Let’s start with Baby Preston back in February…

I was greeted at the door by this sight….adorable, right?

And Laurel is always beautiful… I love photographing her.

Even three months ago, Baby Preston was already such a big boy. I love his little face :)

I love photographing baby food feeding… It always gets a little messy…and I enjoy that.

Trey and Baby Preston are always adorable together.

I just LOVE this bathtub. I get excited every time I get to photograph it…

This is our spot where we watch Baby Preston grow up… I love looking at how much bigger he is getting!

He needed a quick snack…

And some playtime…

But our time together was coming to end… Baby Preston was a bit tired, i think :)

Fast forward a couple of months, and I visited Baby Preston’s house again. (This time I was on crutches, but we totally worked it out :)) Laurel and Trey had bought a new house and were planning on moving out of this one, so they wanted to squeeze in one last session in their “old house.”

Once again… Laurel is a dream in front of the camera.

And I didn’t think it was possible…but Preston has actually gotten even cuter.

We had to utilize that bathtub one more time… I’m very sad to say goodbye to it.

And here is proof of his growing up!

Then it was time to play… Everyone was in a playful mood, and Baby Preston was enjoying every second of it.

His first “trick” was learning to wave… he’s definitely mastered it :)

Baby Preston is finally big enough to really enjoy the outside… I loved seeing how much he loved the swings.

Love this family shot.

Then back inside for a bit of a snack, and some much needed snuggling.

Laurel and Trey… I’m sorry it took so long to get this online… I hope this double header post makes up for it just a bit. Thanks for being awesome, and I can’t wait to see the new house!! I hope you enjoy your slideshow!! 

love,

amber

This post is LONG overdue… Back in February, I had a knee surgery. Just before that surgery, I did a TON of sessions… trying to get myself all caught up prior to my surgery recovery. I thought it would be no problem to work on editing and posting all of those sessions while I recovered… I was wrong. This recovery has been pretty difficult, and I’m just now digging myself out of the haze and really getting back on a focused work track… So prepare for a blog overdose :)

I can’t believe Baby Everest is already one (actually he’s closer to 15 months at this point! We are WAY overdue for a session!) I always say this sort of thing… but I REALLY feel like I was JUST photographing his arrival into the world. I have no idea how a full year (plus) has already passed. I think this officially makes me old… I’ve become one of those people who is always remarking on how fast time flies :)

And to make the day even more fun, not only was Baby Everest turning 1…but his amazing sister Ada was turning 4! So fun!

The details at this birthday party were to die for. Brittany seriously pulled out all the stops. This is the most Pinterest worthy birthday party I have ever been to, I think. Sooooooo amazing.

I mean, how much do I love that she used tons of my images as decoration?!?!

But I don’t just love the details because of her use of my photos…I’m not quite that egocentric :) She seriously rocked every single thing… even the straws were super cool!

The whole Moncrief house was absolutely adorable. It was perfectly festive.

Ada wanted a donut as her special birthday treat… She’s a girl after my own heart. (Although mine would’ve been Krispy Kreme… I’m picky like that;))

How cute is the birthday boy in his birthday bowtie? Seriously. Too cute for words.

And Ada’s dress was pretty adorable, too!

I grabbed this image as Jimmy was saying the blessing before the party madness began… I LOVE how angelic Ada looks her. I adore her.

After much eating and chatting and all around good times, it was finally time for the main event.

Everest was very curious at first…

And then he was a tiny bit dismayed…

And then he was tentative…

And then he realized that this was the best day of his life :)

Cutest family ever, yes?

Ada got her turn too… She was SO patient. I was very proud of her. (I wouldn’t have been nearly that patient!)

Things got just a little messy… but that’s what makes it fun, right?

Happy Birthday Everest! :)

I have to take one second to brag on my Addy… Because Brittany and Jimmy are personal friends as well as clients, we were all invited to the party… and there were many of our friends there, too. At one point during the party, we found Addy and some of the younger girls in Ada’s bedroom. Addy had tucked them all into bed and was reading them a story. She’s such an amazing little mom :) Love her.

Brittany looked ridiculously gorgeous, as always…. even after running around like crazy, making sure the party was perfect. I kinda hate women like her ;)

The party was winding down, and I captured these last images of Everest and Jimmy doing a bit of snuggling. They’re some of my favorites from the whole day. So glad I was there to capture them.

