The gorgeous Jordan was a stunning pregnant woman and a photographer’s dream to shoot. Her and her husband Bret came to me for a maternity session this past October and I’ve been obsessed with their gallery ever since. It was like shooting Ken and Barbie for pregnancy magazine. I swear, y’all! See for yourself.
I was so thrilled when Jordan contacted me again to schedule a newborn lifestyle session for their sweet baby girl Veda not long after.
Are you thinking My Girl? Totally, me too.
Sweet angel baby, Veda, was so precious and did amazing during her session. This beautiful family and their equally perfect, magazine quality home, made my photographer’s heart go pitter patter all morning long.
Here are some of my favorites during Veda’s newborn lifestyle session.
Surrogacy is an amazing thing. Being able to give a gift like that, there are almost no words for it. As a mom myself, I couldn’t imagine a life without my babies. That’s why I was so thrilled when my sister-in-law, Angelina, asked me to document her little belly buddy Kei’s first moments in the world at Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest in Fort Worth, Texas.
You could tell that the brand new parent, K&P, were already head over heels in love for this tiny baby boy.
I asked them to share a little bit of their experience and here’s what Angelina had to say…
It’s hard to put into words what this experience has been like and just how much it means to me. We were matched perfectly to this amazing couple living a world away. We instantly knew they were the ones God had put in our path. We got to hear their struggle and are now part of the same story. We had all wanted to get this journey started right away, after all they’ve been waiting so long already. Our first try was a success! 39 weeks and 3 days later and he’s here! This miracle has come true. This prayer that’s been said and asked for countless times has finally been answered. This dream has come true. These amazing people are now parents! It’s an unbelievable feeling to realize the role I played. We became family. I am emotional and cry thinking about everything and where we are now. I hugged my husband lastnight and just cried then he said “it’s crazy huh? You did it!” Just because the pregnancy is over, doesn’t mean our journey is. It’s just beginning. We get to be included for the rest of his life!
***Words from K&P to come later after they’ve adjusted to new parenthood.
Also, you can read Angelina’s blog documenting their entire surrogacy journey here.
Here are some of my favorite moments from Baby Kei’s fresh 48.
I don’t feel old y’all. I’m 30 and I still feel like I’m 17. Most of the time. I mean I do have 3 kids. Hahaha! I had my son early so I’ve been a mom forever, and now everyone I went to school with, middle and high school, are having babies and getting married. It’s so exciting but now it makes me feel OLD! Haha. It stings a little less when I get to snuggle on these babies (and shoot their weddings) so that helps.
Rylie Charlotte is the first baby girl of my friend Leeana and her hubby Jose. She was born on July 15th, weighing a teeny 6 pounds 15 ounces. I met Leeana way back in 7th grade so meeting her baby girl was a special treat. The first thing I said when I saw Miss Rylie was “oh my goooosh, that HAIR”, that girl has the best little head of hair you’ve ever seen on a newborn, I can’t wait to see what it looks like in a year!
Here are some of my favorite moments from this very special newborn lifestyle session.
Fun Fact: Did you know I was born on a pretty lucky day? Saint Patrick’s Day! So I’m basically a lucky charm you guys. Look it up. Science. Hahahaha!
Kaylee and Patrick are getting married just ONE day before my birthday next year at the gorgeous Cross Creek Ranch in Parker, Tx. How lucky am I to be shooting it for them?! Judging by this amazing engagement session (they were so fantastic), it’s going to be a beautiful wedding with two very in love people.
It was so hard to narrow down, but here are some of my favorite moments from their engagement session.
Hello Hello! I am back in the blogging game you guys. This time for real. I am going to be so on top of this.
Let me introduce you to something. His name is Maverick and he is the first baby boy I’ve gotten to shoot in a loooong stream of adorable girls. Weighing in at 10 pounds, I believe his mama said, and those little eyes that match his big sister’s. He stole my heart y’all!
This little family has been a part of my client family since 2016. Believe it or not, I met them when that curly haired little beauty was still in her mommy’s tummy. It was one of my favorite maternity sessions.
Then I found out they were expecting baby number TWO and guess who got to photograph that maternity session?
