Family Portraits: The Berglunds!

I took pictures of this sweet, loving family back in November, and while I delivered the photos to them well in time for their Christmas cards, I never blogged them! The Berglunds were all smiles, even on a quite chilly Fall day in Boston - we even took a break to warm back up in the car. :) Layla was a trooper and isn't she just adorable!? 

Have a great Friday and weekend, y'all!

Couple Portraits: Joel & Molly

I met Molly and Joel about 2 years ago when they joined us in our living room for a weekly bible study. A warm, talkative - esp Molly ;), and loving couple - Paul and I instantly enjoyed their company. Through those two years they have shared their ups and downs with our community group - the sudden loss of his father, their wedding!, and now battling testicular cancer after only 1 year of marriage. Joel was diagnosed back in November, has undergone surgery, and is currently braving chemotherapy which started less than 2 weeks ago. Molly reached out to me asking if I would take their pictures before facing chemo and most likely Joel losing his hair. Of course I said YES. When a friend is going through something like this, it's hard to find the right things to say or do, taking their pictures was the least I could do for them.

Joel and Molly have been through more than most in the 2 years I have known them, but they continue to hold fast to their faith and each other. They are building a strong foundation for the life ahead them. 

Newborn Portrait: Baby Michael Alexander

Professionally, it was an exciting end to 2016, as I said yes to more and more photography shoots. Through all the experience, I'm learning that my passion lies in photographing newborns. As much as this hobby of mine developed over the past two years, I'm eagerly anticipating even more growth in 2017.

And so, meet Baby Michael! When photographing an 11day old baby, as Michael was, I prefer to go to the home of the baby, where he is in his environment with familiar smells and sights. This also allows the parents to have everything they need to properly take care of their new, little one. Everything about this particular shoot was sweet and soft: adoring parents, baby toes, and a very comfy baby!

Enjoy the sweetness!

Lifestyle Portrait: The Alves Family!

Introducing a wonderfully sweet family, the Alves'! Paul met Mike and his daughter Vivian (Vivi for short) at our neighborhood playground and we have enjoyed getting to know them more and more over the past couple of years. 

The word that comes to mind when I think of them, as a family, is grateful. Mike and Vanessa are grateful for each other and their marriage, and they are especially grateful for their sweet little girl, Vivi. Feelings always show through on the camera, and it was especially true on this sunny, autumn Sunday in Boston.

Lifestyle Portraits: Mac & Josie

I recently posted this picture of Roswelle. It’s a great picture of her, yes, but the reason it stands out is because you sense what she is thinking. The look of contentment and curiosity in her eyes are absorbed, and it strikes a chord with the viewer as she peers into the camera lens. Yes, beautifully posed pictures are wonderful and there will always be a place for them, however photos that invite you to share in the emotions are remembered most.

This is what keeps me photographing - and freezing those moments is especially easy with toddlers, who have yet to learn to guard their expressions.

I recently went over to my girlfriends house to photograph her energetic 20-month old little boy, Mac, and his younger 3-month old sister, Josie.  This is the story they told:

Want an in-house photo shoot? Let's chat! contact me >> saralaurenw@gmail.com

Senior Portraits - Carson Ellis Weatherford

Wanna know what makes me feel 30? Taking my baby brother’s High School senior pictures. Wanna know what makes my heart wanna burst with pride? Taking my baby brother’s High School senior pictures!

I was 12 when Carson was born and he was immediately my little baby. When we brought him home from the hospital I took him straight up to the nursery and locked the door. He was mine!! My grandmother tells me she almost had a heart attack ;) It's been a unique experience to actually remember my brother being born, him as a toddler, graduating kindergarten, and now preparing to graduate high school. 

Dad died when Carson was only 10 years old. A young man's path can be extremely altered by such a significant loss, but Carson's connection with Dad was so strong that his impact as a father for those short 10 years has remained a grounding contributor to Carson's growth. Our Dad kept a journal, which is priceless to us now that he is gone (I recommend every parent doing the same), and below are two excerpts I thought I would share:

Carson, we are so thankful you were born! You remind many people of our Dad, and I think we can all see why...

Back to the senior pictures: The session went how you would expect between a tired, hungry, “over-it” brother and an annoying, bossy, prodding seeeester. But it worked! Even though I couldn’t convince him to skip through the leaves and his shirt was wrinkled, we still got some great shots! Especially of his classic Carson hair flip. In the end, all he wanted was a good picture with his letterman jacket and his truck, so I think my client is happy.

I’m incredibly proud of him and excited to continue to watch him grown into the man he is meant to be!

Declan Rock - Lifestyle Newborn

I will always feel lucky to enter a home with a brand-new baby. The scene is typically the same when I arrive to take photos, the Mom has the "pretty tired" that only a glowing, new mom can exude; dad is being his most cooperative, helpful self; and if there is an older sibling they are so excited for a new visitor! 

