One Year Session: Leighton | Mariah Springs Photography | Danville, VA Photography

One Year Session: Leighton | Mariah Springs Photography | Danville, VA Photography

OH MY GOODNESS! So, I have been dying for a baby to dive in face-first into one of these special naked cakes made for the studio by Kelsey Griffin of Sweet Dreams Custom Cakes & Speciality Vendor Services, and GUESS WHO DID? Little Leighton! She just made my entire week haha! How precious is this babe? 

Mommy & Me Specials 2017

Mommy & Me Specials 2017

This was one of my FAVORITE days EVER as a photographer. I am in LOVE with these images. So, I offered a special with the launch of my new studio for Mommy & Me photos this year. This special came with digital images and access to my studio wardrobe, and let me tell you, these ladies ROCKED it! I loved this day and these images so much that I am DEFINITELY going to start offering this special annually. I can't wait for next year's sessions already! You ladies are GORGEOUS both inside and out, and I am so thrilled that you have these images that will last a lifetime. Your children will cherish these when they are older and will pass them down to their children. Thats the beauty of photography...freezing time for just a moment.

A Painting Party with My Jericho

A Painting Party with My Jericho

I find myself constantly telling people that their babies "are only little once," and I realized that I've been working so much that I've neglected to hold onto my own memories lately. I wanted to take photos of my boy, but he's getting older and more annoyed by photos each day (ha!), so I needed something that would not only allow us to spend some time together, but something he would think was COOL and FUN! And we nailed it! Jericho had a blast and now has his first painting to hang in his room!

Jericho & Canon: A New Love Story

Jericho & Canon: A New Love Story

Oh my. How do I write this without sobbing? Our fur babies are our real babies. My child's best friend in this entire world since birth was our Yorkie named Charlie. Charlie passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Christmas morning. This Mama was devastated, not only because I had lost my first child, but because I had no idea how to make Jericho understand. I said I didn't know if I could ever get another dog after Charlie passed, but literally the day after, I couldn't stand the silence in the house. My child was constantly looking for his best friend. I didn't care how soon it was. We had to have another companion to help soothe our hearts. Meet Canon (yes, like the camera). He is by no means a replacement for the family member we lost, but he is slowly helping us regain our happiness with his whimsical personality and his precious face. I only hope that Canon can become Jericho's very best friend in the years to come. 

Halloween: Our Jericho Lee

Halloween: Our Jericho Lee

Your child's first real halloween is challenging! Usually I'm one of those who search on Pinterest and find something super creative for a costume, but really ya'll, October is BUSY for a photographer! So, I thought, "What is my child's most favorite thing in the world?" Dogs. He loves dogs. He literally wakes up in the morning barking. He plays in our Yorkie, Charlie's, dog bowl every chance he can get. So, naturally, this was his favorite shoot of all! Woof woof!

Jericho Lee's 1 Year Cake Smash

Jericho Lee's 1 Year Cake Smash

I cannot believe that I am even typing this right now. My child is almost ONE! You know, people tell you and tell you that it will FLY by, but you never really know until you're there, and it's happening. A lot has happened in this first year of Jericho Lee's life. My father passed away, but he got to meet his first grand baby, stayed in the hospital all night waiting for his arrival. Then, I was on maternity leave for a semester, so I started booking more photos than I ever allowed myself. And then I went back to teaching where I decided it was time to be a full-time photographer. None of the events in Jericho's first year were planned. Everything I have done has been for him, and besides all of that, amongst the joy and the tragedy, here is a little boy whose life has truly changed those around him in just one short year.