With new life, sometimes there are no words necessary.
Viewing entries in
Newborn
Here’s a walk down memory lane…
Real. Life. The way it is...and the way you'll want to remember it.
NEWBORN SESSION.OKLAHOMA CITY/EDMOND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER
Everything is better with Ben.
His new, little life has magnified yours in every unimaginable way.
Your happy home? Happier.
Your perfect family of two? Full and familiar with three.
And love as you knew it?
Knew nothing before Ben.
HOSPITAL SESSION.OKLAHOMA CITY/EDMOND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER.INTEGRIS
His arrival may have been a whirlwind, but the hours after overflowed with grace & gratitude that danced around the room along with his welcoming crew.
He will be a newborn through the seasons, but only this new for what seems like seconds.
He was brand new and barely 8 pounds, but you trusted me to hold him, my hands to comfort him, and my vision to turn his delicate details into artistry.
Weeks earlier, though swollen and spent and almost full-term, you relied on me to reveal your beauty amid this swift season of motherhood.
And then, when you feared chaos and crying (because, TODDLERS), you counted on me to connect your crew among your pack of personalities.
Your favorite parts of the past year: PRESERVED.
By choosing me, you trusted me, and sharing your story frame by frame is a privilege you'll never see me take for granted.
Thank YOU.
HOSPITAL SESSION.OKLAHOMA CITY/EDMOND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER
Little and new at just 19 hours old. Meet Jovie Dale.
NEWBORN SESSION.OKLAHOMA CITY/EDMOND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER
Isn’t life fun(ny)?
After months of anticipation and hours of labor, it takes just one second of seeing your infant to feel a love so deep and heavy it aches.
During what you’d probably agree to be the happiest season of your life, you find yourself on the edge of every emotion and only a simple mishap away from a full-blown breakdown.
It was in those first days when he was mostly asleep that you felt the deepest deprivation of sleep physically possible.
And then, before you can say ‘maternity leave', you’re standing in your closet holding your 12-week old and trying, through blurring tears, to see your wardrobe options for your impending return to work.
How is it fair that the most delicate and sentimental stage is over before you realize it, yet you were barely awake to remember it?
One too many details from those days are buried under a fuzzy fog of forgetfulness. The difference, though, is every soft touch, tiny sound, and sweet smell are easily recovered when you reminisce through these pictures.
Your child is young for awhile, a toddler for a fast few years, and somehow, only a newborn for days. DAYS.
But best off all? He's yours.
For forever.
Just like these photos.
HOSPITAL SESSION.OKLAHOMA CITY/EDMOND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER
You'll remember the labor and enduring every level of pain. But will you remember those simple scenes in the overwhelming hours that follow?
Like the way his yawns unfold all 7lbs into a lengthy, satisfying stretch. Or how his legs, so long and delicate, fall naturally into place as if he's still nested in your womb.
Please don't ever forget the hesitation behind your toddler's eyes as she approaches you and baby sister, completely unsure but still eager to discover her new role.
And you?
Though worn out and on the mend, you'll never know how beautiful you beam as you look at them, looking at her.
Ticks of time will race by in slow motion.
It's in those first fresh hours you'll be high on happiness, but also, weary with exhaustion, leaving little energy to hold on to those slipping, sweet moments. So as you're trying to tread above trial and error, will you take the time to pause and preserve these fleeting moments?
New mom on the block?
You do not want to overlook this.
Seasoned in motherhood?
It's a lively rush of 48 hours, isn't it?
The beginning of your child's story is days away from being born.
Do you want to be both the author and the illustrator?
See more HERE.
TOP PHOTOS OF 2014. OKLAHOMA CITY/EDMOND MATERNITY/NEWBORN/CHILDREN/FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
How?! How on Earth is it New Years Eve of 2014?
Somehow it is, just like somehow our busy days dragged on while our weekends flew by.
But WHAT.A.YEAR.
The real me wants to get really mushy with you and remind you how much this tiny speck of a business (in the grand scheme of things) means to me and how I can never, EVER thank you enough for hiring me, inquiring about a session, reading my blog, liking a post, hearting an INSTAGRAM photo or heck, even knowing Sunkissed & Free even exists, but even then I don't feel like that's sufficient enough. Every day, this creative outlet for me continues because of YOU. I promise you this: you'll never know how appreciative I am to be asked to tell your story.
