Newborn Judah's first morning at Home with his Family

In stillness and chaos

I woke up in Iowa at my parent's house the morning after my sister gave birth to her second son.  My sister and I sent a few texts back and forth, and then I drove a few miles down some country roads to document this family's first morning as a family of four. Judah was sweet and new and sleepy and hungry, and big brother Jethro was engaging and funny and not-so-interested in his new brother for the time being. My sister and brother-in-law were as they always are; calm, collected, unphased. They were also tired, of course.  It wasn't long before others came over and then others still. While there were 4 extra kids playing, there were also naps being taken on the couches nearby. A kitchen packed with relatives and FaceTime conversations could not be heard in the upstairs bedroom where I spent some time with my sister and Judah as they nursed. He napped, and she watched him nap. Time with a newborn passes differently, seconds become hours, a month seems like a week. In that time, there is a stillness that even the chaos of a large extended family can not steal. 

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A Morning with Monica and her Family, Atlanta Documentary Photographer

Azaleas, swings, hugs, and kisses

Image of mother holding son and daughter while smiling and looking up

I spent a Saturday morning with this sweet family in and around their home in Atlanta. There was a genuine affection and natural tenderness present in all of their interactions, from caregiving to play. I had so much fun documenting them as they finished breakfast, played around in the backyard, and explored a nearby park. Outside, the azaleas were in their full glory, and almost an hour passed unnoticeably in and around their blossoms. The kids smelled the flowers and picked them for their mama, and I was melting in the sweetness of it all. Azaleas symbolize love, passion, and fragility. They are flowers that are meant to be a reminder to take care of oneself; an appropriate blossom for this time in this family's story. This season marks the beginning of a challenging year for the family as Monica was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I like to think of the azaleas blooming again next year as bookends to this unpleasant time, marking the beginning and end of a year of treatments, financial stress, and physical changes. The year ahead will be hard, but Monica is as badass as she is gorgeous, and I get the feeling that she's going to be even more radiant after this battle. I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity to document this family because the love that is present in the tough times is just as beautiful to remember as it is in the good times.

You can read more about Monica's story here.

Image of young girl eating breakfast at the table in the morning
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image from family documentary session of girl smiling and looking at camera in front of azaleas
image from family documentary session of mother smiling and looking at the camera while holding daughter as dad plays with her
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Image from family documentary session of girl holding flowers and looking at camera while her parents look at her
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Lake Burton, Georgia, Family Documentary Photographer

Sharing history, making memories

Image of father assisting son fishing

We spent some time with friends in Lake Burton, Georgia recently. Since it was too cold to swim, we set out exploring the neighboring Moccasin Creek and Hemlock Falls area. I'm always in disbelief when I realize such beauty exists within day trip traveling time from where I live, and then I'm slightly disappointed that we don't spend more time discovering these places. The Hemlock Falls Trail was a little ambitious for a group of young kids, but the hike went on with very little complaints. The kids scavenged for the best walking sticks, used them as swords and shooters, and then discarded them when a better one came along the path. Fishing, bubbles, and waffles with friends and family all helped make this the perfect weekend adventure. The south with its mossy forests, mild winters, and slow living completely has my heart.

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Father carrying son on his back while daughter walks beside them on a path framed by trees
Mother pointing out something in the forest to her daughter
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