Back in late February, when the weather was just starting to turn warm (for good), I knew that I had to get out in the gorgeous weather and photograph someone cute. Cute and pregnant! The first person that came to mind is Jacqueline. This girl rocks pregnancy like none other! She has a great sense of style, and I knew that it would be such a fun photo shoot with her. So I facebook messaged her and mentioned my scheming. Her husband (who is in the military) was scheduled to return from Afghanistan the beginning of March. So we tentatively set the date, and by the time the session arrived yesterday, I was ready to get out and shoot! What a gorgeous day (80+ degrees!!!). March? Hello Summer!
I drove to Southern Pines (a beautiful day to hit the open road!) to meet up with Jacqueline and family. This is their third bebe, and their first two little ones are quite adorable. So I have no doubt that sweet little Jude will be just as cute! We started with a few quick family shots, and then moved on to pictures of just Jacqueline. When I asked her where a good spot would be to shoot in Southern Pines, having not explored the local terrain myself, she came up with some great spots! Downtown Southern Pines is so quaint, and has such a “small southern town” charm to it. Love!
Great to see you Jacqueline (and family!)!!
Happy Spring!
Joy | Raleigh Maternity Photographer
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This little cutie was just 8 days old when I met him. He was definitely a deep sleeper and didn’t mind being moved around for pictures!
I love when things come together perfectly… Part of having a mobile newborn studio means that I have to select the right blankets, buckets, baskets, hats and wraps before I head out to the session. I usually stand in front of my collection of props for 20-30 minutes trying to decide what will work best, and what new things I want to try. My antique bucket (in the photos below) was found at the Tobacco Barn in Asheville…one of my favorite spot for finding unique and rustic props. I don’t take it with me to many sessions, but I love the piece. For Sebastien’s session I decided to bring it, along with a few other props. When I walked into Sebastien’s house, I knew I had made the right choice…in a word, French Countryside. It was the perfect setting to use the rustic bucket, and Sebastien must have liked it too, because I caught him grinning, showing off his dimpled chin, while he perched in the bucket. Such a cutie! Can’t wait to see him at his 4 month session :)
Joy | Raleigh Newborn Photographer
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Even though this blog post is about my sweet niece Brooklyne, I must start off by telling you about a little boy that has been such a big part of my life…
I love my little brother Cameron. He melted my 5 year old heart the moment I met him, and my sister (Erin) and I took it upon ourselves to make him our little doll baby. That poor boy was tortured with more dress up sessions and hair bows than any little boy should have to put up with!
He was the most squishy little baby/toddler I have known to date (with maybe the exception of my other little bro, Ethan. He was pretty squishy too!). At a young age, up until his teenage years, Cameron would gross us out by showing us how he could bend his fingers completely backwards, put his feet behind his ears and touch his thumbs to his wrists. He said the funniest things, was insistent that he was going to be a lion when he grew up, and we loved to make him say “yellow” which came out of his mouth as “lellow”. The thing that I love to remember most about Cameron growing up, is that he was always making us laugh. He loved to laugh and make others laugh.
He grew up to be one of my best friends and is the most compassionate and caring person I know. I love you bro.
I couldn’t resist posting two pictures of Cameron as a little boy (end of this post). The one on the left is the day after he was born, and the first time we met him. The second picture is when he was about two :)
You can imaging how excited I was when my “little” brother told me that he and Alicia were going to be parents. Where did my squishy doll baby go? I knew that they would be the best parents ever…childhood for their little ones will be one wild and exciting ride! Well, maybe a little tamer, if Alicia can stop Cameron from too much wildness!
They decided to not find out if it was a boy or girl, and didn’t give a hint on chosen names. We were all *dying* to find out! Cameron thought that Brooklyne was a boy, and Alicia had a feeling from the beginning of the pregnancy that it would be a girl. When Brooklyne was born, the Dr. asked Cameron to tell Alicia what “it” was and Cameron, quite shocked, said “it’s a girl!”.
I couldn’t wait to board my flight to Texas and meet my sweet niece. She definitely takes after her mother and is not the chubby baby that Cameron was, more petite features, but every ounce as adorable as both her parents were at that age.
My mom flew down with me, and Jamie joined us a few days later. We had such a great trip, loving on Brooklyne, late nights playing games, eating true Texas BBQ, and just enjoying being with each other. I went a little crochet crazy, and made her several hats and headbands while there. They were pretty tiny hats, and I know she will grow out of them quickly, but she needed something girly!
I loved seeing my little brother as a daddy. He loves his little Brooklyne and is the proudest Daddy, his face literally beamed our entire stay there. Alicia was beaming just as much, and is already a wonderful mommy!
We have THREE more babies on the way in our families (all due in the next 6 months)…so stay tuned for more “auntie Joy” posts ;)
Can you tell how over the moon excited we were to have a little brother? It cracks me up that I am the one holding him, even though Erin was in the middle. I was *always* begging to hold babies when I was a little girl. That’s why I love my job so much :)
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