lydia and her babies

In the middle of summer after a heavy rain storm that never seemed would end, I stepped into my woods with Lydia and her babies. It was like stepping through the wardrobe. I don’t know how much time passed as I breathlessly captured each of their soulful spirits: their impish grins, baby hands of treasures, and the way they breathed in their mother and nestled into her body. I love every image we captured together that day and I collapsed into my bed in ecstasy with river water and grass stuck to my feet .

Mamas so often are not in the picture and we need to change that. We need not only to capture her likeness but the way she made you feel: the way your body felt next to hers, the way she grabbed your hand when you were scared, the sparkle in her eye, the strength that shoots from her like the strongest sapling. And it’s never too late for that.

the mahan family | carl sandburg's home

On a humid evening in the lush, thickness of this summer, I had the adventure of photographing the Mahan family…complete with a pair of the most perfectly mischevious three year olds. We traipsed about Carl Sandburg’s home (Jamie works there as the project archivist so the grounds have very special meaning). We laughed, rolled in the grass, and searched for tadpoles. They also showered their mama with flowers and reached their arms to be in their daddy’s strong arms. There was so much love surrounding the four of them as we stood there at the end, sweaty and spent. I know it is not for the faint of heart to raise these dear boys (especially during a pandemic), but thankfully Jamie and John are full-hearted and opened armed.

The beauty of this season is waning...giving way to a different kind of beauty. Summer cools to fall, baby cheeks are thinning, and it will all never be this way again.

addy | senior portraits

“The earth has music for those who listen.” -Shakespeare

One day this summer I was feeling dry creatively, and kind of sad I didn’t have anything lined up to photograph. That exact day I got a message from a mother…”I'd love to talk with you about Sr pics for one of my girls. She's my fairy spirit hippie violinist. I think hopefully a good fit for your style.” And then I jumped up and down and closed my eyes real tight because I was smiling so much. You see…I myself am a fairy spirit hippie violinist and I couldn’t wait to capture her in this inhale before adulthood.

When I met Addy I was drawn in instantly by her warmth. It was so genuine and had such depth, something I don’t usually see in girls her age. I loved her instantly, as I think everyone who meets her does.

We spent the afternoon skipping around the forest just letting Addy explore and play her beautiful, soulful music. On top of Black Balsam it echoed through the mountains and in the river it was accompanied by the sound of the water trickling over the rocks. I nestled her in the roots of the big tree I love, her fresh face so bright in contrast to the weathered bark and the twisted up roots. It felt like a dance, it felt like a song, it felt like a part of my heart being given new life.