They tell you that it takes 3 solid years to “make or break you”.
Although 2011 was a difficult year for me personally, my business thrived.
I’m so excited for year four and to all of you who have supported me, I love you dearly.

Lots of joyful homecomings with soldiers.

Started the year with a beautiful wedding

One of my favorite kiddos turns one!

Lots of Beloved <3

Welcoming many new babies!

WPPI 2011 (from the camera phone!)

The Bebies Turned 3!

Spent Mother's Day giving away free sessions to beautiful women <3

I got to see a wonderful friend get married and capture it!

Spent a lot of time out of town this summer- my LOL moment!

Hanging out in Philly

My "summer" photo for 2011

Welcoming more new babies into 2011

And then extorting them for my art!

Mommy and Baby Beloved- one of my top 5 all year.

New Clients Welcoming Fall

Beautiful Baby Girls

Lifestyle Babies!

And beautiful rainbow babies. Always joyful.

Some of my favorite families <3

My little man, growing up

My first foray into Urban exploration!

And finding my place in this very crazy world of photography...

I am a creative soul. Making other people happy is my business, it just happens to be through a memory captured in a photograph. I understand that life is fleeting- I dream of my mark on the world being the photographs I leave behind. I started my business so that I could make a difference and everything I do revolves around giving back through photographs. I am a mother, a friend and I am loved.

and I was going to focus on my 25 days of Christmas photos
(yup, I scored on that one too)

But when this amazing couple contacted me and asked me to do last minute maternity photos while her husband was on R&R
there was just NO WAY I could say no.

I love my military families!

Daddy & Mommy

So excited to hear that mom & baby are healthy.
Congrats to such a wonderful family and thank you to them for their commitment to our country.

(My LOL photo that day, it just made me laugh)

To be fair, I wanted originally to use the amazing photos that Kaela Green Photography took for us back in September
but changed my mind last minute because we’re using them for something a little more special

So, here’s our “photo booth” style photos for the photo booth style card we are doing.

We need 4-6 pictures. Leave a comment with your top 4 or top 6 favorites!

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I remember the call, it pulled at my heart. Something about them seemed so special.
I had the honor of shooting maternity photos as well as arriving for their little girl’s birth and I knew she would stay with me forever…
as one of those angel babies you never forget.

I was ECSTATIC last year (around this time) when mom got in touch and told me she was pregnant again and he was healthy.

It is like this rainbow baby just radiates joy.

All “new” mom and dads dote on their babies but the love I see from angel parents is overwhelming.

Volunteering is rough at times. Not every family will become a friend, some won’t even remember your name.
But every once in awhile, you’ll take a call for a family that will stay with you.

They will remind you what a gift NILMDTS portraiture is.

And sometimes you can even share in the joy of a rainbow baby.

It makes me sad to think dad (both mom and dad are veterans) will be leaving again next year.
But I know they cherish every moment with this little guy. I mean, how could you not!?’

Thank you {BFam} for letting me continue to be a part of your lives.
Your strength and spirit inspires me and helps me remember why I started doing all of this in the first place

<3

Cousins at Play

(a real photo, yay!)

After my session with my beautiful new niece (another blog post to come) we had time to hang out at my brother’s house.
This is a big deal, these two cousins don’t spend nearly enough time together (distance, family schedules…excuses go on and on)

For me, the essence of Christmas is childhood innocence. Now that these two are closer in ability, they play together like cousins.

It reminds me of my childhood with my beloved cousins, who were more like brothers.

I hope for the same thing for my kiddo. Especially if he is the only one.

Seeing her beautiful son, not much younger than Davs, reminded me once again what a miracle he is.

Such a beautiful family

(I know I posted this on #8/25, I just loved the picture)

Wonderful little miracle boy <3

Beautiful little sister.

Daddy Story

Mommy Story

Learning to walk...

Just loved this one.

and…my laugh for the session

Thank you {MFam} for trusting me with your memories and sharing your stories.
I feel like I have connected with your family on only that level that survivors can <3

(again, enjoy the camera phone photo- the faux tilt shift is even built in!)

My family Circa 1996

We’ve gone through a lot in the past 2 months as a family.
I saw this ornament at my mom’s house and it reminded me how important it is to let go.

Christmas is family. If it’s not, then what is it? Gifts? Indulgences? Numbness?

I am blessed with a family, even if they are not perfect.

(I’m hoping to catch up with a REAL photo tonight!)

Today in between sessions, errands and deliveries I went to be of service.
This is a reality in a hospital. It’s hard to see such blatant information, it seems so callous to those of us who are not used to it.

Christmas is not all joy and celebration, it is also sorrow for those we are missing.
Today another family had to say goodbye to a life gone far too soon.

(again, forgive the camera phone photos. I’m keeping up as much as I possibly can no matter what camera I use!)

Just a camera phone photo of a great night with Rise Against.
(Ok fair, Rise Against isn’t the most “Christmas Spirit” music)

I just associate my Christmas season with music and friends. A break from work (which I’m lucky enough to love)
An escape into the things I love.

It’s not as Holiday-ey (is that a word) but I like stretching my imagination on this challenge.
Camera Phones count, right?

This wasn’t a photo I took on my own free will per say (maybe a faux paux for this challenge)
But it fit how I felt.

I met this amazing family at the PreEclampsia walk back this summer.
Her little boy, who is very close to age as my little man, just reminds me what a miracle my little man is.

She give me hope for someday having another (healthy) child.

Christmas is Miracles.