My first shoot of the new year couldn’t have taken place with a nicer family. This was my first time working with Danielle and Alex, their 14-year-old dachshund Honeybee, and definitely my first time working with their 7-day-old son. They were all so kind and invited me into their beautiful home to capture their baby in first few days at home (a lot of firsts here). These two met as professional classical musicians, which I think is so cool, and I’m sure that their son will inherit their talent and love of music. They were so fun to talk to as we hung around the house and talked babies and music and careers. I’m so happy for their new family and am delighted with their pictures (their son is beyond adorable but also Honeybee the dachshund has some serious modeling abilities).
It was great to reunite with Aleigh and Joe! Geoff and I photographed their engagement session in New York City several years ago. Now they’re married and parents to an adorable baby named Isaac and have a beautiful home with the best longest hallway. Why do I like long hallways? I don’t know. I think they remind me of shotgun houses in New Orleans. I think I also like to run and slide down them in socks a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business. Anyway, their home and baby are beautiful. Isaac is also the proud baby owner of several incredible blankets. If I’ve photographed your baby, you know I really love looking through baby blankets and finding fun patterns and colors. Isaac had so many good ones made by people who love him, which is the most important part. I’m so happy for Aleigh and Joe and am thrilled that the city has gained another resident who’s a future Bruce Springsteen fan.
Cari and Will’s wedding will always be near and dear to our hearts. It was our first wedding shot at the Haw River Ballroom, which is now one of our favorite venues, and it was the wedding that produced the now famous Ring Bearer Meltdown shot (about halfway down this post) that still remains my favorite photograph to date. Also, we happened to gain two very wonderful friends from this wedding whom we love dearly. We’ve eaten dinner with them at their house over long conversations about 24 and screened in decks. We’ve watched as Will shot Nerf suction cup arrows at their skylights to scare raccoons. We’ve called Cari over deck advice. We’ve asked Will about random nerve pain symptoms. We obtained our wonderful veterinarian on behalf of Cari’s recommendation. We’ve talked about any and all furniture and design choices. These guys are near and dear to our hearts. And so now is Charlie.
Charlie came into the world with two amazing parents and a handpainted nursery done by mom. He also has older cat sibling Jack (who is not yet a fan of his younger brother) and an older dog sibling Dudley (who is definitely a fan of new brother! also a fan of treats! also a fan of blankets! also a fan of photography!). Charlie so far has really taken to: eating, eating, wearing elaborate hats, eating, eating, non-candid/intense-staring-into-the-camera type of photography, eating, eating, tiki lounge music, and eating. We are excited to see what this kid does in the future. We’re hoping he breaks down at a wedding when he’s a ring bearer. Congratulations to the whole fam – you have quite a handsome young lad who is able to currently wear many hats (literally), and may he do so (figuratively) in his life to come. We love you, Cari+Will!