And now, the best of 2014!
And ending 2014 with two of my favorite of all favorites:
The kids who have my heart and call me Auntie, bellied up to the same ice cream counter where I grew up ordering single scoop sugar cones.
And lastly, the photo I hope to take every few years. Why? To see him grow. To see me grow.
2014
2008
NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY.OKLAHOMA CITY/EDMOND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER
Second child?
BRING IT.
I imagine with your first child, you knew the exact week of gestation you were in, detailed to the very day. You first knew him as a blueberry, and later, an avocado. Even though at week 30 you may have been craving salty chips coated in warm, melted cheese, you knew your baby boy was the size of a head of lettuce. This time around? Your days are filled chasing your pant-less son down the hallway, pleading with him to exchange his toy truck for a lunch plate of crustless PB&J, halved grapes and a sippy cup half full of leftover morning milk. Both of their due dates are concreted in your pregnancy brain, but this go around, your previous answer to "how far along are you?" is accidentally altered from "23 weeks, 3 days" to "ummmm, 25ish weeks…I think?"
It's more of a joy ride this time. A roller coaster you've ridden before, knowing to brace yourself for the expected dips and turns.
Remember the overwhelming confusion you felt standing in the middle of Babies R Us 24 weeks into your first pregnancy? Holding the registry wand, the feeling of confinement sweeps over you as your eyes bulge at the white linoleum aisles stocked high with thousands of baby items, labeled in bright colors and recognizable (but the best?) name brands. All you knew is that you needed blue stuff with cars and trucks printed on it.
Call it the second baby syndrome, call it a greater knowledge of the true necessities, or call it confidence from experience, but with child #2 chillin’ in your belly? Registering was a breeze! You remember what worked, what didn’t, and awaiting a sibling at home are Hesston’s gently used big-ticket items. Besides the few things you can never have enough of (DIAPERS), being fully prepared with the necessities gives you time to peruse the shades of tiny, pink clothes in Target’s baby section. Pulling a 0-3 month smocked dress adorned in stitched flowers from the rack releases your second squeal of excitement. (The first escaped at your 20-week sonogram appointment – IT’S A GIRL!)
Her kicks and multiple rounds of hiccups may be familiar, but the curiosities of her characteristics still nibble at your daily thoughts. Will she be another miniature Daddy, a replica of her big brother, but in pink? Or will your daughter resemble you? The rare quiet times at home (read: when Hesston is napping, amiright?) allow your mind to finally wander to your rounding belly (which, you noticed, made its appearance much sooner and quicker), wondering of her and awaiting her arrival, just as anxiously as your first child, but this time, versed in motherhood.
After 9 months of comparing your pregnancies, you became a mother for the second time. It was August 18th when you were finally able to see that yes, she looks just like you. Beautiful.
It wasn’t until close family and friends gathered in your room, whispering compliments on her full cheeks and perfect lips that you started to see similarities and find differences in Mason’s newborn face compared to Hesston’s, just a mere 2 years earlier. You can't help but see so much of Hesston in her almond-shaped eyes.
From her birth day on, her milestones will be marked. You’ll often catch yourself saying, “Remember the way Hesston first rolled over?” or “Hesston used to make that same, hilarious face!”
And so it begins, the joys of having two children.
But first, Mason’s paci just fell on the floor. Wash it thoroughly like you did Hesston’s?
Eh. A quick wipe with the corner of your t-shirt will do, right?
NEWBORN SESSION.OKLAHOMA CITY/EDMOND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER
July 7th came and went like morning sickness in the first trimester, so I texted her: “still pregnant?”
“yes…still pregnant!”
Almost a week later and after multiple jaunts out to the garden to harvest in the heavy heat of July, Lindsay found herself timing contractions.
She’s retelling Sawyer’s birthday to me from the rocking chair, only occasionally yawning. I couldn’t help but notice how relaxed she was, as if in her arms was her fourth child rather than her first.
His arrival was shared and Facebook family and friends exclaimed their congratulations, including myself. I finally get to meet my newest client! Sawyer’s proud Daddy posted the first photos of Lindsay and Sawyer, him on her chest, her hospital gown bunching around his tiny body.
