexibility in meeting me while I was back in Buffalo. I was checking the weather all day before my flight from Orlando, and the weather outlook was not favorable, to say the least. The temperature also dropped 20 degrees on this particular day. Luckily, it cleared up and we made it happen in this beautiful area full of spring blooms! A.k.a. not the original, chosen location. I really don't think it would matter where they where photographed, they are such a kind and lovely couple and that would show through anywhere! I can hardly wait for their wedding in January!!! 

Natalie + Adam had the most beautiful wedding day. It was easy to see how much they are loved by the outpouring of friends and family from near and far. Everyone was so kind, eager to support the lovely couple and to celebrate in their union. And there was no lack of celebration! Natalie and Adam made it a priority to ensure their guests had a good time, and what a good time it was! Exhale Events ensured everything ran smoothly and on time, leaving everyone else to simply enjoy themselves. 

The wedding day began with sunshine and temperatures in the mid 50s, which made for a pretty much perfect Spring day in Buffalo, NY. The girls started their day with hair at Fawn and Fox Salon and makeup by Jaime Ruggiero. Everyone looked amazing!! Natalie was a dream in her simple yet stunning, form fitting, ivory gown from Lovely Bride NYC. A touch of beading added the perfect amount of sparkle. Natalie completed her look with a custom, cathedral length veil, ivory heels and diamond earrings from her mother. The guys kept it classic in black tuxedos with black bowties, accented with crisp white pocket squares. Each bridesmaid wore an ivory, a-line gown which may be my new favorite wedding look! Maureen's Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market created gorgeous bouquets bursting with the fluffiest ivory peonies, roses and fresh greenery. As a loving tribute to her late father, Natalie had her dad's gold wedding band sewn into her bouquet. His memory, along with that of Adam's father, was very much present the entire day. The love that Natalie and Adam share for their loved ones was inexplicably palpable.

Natalie and Adam were wed in a traditional Catholic ceremony at Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church in front of all of their closest family and friends. After they stated their intentions and shared in the Eucharist together, it was off to the Japanese Gardens since the cherry blossoms were in bloom! This was a popular location as there were parades of people, weddings, well wishers and others enjoying the Spring blossoms. We were able to squeeze in for a few photos of the wedding party and some bride and groom portraits and it was well worth the time we waited for a clear spot! 

When we arrived back at The Greenhouse Room of the Hotel at The Lafayette, the loft style space had been transformed. White table clothed tables were adorned with beautiful white blooms and greenery amidst golden candlelight, creating a classic and romantic atmosphere. Perhaps the star of the culinary show was the unbelievable dessert table, styled by B Sweet Designs. Guests would wander by, stating "it's too pretty to take anything off of it." Cookies, cake pops and loads of other sweets surrounded the statement piece, an exquisite, ivory wedding cake topped with purple and green succulents, created by Romano's Italian Bakery. This delectable cake tasted just as good as it looked! 

Heartfelt speeches, sprinkled with bits of humor had everyone reminiscing. Natalie and Adam danced their first dance to a lovely rendition of "You Make Loving You Easy" played by Silver Arrow Band. Lighthearted Mother/Daughter and Mother/Son dances followed and then it was time for everyone to cut loose. The band played, everyone danced, and one guest even played his own beer bottle saxophone. There were so many fun highlights at this reception. The drinks were flowing and the party continued until late into the night. My heart was just so full as I flew home to Orlando the next morning. It was a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

​ Congratulations to Natalie + Adam! You guys are so loved!! We hope you had an amazing honeymoon in Hawaii!!! 


