I'm more than a little behind on blogging... because life. But it's all good. I can't think of a better way to get back on track than by showcasing photos from a session with Baby Nico and his wonderful, loving parents.

In case you're wondering, yup. That's a Pinocchio outfit. And there's a very good reason Nico is wearing it: He's a real boy!

You see, Nico spent the first few months of his life in the NICU. As difficult as it was to see their baby in the intensive care unit, Jackie and Nef kept their spirits high. They joked that when he came home he'd become a real boy. So, it was only fitting that this very real, very lovable baby don Pinocchio clothes for his photoshoot. To be honest, I'm not sure I've ever seen anything so adorable. That little hat and those shoes get me every time!

I loved spending a sunny, Sunday afternoon with Jackie, Nef and Baby Nico. They're such a loving family, and I wish them only the best as they begin this exciting new chapter in life.

It was another lovely weekend. Cliff and I went to the movies Saturday evening and Sunday I spent the morning photographing these precious little ones. Baby Caroline, pictured above, was born two weeks ago! That hair! Those toes! It's almost too much!

Caroline is a beautiful baby and she did so well during our photo session. I think that's because she had big sister Eleanor to show her the ropes. Eleanor is two now, and she had no problem hamming it up for the camera. 

I can't wait to share more of this beautiful family. Until then, I leave you with this precious preview. I hope these photos bring readers out there as much joy as they bring me!

Eleanor is 3, and she is so excited to be a big sister! To help celebrate the occasion, she had her very own photoshoot with Baby Sister Caroline! Spending the day with these girls was delightful. Little ones do such a wonderful job of reminding us what's important in life :)

Not long ago, I blogged about being inspired by another creative in my community. Silver Spring is full of artists, and seeing what they do, how they work, how they weave their creative lives with their work and personal lives is always fascinating to me. I’m heavily inspired by others, but I never thought of myself as someone who could inspire another… until last week.

I received an unexpected email from a former client named Ann. Last summer, I photographed Ann’s family, including her children and grandchildren, and she loved one of my photos so much that she turned it into a beautiful watercolor painting! She had plans to enter her painting in a contest, but wanted to touch base with me first because my art was the inspiration for her art.

I was so shocked, humbled and so surprised. My art was the inspiration for her art. Those words mean so much to me!
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When I saw Ann’s painting, I was even more blown away. It’s absolutely stunning, and she gave me permission to share it with you here. Below is Ann’s painting, which won third place in Washington Watercolor Society exhibit, and below that is the original photograph from the session.

The compassion and generosity of this community never ceases to amaze me. When Third Space Wellness and I teamed up to start the Community Wellness Fund Inspired by Bethany, it was an experiment. We had no idea how far it would go or how much we'd be able to raise.

The people of Silver Spring and beyond blew any expectations I had clear out of the water. Within the first week, we had raised over $3,000. By the end of three weeks, friends, family and neighbors had raised more than $4,500!

I can't thank this community enough for the incredible support, love and generosity you've shown to Bethany, Jarrod and the broader Silver Spring neighborhood.

The funds raised will help relieve Bethany and her husband and primary caretaker, Jarrod, from the financial burden of acupuncture and massage treatments, which Bethany's cancer doctors have recommended. Additionally, because this fund is inspired by Bethany, there is a share-the-love component. Third Space Wellness will be donating treatments or services to someone of Bethany's choice, and I'll be donating a family photo session to a family of Bethany's choice.

To those who donated and helped spread the word, thank you. You've made a difference in so many beautiful and loving ways, and your generosity is truly appreciated.