PHOTO + DESIGN

BY MAD

in home session

Girl’s Room Renovation

Ava and Tess have always shared a room. Our house only has two bedroom upstairs, so when we were expecting our third baby, we knew the girls would need to move downstairs. We live in an old house and whoever finished the basement in the past, didn’t do the best job. The bedroom we needed to move them into didn’t have a closet or any outlets! We thought we would just add outlets, an Ikea closet and replace the old painted paneling with drywall. As most DIY projects go, it ended up being much more complicated. You never know what you are going to find once you start tearing into an old house. Behind the paneling, we found active termites. Lots of them! They damaged all the studs and existing drywall, but luckily the ceiling joists were in tact. We ended up completely gutting the room down to the concrete walls and floor. Needless to say it was a much bigger job than we initially anticipated and was a lot of work for me being 8 months pregnant haha.

It ended up turning out great and is now the nicest room in our basement! Now we want to refinish the entire thing… but we will need to wait until we forget how much work it wasn’t haha. I included the product links below each image if you are interested in anything you see!

Rainbow Print | White Succulents | Large Square Frame (Ikea)

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Jace + Lifestyle Newborn Session

I love including the entire family in a newborn session, especially when I get to photograph them in their own home! Adding a baby to family creates an entirely new dynamic and capturing that is so special. My hope is that the Sullivan family can look back at these and remember little details that otherwise would have been forgotten. Thanks for inviting me into your home during this special time in your lives!

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Nelson Family + In-Home Session

My husband and I met Kensey and Alex through mutual friends. They are such an awesome couple and have the most beautiful family! My family took a trip to St. George over spring break and I’m so glad I was able to do this session while we were there! In-home sessions make my heart happy and the Nelson’s dreamy home topped it off for me! I’m in love with how this session turned out. It was such a great mix of smiles, tenderness and playful moments. This family loves to spend time together and just have fun and it shows!

I want to throw in a disclaimer here. When you look through these you might think, “These seem so perfect. My family session would never go this smoothly. I’m terrified of how my kids might act.” You might think this session was just smooth sailing the entire time. It wasn’t. There were times it went perfectly and then there were times none of the kids were listening, the baby was crying and lots of bribes were involved. This isn’t the exception, this is NORMAL! Expect that your kids will have meltdowns and trouble listening. They are kids after all, it happens! Family photos might be a totally new experience for them. There is no such thing as a family session going perfectly. The important thing is to try and not let it ruffle you. Keep smiling and having fun and the kids will feed off of you! We will push through it together and I promise the end result will be worth it! Thank you for having me Nelson Family! You were champs!

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Henson + Lifestyle Newborn

Sweet little Henson didn’t even open his eyes to meet me, but he’s so dang cute I’ll forgive him. I love this family and I’m so grateful they keep having me back! It’s so fun to watch their little family grow. Henson’s older brother Gav is always trying to steal the show! Wherever I went he would find me and say “cheese!” He is already so sweet with his baby brother. He just kept cuddling him saying “cute”. It was the sweetest thing! Thanks Walker family, you have the most adorable babies!

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Sophia Faye+ in-home newborn session

Sophia Faye. Sophie. The cutest name to go with the cutest little babe. I’m so grateful to this family for inviting me into their home at this time in their lives. Bringing home your first baby is magic. Exhausting, but magic nonetheless. I can already tell Sophie is going to be an independent girl because she made us work hard to get those sleeping shots, but it paid off! There is nothing sweeter and more angelic than a sleeping baby. These new parents are doing a great job! They were patient and so smitten with their fresh little babe. Capturing this new little family in their space made my heart sing! They grow up fast, so I hope they can look back on these photos and remember all the little details of this time.

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Sisters on Valentines

These two have been sick, tired and therefore cranky for the past couple weeks. I know they don’t feel well, but some days all the whining and crying and not sleeping just pushes me until I feel like I can’t do it. They can be so hot and cold. Tackling each other and stealing toys one minute and then cuddling and giving each other kisses the next. They are so sweet at times, it feels like my heart can’t soak up any more love. These photos were taken in less than five minutes and the girls went through the whole range of emotions haha… it captures their relationship perfectly! Man they sure are cute!

I always wondered who actually bought these giant stuffed animals on valentines… turns out it’s uncles that love their nieces a lot (and don’t care about where mom is going to keep them).

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Comer Family + in-home session

The Comer family. So sweet and laid back. It turns out, our families are at similar places in our lives… both been married 5 years with two kids almost the same ages. Down the road I’m thinking we could set up their boys with my girls! I think it would be perfect… my husband would probably fight me on it though. I don’t think he will ever let them date, but maybe he will make an exception for adorable Sonny and Wells?

I love the way Brinley decorated her home, so simple and modern. It was right up my alley! It really allows their personalities and love for each other shine through. And Brinley’s style! If it wasn’t for her cute kids, her overalls would have stolen the show! I saw so many qualities in them as parents that I hope I can emulate with my girls. Sometimes family pictures can stress parents out (especially when toddlers are involved haha), but they were just easy going, lovey, patient and playful the whole time. I could spend the rest of my life only photographing moms and their babies and I would be completely content. When you see the look on Brin’s face, you’ll see why. Pure love and adoration. It’s just so good! And it’s all that really matters.

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In Home Lifestyle Session + At Home With Ashley

Ashley is an interior designer and has the prettiest house! I graduated in interior design and worked as a designer up until Ava was born, so I appreciate good design! She was probably tired of me asking about the sources for everything. You should follow her if you love getting pretty ideas for your home! Click here to go to her insta. Her little boy Don has the most beautiful curly hair! I was dying over it. I LOVE an in home session, so if you do too send me an email and we can get something scheduled! They are perfect now that the weather is getting a little cooler and more unpredictable. And don’t worry, your house doesn’t have to be as perfect as Ashley’s to have your family photos done there. Photos of your family are so much more meaningful if they are taken in the place where you spend so much time loving each other.

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