She is…

Urban goddess

Downtown diva

Voodoo mama

Fierce and feminine

Dark chocolate

High heels

Half-moon eyes

And open heart

Strength you can lean on

And a soft place to fall.

She is Leigh…and va-va-va-voom – does she know how to work the camera!

It’s no secret that I love maternity photography – and this session was no exception. After all, who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to capture a knockout gorgeous redhead and her adorable family during such an important time of their lives? As if that’s not luck enough, I’m waiting to get the call that Marie has gone into labor (any day now!) so that I can go be with them and photograph the arrival of their second son.

We headed to yet another fantastic downtown Phoenix location and the family played and hung out while I snapped photos, then Marie and I snuck away for a few fashion-esque solo shots.  Isn’t she a knock out?!

In addition to being a beautiful mama, Marie is also a knitter extraordinaire (check out the fabulous diaper cover in this post) and I’ll be posting images some of her wonderful creations in several upcoming posts. If you are a photographer looking for fabulous diaper covers, hats, cocoons and wraps, stay tuned for more details!

First things first: I am terribly behind on my blog (although I always have the best of intentions, this likely comes as a surprise to nobody)! This should have been a sneak peek of a maternity session, but instead it is a late look at a mama who has already snuggled in at home with a beautiful baby girl.

I love doing pregnancy photos. As a mama and a birth professional, the opportunity to capture a woman during this sacred time is a precious gift. This particular session, however, was meaningful to me on a different level. I have known Janis for several years. A woman of uncommon grace and wisdom, Janis is one of the most beautiful souls I have ever encountered. Her words and insight have helped me along my own parenting journey more times than I could possibly count.

In the summer of 2007 Janis, already the mother of two beautiful girls, was expecting her first son and asked me to take her maternity portraits. I was spending the summer in Canada with my family and was unable to do the session, so my dear friend Kimberly Bee stepped in for me, and (as always) captured some truly amazing images. I was eagerly awaiting news of the birth, but one morning in July I received news that broke my heart and filled me with grief – Janis had lost her dear son, Ferdinand, at full term.

The loss of a baby is almost beyond comprehension. I cannot even begin to fathom the depth of grief and pain that accompanies this loss. Through it all, I have been awed and humbled by the grace and strength with which Janis has lived and continued to reach out to others in need (myself included); gifting them with her words, her heart and her presence. Last spring Janis, and several other mothers who have experienced loss, came together to create glow in the woods ‘for parents of lost babies and potential of all kinds’ a place of refuge in the midst of the storm of grief. Please visit, and forward the link to anyone you know who may benefit from the knowledge and heart contained within.

A few weeks prior to the birth of this baby girl, several of us gathered to bless Janis on her journey. I am blessed to see beauty every single day of my life, but I don’t know if I have ever witnessed anything as beautiful as Janis with her face lifted to the sky following her ceremony – ready to welcome her daughter and honor her son.

Janis, thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your journey. I am forever grateful.

Please check back soon, I photographed Janis’ precious baby Lyra this past weekend – and will post a sneak peek of her images next week!