I have been friends with Wes and Jessica for many years.  They are a precious couple who have walked a long journey to welcome these sweet boys into their family. When I see the four of them together, they become tangible evidence of the power of many prayers and waiting on God’s perfect timing. It’s always an honor to reconnect with them and a joy to love on their cute boys!  Here are a few of my favorites from our little mini session together one morning.

Dillon had the best- and I do mean the best cheeks you’ve ever seen! Perfectly kissable.

Levi was such a ham- active, busy- a typical boy, but almost always carrying around his horse, which he’s had since his newborn session. Oh, and he’s got a smile that charms!

Praying that these two precious boys grow up to know the Lord and to make a difference for Him in all they do! Love you Knight Family!

What better way to start off the morning than with three precious little girls? I couldn’t have been more delighted to capture this family during such an awesome time in their lives!

Eric, is the worship pastor at our church and let me tell you, the Lord has given him a wonderful gift of leading others to the throne in adoration of our Lord. If you’re looking for a place to come and praise, you need to join us one Sunday! His wife, Kristin has an amazing voice too- so it was no surprise that on this day, there were lots of songs being sung, dances and twirls!

We’ve actually been trying to coordinate a time to get together since they moved to the area and Naomi’s sweet arrival was the perfect reason to finally make it happen. The morning started off with a quick mini session with the big sisters.

Mary Grace was so much fun and really allowed her personality to shine through. There is nothing sweeter than capturing a child, being a child. How wonderful to be able to look back on this season of her life and remember her smile, her spunky attitude and her laugh!

Next, it was Abby ‘s turn to charm the camera! A fast paced 2 year old is so much fun to capture because in the middle of their running and constant movement, precious little moments like these can be frozen!

We paused for a snuggly family moment before Naomi stole the show!

Of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without an official welcome to the world Naomi Hope!! Here she is, at all of 6 days old. So sweet, cuddly and kissable! What a beautiful gift from God she is and how blessed she’ll be to grow up as a daughter in this incredible family!

Ah, the love of a big sister…

I can not get over the sweetness of this next image!

While Naomi’s bedroom decor was created with her in mind, this Moses basket has been passed down. Each sister has spent time sleeping and relaxing in it, so it seemed fitting to capture Naomi taking her turn.

And finally, what’s a newborn session without a little alone time with Mommy?

When I received the email letting me know that sweet Mary Grace had just made her debut, I couldn’t have been happier! I just adore her family. In fact, you’ve already seen them on this blog before in two different heritage sessions! Mary Grace’s big sisters are so incredibly adorable and I knew that she would be just as precious.

Precious turned out to be an understatement!

With sweet little cheeks, big eyes and dimples that melt your heart- it was one welcome to the world session I won’t forget.

Mary Grace is so blessed to be born into a family that treasures their relationships with one another and their past. We used her grandmother’s punch bowl, which actually caused great concern for her big sisters, who wondered why we would put her in a pot!  Then she cuddled up in a family heirloom bassinet, on a handmade family quilt, was rocked by her siblings in an antique family rocking chair and completed our time with the family baby cups! What an incredible way to incorporate the past with the tender innocence and beauty of the future that will be carried on with Mary Grace.

While Mary Grace ate her lunch, her big sisters took me upstairs to show off their room. I couldn’t help but to capture at least one precious image of these darling princesses.   Ah, look at their beautiful eyes!

Martha and Bobby, thank you so much for trusting me, yet again, with such tender moments. It’s always an honor to be in your presence and to chat about life as if no time had passed since we last saw each other! Mrs. Strickland, what a wonderful surprise to be able to spend some time with you as well. I always knew I was blessed to have you as a teacher, but how incredibly touching to see you actively in the role as grandmother, singing, reading and imparting truths to them… exactly as you did to so many of us in high school! Mary Grace, I just adore your family… and you too!  Welcome to the world!

Two newborn girls in less than two weeks! Ah…. I’m in “photography heaven!”

Welcome to the world precious Naomi! We are so excited you are here!

The world just got exponentially cuter!

Well, I’m hanging out at home tonight, instead of church since my littlest man spiked an icky fever this afternoon. As luck would have it, I’m right in the middle of trying to catch up from the last time  all 4 of them got sick! I’m praying this is a short lived cold!

