I just got the news this morning via Facebook that Brooke and Josh welcomed their baby boy into the world last night. I am so excited for them! Brooke and I go waaaay back to our pre-teen days and seeing her now, in the life after our twenties as a mommy, sheesh, it gives me goosebumps. The power of the Social Network never ceases to amaze me. A baby gets announced on Facebook and a whole village rallies through the internet to give blessings, well wishes and cheer. An entire community at your finger tips. Isn’t that incredible? And through this tool Brooke and I have been able to remain in touch after all these years. We watch each others lives from a distance and then when we finally get together, we hardly skip a beat.

Brooke, I wish you all the tender, love filled, bittersweet moments that occur when a persons heart expands. I can’t wait to read your status updates about how everyday is a new discovery of deeper joy. May you have entire days spent just watching your tiny baby, soaking it all up and letting yourself be present for every precious moment of this new journey you’re on. Congratulations, Mama!

Today I feel like a ladybug: bright and colorful with a voracious appetite.

Today I feel nostalgic. I want to feel holiday cheer the way a child does. Could Santa be real? Will it snow and shut down the city? Can we walk and sled in the streets?

Today I feel like stargazing. With a hot cup of spiced cider in my hands I’ll make up names for made up constellations and reflect on how tiny we are in this big old universe.

Today I feel like a leaf. I’m clinging to my base for dear life but nearly ready to succumb to being blown around wherever fate will take me.

Today I feel surreal. It’s as though all the bustling of holiday shoppers, downtown commuters, and noisy traffic jams are being whisked around, not of their own accord, but by the crispy cold wind that cuts sharply through our layers.

Today I want to feel passion and time stand still.

Today I feel blessed. It has been a very successful year and I’m ready to wrap a nice little bow around 2011 and send it on its way.

Today, I imagine the Wales family is feeling some of the very same things but for very different reasons. With a little one due to arrive this spring and news of the sex of their baby just days away, they’re surely feeling all this and more.

Julia, whatever you’re feeling today, I hope these images are received with joy and excitement. May your holidays as a family of three be filled with much celebration and jubilation as you transform into a family of four. I look forward to seeing you all again in a few months once the little one arrives!

We started their maternity session at their home where I scoped out locations for their upcoming newborn session and helped Sadie capture a very special gift for her hubby. A sexy maternity shoot like this one is such a special way to remember and celebrate your beautiful mama glowin’ body. Sadie was a gorgeous model and we got some stunning photos “for their eyes only”.

After that, Rob and Nika headed out to Woodland Park with us for some family pictures. Wandering around with this cute couple talking about life and families and all the excitement of their baby boy (with the super top secret name) made me silly happy to think – this is my job. To be friends with and take part in the happiest and most exciting times of peoples lives. Amazing. Truly amazing.

Liz and her husband are expecting their first child this August. He thinks she looks pretty darn cute all glowing, barefoot and pregnant. Wise woman that she is, Liz knew just who to call to preserve that look and create a very special Father’s Day gift. Part boudoir, part maternity, Liz wore just a little bit of sexy black and whole lot of tender romance for her session.

Ladies, it’s always a good time for a boudoir session. Don’t sike yourself out about losing a few more pounds or getting that botox treatment. When you do a boudoir session with me, we have fun, it’s totally relaxed and I have a top secret tool that captures only your most gorgeous self. True story. I’ve had plenty of women just like you say they’d love to do a boudoir session but there’s no way they’ll look as good as the pictures in my portfolio. Ha! I’m so confident in my photographic super powers and the fact that you’ll look so hot in your portraits…I offer you a 100% money back guarantee. If you don’t love your boudoir portraits (like that’s possible) you don’t pay for a thing. See? Now you have no excuse. If Liz can do it preggers, you can do it too.

But enough about you! We’ll talk about you when it’s your turn on the blog. For now, can we talk about how fabulously this hot mama is carrying her babe? With just a couple months to go, Liz is not only glowing, she’s radiant…and sexy.

I can’t wait to see her album when it gets back from the printers! It’s true, I get a little jealous when my client’s orders arrive. A bunch of float wraps were delivered yesterday and I thought to myself, man I wish I could hire Jamie Neilsen to take my pictures. She’s good. But alas, body doubling is still a mystery as far as I know. Always the photographer, never the photographed. Darn it!

Ladies, I don’t know what her secret is but this hot mama’s due date is less than two months away. Doesn’t she look amazing!?

This next set just makes me squeal with delight. I love the expression Meredith and Eric are giving each other. That’s the kind of look you get when you have an awesome 2′ tall assistant that says, “say cheese mommy!”.

This last one on the right is what I like to call a “story-teller”. Every time I look at it I get sucked in to the moment and emotion. There’s definitely a story in there; don’t you think?

As always, there’s so much more in the slideshow! Take a tea break, turn up your speakers and enjoy…

Click to view the slideshow!

P.S. What do you think of my new picture layouts? I think I’m going to retire the polaroid branded look.

My baby brother has a baby girl on the way! Kim & Ryan are expecting little Aevlyn Marie to arrive at the end of January. They’ve been in town visiting and doing internships over the last couple months but tomorrow they’re heading back to Idaho to prepare their home for their newest addition. We finally found some time for a mini maternity session. Now I just have to figure out how I can get myself to Idaho next month for newborn portraits! This Auntie cannot bear to think of someone else taking those precious first pictures. We’re all so excited to meet you Aevlyn!

Click to view the slideshow!

On our way from Cora & Matt’s house to St. Edwards Park, we discovered that we all grew up in the same suburbs north of Seattle. Matt and I went to the same high school (although he was a few years ahead of me) and Cora attended a rival high school. Even weirder was discovering that Matt’s mom was my little sisters kindergarten teacher! Small world.

I had a great time photographing this good looking couple and I can’t wait to meet their beautiful new baby. Be sure to check out the slide show for more of their maternity session.

WATCH THE SLIDE SHOW!!