Brittany and Jimmy… Love you guys lots and lots… but you already know that, I hope. I know this blog post doesn’t even count anymore, since you’ve already seen all of the images, but I think this party was very Pin-worthy, so I wanted to make it available for people to share :) Can’t wait to see you again soon. I need to photograph your kiddos before they grow up any more!

xoxoxoxooxoox!!!!!

amber

At the end of 2011, I flew to Fort Lauderdale to document Baby Sierra‘s first birthday. And then, as always, life got a bit busy, and this blog fell far by the wayside. Well, better late than never, right? :)

Baby Sierra was adorable and happy, as always…right from the very start.

Her uncle Shawn had to leave right as I was arriving… I’m glad I was able to capture a few quick images of the two of them before he headed out.

I love this image… Heather’s mom looks SO happy in the background. She’s such a wonderful Nana.

I love Sierra’s smile… it’s completely contagious. And how adorable is her little birthday dress??

Heather was in her element… it was so great to see her surrounded by her family. She and her sister Amber were amusing Alana with their fake phone conversation.

And Sierra was loving having her aunt Amber to love on.

Alana was very ready for the birthday celebrations to begin so she could have some cake… we were taking too long for her, so she started singing her own version of “Happy Birthday” without us. It was hysterical.

So we had mercy on Alana and got the whole birthday thing moving :)

Step 1. Get Baby Sierra into the highchair and pause for the entire family to document that moment :)

Step 2.  Light the candle, and look gorgeous while doing so. (Seriously, sometimes I hate Heather a little for how easy it is for her to be pretty) Please note that the family documentation is still going strong.

Step 3. Bring flaming object close enough for the birthday girl to see without actually allowing her to grab it. (Lesson learned from Alana’s first birthday ;) )

Step 4. Encourage the birthday girl to dig in.

Step 5. Watch as the birthday girl becomes more and more confident in her cake-eating. Good stuff. (My favorite part of this first image is Alana’s little face in the background… she looks very anxious to enjoy some cake of her own!)

Still documenting…

Nana and Papa look awfully proud and happy, don’t you think?

Perfectly adorable family.

Sharing sisters.

Sierra did some impressive damage to that cake.

And these people never stopped documenting… crazy photographers ;)

Winding down…

What an awesome birthday mess!

Best moment of the day – Baby Sierra is in the bath. Giant chunks of cake are being washed off of her. She is DESPERATELY trying to chase those pieces of cake around in the water in order to continue eating. Love her. She’s my kind of girl.

Three amazing generations. Happy and full of cake.

There were a few presents to be opened, so we decided to do that before the sugar crash hit us all.

Tutus!

I love all of the sisters in this image. Really. Love them.

The beginnings of tired-ness setting in. Typical reaction after consuming a year’s worth of sugar.

Sweet dreams, birthday girl!

I love love love love love you, Rich and Heather and Alana and Sierra (and Nana and Papa and Amber and Shawn). Thank you for letting me be a part of your family for a day… I hope we can do it again sometime! Enjoy your (very delayed…but here at last) birthday slideshow.

all my love.

-amber

Ann Chandler decided that we were going to be best friends the second I walked through the door.

Nelson was a camera hog. He constantly wanted me to take his picture :)

And Jack… well Jack has grown up so much.

Caroline has her hands full with these three…

In love with this little face…

“Take my picture, take my picture!”

Lucy is Caroline’s first baby… She’s getting old, but she’s still Caroline’s baby.

Ann Chandler’s favorite book is Dick & Jane. She chooses that book every time she wants to be read too. Cute, right?

There’s always something fun going on around this house. I want to come over and play more often :)

Caroline had purchased these fun mustaches…and the kids had a blast playing with them.

One of the family’s favorite things to do is to have dance parties. Nelson turned on some music, and suddenly all of the kids ran to the front room and started dancing like crazy. It was awesome!

And I love all of these little moments that were captured during the crazy dancing… this family amazes me.

Nelson and Ann Chandler are such cute little buddies. I loved watching their interaction.

And finally, one last picture of Lucy to finish out our session…

Caroline and Nelson… I’m going to miss you guys :) I hope you enjoy your slideshow.

love,

amber

Baby Christian looks SO much like Cole did at this age. It’s amazing.

