Meet my newest neice, Lelue!  She was born March 5 and I finally got to meet her yesterday.

Welcome to the world, Lelue!  Aunt Katie can't wait to spoil you rotten.

When I pulled up to H's house, the first thing I noticed was the Marine flag that hung proudly.  I'm not the type to play on the rivalry; I was just glad to meet another military wife.  When I found out she is also a recruiter wife, that was even better!  I love meeting other military wives, especially when we live so far from a base.

H is expecting a daughter soon.  She already has two beautiful children and I'm sure #3 will be adorable also.

I visited the S family on Sunday for a session in their home.  I had a great time getting to know N, E, and M and their parents.  I got to listen to N read a favorite story to her family then went outside to play.  It was too goregous of a day to sit inside!  They are a great family that truly has a lot of fun together.

I met the W family in their beautiful home for a lifestyle session.  Little S was the star of the show.  She was sweet and tiny and wide awake for the most part.  Usually I aim to keep newborns asleep for the length of the shoot but her alertness gave me two of my new favorite images (pictures 4 and 5 in this post).  Big brother B had the greatest smile and instantly charmed me.

Thanks W family for the honor of capturing these moments.

Her nursery was adorable!  So much pink and flowers!

I met the girls of this wonderful family at the park for an Operation Love Reunited session.  The dad just started his second deployment.  The girls are taking it a little hard but when I pulled out the ACU cap, you could hear all the love and pride they have for him when they exclaimed "Hey, I look like Daddy!"

Thanks for giving me the privelege of capturing these moments.  We wish your soldier a quick and safe return!

The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

I met J and her family this weekend at their home.  She's 35 weeks pregnant with her second daughter. Doesn't she carry it well?  She looks amazing!

The big sister-to-be started off really shy:

But I knew she'd warm up to me by the end:

 Thanks J and family for letting me capture these moments for you!

Lately I've been doing some soul searching and trying to define myself as a photographer.  I've been exploring different styles and trying to find my calling as to what I want my photography to portray.  I know I love photographing families.  There's nothing greater than a happy family.  I love cuddly babies and chaotic toddlers.  I love seniors that are so full of hope and determination to make their world a better place.  There's something about capturing moments that I love.  It's amazing to capture a kiss or a glance or a mischevious grin that transform a picture into a real portrait.  It's being able to look back at your family portrait and being taken back in time to that precise moment and feeling those emotions all over again.  That's why I'm pulled toward lifestyle photography.

Lifestyle photography is all about capturing real moments with an artistic and perfectionist eye.  It's your life captured in all it's beauty and life doesn't happen in a studio.  It happens in your home or at your local park or even downtown where you like to window shop.

During this transition, I'll be doing several casting calls to help me build my portfolio of lifestyle images.  Casting calls are completely free with no obligation to buy anything.  The product offered will vary.

My current casting call is for a homebirth.  I find birth photography to be the ultimate lifestyle photography session.  Birth photography is not for everyone but tastefully done, the photos will bring back memories and a flood of emotion like no other images can.  Childbirth is beautiful and nothing short of amazing.  Parents are run through the gamut of emotions.    The excitement and worry of labor, the strength and determination of delivery, the sense of wonder and amazement of holding your child for the very first time.  These are moments that you truly will never get back.  If you want your child's birth photographed in a tastefully, photojournalist style, please email me and we can discuss details.

I don't do many maternity sessions.  I'm not sure why since I believe it's one of the most beautiful times in a woman's life.  The anticipation of waiting for the little bundle of joy.  The glow.  That little smirk expecting moms get when the baby gives them a little kick. 

M's bump is the current home of my third little niece, L.  We're anxiously awaiting for her arrival.  See you soon, L (but stay put another week and a half please!)

I met three month old B on Sunday.  She was absolutely adorable with her beautiful blue eyes, sweet smiles, and precious little dimple. I can't wait to see her again at six months!

These images are definitely not the average results of a 5 month session.  My little guy was just so tired that it was almost like having a newborn again. I took advantage of his long winters nap to set up a small studio space and capture the pure sweetness that he is.  Towards the end, he began to stir and gave me some sweet sleepy smiles.  As much as I hate that naptime was cut short, I know these images are worth it.  I can't wait to use one on the new samples I'm waiting to order.