Cuteness Overload | Charleston Lifestyle Family Photography

I have been honored to photograph this family since their eldest child (the sweetest little guy I've ever met) was a wee little baby.
Just a few short months ago, I also captured his little sister's newborn session. It amazes me how quickly babies grow and change in such a short time.
My favorite part about this session was how big brother is already showing how much he cares for his little sister. I just can't stand the cuteness!

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!

Real Excitement | My Sister's Wedding | Keepin' it Real Blog Series | Charleston Lifestyle Family & Child Photographer

This months edition of the "Keepin' it Real" Blog series was quite fitting for a family wedding. So much goes into a wedding day, no matter how small the affair.  There were three main sources of Real Excitement leading up to the wedding (okay...four, if you count the cross-country journey with 3 kids).

Three simple details of a wedding that gave all of us, especially my sister, the bride, [ulcers] a great deal of worry:

The Cake

The day before the wedding, we picked up the cake from the bakery in San Francisco, where the owner promptly told us that the cake did not include a box, because in doing so, it would smash up against the side of the box. He insisted the cake - naked and vulnerable - would be "fine" if we placed it in the TRUNK OF THE CAR...in San Francisco.
If you've been to this lovely city,  you know how spectacular the hills are. The first hill we drove down was accompanied by a shushing sound from the trunk,  followed by the dainty thud of an iced confection. We made a stop for a yoga mat and placed the love-tapped cake on top (to help increase the coefficient of friction.. using our nerd power).  The beautiful, yet imperfect, cake arrived to the rental house in Santa Rosa without any more damage. 

The Flowers 

The morning of the wedding arrived. Flowers that the bride and groom had purchased were starting to bloom in their buckets. It was time to make the bridal bouquet and arrangements. I have SEEN plenty of bridal bouquets and even photographed them, but making them is a completely different art form. My mom, two sisters, and two daughters set to work on these flowers like we knew what we were doing. We were on a mission like a bunch of worker bees, stripping leaves, trimming stems, wrapping wire and taping stems. Slowly but surely,  all of the flowers were set in place. They weren't perfect, but they were beautiful. WE DID IT.

The Rings

The rings were custom-designed by Rosestone Jewelry in San Diego. Since they were insured, the package required a signature upon delivery. So, my sister had them shipped to her office downtown. Or so she thought...
In her haste, she accidentally included her home zip code, so the package was sent back to San Diego. Yup. 
There we were, the day of the wedding with the rings in limbo. A UPS purgatory of sorts.  After few phone calls by the groom and a visit to the UPS pick up site,  the rings finally made it.  
I love the look on my sister's face as she opened the box and the look she gave him afterward. You can tell they are truly in love

It's moments like these that define family: love, trust and when-stuff-hits-the-fan-I'll-be-there-for you.

Our family has grown by one brother and one 16-year-old nephew. Welcome to the family! We love you guys!

Please check out the beautiful take on "Real Excitement" by Caroline Martin, a fabulous family lifestyle photographer serving San Diego.

Welcome home, little sister!

My girls are over the moon for their little sister. They literally cannot stop kissing her
(and we can't either... we are absolutely smitten!)

What kind of legacy will you leave?

During my pregnancy, I would lie awake at night (when the baby was most active or hiccuping), mulling over ideas for my baby's newborn photos. What memories do I want to have captured? What kind of legacy do I want to leave? 

Years from now, what images do I want her to look back on as an adult? What photographs do I want her to show her grandchildren? I knew I wanted photos with my husband and myself, but I also wanted her in the frame with my parents. It's not often enough that the youngest and the oldest members of the family are captured together. It gives me chills thinking about the time that spans their respective lives - all the things that have been, and all the things that remain to be seen.

I also thought of this sweater.

My grandmother had knitted it especially for my dad for his birthday, many, many moons ago, with a pattern that was specific to her family's home in Ireland.  Legend has it that it helped bring home those who met their fate at sea and washed ashore wearing their "identity" in the sweater's pattern.

