My Best Friend's Baby Story: Birth Photography Rolla, MO

I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the arrival of my best friend, Jennifer's, newest bundle of joy on Monday. Birth photography is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time, but with my husband's work situation it is nearly impossible to offer that service to my clients. For my friends, well, I'll do my best to make it happen when I can, and won't feel quite as bad if I can't make it :P! I hope I have the opportunity to do it again sometime!

Jenn was scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 5:30am. I arrived around 6:30. I've never experience labor from the point of an onlooker, and when it was myself in labor, it didn't take long at all since I was blessed with 2 very fast labor and deliveries! But to be honest, the waiting stuff was pretty boring and uneventful (I can say that because she's my friend).

see, she thought it was boring too


Finally around 1:30pm, she was ready to start pushing.



She pushed


And I told jokes about how boring labor was :P



And she pushed


And pushed



Unfortunately, Baby Shelby was right side up and was just not wanting to come out. Even with  vacuum assistance, there was just no getting her out. The main problem being that the baby's heart rate was dropping super low with each contraction. Had she been able to handle the contractions, Jenn might still be there pushing ;). Her doctor gave her the option of either trying forceps or heading to the OR for a c-section. Jenn went with the c-section.

Letting the idea of a c-section sink in

I was so looking forward to capturing her face when she saw Shelby's for the first time. But, healthy baby and mommy were absolutely the most important thing and I would just have to settle for big brother's face the first time he saw her. And what a sweet face it was!

Shelby is a healthy 6 lbs 6 oz and 19 inches long

see the photographer? ;)
Finally after an hour or so in recovery, Jenn was ready to see Miss Shelby again.

Jenn and Shelby both caught a quick nap before moving into their new room.

Cooper is so happy to finally have Shelby on the outside. And let me tell you, he does not care to share her with anyone!

Cooper said to me, "Don't you just love her?"

Yes, yes I do, Cooper!
Welcome to the world, Shelby!

Newborn Photography Baby Alli: Strafford, MO via: Merdian, MS

The week before Christmas I had the opportunity to visit my VERY good friends in Meridian, MS who just had their first baby, Alli. Shelly's Husband, Mic, is in the Navy and they are currently living on base in Meridian. It was my first time getting to visit with them at their home. And since there is a good chance they will be living on one of the coasts in the next few months, I knew it was now or never if I wanted to drive to them. So I made the 8.5 hour trip while my WONDERFUL husband stayed behind with our two kids.
Miss Alli was 9 days old and probably the best model I've had so far. She slept through everything I put her through, and that was a lot! She was great! She really seems to be a very easy baby. (I can say that because I didn't have to get up with her in the middle of the night!)
I'm so happy for my dear friend. Children are such a blessing and change your life in a way you'll never know until you experience it. Congratulations again Shelly and Mic!

Wrestling Portraits: ~ Photography: Strafford Willard, MO~

I had the opportunity to snap some photos of a high school wrestler for the first time a few weeks ago. It was a lot of fun taking the pictures, but I also really enjoyed getting to do the dramatic black and white conversions on these. After the inside pictures we headed out doors for a few more. Connar was so easy going and such a pleasure to work with. Thanks again!

Senior Session- Photography: Springfield, MO

I had the opportunity to hang out with my neighbor for a "senior" session a few weeks ago. She is a freshman at Missouri State University but I was itching for a senior to photograph and she was a willing participant, so we'll call this her "freshman" session. She had some great props that we put to use to create a wonderful gallery of images.
 Thanks again Sam!

Miss M and Family: Cake Smash and Family Pictures ~Strafford, MO Photography

Miss M celebrated her first birthday by coming here for a cake smash and family session. What a little doll she is! We started with a few indoor shots and she quickly made it know that she wanted to roam the great outdoors, so off we went! She toddled her way around, all the while giggling and smiling. When she'd had enough of the outdoors, we headed back inside for her first birthday cake. At first she was very dainty and did not want to get dirty. She would pick up a tiny piece of cake between her forefinger and her thumb and very carefully put it in her mouth. With a little prompting from dad, she was soon on her way to smashing! Thank you H family for a wonderful session!

Holiday Mini-Sessions Rolla, MO (Springfield and Strafford too)

Holiday mini-sessions will be held in Rolla on Saturday Oct 16th from 10am-6pm. Each session will be 30 minutes long, and availability is first come first serve.  In the event of bad weather the sessions date will be moved to the following weekend. (If you are unable to attend the following weekend, your session fee will be refunded)
Sessions will take place on my Inlaws property, north of Rolla. I will email you directions when you book.

Not in Rolla or can't make it that day? Mini-session packages are available for you too! You can book a mini-session with me, in Strafford, anytime between now and November 1st.
Contact me by using the contact button the website or email :)

Maternity Photography: Springfield MO

Oh my! I'm soo happy to share these pictures with you. I have known Shelly since she was 16 and have considered her a younger sister since about the second day I knew her. She is by far one of my closest friends and I am SO happy that she is expecting her first baby in December. I was able to get together with her and her husband, Mic, for a VERY quick session while they were in town. We wanted to get just a few of her and Mic together because when we do her big session he won't be in town. So here's a peek of a few of my favorites from the day. Congrats Shelly and Mic! Can't wait to get my lens on your bundle of joy when he or she arrives!