This next little beam of sunshine has lit up the lives of her sweet parents and this blog!  I’ve had the honor of documenting maternity photos and many, many milestones (here, here, here, here, here, and here) since then for Miss Emily Claire.  What an amazing journey it has been to watch this beautiful little girl grow up!  We recently met up to celebrate her upcoming 3rd birthday by going to one of her favorite parks!  We had a hot and sunny morning, but Emily was a trooper as we walked around and took portraits in and around a kid-sized town and then relaxed under a willow tree for a tea party.  And today happens to be her birthday!  Please join me in wishing Miss Emily Claire a very happy birthday!  Happy Birthday, Emily!  Friends and family can view her entire online gallery here.  Here are some favorites from our morning!

Last summer I had the sheer delight of photographing a beautiful and happy family to celebrate the first birthday of their first child.  Brian, Brittani, and Bryson were so much fun!  So you might imagine how excited I was to hear that they were expecting their second child, a little boy!  Bennett was born just a few days after Bryson’s 2nd birthday – what a perfect present for his older brother!  This little guy was a happy – and sleepy! – camper for his first time in front of my camera!  When he was awake, he simply observed his surroundings, taking everything in.  Bennett, you make your parents beam with happiness.  And Bryson is the perfect big brother!  I’ll admit  I’m quite smitten with you too!  I have quite a few favorites from our afternoon, so let’s get right to them!  Friends and family can view Bennett’s entire online gallery here.

I’ve had the honor of photographing this sweet family for the past few years, and I was so excited when I heard the news that they were expecting a new member of the family!  Todd and Cristina welcomed their first daughter into this world in April, Miss Lucy Beatrice!  I just love her name!  Lucy is blessed with the most perfect older brother she could ask for, Jack.  Lucy was just shy of her 1 month birthday for their session.  We had beautiful weather in which to capture some outdoor family photos before ooohing and awwwing over precious Lucy in her bright and cheerful nursery!  Family and friends can view the entire online gallery here.  Todd, Cristina, Jack, and Lucy, thank you so much for the honor of documenting this happy time in your lives!  Here are some favorites from the afternoon!

Oh how this little sweetie has stolen my heart!  Her sparkling eyes, strawberry blond curls, and her sweet disposition are just a few of the reasons!  Oh, and she loves cookies!  And puppies!  And flowers!  Her parents and family absolutely adore her, and it’s so easy to see why!  We had a beautifully sunny and breezy spring afternoon for her 3 year session.  Let’s get right to some favorites from the day!  Family and friends can view Diana’s entire online gallery here.

What a perfectly lovely afternoon we had for Mason’s 4 year session!  The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day!  After some crazy Midwestern spring weather, we caught the last of these pretty pink flowers on one of my favorite trees!  Mason, it has been such fun watching you grow since being born! You are a sweet and beautiful young lady!  Thank you for sharing your day with me!  And now for some favorites from our spring tea party!