Being the youngest child of my family, and married to a first-born, I used to find it bordering on the ridiculous when my mother in law would lovingly say, “there’s just something special about the first one.” I’m not getting myself into trouble by posting this. T’s mom has long known how I felt by my eyerolls and elbows to T’s side.

But, I have to admit, it’s true. Not that the first is better or more loved. It’s that this child made you parents for the first time, and in the most traditional sense, a family. Right or wrong, so much of the joy, fear, excitement, stress and love that comes with that shift gets associated with your first child.

That’s what I was thinking about when I met this sweet and calm new family. Welcome to the world, baby A!

Three generations…

First, Happy New Year to all! I am very aware that 2009 was not a kind year to many. I am filled with gratitude that I was able to start a business that I LOVE in such a tumultuous time. Huge thanks to all of you who have worked with me, encouraged me,  spread the word for me and generally cheered me on. Exciting things are coming soon as I approach a year since launching this blog which quickly (more quickly than I expected!) turned into my business.

May 2010 be a good year for all of us. May we cherish every good thing, especially the people, in our lives, and may the bad be bearable, short-lived, and meaningful in the long run.

Here is a sneak peek from my first session of 2010! I know since mom and dad are on my Facebook, that they are anxious to see them! You may remember this little guy from here.

This time, big brother joined us. And, oh my goodness, they were so sweet together! I swear I did not ask them to pose for any of these. I just plopped them on the grass…

Baby B is one very loved, and kissed, little boy.

This one with mom made me want to cry. I just know (and LOVE) that feeling.

Lastly, a couple of big brother. As a friend of mine says of her daughter, this look feels like a little preview of the teen years…look out!

And then just like that, he’s back to little boy.

Miss “Inependent” is turning one this week, and although I heard she was walking, I was surprised by how mobile she already is. Not just walking, but running! This bitty thing made me work! I had so much fun chasing her around in Ortega and Avondale. While I love going into a family’s home to photograph them on their turf, I also have enjoyed exploring our historic neighborhoods on recent sessions.

Many thanks to Let Them Eat Cake! for letting us make a bit of a mess!

I love how you can glimpse Mom and Dad watching attentively from inside and outside the bakery window.

Share this…   …and a few more pics from this session will be on the JMP Facebook page ().

If the image above looks familiar, it might be because you saw it here. Mom wasn’t kidding when she told me that really captured her son the first time around! This time we were on the beach and at their home in Fort Lauderdale.

Baby M is not saying much with words yet, but those eyes are definitely talking.

And they could be saying, “have you heard I’m going to be a big sister?! I’m not sure what to think about that yet.”

Congrats to the whole W family! Thank you for being such generous hosts and friends to me and my girls. Next time, really, we have to get A in there…along with the new baby!

I have too many favorites of these guys to post here. Check out the JMP Facebook page to see more!

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JACKSONVILLE – Just a few slots left for Holiday Mini Sessions! See Investment page for details.

I really enjoyed this recent shoot for a number of reasons. First, that it was an opportunity to catch up with an old friend I went to school with (gotta love facebook). She was as genuine and easy to be around as I remembered her, as is the rest of her family, which was great to see.

Second,  was that I got to capture an amazing moment. Little Miss A took her first “official” step right in front of my camera! To get that, and mom’s reaction, was awesome.

Another cool thing, we went to a park that sits in front of the house that J’s grandmother lived in when he was growing up. He has a lot of memories of the house and park. I love that they picked a location not just because it was pretty but because it meant something to them.

I like the tear and smile in that last one. The line between crying and laughing is so thin with children.

And last, but NOT least, that hair!

Remember this sweet baby? Five months have passed since I last saw her, and I was amazed at how much she’s grown and changed. I couldn’t believe how much more she looks like her mom now!

With her proud big brother!

Newborn twins! J & J were game for whatever we asked of them. And the only one to get peed on was big sister’s robe, which I consider to be pretty successful.

Here they are with big sis. No surprise that she’s done a little modeling herself!

This recent shoot was abbreviated by a sudden burst of rain, but we will pick up with this South Florida family in a couple of months (long story, but they happened to be in ATL the same week that I was)! Stay tuned to find out exactly when I’ll be heading south (for a change) to the Fort Lauderdale area and will be available for family, kids, or couple sessions.

We met up at one of the most pristine public playgrounds I’ve ever been to, John Howell, in Atlanta. But boys will be boys, and Z managed to find the little bit of dirt and sand there was to be enjoyed. He was so much more into that than any of the fancy playground equipment!

This is exactly what I mean about wanting to capture kids being themselves and not performing for the camera! Mom, T, said something to the effect of, “if you want to get a true picture of my son, this would be it!”

He may be the big brother, but there is still a lot of baby boy in him.  I love this swipe at an itchy nose.

And baby M…what a doll! There’s a lot going on in those eyes.

7 months and already more than a handful!

She loves her mama…and the camera, too!

Sorry you got soaked…can’t wait to come see you guys!

Sweet, sweet baby boy…

Three weeks old, beautiful blues eyes, sweet disposition…what’s not to like?

Only 20 days in, and mom is looking amazing.

Dad and his little guy.

Changing was a family affair.

All eyes on B. You guys make a beautiful family. Congratulations!

No, this is not a toothless toddler. This is just a BIG ten month old boy! He shares the exact same birthday as my VC but is about twice her size! Not only is he big, but Mr. H is blessed to be the newest member of a family whose generosity knows no bounds…T and I know first hand, being the beneficiaries of their kindness in a big way years ago. I was thrilled to finally meet H and photograph him, and hope to continue to for years to come!

Hats and babies… they look so cute in them for that half a second that you can trick them into wearing one.

Thanks, T and M, for letting me into your GORGEOUS home! Next time let’s do a family portrait, dogs and all! Oh, and if I can work that stove into a shot…

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