-Bristow Newborn Photographer-Northern Virginia Newborn Photographer-

Oh sweet sweet Lucy, what a joy she was to photograph. I was able to capture her beautiful Momma’s maternity pictures and loved seeing the gorgeous little one that was inside that pretty belly. Her parents drove her all the way from Maryland for her session and I’m always so honored when I have clients travel a ways for their session. I love love LOVE my job!

We’ve “been together” ever since. She’s my person, and I honestly don’t know what I’ve been doing without her in my life. She’s the kind of friend that builds you up and sings your praises. The kind that cheers and celebrates the loudest over your everyday victories. The kind that you can talk to for hours and hours and still have a million more words to exchange once your voice starts to go dry or the clock strikes midnight. And my favorite part about her is how much she truly loves my children as if they were her own.I’m convinced God crossed our paths in a time we needed each other the most. She and Brian, her sweet husband, have become apart of our family and my girls love them as if they were. A few months later, Neada shared the amazing news that they were expecting!! They found out that a sweet baby girl was coming their way. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for somebody. I felt an instant love for that little being inside of her and couldn’t wait to meet this special lady. Baby O, as everyone called her, is now a gorgeous 1 month old baby love, named Olivia Claire. I had the honor of taking their maternity, birth, and newborn pictures. When Neada told me she wanted me in the delivery room, I played it cool. Not wanting her to see how I was internally reacting…jumping up and down, crying, screaming, excited, and so so honored. On the day of her induction I felt like a nervous, anxious, happy ball of emotions. I cried more times that day than I can count. When I finally got to the hospital Neada had been in labor for almost an entire day. She was awesome and so was Brian. As the clocked ticked and Neada spiked a high fever it was soon necessary for a c-section. I waited, along side of their sweet families, in the labor & delivery halls. When Brian finally came out to say Olivia was here and Neada was okay, I felt such a huge relief and sense of joy.

Even though I wasn’t in the delivery room, I was able to capture the excitement, anticipation, worry, and LOVE that night held. I know how cloudy you feel after a c-section. How when you finally come to and really “wake up” you look down to see a swaddled bundle of baby and have to register that you just did that! I wanted Neada and Brian to remember the miracle that happened that night, and not all the crazy chaos that may have surrounded it. Neada, I hope you remember how pink and warm and SOFT her skin was. How she only would open her left eye to look around the room. How when I picked her up so you could see her up close, she looked right at you and calmed down once you started to talk to her. How her sweet little bottom lip was swollen and purple. And how we couldn’t believe how much dark beautiful hair she had!  I was so happy to be in the recovery room when you got to hold her for the first time. I love the pictures of you studying her and soaking her in. They’re my favorite from the night.

As a special gift, a “thank you” for being such an irreplaceable friend, I put together this special movie. I hope you love it. Enjoy and go grab some tissues

Welcome to the World Olivia Claire.

-Northern Virginia Newborn Photographer-

Virginia Newborn Photographer

I have so many favorites to show of Cole and his big sis, Leah & so little time to make a blog post!  Cole was the easiest baby. At 7 days new, he was so sweet & sleepy. I think I saw his pretty eyes just once I loved my time with this family!

-Northern Virginia Newborn Photographer-

One of my new favorite images.

I’ll leave you with the sweetest smile. Precious.

- Northern Virginia Newborn Photographer -

Love his little smirk!

Sweet bits of Bergen…

Here are a couple things I learned from my drive up to see Summer.

• 5 hours of Mumford & Sons and Adele on repeat never gets old.
• Driving through New York City at 6pm is much worse than child birth.
• When your GPS tells you “You have arrived”, in the middle of a freeway. You know you’re screwed.
• Driving circles around Queens at 9 o’clock at night isn’t as fun as being on a merry-go-round. It’s actually much much worse.
• I may have gotten my mother’s fire red hair, but clearly did not get her sense of direction. : -D

Getting to Summer’s house on Saturday was so much easier. Thank goodness.  Summer is as funny, beautiful, & warm as she is on her blog posts. I instantly loved her even more. Her studio is amazing, the light is literally perfect, & her prop organization is to die for. We talked set-up, lighting, posing, post processing, & all things newborn photography. For the next 15 hours I was like a kid in a candy shop! I soaked everything up. And in between the beautiful babes I got to photograph, hanging out with her family was equally as fun. I probably should have paid extra for all the belly laughs & amazing food courtesy of her husband.

Summer, I know I’ve said it before, but you’re the best!! Thank you for pushing me and for encouraging me. Despite the 10 hour drive, I had the greatest time ever!

Here’s one shot I got along with a pull back shot showing Summer helping me out with the diffuser. Many more photos to come!!