Tara and I became fast friends when we got our now toddlers together for their first play-date at 9 months old. I took pictures of her family back in November (see here) and seeing them as a new family of four makes my heart so happy!

What I'm learning as I continue to photograph more and more newborns... 1) your baby will be awake even though he/she slept every day at this time before scheduled photo-shoot 2) your baby will spit up 3) mom and dad will sweat and probably forget to breathe enough 4) there should be multiple breaks for nursing and drinking lots of water 5) every noise machine/fan in the house should be on 6) warm rooms! keep that baby warm and snuggly :)

Welcome to the world Declan Rock Humphreys, I have no doubt you are going to make it a better place.

Welcome to the world, Christian James

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of capturing photos of sweet Christian James Thalmann. Born on May 31st he is only a few weeks new. A baby brother to his two older sisters, Neive (4) and Jane (18months), he has completed this now family of 5!

I refer to newborn photography as a privilege because I really do feel honored to be asked into a home of a new baby. Laundry is not done, breakfast dishes are not put away, pajama pants are being worn, but there is love bursting at the beams and so much magic to be seen.

I hope you enjoy these, and if you live in the greater Boston area, I'd love to photograph your new baby! you can contact me at saralaurenw@gmail.com. 

 

Meet Titan Pace Radney

Paul and I met Danelle and Gordon 5 years ago in a neighborhood bible group.  A lot has changed since then, they moved to D.C. and we both now have babies of our own! I was so happy to meet little Titan last weekend while they were visiting Boston, and even happier to take pictures for them. Roswelle's room gets wonderful light during the day so we cleared out a few toys and captured a few special moments. He did exceptionally well, being an alert 9wk old!

Introducing #teddylash

{this is one of my favorite pictures - everyone is playing their roles very well}

On Sunday, Theodore William Lashway "Teddy" was born! These pictures are from day three, when babies are still pretty silent and snuggly. That day was also the first time Maddie met her little brother Teddy! We are all so excited to have a new boy in the family, although I have a feeling Miss Roswelle and Miss Maddie will still rule the roost for a while! 

{juggling two!}

Family Photos: The Humphreys!

A few weeks ago I took pictures of my good friend Tara, her husband Todd, and their sweet son Jett.

Just over a year ago Roswelle and Jett had their first play date and the weekly meet ups began. As a stay at home mom, I was desperate for more adult connection and to meet a mom that was available during the day too. A prayer was answered when I connected with Tara who had a young baby just 1 month older than Roswelle and lived only a few streets over (key during the winter of 2015)!! Whether it's a walk to our neighborhood parks, museum trips, baby-free breakfasts at McKenna's, or simply watching Ellen while the babies play in the living room, I'm so thankful for their friendship!

She asked me to take their pictures in our local park just around the corner. I was so thankful she trusted me to get at least a few decent pictures! I'm wayyyyyy more comfortable taking pictures of still, life-less things around my home, so this was challenging for me to say the least and I have even more respect for my photographer friends! Todd, Tara, and Jett made it easier being such a fun, loving family. <3

HBD Madelyn Grace!!

Babies are just miracles.  This little life sent from Above, previously didn't exist, and now we couldn't exist without it.  Yesterday, I celebrated a miracle in the form of my cute-as-button-lil'-chicken-nugget, Madelyn Grace Lashway.  Congrats, Rob and Jenny, you survived the first year as new parents.  You three made it!! 

Jenny & Rob planned a beautiful, fun, polka-dot party, full of color and life, just like miss #maddielash!  I had fun capturing all the little details and some special moments from yesterday.  Hope you enjoy them,  too.

{miniature birthday donuts from Blackbird Donuts}

{flying away in her "hot-air ballon"!}

{the birthday shot}

{I have so many memories of my Dad picking at my birthday cake, makes me love this picture of Rob sneaking into Maddie's that much more}

{Roswelle, the 2month pro, showing her how to eat birthday cake}

{timber!}

{underneath the highchair debris}

{Happiest 1st Birthday, Madelyn Grace!, you super-stah you}

p.s. want me to take pictures of your event in Boston?? contact me: saralaurenw@gmail.com.  

I'm embarrassingly cheap. like buy me a coffee cheap ;)

roswelle + smash cake // by Mikhail Glabets

I am blessed in having a close friend who is a RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER (mikahailglabets.com).  We met Mikhail and his wife Erin in our church community group when Paul and I were engaged over 3 years ago. I invited them to Roswelle's party as close friends and actually asked Erin if she would take pictures for me during "cake-time" because I didn't want to put that on Mikhail.  BUT I'm so thankful he insisted that he take the pictures as a friend.  Weddings are what he is known for but he can clearly make magic happen through a lens in any situation (including an ikea highchair and a grain/dairy/refined sugar free smash-cake).   

He only took pictures for 10 minutes or so but he captured such a sweet story.