Baby Owen | 8 Months

I might be a little biased, but I think Baby Owen is the cutest 8-month old that ever lived. His parents are my friends from college so I'm allowed to say that, I think. :) I got to stay at their house last weekend while I shot a wedding in Cincinnati, and I was blown away by how much Owen has grown up since his newborn days, and even since December when I saw him last. This trip it hit me just how short of a time babies are babies. Owen is growing into his own and is looking more and more like a boy every day.

And let me just tell you, this kid's parents are so fantastic. Owen is such a happy baby and I think that's a testament to how great Nicole and Kelby are with him. Kelby can get this little guy to laugh like you've never seen. And Nicole has this calming presence that's a perfect compliment.

Thanks, you guys, for letting me be Owen's photographer and always opening your door when I'm in town. Love you three!

I cannot take the cuteness of those little jeans. That's a beaver, people. A beaver with glasses!

He loves that ball. That picture down there just CRACKS me up. He's all, Hey guys, just hanging out on my ball!

That one on the left up there is my favorite. :)

To see more from Baby Owen's playful session, click here to view a SLIDESHOW or watch it here:

Baby Lane | 9 Months

You all know Baby Lane by now. This was my fourth time photographing him and I really think he looks more like a little boy than a baby at his 9-month mark. A super cute little boy, for sure. Maybe it was the spiked hair. :D

Kirsten and Mike, as always, thank you for welcoming me into your home to capture Baby Lane in his element. You two are awesome parents!

He's just so happy!

This picture mirrors the first picture from his 3-month session. He looks so much older!

Love this one with dad ...

He and his dog are still best friends. :)

To see more from Baby Lane's 9-month session, click here to view a SLIDESHOW or watch it here:

Baby Vincent | Newborn

This little guy has technically been on the blog before ... remember this session? He was in his mama's belly then! :)

I was so honored when Lindsay asked me to do Baby Vincent's newborn photos. I know how important it is for their family to stay connected while Ben is away serving our country, and I hope I accurately captured their baby and family life. This little guy is only five days old here and slept right through his brother and sister playing on the bed while I took photos!

Enjoy this glimpse into his first few days of life ...

SO sweet!

Those two up there just melt my heart. :)

To see more from Baby Vincent's sweet session, click here to view a SLIDESHOW or watch it here:

The Best of 2012: Portraits

If I was being honest ... and I try to be on this humble, little blog ... I would tell you that I was petrified. In the fall of 2011, when I finally decided to go solo with this whole photography thing, I couldn't see farther than right in front of my face. I had just signed up to advertise on Wedding Wire and I really thought no one would contact me. I wouldn't call myself a perfectionist but I have this fear of putting myself out there before I feel 100% ready. And I didn't think I was ready. Slowly I'm learning that no one is really, truly ever ready. I realize now that sometimes you have to dive in with as much courage as you can muster and say, "Hey. This is me. Like it or leave it, but at least I'm gonna try." Lucky for me, this solo photography thing has worked out. And I couldn't be more grateful. Really. Truly.

Valerie and Alex were the first ones to contact me, just a couple days after I created a Wedding Wire account, and they gave me so much more confidence than they will ever know. From there I've been blown away by how many of you have believed in me to document your weddings, your itty-bitty newborns, your families—all the most important parts of your life. I know it's hard to give up control, I know you have pictures in your head of how you want it to look ... and I cannot say it enough: THANK YOU for choosing me.

I've been looking back at some of my favorite photos from the past year, and I want to share them all with you over the next few weeks. First up are my favorite portraits of 2012.

I've watched Baby Lane grow (newborn, 3-month and 6-month):

Amanda and Nathan (of Amanda Weis Photography) welcomed a baby boy into the world, and I got to take their maternity photos:

Travis and Zach graduated:

My second shooter, Emily, came into my life (yay!), and we practiced taking portraits with her sister, Katie, and Katie's boyfriend, Kyle.

Beautiful Baby Brenna was born:

And so was cute little Connor:

I met the Porter family:

Ashley and Justin got a puppy and I did my first-ever pet session:

My best friends Nicole and Kelby had a little boy named Owen:

The B family had portraits done before dad was deployed overseas with the Navy:

And last but not least, I got to hang out with Adrina and her family on a beautiful fall day: