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!

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.

"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!

Little girls twirling in whimsical circles, waiting to be tossed high into the sky. Kisses and snuggles fill the air with the melodious sound of children's laughter.  Bright sunshine pouring through moss covered branches like a warm hug. Nature's fresh, new blooms bring the promise of longer, heat filled days. This dreamy, pastel color pallet only adds to the beautiful transition of seasons.
​Happy Spring! 

Tags: Orlando Family Photographer. College Park, Orlando, Buffalo Family Photographer, Central Florida Lifestyle Photographer, Orlando Film Photographer.

Baby Camden surprised everyone when he arrived quite a bit early. Weighing in at just over 5lbs, it reminded me of how small my first baby was when he was born. We were terrified to put him in the carseat because the buckle was larger than his tiny face. His 8th birthday is quickly approaching and I find myself having a hard time believing it. It is almost painful to know that many years have already passed. He is also huge now! These babies of ours will surely grow, it seems to happen overnight. We spend these sleep deprived days staring at the tiny new human that fills us with such unfathomable love, hoping we are equipped to take care of this sweet little soul. Snuggle them in tightly, bask in that delightful newborn smell, and savor those little newborn noises. One day we wake up and realize they are not babies any longer. 

Tags: Orlando Newborn Photographer, newborn photographer in central Florida, mothers and babies, family photographer in Orlando, FL, Buffalo Newborn and Family Photographer, photographing motherhood

I find myself over-documenting this season as she's the only one left with me at home and I know it will go by ever too quickly. I suppose it really is the simplest of activities that delight these little souls.  We can do the most ordinary, daily tasks together and the day is still full of excitement and wonder because all she wants is for me to be present. Those needs are simple. She wants my time, undivided attention and maybe a few snuggles. Keeping that in mind, I'm learning to make the boring tasks more memorable. It's nice to drink in these toddler nuances for a few moments and remember all that is truly good in this life we live. 

Let the holiday cheer continue into mid January!! I know it's late, but I really wanted to share some of the photos from our holiday mini sessions in Buffalo, NY. There were just too many good ones to share individually, so I decided to make a blog post of a few of my favorites!

I hadn't anticipated that I would be able to do these sessions in WNY since we had moved to Orlando, but so many people reached out and I thought...maybe we CAN do this. Mary was open to the idea and Rebecca at quaint rentals was also on board. The last piece of the puzzle was a location, and that was really not decided until the 25th hour. I'm so lucky everyone was so relaxed about the details and trusted that we would find the right space. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law graciously let us use their beautiful back porch. It is covered and has a working fireplace, perfect for the less than ideal weather in November. There was a windy and slushy snow storm the day before, so we were lucky the area was a bit sheltered. Rebecca turned the space into a very inviting, winter wonderland! I'm so happy that it all worked out!

Mary and I loved seeing all of these families. It's amazing how quickly the kids grow and change over the course of a few months. We got to meet new babies, saw babies we photographed last year that are now walking, and conversed with kids we've known for years that seem so grown up and mature now. Sure, we worked through some tears and wiped a few cold weather boogies, but TimBits, cookies and hot chocolate seem to always work their magic! I also happen to think that those candids make for the best Christmas cards!! 

​Thank you so much, to everyone who reached out to me about doing holiday mini sessions again, you ultimately made this happen!! And, thank you to Mary, Rebecca, and the very generous Boryszak family, especially Rita who was sweeping, cleaning and continuously adding wood to the fire while we did our thing on her patio! Thank you!! 

One of my favorite things about living back in Orlando, so far, has been reconnecting with friends I haven't seen in many years!! These are my friend Tiffany's kiddos and I cannot believe how much they have grown! And that little Stella, she just loved posing for the camera, it was hysterical!! I adore how Kendall and Carter really look after their little sister, they are such nurturing older siblings. Tiffany, your kids are amazing, with great personalities. I love watching them interact. They are all so cute together!