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a three ring circus | preparing for buddy

admin — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 17:14:28 +0000

A circus….I must admit our lives the last few months or nine really, have felt at times to be just that….. a three ring circus. It’s been an interesting year continuing to juggle the demands of a new and growing business, being pregnant for the first time, continuing to learn to work better together, preparing for 2011 while keeping up with 2010, adding tons of fabulous portrait clients, and reminding ourselves that at the start of 2011 we would be welcoming a new member into our family! So it was pretty fitting that my friends, Sarah, Sam and my sister threw me a baby shower, well actually 2 baby showers that were just as over the top, or should I say under the big top?

I finally stopped to take a minute to sort through a few pictures. Thank you to all who attended (and many of you who couldn’t make it) I can’t tell you how encouraging the love, support, prayers, gifts, kind words, advice, and general spoiling have meant to us! We truly have felt showered by your love! To my sister, Jen, it’s been so fun to share this with you, to my small group girls, I can’t imagine this time without you, and to all those who have been with us through this journey sharing in our excitement THANK YOU, seriously thank you.

Without further ado I give you a sampling of images from the Circus themed baby shower, complete with a big top constructed in my dining room, little fish soap (you know the kind you win at a fair/circus), friends, family, and some yummy treats!

Lisa & Drew Expecting | ft. wayne maternity photographer

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:00:57 +0000

I think we may have mentioned it before that it seems like a lot of our couples get pregnant soon after we are there for wedding day. But I’ll be honest this year— it seems like everyone is pregnant, from bridesmaids, to friends, to photog buddies, to cousins, and well— us! We were so excited to hear Lisa and Drew were expecting because I’m pretty sure they are going to make awesome parents. Lisa had wanted newborn pics, but our due dates were so close together that I was afraid I might not be able to do them, so instead I give you her cute baby bump still cookin in the oven! Hope the rest of pregnancy goes smoothly, and that your new addition arrives safely! Best wishes, you look amazing!

Cory and Sarah welcome baby Charis!!! | ft. wayne baby photographer birth photography ft. wayne

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:26:32 +0000

We were so excited when one of our friends asked us to join a small group with our church— for those of you who don’t attend church or your church doesn’t have small groups let me explain, essentially it’s a group that meets usually once a week, the purpose of which is to live life together while seeking out God’s purpose and plan for each of us. Every small group looks a little different, ours is part Bible Study, part delicious dinner together, part laughter, love & prayer, part social group, part challenging talks, part learning and growing together. All this to say I know God brought us together and while being part of the group it’s been an absolute honor to live life alongside our fabulous couples from new marriages, to cancer, to first babies, to couples leaving and starting new adventures, to new ones joining us on our journey, to second babies. Group I love you and am so glad we could all be part of another milestone together, the Hooley’s first baby! So without further ado I give you Charis’s birth! We are so excited that she arrived safely and in perfect health.

I had no idea what it would be like to photograph a birth and the truth is, It was beautiful, and amazing! It was an awesome experience and I hope this photo says it all--- Sarah ecstatic, Cory with tears and Charis letting everyone know she is here! Also huge shoutout to the wonderful staff at Parkview North! You all were so kind, calm and patient, you have awesome jobs and you do them soooo well!

so you may think this was set up after Charis had been here for a few minutes, but this was immediately after she was born, how beautiful is Sarah? I mean really she was an absolute pro!

Cory and Sarah checking out their cutie pie!

just seconds after birth this little sweetie was wide awake and seemed to be taking everything in already! Can't wait to watch as she grows and changes.

Ohhhh I almost forgot to give you her stats

Charis Kay Jeanette

born Sunday, May 16

She’s 7 lbs. 5 oz

and 21 inches long

so the labor and delivery nurse was in a wedding we shot this last year, she was absolutely awesome! She was so kind and calm it's pretty amazing she gets to help usher in little miracles every day!

Charis getting her prints. look at that sweet little foot!

Onesie themed shower party for my friend Sarah!

