Nearly 20 years ago I met a woman named Jennifer Begen (although we were just girls then). She told me about a little show her children’s theatre group was putting together named Peter Pan. My dream role! Jenn, and her friends, and the theatre company welcomed me with open arms and a harness ready to fly me above hundreds of eager and wonderful little children while I crowed, sang, and flew, often at the same time. Thanks to her I met lifelong friends and lifelong second family members like the Lamberts. Today Jenn is a brand new mom to this amazing little life and graced me with their presence on a day where embracing new life has never meant more to me. A life dear and near to me was lost this day, just hours before this photo session, and I can’t imagine a more appropriate way to pay my respects to him than with this shoot.

Born on Halloween to a beautiful family of kind and hilarious people, little Emmett is destined for a lifetime filled with love, music and laughter. I consider him one of the luckiest kids on the planet.  

Handknit props created by Baby Daze Prop Shop

My cousin lovingly gave her friends the gift of a newborn photo session with me as their new baby gift. Although I’d met the new mother briefly I got the gift of getting to know her, her husband, their 14-year old puppy and their brand new baby girl Baby E today. This was a gift for me. This little girl took my breath away and then stole my heart. Her squeaks, squaks, wiggles and baby bubbles just had me oohing and aahing. If someone was taping my voice there would be much fodder to mock and laugh at the many baby voices that came out of me as I lovingly poured over this new little life.

Here are some of the prize moments I caught today.