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Venue: Hotel at The Lafayette
Church: Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church 
Event Coordinator: Exhale Events
Hair: Fawn and Fox Salon
Makeup: Jaime Ruggiero
Wedding Dress and Veil: Lovely Bride NYC
Bridesmaid Dresses: Brideside
Florals: Maureen's Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market
Cake: Romano's Italian Bakery
Dessert Table: B Sweet Designs
Band: Silver Arrow Band
Rings: Hofert Jewelers
Invitations: Ashwood Ink
​Save the Date: Rustbelt Love
Transportation: Simply the Best Limo Service
Second Shooter: Mary O'Sullivan

I was recently asked, "What does being a mom mean to you?"
It sounds pretty straightforward, but the words did not immediately come to me. My first inclination was something sarcastic, like "being a referee who shuttles children around while running on caffeine." But really, it's this beautiful gift that is continually changing. It seems that way to me at least. Let's be honest, it is certainly not always sunshine and rainbows, but looking back on old photographs and videos, or even reflecting a little at the end of each day, I really just feel so lucky to have the opportunity  to be a mother. My kids are growing up and as that happens my role in their lives continues to change. First, I was the mommy who nourished and nurtured my babies. I held them, fed them, rocked them, stared at them for hours. As they are growing, my role is evolving into something a little different, but still wonderful. I have these inquisitive little seekers of information, always asking questions and trying to figure out the world for themselves. I do not always have the answers, but (with the help of Google) we learn together. They now hold my hand, as we walk together. The feed themselves and are learning to clean up after themselves. We do travel to a lot of activities and there is arguing. Sometimes I stay up too late so I'm tired. But our conversations are interesting and laughs are plentiful. We are together and that is what matters. 
To me, motherhood is a journey. I believe we have been blessed with this opportunity to love on and raise good and kind humans who can make a positive impact in the world. We’re all doing it differently and that’s ok. As mothers, we are not perfect and realizing this is freeing. We can allow ourselves a little grace and know we will not always do everything correctly. We are all doing our best and from a place of love. 

These images were made at The Magically Mundane Workshop with Daphne Mae Photography. I flew from Orlando, FL for a weekend full of creativity and learning in SausiIito, CA.  It was such an inspiring experience with some of the sweetest families and very talented photographers turned friends. I am truly so grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.

Even when it's a 90 degree day in Florida, there is a nice breeze along the beach during the Spring. This made LaPlaya on Naples Beach, the perfect location for Peyton's Senior Portraits. It is somewhere that's close to Peyton and family's heart. Not a shabby place to work either, the whole property is stunning!
Happy Graduation to all of the 2019 Seniors out there!! To any of the mamas out there who may feel like they missed their opportunity, it is never too late to get those Senior Portraits done. They are not in college quite yet.. I know you will cherish these tangible memories a few years from now, when the house is just a little too quiet!! 

"A good friend knows all your best stories, but a best friend has lived them with you."

It is true. Kristin has been there for all of it! I struggled with what to write here because there is really so much. I could have gone in so many directions or I could have written for days.
I decided to keep it light..
We met in MWA, or the gifted program, in middle school. Camping in the Everglades, science fair projects, and sleepovers brought us together but we really became close when we were roommates at University of Florida. It all started in a dorm called Hall '95. It's probably not even there any more which is crazy to think! There are too many great memories to share from working at Ballyhoo to hanging out at Campus Club and The Swamp. Somehow we made it back from studying abroad in Europe alive and finished up our Senior year in Gainesville. There have been new jobs, moving around the country, weddings and babies and we still speak constantly, often when I have 3 kids arguing in the background and she is late to her daughter's dance practice. I really don't know what I'd do without her in my life! 

When I drove my kids down from Orlando to Bonita Springs, FL for a few days over Spring Break, I took these photos of my beautiful best friend with her gorgeous daughters. I love these three girls so much!! We were up at the crack, but it was so worth it! Here are a few of my many favs!! 

This beautiful mama and her adorable baby girl were just so wonderful! Katie's home is absolutely gorgeous and her style really spoke to my bohemian, beach-loving heart! We were lucky to have her mother with us for the photos. She was a godsend, whipping out ALL the baby loving nursery rhymes! I wish you could have seen the three of us singing and dancing to make Blakely giggle. It was quite a sight! Some of my favorite photos actually occurred when baby girl was just done. She was so tired and just wanted to sleep. I had the opportunity to shoot through Katie slowly rocking her sweet daughter to sleep. This may not typically be something you would think of as photo worthy, but I know I wish I had some pretty photographs from when my children still needed that comfort to go to sleep. These times when they are so little are fleeting. I am truly so grateful for those quiet moments I was able to capture and I hope that you love them too!