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:22:34 +0000

I’ll be honest I love to plan parties. I think it goes back to college when my roommates and I loved to throw parties or actually now that I really think of it, we only planned one real party– but it was a winter gala complete with sparkly silver and blue paper, mini quiches and hundreds of hand cut and glittered snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. Since Shane and I attend dozens of parties throughout the summer I can’t help but notice all the details and wish (just a little) to be in on the action. So when my good friend Sarah found out she was expecting of course the wheels in my head started turning for a shower. I procrastinated a little too long, but I think it all came together in the end. Couldn’t have done it without my fabulous co-host Samantha, my fabulous mom, and of course my two photo buddies Sarah Hendsbee and Anna McClary! Thanks girls! Without further ado what you’ve been waiting for some pics!!! Thank you to all the ladies who came out and the after party guests (cory, arol, julie) who even made some onesies!

Clockwise from top left, we served fruit tea recipe courtesy of my favorite college professor's wife, cheesestraws from Smitten Kitchen, a tiny snack table with cheesestraws & dipped pretzel, fruit kabobs, hummus, and Samantha's yummy meatballs!

Raindrops from the photobooth, the dining room set up and ready to go, and the craft table.

Instead of party games we opted for an activity. I love the little hand decorated onesies that people sell on etsy and figured we could make them ourselves. I made a set before for a friend's little boy--- multicolored ties! The girls did an amazing job with their creations! Charis will be well equipped with onesies for months to come!

Samantha my fabulous co-host made the sweetest little onesie cookie party favors that were just as yummy as they were cute!

I thought it appropriate to have a photobooth at the shower being a photographer and all. I dye cut hundreds of little raindrops and stiched them together with the help of Sam, Sarah and Anna. Anna helped hang each strand! We couldn't have pulled it off without their help! I was kind of going for an anthropolgie inspired photobooth-- they always have those amazing window displays. The inspiration for this one was their thousands of paper chains in the window which I loved and thought we could create a similar effect only with a paper shower!

Naomi turns ONE! | fort wayne children and baby photography

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:23:54 +0000

So this must be the month for little ones. We have 3 sessions for little ones celebrating their first year of life. Naomi’s family is one of our personal favorites. We shot Danielle and Brad’s wedding, Naomi at week 2, 6 months and one year. And now Brad and Danielle are expecting a son! LOVE IT! They are an amazing couple with a lot of love and laughter to give. I feel so honored to help them document these milestones. So here it is a little sneak peek from Naomi’s one year old session! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

such a sweetie pie. I've loved getting to see Naomi's different stage from snuggly baby to personality plus as a six month old and now she's toddling around and in to everything. It's a good thing we started her off in the chair while it could hold her interest for about 20 seconds!

I'm totally in love with this sweet little outfit. I think it kind of has a matilda jane feel to it, but here's the awesome part, her grandma made it! Amazing.

I just love this little face looking up at you! so sweet.

This is always the hardest picture to get--- okay everyone look cute- now smile!

I love her little mischievious smile crawling toward this gooey pile of chocolatey deliciousness! LOVE IT!

I'd like to thank Danielle for purchasing 2 cakes, just in case. She ended up sending us home with a cake which we took to small group! thanks for sharing.

Doesn't Danielle have the cutest baby bump? She makes it look so effortless!

sarah and baby

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:45:37 +0000

My good friend Sarah is expecting her first baby in a few months. I’m so excited for her and her husband Cory! Not only does this mean I get to throw a swank baby soiree, but it also means I get to share in their joy as they prepare to welcome their baby girl into this amazing world!!!

Sarah’s husband Cory was recently diagnosed with hodgkin’s lymphoma, which has been a pretty big ordeal. But while watching the two of them go through this storm of craziness and uncertainty I continue to be amazed and blessed by their grace, patience and maturity as they have taken the last few months step by step. All this is a lot to take on, but I keep thinking how God was gracious enough to bless them with this little life to look forward to right now, during this season of uncertainty. I am so thankful to be able to call the Hooley’s my friends and can’t wait to see who they become as parents! I know Charis certainly has an awesome family eagerly awaiting her arrival! Congratulations friends, can’t wait to meet her!