A Fun First Birthday Documentary Family Session - Bothell, Wa

No matter how you celebrate, a first birthday is a big deal! You as parents have survived one whole year with this little person; who you’re still very likely in awe of everyday. Your baby is not as much of a baby any more, although I won’t tell you that in person ever because I know first hand it would have caused me to break into tears if someone would have told me that. And finally, this little person is now super active, learning everyday, and growing! It’s a whole new chapter in their life and yours too.

Mara’s parents planned a nice low-key evening with visiting family to celebrate her first birthday. Surrounded by family she tried some cake, but wasn’t a huge fan this time around. She was way more excited to just hang out with everyone, find Mario on her cake plates, and investigate some new toys during her birthday gathering!

Happy first birthday little one!

Year in the Life - Enrollment for 2022

The end of the year is closing in on us and each day seems to fly by faster than the one before with the holiday season already in the air. However, around the corner awaits a new year to do all the things you perhaps didn’t get around to doing this year (thanks pandemic) or a year for new experiences.

It’s also a time to look at all those photos on your phone from the previous year as companies send out emails and coupons to create photo books from your camera roll. (Yup, they’re already landing in my inbox.) Can you do it before that sale runs out? You may try. You may succeed, but you’ll probably loose sleep (I speak from experience). Now instead, imagine the month of January rolls around and a magical photo album filled with professional photos of your family, that include photos of you too, shows up wrapped and delivered to your front door. All. Done. For. You.

Enter the Year in the Life Photo Package.

A monthly 1 hour documentary session that allows you to have professional documentary photos of your family from the ENTIRE year AND have them printed in an album for you, with no extra work for you. Monthly photos, priceless memories, and an heirloom album that will be treasured for years to come. You’ll no longer need to worry about getting photos taken throughout the year, because you’ll have your own family photographer visit you each month and you’ll have the files each month to share as well.

Year in the Life Details (updated May 2022)

  • Multiple sessions in one year at a discounted rate!

  • Due to my on-call life, limited slots are available each year.

  • With three different packages to choose from, you have the option of either having a session quarterly, every other month, or every month and the choice of 1 or 2 hour sessions.

  • Each month you’ll view and receive your images in an online gallery.

  • At the end of the year you’ll receive a Handcrafted Family Photo Album prepared just for you.

  • As a VIP customer you’ll also have a discount on other printed photo products throughout the year.

  • Pay for the first month when you sign up and be billed the same monthly amount each month for 1 year.

  • Did you just have a baby? This can also be for the entire first year of your child’s life, with your newborn session as our first session together!

It’s time to get in those family photos and create a family heirloom at the same time.

Want one large thing off your to-do list for the year? Sign up now.

Drop me a message below to view packages and pricing or ask any questions you may have.

When you are ready to book, I will send your contract and invoice for the first month within 48 hours.
Still have questions? Great! I’d love to answer them and chat!

Susan and Sean - Kenmore Family Session

When Susan reached out about booking a session for her, her husband, and their dogs I have to admit, she had me at dogs. We did a quick portrait session in one of my favorite locations and their dogs were good as gold. If you ever wonder if pets are allowed during any of my sessions or if I’d be okay coming to your house full of pets for a documentary session… here’s the quick answer, YES, always yes.

Here’s a sneak peek from their adorable session!

Sedona's Birth - Puget Sound Birth Center - Kirkland, Washington

Sedona’s Birth Story

A quick progression and arrival

Amelia’s two previous births were both very punctual so when her third baby went past 40 weeks, each day felt like a huge waiting game, but as we all know babies come when they are ready.

I received the first call a little before 5am from Amelia saying she thought she was in early labor and that her contractions had woken her up. Able to talk just fine on the phone, I told her to keep me posted. However, I was suspicious when she told me her contractions woke her up, so after hanging up I changed into my dart-out-the-door clothes and laid back down. But not for long. Around 5:30am she called again saying things were picking up and they were going to start getting ready to go to the birth center where I would meet them. Again, she could still talk through her contractions, but trusting her body she knew things were moving swiftly. I made some hot tea and waited by my phone for the cue to leave. She texted me one final time at 6am saying they were headed out the door and she couldn’t keep on top of her contractions. Off to the birth center we all rushed.

Since I live only about 10 minutes from the birth center, I arrived before her and waited in the birthing suite with the midwives. A few minutes later Amelia and her husband Ryan arrived. Amelia slowly worked her way down the hallway through each contraction. They quickly filled the tub for her as both her husband and midwife took turns applying counter pressure until the tub was ready. Her husband turned on her playlist as she continued to labor. Once the tub was ready she was able to climb in and receive some brief comfort from the warm water. After only 7 minutes in the water and a few intense contractions, she felt the urge to push.

Three minutes of pushing later at 6:58am, baby Sedona was out and in her mother’s arms. Amelia and her husband had only walked into the birth center 22 minutes earlier. One of her midwives hadn’t even made it to the birth center yet! This strong and powerful mama labored for just over 2 hours between home and birth center and birthed her beautiful rainbow baby quickly and gently in the water.

Now the twist was that although Amelia knew they were having a girl, her husband Ryan didn’t know. So Ryan found out right after baby was born. The original plan was for it to be a surprise for both of them, but Amelia accidentally found out mid-pregnancy and Ryan decided he wanted to keep it a surprise. So they both wrote down their predictions. Ryan wrote down what gender he thought the baby was, and Amelia wrote what she thought Ryan’s guess would be, and they revealed them to each other while relaxing and recovering in bed afterwards. They had a good laugh when they found out they both guessed wrong.

Welcome baby Sedona!

SLIDESHOW
(view Sedona’s complete birth story)

IMAGES
(a few select favorites)