Lincoln is ONE & a BIG Brother | {Puyallup Children’s Photography}

A highlight of each year are the little ones that I am blessed to be able to photograph during the BABE’S FIRST YEAR plan that I have! It’s a joy to watch parents welcome a child to their lives and see them all grow into a beautiful family! This little guy, Lincoln, is very sweet and a gentle little boy who not only is lucky enough to have some incredibly loving parents, but as he was turning one, a new little one was about to join their family! Violet was welcomed  into this family shortly after Lincoln turned ONE…so we combined the session for Lincoln’s first birthday with Violet’s newborn photos…and this adorable little girl was just 4 days old…and what a doll! Dad and mom, Phillip and Shawna…are relaxed, loving and incredibly thankful parents..loving their beautiful children more than you can imagine and thankful for their good health!! I’ve said this before, but I love meeting new people, capturing some special photos and memories for them and most of all, making new friends through the process…how lucky am I!! Without further ado…here is Lincoln, Violet and their parents!!

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My heart is warmed by seeing this family grow and what a joy to see how sweet and loving Lincoln is with Violet…I am sure they will be wonderful friends and I have no doubt that Violet will hold her own with her big brother as time goes on! I can’t wait to watch them over this next year and see these little ones as they begin to see just how amazing it is to have a sibling…that loves you unconditionally! Phillip and Shawna, you have such beautiful children – they are so lucky to have you two for parents! Thank you for trusting me with capturing such special memories in your lives!!

Ainsley and her parents | {Tacoma Family Photography}

With the mild winter we’ve had in the area lately, it was just our luck that the day scheduled for Ainsley’s 5 year session was a very chilly morning…although, we had some beautiful sunshine and despite the cold…it turned out to be an awesome session! It’s been a year since I’ve seen this little beauty and oh my goodness, how she’s grown and what fun it was to hang out with her! Last year she was a bit shy and not so sure about letting go of her mom for the photos…and this year, it was nothing like that! Ainsley was SO much fun and the smiles just kept coming, along with lots of giggles and silliness! It’s such a delight to watch my clients grow up…I first met Ainsley when she was just 6 months old and I’ve loved every session with her! She had both mom and dad (aka…Meghan and Dave) with her for this session as well…and there was an extra reason this session was so special! Mom is expecting another little one (a girl!!) early this summer…so we added a little bit of maternity into Ainsley’s session…a perfect reason to celebrate a very sweet 5 year old who will soon become a big sister!!!

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It was heartwarming to see what a close and special relationship Ainsley has with her dad…you can see the admiration is mutual! <3storyboard004Isn’t Meghan beautiful…of course, she’s a beauty to begin with but is truly glowing as she carries their new little addition!storyboard005storyboard006storyboard007storyboard008Momma and Ainsley…boy, is Dave a lucky man!!storyboard009This cutie was a BLAST to hang out with…loved her energy and such a sweet personality!storyboard010storyboard011storyboard012storyboard013storyboard014It was too funny…Ainsley had her own ideas about this session and was often directing all of us…and what a great job she did!storyboard015storyboard016storyboard017Smiles…they just kept coming…and I loved EVERY SINGLE ONE!!storyboard018A very blessed and loved little girl who will soon be sharing her parents, although I am sure the love with just continue to grow with a new baby!

Meghan and Dave…thank you for sharing a rather chilly morning with me…it was such fun and so great to see all of you! I can’t wait to meet your new daughter in a couple of months!

FAMILY | {2014 Monthly Project}

It’s hard to believe that the first month of 2014 is wrapping up – the time just passes far too quickly these days! After doing a 365 (daily photograph) project last year, I wasn’t sure just what I wanted to do this year, but I had decided to not do a 365. There have been two years recently that I did a 365 and both have been rewarding, fun and a great learning process, but by the end of the each year, I knew I needed a break. They are amazing projects, but also demanding…you can’t let it go a single day for the year, so there is pressure and sometimes it has felt like a chore, BUT with that being said, I wouldn’t have not done them!

So, this year I am doing a monthly project, a theme so to speak, with a series of photos tied to the theme…and I’ve decided to do it with someone else, sort of a team project. That “someone” else is our oldest granddaughter, who is 8 years old. Jayden has been a subject of my photos for nearly all her life and often asks if she can take a photo when I’m shooting…and she often has ideas about the photos I’m taking when she’s around. So…our first month’s theme is FAMILY – and we both have shot some photos that represent what family is to us and will each write a bit to go along with the photos.

Here’s my series of photos…a couple are from last month and there are a couple that are even older.FAMILYFamily…the definition according to Wikipedia is: a family (from Latinfamilia) is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity (by recognized birth), affinity (by marriage), or co-residence/shared consumption (see Nurture kinship). Personally, it’s not only those you are related to by blood and/or marriage, but also those you you form a close bond with…a connection that is strong and feels like family!  Family can change over time as well…there are marriages, divorces, relationships, births, deaths…all changing the family that you have with you and through all of that, you can either develop a closer connection to your “family” or let it slip away. Personally, I couldn’t be more thankful for my family…every single one of them…and even those who are no longer with us. Sometimes I think that the family that has passed away helps us to strengthen the bond with those who are still here. Six years ago, my dad passed away and there are still days that the loss is still fresh and heartbreaking, but I am very grateful for everything I learned from him and it has helped me learn to be thankful for each and every day spent with family and friends. I love my family, am thankful for them and am proud of each of them!

The below photos are from Jayden with her words about the photos…I have loved sharing this first month with her and look forward to the next 11 months and our projects!

January 28, 2014_P1010395editFamily…I love my family so much! I would do anything for my family. This is my dad, I love him and my dogs, Maddie and Zeus.

January 22, 2014_P1010392editThis is my cousin Emma, I love her. This is my Mimi and Papa with her, I love them so much!January 29, 2014_P1010401editI love my little cousin, she’s cute and sweet and nice to me.January 29, 2014_P1010402editThis is ME! I’m Jayden…my family is fun and silly and cool and awesome. I love my family!January 30, 2014_P1010408editEmma is the best cousin in the world!January 30, 2014_P1010413editThis is my aunt Jessie and cousin…and I can’t wait for the new baby to come…I will get a new cousin and our family will be bigger!January 22, 2014_P1010381This is my friend, Jocelyn and her brother, Tyler…Jocelyn loves Tyler…she would do anything for him. That’s what family does.

Family can be very special, they can be funny, smart, they can be helpful and they can be wonderful. I hope you all have a wonderful family and love them.

Thank you for sharing in our first monthly project…stay tuned for next month when we have a new theme and new photos…