Baby Josephine {Quick Look}

I feel like I've been out of the saddle for a long time.  So when I had the chance to photograph a newborn...I JUMPED at it!

I've actually never photographed a newborn (except for my own) and I discovered that it is not as easy as the pros make it look!  Baby Josephine (only a few days old at the time) did not want to sleep!  But when she did, oh man...she worked the camera!  :)

Enjoy this little quick look.  I'm looking forward to sharing the rest soon!

[Partin Family] & Ruby Ann's 6th month

There are days when the incredible job I get to do overwhelms me with joy. Today was one of those days.

Two of mike and I's closest friends recently returned home to the Dominican after a long stent in the States. Their family of two became a family of three. I was jealous and envious of so many people that got to hold their little one before I did. I was sad that I didn't get to take newborn pictures of her like all our other staff babies. But my wait was nothing compared to Will and Audrey's.

So as I was taking pictures of this little family of three today I couldn't help but stare at each frame. In fact, on the way home in the car as I was flipping through them all I couldn't keep myself from tearing up. I was in awe of God's grace. I was reminded of the story that he writes for each of us. The story He wrote for Will and Audrey. The hardships and the struggles are such a small part in comparison to the glory He unfolds every day. Little Miss Ruby Ann's smile is a perfect example of God's glory and grace and His unfathomable love for us.

You can read Will and Audrey's adoption journey, here.

my favorite of the day :)

Perez Family

catching up on some of my recent shoots...the perez family and i had a quick little photoshoot in our friend's backyard. it was fun and quick and amazing that we got as many great shots as we did with two very busy girls. stella and amelia are awesome. and already declaring their individual personalities. enjoy the photos...

papi and his daughters...so adorable

love this mama

this face cracks me up

little amelia

vivacious stella

"what? we didn't do anything..."

"are we about done? i need my beauty sleep."

"oh my gosh! i totally want to switch stuffed animals with you."

"it's ok, stella, i still love you."

Welcome to the world, Marvin!

I have been waiting for this day! I finally got to meet little Marvin. I've developed a friendship with Marvin's mom, Joanna, for the last two years. I met her in February 2008 at a medical clinic in the Hole, when her oldest daughter was less than a year old. There was just something about her that I loved.

Us at a different medical clinic, June 2008, after Darolin was born

Joanna was 12 when she "married" her husband Melvin. They waited five years until she was 17 to start having kids. Now... three years later, they welcomed their third child :)

seriously, look at his little hand

Marvin was born at 29 weeks gestation on August 28th. 2 lbs 9 oz. 13 inches long. crazy. He stayed in the hospital for about two weeks and came home a few days ago. Little miracle baby. I was terrified to hold him because he was still so tiny almost three weeks after being born, but of course, the proud mama insisted. She also let me know that her and Melvin talked about it and I am his Godmother. I was so excited. What an honor.

Just a little proof that God shows us the beauty of life even in a place like The Hole.

Arolin and Darolin, the new big sisters

proud mama

Perez Twins

I am finally posting the little photoshoot I did with the Perez twins last week. Their mom and dad, Jackie and Alan Perez, are on staff with G.O. Jackie is super creative and artsy so I always look forward to working with her cause we feed off each other so well. She had some great ideas for photographing the girls. Amelia was awake almost the entire shoot, Stella, not so much! But isn't that soooo twins? One awake, one asleep. One happy, one cranky. One hungry, one full. One laid back, one more energetic. Either way, we got some cute shots of them together (plus a couple with their beautiful mom!). Enjoy!

sweet little stella, already sleepy five minutes into the shoot

little amelia workin' her belly time!

yep, i want to eat her up too

proud mama, double blessed

sweet angels

well hello there, little beauty

my favorite from the day

Ruben-9 Months!

It's always fun to do portraits of someone other than your kids. My poor kids are going to hate me until the day they move out of the house. They will probably never purchase their own camera because I will have overused mine on them so much. Or maybe they will just be grateful that sometime when they are getting ready to get married, they can sit on the couch with their future spouses and look at the bazillion photos that I took of them. Either way, this train ain't slowin' down!

Today, I did get to photograph someone other than my own. Little Ruben is only 5 days older than Emi and his mother is on staff with Mike and I. His father is one of the Haitian pastors that work here in the Dominican. Together, they made a pretty adorable baby. We just did a little mini shoot (only about 15 minutes long) and he didn't exactly want to cooperate and give me smiles but we got a few. And man can he light up a room. Cute thing. Enjoy!