That’s how much she’s lost. About 150 lbs to be exact. And she’s gained a whole new outlook on life in the process.

I first met Laura when we conducted her daughter’s high school senior photography session nearly two years ago. Since that time, she’s taken up fitness, kept a regular personal trainer schedule, joined a local boxing club and lost the equivalent of a whole person. I’m so proud of her! She kicks a**, literally. So much so that she was recently featured on a local news segment about Title Boxing Club success stories.

So we set out to commemorate her recent birthday and capture her new attitude – and body – with a fun downtown session. I’d say she rocked it. Way to go, Laura!

It’s officially the busiest photography season (for me anyway), so lots more to come on the blog. Brit and Denise: You’re next on the blog!

The number on the thermostat was misleading for all of us … it was supposed to be a cool summer morning in the low 80s. And we got that PLUS a huge degree of humidity. I’ve been known to sweat chasing toddlers during a busy session, but can honestly say I’ve never done a session  where we were soaked just standing still … you know … the wet hair on the back of the neck kind of soaked. But despite the weather, we managed to capture “B” and her family just hangin’ out by the water. It was a great morning and this peek is long overdue! Enjoy.

Remember this beautiful belly and proud set of parents-to-be? (Remember how they left our  maternity photography session and proceeded to give birth less than 16 hours later after a few trips to and from the hospital?)

Well, it appears the reason for all that fuss looks a little something like this. Meet Arraya (pronounced ar-ee-uh). Caution: May cause spontaneous urge to reach toward the computer screen and squeeze those little arm chubs.

Um. Yea. That’s a real smile, people. I swear there’s a lot going on in those little heads even while they’re sleeping.

And, for the photographers and trendy moms/grandmas/aunties out there reading this, the beautiful swaddler she’s wearing was custom made by the lovely and talented (not-to-mention-mom-to-three-busy-little-girls!) Britanie Ramirez of My Pinkytoes Baby. You can see and commission more of her stuff, including her awesome designer labor/delivery gowns (yes, you read that right — check ‘em out), wipes cases, minky swaddlers, bows and designer onesies at her Etsy store. The fabrics are to die for! These make great gifts and – my favorite – add fabulous color/texture to a newborn/baby sessions.

So I had this idea for a little old vintage doll bed, a field of flowers and a creamy, curly, “fresh out of the nest” newborn. Thankfully, I had a newborn in mind and several more yet-to-be-born. And, courtesy of a lucky stop at my favorite antique store, I also had the little bed. But my many location scouting trips hadn’t yielded the perfect patch of flowers. I’m pretty sure it had something to do with our record-breaking heat and the “as luck would have it” cycle of mowing in this neck of the woods. Until a new mom called with the perfect spot she passed by on daily walks, off a beaten trail path.

Below is the end result and I couldn’t be more pleased. This was a mini session designed to “get the shot” and we accomplished the goal.

Meet Evie. Seven days fresh. A beautiful little flower in her own right. And, as mama says, already a nature baby.