This post never made it out of my drafts. And since I’m catching up on all my blog posts, I thought I would share this one as well!
Brothers, always there to bonk ya on the head with a balloon.
It’s safe to say Nathan hated his cake, as delicious as it looked! Maple was more than happy to step up and help her brother. 
This little cutie turned two this week. And when I went to look for the blog post to share, I realized that I never posted one – WHICH IS CRAZY! – because I loved every single one of the images from this session. So, I decided it’s never too late to share my favourite images from Naomi’s first birthday.
Mama had some amazing ideas for Naomi’s session. Together, we put our heads together and made it a reality! 
When mom and dad are this gorgeous, it’s no wonder Naomi is so beautiful!
I loved this simple cake setup. Just enough of everything to not take away from the girl of the hour! I usually find that extravagant set-ups end up taking the attention away from the child that’s in the portrait. 
These two are way too much fun! I’ve photographed their maternity portraits, Naomi’s newborn portraits and Naomi’s first birthday and Monica and Holden never disappoint! I’m also pretty sure that I’ve been handed a bevy every time I’ve walked into their home. #BonusPoints
After getting messy with the cake, a little clean up was required. (Mostly for mom and dad, since Naomi was probably the cleanest baby post-cake smash that I have ever seen.)
Eve celebrated her first birthday with portraits! She has the sweetest little face, so adorable! 
Eve is definitely a one year old! She was super active during her session and didn’t want anything to do with the camera – but you would never know! 
Anyone else in love with her eyes?! 
Eve wasn’t too sure about her cake! 
Isabella turned four last month. It’s been a pleasure watching her grow and turn into this beautiful little lady. I look forward to her birthday sessions every year! 
That smirk though, perfection.
Everly is an expressive little girl. From the minute she was born she has been her own person. Looking at her you can’t help but think she has such an old soul. Throughout her first year I captured her newborn, 4 month, 9 month and 1 year portraits! Everly’s mom and I came up with a theme for her portraits that we carried throughout the year. They are perfect for her personality! 
When Tara suggested a teepee, my first thought “great, now I have to figure out how to make a teepee” but I think it turned out pretty good! I came across the doily hoops in my closet the day before the session and knew I had to include them!
Everly is so sweet with her littler hands. She really knows how to work them!
“In between” portraits. I love Everly’s hands in the right image, reminds me of the emoji – cracks me up every time I see it. 
4 Months and One Year, quite the difference. I can never believe how fast time goes by.
Sometimes after a successful portraits session you need to throw on a little “Burning Man” by Dierks and have a dance party! Although I LOVE Dierks – this was Everly’s favourite and had nothing to do with me. Can’t say I minded! 
Cole is ONE! Wow. What a year it has been. It seems like yesterday that I was photographing Cole’s newborn portraits – and here we are at his cake smash birthday session! 
Doesn’t he have the best blue eyes?! Gorgeous! 
After the cake smash we called in the clean up crew. Maple is the best big sister ever!
Nicholas is two! We captured his birthday portraits a day before his birthday. After seven portrait sessions this little guys is a professional! 
And we finally got an image of Isabella and Nicholas together! 
I’ve been photographing Isabella for FOUR YEARS! It’s been so special witnessing her personality develop though her portraits. One thing that hasn’t changed – that adorable nose wrinkle!! 
What is a birthday shoot without confetti?! 
Isabella LOVES to dance! 
There’s something about this photograph, even though the composition is all wrong, I love how it perfectly expresses her free spirit! 
Four years, nine portrait sessions.
I captured Henry’s newborn portraits when we was 11 weeks old. He was in the NICU for the first weeks of his life, but he’s sure made up for it quickly! Now Henry is ONE! And is pretty much the happiest little guy ever. He had so many smiles during his session! 
There is something I just LOVE about a serious face and a black and white. 
Red hair and green eyes, isn’t he perfect?! 
When I met him at 11 weeks he had doubled his birth weight! We captured some special portraits to document his time in the NICU. When we photographed Henry’s birthday portraits his mom had something special planned and it turned out perfect! 
Last week I had the honour of photographing my first birth!
I have been with Tara and Derek since their wedding; maternity, their first born’s newborn through her first year, every Halloween, and some springs and christmas’ thrown in for good measure. Tara started out as a stranger and quickly turned into one of my best friends.
I remember chatting with Tara a couple of years ago about birth photography. After she had Alexis she regretted not having done it and asked if I would photograph her next labour and birth if she ever got pregnant again. I vividly remember saying YES! But thinking in my head “IF she gets pregnant again (I was sceptical), I hope it’s not until after I have my first.” Birth photography is something that I’ve considered for a while, but was a little apprehensive that it would scar me from having my own. Now, fast forward to 9 months ago; a text with two positive pregnancy test and a moment of panic and the realization that I was 100% going to see my friends vagina.
As the due date got closer I prepared, packed a bag, did some research, made sure my batteries were charged and HOPED that Tara wouldn’t go into labour on Christmas! Well, she didn’t, but her water definitely broke on Christmas. When I got that “Umm…” text I immediately knew it was go time.
When Tara called me half a second after a contraction, out of breath and said she was headed to the hospital I couldn’t help but laugh at her (that’s what best friends are for right?) From that moment on all my nerves were gone. Tara handled her labour like a boss! (I think I was more nervous about the no epidural thing then she was!) She arrived at the hospital with her husband and sister around 6:30am and baby was born at 9:10am. The midwife was AMAZING throughout the entire labour and birth, definitely convinced me to go that route when it’s my turn – and yes, after witnessing everything I will still be having one, or three of my own!
In addition to not knowing the gender of the baby, they also hadn’t told anyone the names they were considering. So when the baby was born and Tara looked at the baby and said “it’s a girl, oh Everly.” The entire room teared up. It was such a special moment. I’m in love with her name, it suits her so perfectly.
I am so honoured that I got to share this with Tara, Derek and Kelly. I couldn’t imagine experiencing my first birth with anyone else. I am still in awe of my friend, as far as births go, it was pretty much perfect.
Alexis is already and amazing big sister. Although she REALLY wanted a brother, she warmed up to her instantly. She made sure everyone got a turn to hold Everly (quickly!) before she said to pass her onto the next visitor, her ulterior motives were revealed when the last person held her and she said “Okay, now it’s big sister’s turn!”
I am so, so happy for the four of you. I love you so much!
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