Look Who's One! | First Birthday Cake Smash

I have enjoyed photographing this little one since the very day she was born... which I cannot believe was a whole YEAR ago! She was such a sweetheart and hung in there through the whole session (despite some teeth coming in).

Happy 1st Birthday, baby girl!

8-Days New:Beautiful In-home Lifestyle Newborn Session | Jody Mack Photography | Charleston's Lifestyle Newborn & Child Photographer

Decisions, decisions. It was so hard to choose my favorite image from this gorgeous little newborn girl's session at home. Babies change SO FAST at this age. That is why it is so important to capture their "newborn-ness" during the first two weeks after their birthday.

She was just perfect at 8 Days New. And, as you can see... beauty runs in the family!

Keepin' It Real | Charleston Lifestyle Newborn, Child & Family Photographer |

What drives my creative side most is capturing real moments.  
Unscripted. 
Off the cuff. 
An amazing moment happens before me and I am fortunate enough to be there with my camera ready. Or - I stalked, like a primal huntress, holding up my heaviest telephoto lens for what seemed like an hour until the anticipated movement or gesture happened. It happened and I got it. 
Simply one of the best feelings in the world.
Sometimes I know it right away. Other times, I catch a moment serendipitously. 
Either way, real moments happen everyday - and when they are caught on camera, it is simply magic.

Today marks the first in a new monthly blog series, "Keepin' it Real." I am joining some talented lifestyle photographers from all over the US and Canada (all fellow Pinkle Toes Workshop alums) in a quest to share our favorite "real" moments from the past month. Unfortunately, I did not prepare photos of my own family for this months edition (epic mommy fail). However, this is my reality. I strive to capture more of the everyday moments with my own kids. This project will motivate me to do so on a regular basis... at least that is my hope.

Nonetheless, this month there were several moments that screamed "real" to me. So here they are -  my top 6 "real" moments of March 2014. 
I hope you enjoy!

1. Flying baby

2. Dog crashes lifestyle newborn session

3. Pre-recital hairspray (Ballet Academy of Charleston - The Rainbow Fish Ballet Performance)

4. Escaping toddler (notice the cracker dad is trying to use to bait him)

5.  Victory (a glorious moment during the rehearsal of the Listen to Your Mother Show - Charleston, coming up on May 4th).

6. The Hairstylist

For more "Keepin' It Real" moments, head on over to the blog by 
Kelly Kuntz Photography
Kelly is an awesome lifestyle family photographer in Bozeman, Montana! 

Mount Pleasant Lifestyle Newborn Session

I really enjoyed photographing this lifestyle newborn session in this family's beautiful Mount Pleasant home. Their sweet baby girl, only 9 days new, was a dream to work with - from her beautiful blue eyes to her gorgeous, full head of hair.  Her big brothers are really enjoying their new role and showed so much enthusiasm... especially when jumping on their sister's bed.

Special things happen when heirlooms are captured in photographs, like her tiny pearl bracelet and this beautiful "big girl" bed in her nursery (it used to belong to her mother).

We ended the session with just mom, dad and their newborn baby girl and captured some sweet, quiet moments of the three of them when she is this tiny and this new. Before long, she'll be jumping on the bed with her big brothers!