Heather and Matthew's Gender Reveal for Baby #4 | Covington, Ga.
My friend, Heather, asked me to photograph her and her husband’s gender reveal for their fourth and last baby! I was SO excited and immediately said, “YES!” I met Heather and her family at their church’s pavilion. It was such a beautiful day!! Heather and Matthew, decided for their reveal, they would attach a black balloon with colorful powder on their axe board, once Matthew hit the balloon with his axe the balloon would pop and everyone would then celebrate the gender of their next baby! That’s not at all how it went for them!
As Heather’s best friend, Taylor, was placing the balloon on the board, it hit a splinter of wood and popped before everyone was ready! Thankfully I was able to capture it all. . .holy smokes! I seriously have know idea how I got all this because I wasn’t even really ready! As you can imagine her friend, Taylor, was mortified! But, Heather and Matthew weren’t upset at all!!!
When it came time to take a photo of Heather and Matthew and their family, we all agreed Taylor needed to be in the photo since she was covered in the reveal color!!
Heather and Matthew, I am so excited for you and your family!! Juby James is going to be one lucky little girl! Can’t wait to meet her in October of 2021!!!
Kynzi's One Year Session | Social Circle, Ga.
Happy birthday to my beautiful niece, Kynzi!!! A few weeks ago her momma, Kristi, and I went to my backyard with a bucket and some watermelon for a milk bath session and cake smash!
Kynzi was so-so about the milk bath! :) It was warm but, I’m sure it was a strange texture for her with the grainy watermelon. She still gave us some sweet smiles like she always does. Oh, she is the sweetest baby! She is so, so good and always happy! And, check out those curls she is getting!! She is just now really starting to get hair and it’s so pretty!
I love her big open mouth smiles and how her bottom teeth show through. Just melts my heart! My sister-in-law, said she is getting her top teeth in too! I love this little girl so much and her brother and sisters too! I’m so thankful we get to see each other so often and that our babies get to have fun and have a great cousin bond! I cannot wait for the day she calls me her “aunt Holly!” I love you guys!!!
Happy first birthday Kynzi Jane!!!
Declan Fox | Newborn Session
Hello Declan!!
Shauna and Patrick are past a bride and groom of mine. I photographed their spectacular wedding day (view it here) back in November of 2019 at Christ Our King and Savior Church in Greensboro, Georgia. And, now, here we are!! They welcomed their first baby boy, Declan Fox, on April 19, 2021. He weighed 9lbs and 6oz and was 21.5” long. Such a big boy! He spent some time in the NICU but, came home healthy and strong!
I’m so happy for you and Patrick! This morning, just before I began writing your blog post, I read my daily devotion in Jesus Calling Family Devotional. It read,
”I am the Risen One who shines upon you always. You worship a living Deity, not some idolatrous, man-made image. Your relationship with Me is meant to be vibrant and challenging as I invade more and more areas of your life. Do not fear change, for I am making you a new creation, with old things passing away and new things continually on the horizon. When you cling to old ways and sameness, you resist My work within you. I want you to embrace all that I am doing in your life, finding your security in ME alone.
It is easy to make an idol of routine, finding security within the boundaries you build around your life. Although each day contains twenty-four hours, every single one presents a unique set of circumstances. Don’t try to force-fit today into yesterday’s mold. Instead, ask Me to open your eyes so you can find all I have prepared for you in this precious day of life”
This just made me think of what it was like for me when I became a momma to RyAnne, our first baby. Unfortunately, I resisted the change. Even though I knew it was coming when she got here, I had NO idea the challenge it would be, nor did I know how close it would bring me to my Father. That’s the silver lining! Everyday I had to let go of my old life and accept and love my new life as her mommy. I had to let go of the idea of a schedule and just ebb and flow with her. I found myself constantly giving my schedule over to God and allowing Him to use it for His glory. It wasn’t easy but, God was still shining on me and blessing me through the challenges. I had to give myself AND my husband, Trey, so much grace. And then, once we thought we had it all down pat, we had another baby and then another baby! HA! We found ourselves giving alllllll those struggles and worries to Jesus, over and over again and praising Him for His incredible blessings!
Cailey, Jeremy and Brooklyn's Family Maternity Session | Lake Oconee
I’m so excited for my friends and old neighbors, Cailey, Jeremy and their sweet girl Brooklyn! They are expecting their second baby girl, Carter June, in just a few days!! I met them at their new home at the lake and we had a wonderful time!
We did photographs all over their home, which was new for me. I typically do photographs in natural light or outside. I LOVE the way their session turned out! I love all the locations because they mean something to them - they were home and comfortable! Oh and the girl’s rooms! Aren’t they both so beautiful?! So dreamy and fun! Cailey, will you decorate my kids rooms please??? ;)
While I was taking Brooklyn’s photographs she went and got her polaroid camera and began photographing her mom and dad. She even took my photo too! It’s hanging on my fridge. :) I cannot wait to see Brooklyn as a big sister!! Brooklyn is so beautiful and FULL of personality! I have no doubt she will be the best big sister and teach Carter June so much!
Cailey and Jeremy, I am praying for you guys! This is a fun transition for your family. I remember it took RyAnne a little bit of time to acclimate to her new role in our family. She was four years old when she got the title of big sister. I had to be so patient with her through the exhaustion of having a new little one to care for too - it wasn’t easy but, we survived!! Once RyAnne realized how helpful she was to her daddy, new baby sister and I, and the praise she was given for it, it all started to fall in to place for each of us. We all worked together as a family.
The sleepless nights are temporary. The connection and foundation being created from it will last forever!! It will be building blocks for your babies and how they handle life! So beautiful!!