Ashley Maternity { Cypress Maternity Photographer }

Sweet Elijah Ryan is already here! How cute are Mom and Dad-to-be in the last-minute maternity pics??

I can't wait to meet their brand-new, darling boy!

Chelynne Maternity { Austin Maternity Photographer }

Once upon a time (what seems like quite a few years ago!), I was engaged to be married to my sweet husband.  He informed me that his four best friends would be in our wedding.  I thought I knew my betrothed fairly well, but I did not know of these elusive friends.  That was just the kind of relationship they had - they would go ages without seeing or talking to one another, mostly spread around Texas at various schools, then would reconnect like they had never been apart.  Around midnight on Christmas Eve 2003, we met them at a pool hall.  That was the first time I met most of them.  Two things were evident.  1. They were crazy and 2. these guys loved my beloved then-fiance.  Ben, Wes, John, and Drew definitely made our wedding interesting as well!

It seemed like for years we were living a completely different life than the rest of the guys.  Maybe Russ and I were on the fast track? :)  We continued to meet for mini-reunions when everyone was in town for holidays.  I saw girlfriends come and go.  By the time the next one, Ben, got married, we were pregnant with Campbell.  This past year, two of the other guys got married.  It has been fun to get to know the girlfriends, fiances, and now wives of the guys and go from being the only girl in this crazy group to making some of my own precious friends.

Fast forward to today.  Ben and Chelynne are expecting sweet baby boy Owen Patrick in just a few weeks.  He is the first baby (other than my own) to be born into this little group, made up of boys who were basically just babies themselves when they met.

It was a huge privilege for me to photograph this moment for them and to celebrate this next step in their lives.  I am so excited to watch them be parents, so excited for them to know the joy and chaos of parenthood, and the laughter and frustration and fear and transformation that comes as you try to be the very best parents you can be.  There have been few things sweeter in my life.

2nd Annual Portrait Party for Layla Grace

Many people who follow this blog are aware of Layla Grace Marsh and her fight against cancer. Layla went to be with the Lord one year ago yesterday, and a significant part of her legacy is to advance the successful treatment of other children with cancer.

Click here to read sweet Layla's story.

You can also read about my friendship with the Marsh Family on my personal blog here

The Layla Grace Foundation was created for the purpose of funding research and advancements in the treatment of high-risk cancers in children. The foundation also serves to educate, empower, and support parents of children with cancer. It is a privilege for me to donate my time for the advancement of this worthwhile cause.

What?

Photographers across the nation are going to be providing mini-sessions on April 9th, in support of the Foundation.

When?
Saturday April, 9 2011

Available Sessions:
7:30 am
8:00 am
8:30 am
9:00 am
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm

Where?
A private location in Katy, TX

How much does it cost? What do I get?
$75 session fee - paid directly to and completely benefiting the Layla Grace Foundation, will get you:
*20 Minute Session
*Online, password-protected gallery of 10-15 images
*(1) 8x10 Fine Art Print
*A discount on additional prints ordered

Additional Prints & Digital Images?
*25% off Fine Art Prints
*Option to purchase digital images on high resolution cd with print release:
-CD with 5 images - $100
-CD with 10 images - $150

How do I sign up?
Go here to sign up. You will purchase specific session time desired.