I asked my dad to bring the sweater along to her photo session with my photography friends (and mentors) Tamara & Danielle (Bump Meet Baby Studios). Patiently, these master baby "ninjas" posed her and soothed her back to sleep, and I was able to snap these images before she woke up. (As an aside, I felt a bit guilty for asking my dad to wear this thick sweater in a sweltering newborn studio... but, I think he would agree that it was worth it.)

This is our family heritage:  Her great-grandmother who painstakingly crafted this sweater (and many others like it), her great-grandfather who gave the world's best hugs, her namesake (grandmother), her look-alike (grandfather) and all her guardian angels. All people she will sadly never meet on this Earth - but we have the stories (oh... the stories!) and the old photographs to look back on. 

And today, she has her grandparents and so many family members who love her and hold her dear. 

Only now can she be this tiny and can take a nap in the crook of your elbow or the nook of your neck.  

The winner of the New Year, New Website Giveaway is...

The results are in!
The winner of the FREE mini session and 8 x 10 canvas is...
Stacey Godwin Gamble
Contact me to schedule your session!

Feeling the Love

My last mini-session of 2013 was the perfect ending to a great season!
4 Kids + Lots of Energy + 2 Loving Parents = Crazy Good Fun
Thank you everyone for an awesome year!

Sometimes, children make the best teachers

Meet Conor.  

He's a handsome and active, 8-year old boy who loves sports, surfing, and - like any boy his age - provoking his older sister.  I had the opportunity to get to know Conor and his family at a photo shoot on Folly Beach, one of their favorite family hangouts. 

What you don't see, at first glance, is that Conor has been fighting neurofibromatosis and endured multiple surgeries to combat this condition for most of his life. What you do get at first glance is a boy that is full of life, love and positive energy.  

Whether or not he realized it, I left that session "schooled."  Conor and his family taught me a huge lesson in such a short time.  

Live in the present moment. 

Be present.

Enjoy your family and the people around you. 

Be grateful. Be happy. 

More importantly, be happy to be YOU. 

There is no one else in the world like you.

Conor's condition has required multiple surgeries, including the removal of his right eye.  He has yet another surgery coming up at the end of this month. Please read more about Conor's story on his YouCaring website and give to his medical fund if you are able. 

Summer's End

I adore this family. (Not just because they are simply adorable). I have known them for quite a while and it has been an honor to watch their bright blue-eyed little boy grow!

One of my favorite things about photographing a family (whether I've known them forever, or just a short time) is seeing their personalities come alive and capturing their interactions - both with the environment around them and each other. 

The best moments are real moments. This is my passion. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this everyday.

Holiday Mini-Sessions

What you get:

• 45 minute photo session (for a family of up to 5 people) on the beautiful grounds of Boone Hall Plantation (shown above).
• 15 hand-edited, high-resolution images in color and black & white with a print release. 
• The ability to give back: Families that bring 5 non-perishible items for the Lowcountry Food Bank will receive a free 8 x 10 print. 

Holiday sessions will be available to a limited number of clients each day to give you the best quality photos that I can provide for your family (and also get your photos turned around within a week, so you can make your holiday card deadlines).

We are family (sing it!)

I adore families that are as laid back and fun-loving as these people! The group of them reunited at Seabrook Island to celebrate their mother, Bonnie Compton's, 29th birthday (or an anniversary thereof...).  I won't give away your exact age, Bonnie! You look amazing and your children are as beautiful as you are, inside and out!

You can listen to Bonnie on her WebTalk Radio program "Whole-Hearted Parenting" HERE and her interview with me about my career change HERE.

Happy Mother's Day!

In celebration of all moms everywhere. May you enjoy the memories you make this Mother's Day! Here are some of the highlights from this year's Mommy & Me Event.  Thanks to all of the beautiful moms (who usually hide behind their cameras) and their delightful little ones!