Meeting Melly...
Full disclosure, I am not a philosopher but I have some words of wisdom from experience: It's important to capture every moment, not just the perfectly posed ones.
I know we all like to think we have a better looking side, when we turn our heads a certain way or lean forward, but I find the most beautiful images are the imperfect, perfect moments. When there is a little chaos and not everyone wants to look at the camera, that is beauty and authenticity.
Caroline in an Anthropologie dress, holding JR while Melly is held by Jon. Josie gazes off into the distance.
I met Caroline and Jon during the first COVID year. Looking for different ways to keep shooting, I ended up volunteering for the Front Porch Project here in Baton Rouge. It was a great opportunity to get out of the house, after being cooped up for so long, and also document how we were all dealing with quarantine. At the time, Caroline was pregnant with JR. I remember walking up the driveway to meet this adorable young couple with their fur family, Lola and Josie. Who would think that so much could change so quickly, but here we are now. I shot their maternity session in May of 2020, then JR's newborn photos, and would have been there for his first birthday in 2021 if it were not for my twins sharing the same birthday. This year, she reached out to me for a newborn family session and asked if I could take their pictures again. I was so happy to do so! Lola had sadly passed away some time ago, so Josie joined in on the family session and I can't express enough how much I love her. I am a huge animal person.
Beautiful gifts from Aunts and grandmas. Melly has two pink bunnies to keep her company.
It was important for me to capture Melly's little feet and hands, because she'll only be this small in these moments. Babies grow fast! JR didn't really want to smile or take pictures, but he has some very patient and loving parents who give him the space to express. I wanted them to feel comfortable, so I went with what I could get. When I work with kids and babies, I always let them interact how they want to. It's like swimming against a strong current. You really have to go with the flow. Getting to see how much growth this little family had gone through and documenting these moments was an amazing experience that I am so grateful for. I can't wait to document more.
Taking a look back...
Measuring time by how long ago our collective COVID situation begun can feel overwhelming. Here is a small glimpse of our previous sessions.
Sweet Lola "RIP"
You only have this moment now and then never again. Photography is a way to look back and remember how those moments, now long gone, felt.