In the midst of the million session catch up marathon, I wanted to share an image I just opened up on my computer to edit. When I saw it, my heart melted! How cute is this little guy? Hope it brings a smile to your face, just as it has done to mine this evening!

More posts to come…when I’m officially caught up!

Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.

Psalm 119:111-112

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When Sharon contacted me about getting together with her extended relatives for a gigantic session I was so excited. I’ve known this family for many years and have treasured their friendships in ways that words could not even express. As we began working out the details of how to coordinate nearly 30 people, I started to think about the heritage of this family, their love for one another and their increasing love for the Lord. You just can’t help but to be inspired and motivated when you are in the presence of these individuals and so I wanted to make sure their images reflected their incredible bond. These pictures needed to be special, unique, memorable and full of personality- just like this awesome family.

Sharon had a fabulous idea: using their property – both pastures and orange groves as the backdrop. I loved everything about this idea and thus, the Heritage Session was born.

What makes the Heritage Session so special? The images are still captured on location, in a place of importance to your family. They quickly turn into treasured heirlooms and provide the opportunity to freeze in time this season of life with those you love the most. They are a gift that keeps giving! In fact, every year, during our annual beach vacation my family does this very same thing. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents- the works…and while these images are often more posed than my typical style, they connect generations, focusing on relationships and the value of family.

What could be better?

So, take a look. Here are some of my favorite images from the Durrance Family’s Heritage Session.

Of course, I have to start with the kiddos and these black and white images take my breath away every time I look at them!

Certainly one of my faves of the day!

As is this one too! I love the way that big brother J.D. is touching his new brother’s head. You can feel the love dripping off of this image!

There is something so simple, but so breathtaking about this sibling shot!

Cousins dancing in the field. Love it too!

How adorable are these sisters?

I love the symbolism of the Great Grandmother to these little children sitting on the roots of this tree.

And I love how much she smiles!

Pure. Joy.

Some seriously special sisters. (Gorgeous too!)

Every year at the beach, my family does a cousin shot as well. We are super close, almost like siblings and adore one another. I think that’s why these images speak to my heart. I love the playful spirit of them, but more so, I think I appreciate how much of their love for one another shines through! 

You can’t be in an orange grove without peeling into at least one!

Miss A. was certainly enjoying her juicy treat! Look at those eyelashes! Geesh!

Of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without a true “heritage” shot! This one is hands down my favorite of this incredible family.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19

One of the greatest things about my job is building relationships with my clients and getting to know them better. Being a part of their lives, the exciting moments and sentimental ones is such an honor. This takes on a whole new level when you have the opportunity to photograph your friends. Wes and Jessica, whom I grew up with, have been prayerfully and patiently waiting on God’s timing to start their own little family. I was so excited when we started to plan their maternity session, knowing the incredible joy that this baby would bring into their lives. However, sweet Levi decided to make his grand appearance before his mommy and her belly ever got in front of my camera.  So, when I should have been shooting Jessica during her last trimester, I found myself hanging out in their home “oohhing and aahhing” over this amazing little miracle baby. Now, I am finally getting to introduce you to Levi James, who is one of the cutest little cowboys I have ever seen!

Wes and Jessica, I couldn’t be more excited for you! I know that the Lord will use your story to touch others and that He will continue to use Levi as a precious reminder of His faithfulness. Thank you for your continued friendships over all these years too. It is still an honor to be a part of your lives and to laugh with you. It was a blast spending the morning catching up. Enjoy your little “surprise!”

One of my favorites, that so simply states this family jumped from 2 to 3!

I caught this moment of Jessica and Levi and it instantly took my breath away. It was quickly followed by a humorous moment, be sure to check out the slideshow for that image!
 

Wes had a vision and requested this image. It’s one of my absolute faves of the day!
 

I love the adoration and joy that seems to be overflowing from this family picture!

And…one more for Levi’s Daddy!
 

Yes, this is another one of those super sneak peeks. Why, you ask again? Simply because this sweet family has been waiting on little “L,” their miracle for so long that I couldn’t stand for them to wait for a picture too!! Lots, LOTS more to come. But for now, feast your eyes upon the cutest new baby boy I’ve had the privilege of  holding, photographing and swooning over!

Enjoy Wes and Jess! He’s absolutely perfect!

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27