Erika is completely in love with her new baby… and he is in love with her. He smiles so easily when she is around.

Cole has become such a big boy… It’s almost Christmas, and he’s got an Elf on the Shelf watching him… He’s trying so hard to be good.

I love Baby Christian’s nursery. I’m going to love shooting in that room. So many great details, and such great light.

I love how animated Baby Christian is. He’s never still, for even a moment. He’s always talking and moving around. So cute.

Cute, right?

He has the most perfect little mouth.

Tim and Baby Christian are adorable together.

Cole is the smartest three year old I’ve ever had the opportunity to meet. He picked up the book, Elf on the Shelf, and read the whole thing. It wasn’t memorized, but read. I was very impressed!

Latte is still the king of the family… at least he thinks so.

Toes and eyelashes. Always my favorites.

Cole’s a pretty cute kid, don’t you think? :)

And Christian is adorable. Erika and Tim managed to make some adorable little boys:)

Everything about this family makes me smile.

Brothers.

Can’t wait to see this family again.

Erika and Tim… I am so glad I had the chance to hang out with you guys again…I can’t wait til next time. Your boys are so adorable, and I really enjoy the time I spend with all of you! I hope you enjoy your slideshow.

much love,

amber.

Josh and Chris have fallen into such a comfortable state of parenthood… They are naturals!

Lots of mommy and baby snuggling going on in this house…

Do you see what I mean about her easy smile and sparkly eyes?

A quick bath was also on the schedule for the day.

And a snack… Photoshoots are hard work.

Josh is a great dad. Baby Callaway is completely enamored with him.

Seriously… in love with this child.

I love the way that babies often react to being kissed. It always makes me laugh :)

A bit of swinging.

And then some sleeping.

And oh… these lashes. This baby has the most amazing lashes.

Chris and Josh… your baby girl is absolutely beautiful. I just wanted to remind you of that. I can’t wait to see you guys again. I hope you enjoy your slideshow.

hugs!

amber

Everest is seriously the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m completely in love with his eyes.

And he has such perfect little toes.

Jimmy and Everest are so cute together… Jimmy is such a good dad.

Family time.

Um, how cute is this?

Roughhousing is a routine part of life when you’ve got an active toddler. Ada loves it.

I cannot get over how cute Everest is. Those eyes… those eyes…

Everest takes his eating very seriously. He does not like to wait…not even for a second.

While Everest was having his lunch, Jimmy and Ada were enjoying a few minutes together.

Everest has gotten so big, so fast. He’s already strong enough to pull himself up and stand.

Eyelashes and feet. Favorites.

Brittany is so beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

Family reading time.

Everest was getting sleepy…

So Brittany and Ada read him a story and got him ready for bed.

Now do you see why I love photographing this family? They’re amazing. Amazing.

Brittany and Jimmy, thanks for hanging out with me again. I had a blast, as always, and I can’t wait until the next time I get to photograph your family again! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy your slideshow :)

xoxoxo

-amber

I was supposed to be out of town with Nathan, but at the last minute prior to the trip, I made the decision to stay home. Just a couple of days into the trip, I got a call from Theresa saying that she was in labor and headed to the hospital. I was so excited that I was in town and available to get to the hospital to photograph the big day.

Theresa was in such great spirits. I was kinda amazed by how calm she was. Her sister, Michelle, was there to support her, and the three of us had a great time just hanging out during the early stages of Theresa’s labor.

Jason arrived a bit later on, and he had Brianna with him. She was very curious about all of the monitors that were attached to her Mommy… and she was VERY impatient for her baby brother to arrive.

Theresa tried to get a bit of sleep, but I have no idea how she managed with all of the nurses and monitors and alarms.

Theresa stayed so strong and calm, even during the hardest phase of labor. I was amazed by her spirit.

And suddenly, a beautiful baby boy was introduced to the world. He was perfect.

Jason looks like quite a happy new daddy, doesn’t he?

Baby Marc was a big boy… Isn’t he perfect? 21 inches. 8 pounds 5 ounces. Perfect.

Little bitty hands…little bitty feet.