The iPhone snap halts time with her beaming down at her son for the first time, soaking him in, but I know that instant remained for nearly eternity. She studied his every feature, unable to peel her eyes away from his eyes.
Eyes which are an exact replica of his daddy's.
As I clicked through Tyler's Facebook album dated July 13th (now a day that will never be just another day in his family), views of Lindsay and Sawyer fill the screen, along with a hospital scale documenting 7 lb 5 oz and nurse's in the background smiling as they check vitals and monitor the new mom. I passed through the album, stopping with a smile at Sawyer's first selfie with his Dad, asleep and cradled snug against his pearl snap shirt.
I imagine Lindsay was once again enamored with her husband, this time in a new way.
Fifteen days later, I sat in their living room and gently positioned the little cowboy with his Momma by my side. I couldn't help but think back to their maternity session, when they could only imagine whose genes would be undoubtedly duplicated.
Now they finally know.
The highest compliment you can EVER give a photographer is to hire them. To this day, 3 years into this dream of mine, when someone shows interest in my work, I get spazzy. giddy. grateful. NERVOUS. It's the best feeling. I'll never, EVER forget the moment riding in the back of Kyle and Jess's car after wrapping up their beautiful engagement session, when Kyle nonchalantly mentioned hiring me to be their wedding photographer. IN MAUI! I almost fainted in the backseat. "WHAT?! I've never photographed a wedding. ME?! Are you sure? I don't even think I'm that good!! WHY?! Wait, what? I MEAN, YES!!!!!!!!" That was in 2012. My first wedding EVER. Their day was beyond gorgeous and I'm still so thankful for that opportunity to visit Maui AND do what I love! Fast forward a year and Jess & Kyle announce they are expecting a baby boy! Who did they choose to photograph their maternity photos? Me! And once again, I'm there, gleefully jumping up and down at the thought of them wanting little ol' me, the girl who's still learning and striving to find my niche and make it in this giant world of photography. You guys, I'm sitting here grinning so big just telling this story. So there we were, together again, shooting their 3rd significant, extremely exciting stage of their life. I don't think I have to tell you about the 4th. You can see for yourself, that yes, I was the lucky one to capture baby Jack and all his newborn hair freshness. Jack arrived right around the time where I had finally started believing in myself, my work, and finding my niche: your children and your family. Your kinship and your stories fill me with so much joy and I'm so blessed to be the witness to all your happiness. It's clients like Kyle and Jess who I owe one of the biggest thank you's, because from the beginning, they believed in me. They trusted in me to give them these photographs for their family archives. For that, I'm forever thankful.
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
SUNKISSED & FREE NEWBORN
This past weekend, I was thrilled to see Jack, now 8 months, at my nieces birthday party at the petting zoo. Just look at those eyes, that chin dimple, and ALL THAT BLONDE HAIR! To me, one of the coolest things in this life is to watch a child grow. It's simply amazing…
SUNKISSED & FREE CHILDREN PHOTOGRAPHY
Ahhh, sweet, sweet Parker. I remember this session (photographed back in June!) like it was yesterday. I walked into Brittany and Trevor's house and was immediately greeted by their happy, hyper, attention-seeking pup, Brewski. I gave him some love before I beelined to the living room where I found 9-day new Parker sound asleep in his rocker. He was perfect. I remember his pink lips pursed slightly and his round, soft cheeks resting against his blanket. I watched as Trevor stood over Parker's rocker, still in awe of his brand new, first-born son. As I set up, I watched Brittany carefully take him from his rocker into her arms, nervously yet naturally. If either of them were watching me as I watched them, they would have seen me smiling ear to ear at their love for Parker. Life is so beautiful!
After getting a few shots of Brittany and Trevor cuddling on the couch with their new babe, Parker let me wrap, bundle, and position him any way I pleased. I loved detailing every bit of his fresh, flawless, newborn features.
Brittany also mentioned an antique airplane prop that she wanted to try if Parker allowed. Needless to say, Parker slept through his entire first 'flight.' :)
Trevor and Parker enjoyed some time together in his masculine yet gorgeous man room. Brittany did a great job decorating it! I love these next few images of musician Daddy and his rockstar son.
It is such a pleasure to be the one chosen to help document the transition into parenthood. Even parents who are welcoming their 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th child have this deep, honest love in their eyes and the wonderment is beautiful to witness.