motherhood | a portrait series

this is my one of a kind gal pal ashley. we met back in ohio after several mutual friends insisted we get together and i love thinking of our first semi-awkward coffee date, filling each other in on our respective creative endeavors. it was an enjoyable and sweet conversation, we left with the possibility of shooting together but didn't think much of it. fast forward five years : our first shared studio, three kids, countless shared meals, two cross-country moves, a creative collective, our own magazine and i've found in her one of the dearest and most genuine friends a gal could have. she is creative, honest, sassy, caring and a killer cook. she can make anyone feel welcome and her sense of aesthetic is out of this world. she is so generous with her time whether it be to snuggle a baby, drop off a warm quiche or help you work through a creative block. so naturally ashley was my test subject for the portraits i wanted to offer my mama friends for mother's day. a round of those hot mamas coming soon but first, ashley. 
needless to say, she killed it.

eagle rock maternity session

these two. they mean the world to our tiny family. and they're becoming three.

we met art + reika one unassuming sunday evening at our tiny church plant in columbus, ohio five years ago. they walked into the old chapel and i thought "whoa, too cool. probably never gonna be friends with those cats." boy am i glad i was so wrong. A+R are two of the most genuine souls this earth has ever known. i had the pleasure of celebrating and photographing their fantastic backyard picnic wedding a few years back. fast forward to reika being one of three gal pals that dropped everything to drive across the country with me when we moved to l.a. Fast forward another six months and we get a phone call that art's job with jeni's ice cream was moving him to los angeles (i don't think i need to tell you the happy tears that flowed all over my lonely face after that call). fast forward another two years and here we are, each expecting a baby boy within months of each other.

leaving our community in ohio was so hard not only because the quality of those friendships was unlike any we'd experienced before, but because those people knew us. they grew with us. during transition, trial, ups and downs. we did life together on a daily basis. they helped us welcome ruth into the world and loved on us in a myriad of selfless, wonderful ways. to be able to continue that kind of friendship here in los angeles has been life-giving. 

we cannot wait to meet you, baby boy. any day now. and we cannot wait to love you, head to toe. you are one lucky little man to have the love of your mama and daddy. we have been the recipients of it for years and know the kindness of christ and the beauty of friendship because of them. you will be so very loved. 

allison + peter + viv | los angeles family photography

the past few months have produced some of my favorite family sessions of my career. the initial inquiries are detailed and each unique in their own story but can be summarized as folks just wanting to remember their particular stage of life. and i get so excited because this is exactly why I do what I do. to document moments and create visuals for the memories you already hold so dear. to offer fresh eyes and grace in the midst of a busy or trying or exciting season. take allison+peter with their sweet little Viv, saying goodbye to their home in l.a. for a new adventure out east. most people gearing up for a cross country move and 18 weeks pregnant wouldn't think about adding "photo session" to their to-do list but they wanted to document this home, this time before three become four, and the obvious love that will followthem wherever they go. thank you for sharing this time with me, friends. xo