Love those first snuggles…

Healthy set of lungs… :)

Brianna was very happy to meet her new baby brother. The first thing she said about him was “He’s not wearing any clothes. He’s wearing a hat. He’s so silly!” Something about that struck me as adorable :)

There was such an amazing sense of family in the room… Everyone was so excited.

There were a few quiet moments in the midst of all the family fun…

Brianna holding her baby brother for the first time.

Theresa had a few moments to snuggle with both of her babies…

It was a very good day. Baby Marc is pretty great, don’t you think?

Congratulations Jay and Theresa… we are SO happy for you guys. Marc is perfect. Can’t wait to see you all again. I hope you enjoy your slideshow!

much love,

amber

Baby Preston was verrrrrrrry sleepy when I arrived… and Trey needed to head off to work shortly, so Laurel and Trey both tried their hardest to wake their baby boy up. He wasn’t interested. He just wanted to sleep. I totally know how he feels :)

I really love sleeping baby pictures though… so I wasn’t sad that he stayed sleepy.

Nope… not waking up :)

Still not waking up…

Look at that cute little lip!

A few shots of Trey and Baby Preston before Trey headed off for work.

It was pretty funny… immediately after Trey left for work, Baby Preston woke right up.

He wasn’t particularly excited about being awake at first…

But he got over that fairly quickly. I’m pretty sure he’s telling me an awesome story here.

Laurel is so beautiful… She’s simply giving Baby Preston a bottle, and she looks like a model!

Baby Preston has such sparkly eyes.

A full tummy equals a very happy baby.

It’s exhausting being a baby model…

He did wake up just enough to say goodbye to me… well, at least one of his eyes.

Laurel and Trey… Baby Preston is absolutely adorable! I’m so excited that I have the opportunity to document your life together as he grows up. Can’t wait to see you all again!

I hope you enjoy your slideshow :)

xoxo

amber

We’ll start with a session a did a couple of weeks ago with the amazing Smith family. Usually my sessions last about an hour and a half, but this time Heather and I planned an extra special session spanning most of the morning and into the afternoon. It was super fun, and Baby Sierra and her adorable sister Alana were in prime form.

When Alana met me at the door in her pajamas, I knew I was about to experience a perfect session :)

Baby Sierra was having a bit of breakfast…and I’m not sure what Heather did to it, but apparently, it was horrible :)

We spent some time in the living room working to master the art of waving… Heather is very good at waving. We’re still waiting on the rest of the family to figure it out :)

Then it was time for a diaper change. Baby Sierra’s facial response to the experience was one of my favorite moments of the day. She’s soooooo funny!

It was almost time for Baby Sierra’s morning nap… but first, we had to get her sister out of the crib :)

And then Alana decided to show me how good she is at carrying Baby Sierra around. Poor Sierra :)

After that bit of craziness, Baby Sierra took her morning nap, and Heather and I went shopping :) Not a typical part of my lifestyle sessions, but definitely an exciting addition to this particular day. A couple of hours later we got the call that Sierra was awake, so we headed back to the house. This is the scene we found when we arrived home.

She was in a much happier mood this time around… it’s amazing what a good nap will do for your spirits.

I don’t know what it is about this changing table…but I capture some of my very favorite images here.

Don’t you just love this face?!?

How about these faces? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure they’re my favorites.

Sweet moments with mom.

And yeah… she’s so big… she’s actually already walking at the time of this blog post… at the time of the shoot she was just starting to stand.

I don’t remember what exactly prompted this moment… but I’m pretty sure it was something earth-shattering. It’s hard being almost 4.

Book time… always my favorite.

Although… reading books with a 10 month old in the mix can be kinda difficult. Rich’s face is the best ever!

Sweet sisters…(oh yes, they’re holding hands. Isn’t that the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?!?!)

I’m not really sure how Alana’s feet ended up so close to my face… but I’m a fan of how the images turned out :)

It was lunch time… so we headed out for some $.99 tacos at Mojo Burrito. Not a lot of pictures from that… I mean, I was eating lunch and all.

Sierra in her carseat… cutest baby ever.

Sierra making the scrunchy nose face… cutest baby ever.

Sierra with only one eye… cutest baby ever.

And yeah… cutest family ever, too.

Love you guys… Can’t wait to hang out again soon.. camera or no camera :)

love,

amber