Through the years I’ve connected with some incredibly inspiring people in this industry. Elissa is one of my favorites. We share a similar design aesthetic & every time we team up for a styled shoot, something magic happens. Hard to believe its been over 3 years since we first collaborated on this shoot. We’ve spent a lot of time texting back & forth with each new “crazy idea”… and once we watch a concept take shape, we realize crazy is the best way to create something original.

The girl is brilliant, truly. Watching her create while on location for a shoot is nothing short of amazing.  My favorite of our collaborations is the Dreamy Loft concept that won first place in the 2011 Inspired Creations Contest. I’ll never forget cracking up as the tree full of streamers started to slowly leeeean in towards our model Megan. Never a dull moment when we get together..

So, its about time the face behind the genius of every styled shoot I’ve ever photographed finally shows up on this blog. With her precious new family, of course. When Elissa shared the news she was expecting Henry, I was over the moon for her. The last time we worked together, she was going through a terrible heartbreak, and now… she is exactly where she belongs. With her husband and soul mate Peter, and their new baby boy. And let me tell ya, as great of a designer as she is… this girl was born to be a mother. Spending time with her little family on this perfect spring day reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:

“Its astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen.” – Frances Burnett

I hope these images are a constant reminder of the joy these three share. Welcome to the world, Henry. You are blessed, little one. xo

These guys. They are quite possibly the most blogged family in the history of this blog. Four years ago I was a month out from photographing their wedding, and here we are 6 ( yes, six) sessions later and they have become so much more than clients. They are like family to me & truly epitomize everything I adore about my job. I knew from the beginning that Michelle & Ryan were rare and special…and truly understood me as an artist. They want moments, not poses. They want life as it happens & that’s what makes us a perfect fit. So for the past 4 years, I’ve been documenting the joy and sweetness of their growing family, and with the upcoming addition of twin girls… you’ll be seeing a lot more of them over the next year. I cannot wait to meet their sweet girlies.

The day of this session was grey & rainy and generally a mess weather-wise. Rain seems to follow me around lately. But I took it as a challenge to make an entire session unfold inside their home. I should’ve known that a grey day couldn’t dampen the joy of this little family. Over the past year, Fisher has become my sweet pea..halfway through each session, he’ll just plop down in my lap & give me the biggest squeeze. I love that boy. Clearly Michelle & Ryan are doing an incredible job as parents. Everything about this shoot was my favorite, but at the end when I was getting ready to leave Fisher said  “I go wif you miss Kewwie? (Kellie)”

And that’s when I melted into a puddle.

Michelle, Ryan, Fisher and baby girl A & B…thank-you for allowing me to photograph your life in all its beauty. See you guys soon. xo

If you’re a long-time follower of this blog, you’ll recognize these sweet faces. Max, Nino & Paolo wrote the book on fun, and mischief, and all of the wonder that childhood should be. Four years of photographing this trio & each time I leave their session feeling that pit-of-your-stomach fire to live as big as possible. To love wildly…to drink in every single moment of life with uncontrollable giggles & dirt between your toes.

This family is as real as it gets. They laugh with abandon, chase adventure & love beyond words. Brian and Amy are raising kind-hearted, creative, wonderfully silly little boys & I adore our time together. They are so comfortable with me behind the lens, every time we work together the results are honest, true & unmistakably them. For our latest shoot, I took them to a favorite spot that my boys love. There’s something magic about this tree swing.

Here’s a little slice of life with Max, Nino, Paolo, Amy & Brian…