When I showed up to take portraits for Alexandra's Communion, I couldn't believe how gorgeous she looked, she was just like a mini-bride!  Even all dolled up, she was still an adorable, sweet, little girl who just loved being dressed up.  I loved spending the afternoon with Alexandra, her sisters, and parents.  They gave me such a great mix of formal and candid shots.  I also got some of my favorite detail shots to date.  I hope you enjoy!

Big thanks to the Tama family for having me over, I just loved capturing Alexandra's beautiful personality!

I think there are 30 pictures of me and Colton, of that I think I like 10 of them, of that I think 5 are selfies, and of that I think 3 show my face.  And that makes me so sad.  Gaining 65lbs during my pregnancy was  tough. I haven't always been a skinny girl, but to work so hard to lose weight and see it all go back on has been difficult.  I have no one to blame but myself really. I love ice cream, have trouble fitting working out in, and haven't done much about it.  When I realized I hadn't changed my profile picture in so many months, it really hit me then.  I was always taking the picture, saying no to posting it on Facebook, or cutting myself out.  I'm so worried Colton will grow up, have to bring in a picture of him and his mom for school, and there won't be any.  I realized that as much as I'd love to be skinny to get real professional pictures done, I can't wait around forever, so I should work with what I can do now.  I also realized, no one is looking at me in the pictures, they're looking at me AND Colton and just how much love there is between us.  

First and foremost, I've had an amazing and inspiring group of photographer mom friends who have really pushed me to see beyond the perfect in pictures.  These girls live all over the country so if you're anywhere outside of NJ, you should check them out: Sarah Peyton Photography, Amy Brink Photography, Jamie Peltier Photography, Rachael Osborn Photography,  Leanne Feil Photography, and Jennifer Sutherland Photography.  Also, the Facebook group We Were There Too.  They are a group dedicated to moms getting out from behind the camera to in front of it.  And lastly, my husband Joe who always told me to get in them and supported this crazy idea.

Mother's day morning I woke up and got ready.  It was a beautiful day and I knew it was meant to be.  Batteries were charged and we just waited for Colton to get up (not something that normally happens).  We dressed him in the outfit I han been envisioning and got to the park.  I was a little surprised how sunny it was but we made the best of it.  First we started with the tripod for the three of us and then handed the camera over to Joe who did a great job (seriously, his composition rocks).  I'm so grateful I did this and I need to do it more.  ALL moms do.  

I was so excited when Erica asked if I could do Evan's 3 month session.  It's been amazing seeing Erica and Greg transform from the freshmen I met at Rowan many years ago, to an incredibly in-love couple who really treat marriage and parenting as a partnership.  We decided to have our session at Branch Brook Park which was at the tail-end of its Cherry Blossom season.  Luckily we found a bunch at the north end of the park and ended up with some great shots before the storm clouds moved in.  Thank you guys for letting me spend your Sunday afternoon with you!  I can't wait for the next one!