So, the overwhelming majority of things I post about on my blog are happy.  I mean, some of them are so happy that it is almost downright obnoxious!  So, this post and those that may follow might seem sad to you.  It may even be uncomfortable for you to look at these images...and that is okay.  For me to not post them, though, would go against my instinct to share everything with you.  I am not a one trick pony, and I fall in love with all emotions on camera...not just the happy ones.  My heart overflows with the desire to help others see how incredible they are, and I feel that my way to do this is through my camera.  I literally "show the love".

Photographing Carson Richardson's visitation and celebration of life was a life changing experience for me.  Though my brides and grooms and parents of babies trust me, the way that the Richardson family trusted me was a trust like no other.  I had to honor it and photograph with the grace of a prima ballerina and the strength of a lion...simultaneously!  My experiences as a mom, as well as my education through Foundation Workshop prepared me for this job, though nothing can REALLY prepare you for something like this.  I also think the universe was aligned for me that day to focus on giving this family the gift that they couldn't begin to give themselves and to reflect back to them what amazingly brave and beautiful people they are.  I was the mirror, and I'm so glad they chose me for that role.  That being said, I was no robot, shooting off frames.  It was literally the hardest thing I have had to photograph.   Surely enough, I wept minutes from the end of the grave site ceremony when I saw one of my best friends, Natalie, holding her son Law (one of Carson's buddies) who was FINALLY breaking down.  I kept photographing, and that is what I am truly proud of.  I've never felt stronger than in that moment, and I will carry it with me forever.

Just to give you a bit more to chew on, here is a part of an email I sent Carson's mom, Kimberly, when I presented her with a slideshow of my images:

First of all, I do want to thank you for trusting me.  This was an experience like one I have never had, and I feel like I was given a great blessing and a wonderful lesson about life, love, friendships, and then some.  I could not have taken these images or have been so enlightened without you really accepting me and allowing me to do so, so thank you.  In a somewhat surreal, and even fate-like (or God-planned) way, I feel like we could be great friends after sharing such an intimate and personal experience.  As I clicked the shutter, I felt.  As I watched you through my viewfinder, I felt.  As I edited each image, I felt.  I will never walk in your exact pair of shoes, but I feel like I was there with you vicariously through my camera, and I just want you to know that my heart was with you and Ryan, as a fellow parent, every step of both days that I photographed.  I didn't get the chance to know Carson very well, but I think that was God's mission for him...to bring people together who might not have done so without him, and to bring those who were already together, closer.  What a tribute to your little boy!  He affected hundreds of lives and relationships in ways we might never even know.  =)

Hugs to your entire family, and please thank them for being so gracious to me as I captured one of the hardest days of their lives.  I pray that the images give you all some sort of comfort.  Carson's life story is beautiful, no doubt.  What is equally beautiful is the story of the people who surrounded him.  I am so, so incredibly honored that I got to tell it.

You know the place---cemeteries, lost shoes, lost keys, jazz in the street with children drummin', dancers jitterbuggin', carriage rides, and more food than you can shake a stick at.  It's dirty, it's loud, it's strange, it sometimes smells, it's colorful, it's delicious, it's history in more ways than you can count on your fingers and toes and even your dog's paws. 

Bobby and I went to NOLA over Easter weekend for our first getaway as a couple in 3 years.  It was glorious.  Much needed, much deserved.  I tried to keep the camera at bay since I wanted to just be present with Bobby, but as you fellow shutterbugs know, it's in our blood and sometimes when you see a picture, you CAN'T HELP but take it.  So I did.  And Bobby just smiled...one of the many reasons I love him!  Enjoy...

And some say this baby is shy.  Harper resembles a shy kid for the first five minutes of our sessions.  Then, I suppose she realizes that I am the lady with the camera and that I mean no harm, because those beautiful eyes light up and a huge smile breaks out and the flirting begins!

For her 1 year old session, we hit up a coffee shop so Harper could have a taste of a blueberry muffin, ran around storefronts, and eventually stopped in at the local nursery to get our green on.  Not only did Harper turn heads, but she showed off her speediness, her curiosity, and her charm.

I have loved working with Harper and her mommy, Crystalyn and daddy, Robin from the get-go.  Though our baby plan year is up, I hope to stay in touch with these cool cats so I can hear all about Miss Harper's adventures!

Oh, sweet, sweet Carson is growin' up.  His hair has been tamed (or trained by Jason) but that flirty smile and big blue eyes have only gotten more captivating!  Carson's got loads of teeth coming in, loves doggies (in books and in real life!), is as happy as a clam and is a total snugglebug.  He is beyond precious, and he really never had a chance to be anything but.  Mom, Kelly and Dad, Jason are two of my favorite clients and I'm so glad we have grown to be friends!  It is always such a joy to be around them, which makes my job, well, not feel like a job at all.  =)  I'm really excited to see Carson when he's a one year old.  I bet he'll run circles around me.  Yeah.  I'm gonna carb load that day.

Big hugs to you three, and I'll see you soon!

For those of you who don't celebrate Baby Friday, shame on you.  It's a perfect day to celebrate nothing more than just getting closer to the weekend.  We get festive with our neighborhood besties almost every week, usually by hitting up Mi Cocina...our drug of choice.  How can ya pass up good Mexican food and a Mambo Taxi (potent sangria swirl margarita)?  We never just say no to that.  We're weak, the whole lot of us!

Last Baby Friday, we hit up Mi Co's and had our regulars...our regular drinks, regular food orders, and our regular booth in the back.  We love having a regular booth.  It's our Cheers.

After din-din, we ventured out to the lawn at Watters Creek to hear an 80s cover band.  To say the kids were getting their swerve on would be the understatement of the century.  DANG, those kids were movin'!  And, oh yeah.  They ended up on stage.  Would you expect anything less?  Here is what I captured of the perfection that is Baby Friday.