THIS GIRL!
It was perfect and beautiful! I was so excited to finally meet baby Maverick when we finally had his newborn session in their gorgeous new home. Especially because his gender was a surprise just like his big sister’s was.
Here are some of my favorite moments of his newborn lifestyle session!
Oh and don’t forget, I offer discounts on baby bundles! Contact me here for details.
When I first started shooting my clients, I always imagined doing documentary sessions one day. It’s like being a little photojournalist but for families. Do you ever just see your kids playing together from across the lawn or maybe you’re giving your husband a long sweet hug in the kitchen after a long day. Those moments are precious. One day you might not live in the same house and your babies will be grown before you know it. Don’t you want to remember them someday or even show them to generations to come.
This year I gave myself a few goals. One was to get my own studio (more on that later) and the other was to be creative. I want to shoot what makes my heart happy and I am so excited to share this with all of you These are called “Family Lifestyle” sessions or “A Day in the Life”. When you schedule one of these documentary style shoots, I want you to feel relaxed. I know, nothing about family pictures with your kids is relaxing but hear me out! I don’t want coordinating outfits, I don’t need anyone to stay pristine. No shoes, no shirt, no problem y’all! I just want to come over and hang out with you. Follow your kids playing or helping mama cook. Daddy mowing the lawn or the babies having a bubble bath.
SO HERE IS THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
I will be offering half-price documentary sessions all Summer long! For just $175, I will come to your family home for a couple of hours to capture your memories in your most comfortable setting. All edited photos are included and will be sent to you in a digital gallery with a release to print AND an added discount on an album!
To show you my vision, I was lucky enough to know the perfect family to try out one of these sessions and I couldn’t be more in love. Thank you so much Sammie Sean, Graham, and Harrison for letting me hang out with you for the morning.
The first session I shot after my maternity leave just so happened to be a maternity session. My baby girl was 6 weeks old and my husband brought her along to the park just to keep her close. It had been 5 years since we were in the newborn club so it took a little adjustment, lol. Mommy’s know what it’s like to leave their babies for the first time so having her just in the same park made my heart calm.
When Brenna booked her session with me, I was so so excited to shoot it. This baby boy was prayed for and oh so loved already! She was gorgeous and did such an amazing job. The Bingamans tried to conceive for three years before starting IVF and they were blessed to get pregnant on their first embryo transfer! Brenna said “I was convinced it didn’t work and it didn’t feel real literally until he was in my arms.” Baby Ashton Jett arrived on March 26, 2018 at 7:26pm weighing 7 pounds and 19 inches long.
Congratulations Aaron and Brenna on your new addition, I cannot wait to meet Mr. Ashton!
The end of 2017 was insanity. So many sessions, so much editing, and so many WEDDINGS! Not to mention being super pregnant at the time definitely made it a tad bit more challenging. Now that we are well into 2018, and Baby Daphne is finally here, I can enjoy a little breather and blogging time!
Sandy and Joshua were married at The Springs Event Venue in Weatherford, Tx. It had been rainy and cold the week before but this particular Sunday was sunny, gorgeous, with a little bit of a chill in the air.
Pulling up to the venue, I was immediately excited because of how beautiful it was. The decorations were perfect for a winter wedding. A little rustic but oh so chic and whimsical. The bride and groom, looked like two lovebirds out of a fairy tale.
Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Davis! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your big day!
Photographer: Amanda Raylee Photography
Videographer: Storytellers Studio
Venue: The Springs Event Venue – Weatherford
Cake: Back Home Bakery
Hair: Drybar Fort Worth
Florist: Springtown Flower Shop
Linens: VIP Linens and Events
Bar: Professional Bartending of Greater DFW
Food: TCP Catering
DJ: Heartsong Events and Lighting
This session was the last one I shot before I had my own baby girl. Actually it was a whole 8 days before I had her! I waddled into that postpartum room and met the sweetest newborn girl. Miss Riley! She was the teeniest, sweetest baby all dressed in purple floral and she knocked her session out of the park.
Congratulations to mama, daddy, and the new big sister!
