Just over a month after our first family vacation to the Outer Banks, we returned, this time with my mom and my sister's family. The first time around, Tucker was just three weeks old and slept most of the six-hour drive. This time, he decided to hate everything about his car seat, including the fabric which he happily pooped all over (somehow it got in his hair, but completely missed his back?). So between that, screaming and stopping to feed him, the six-hour drive took about eight. Our time at the beach house was great, though! Tucker made it down to the beach a few times, and I actually got to spend some time alone by the pool. Having my mom and sister around to help, plus feeling more confident as a mom myself, made for a relaxing and fun vacation. Tucker's new beach overalls deserved a mini photo shoot. It might look like my niece and nephew are just playing in the pool, but they were actually trying to avoid my camera in every photo. The only time my 4-year-old-going-on-14 niece would let me photograph her was when I did her hair and makeup. I love these photos because she's wearing one of my old dresses! I used to be obsessed with my "bear dress." These guys love their Uncle Tyler. Phone pics! Laura Richards is a natural family portrait photographer in Roanoke, Virginia. If I'm the right photographer for your next session, let's talk!
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Before Tucker was born, I imagined maternity leave looking something like a very long photo session. I would spend my days documenting Tucker's cute outfits, his dramatic expressions and all of our new, exciting experiences. Some days, we'd even wear coordinating colors and set up the tripod for some mother-son portraits. Turns out, that is not what maternity leave looks like. Shocker, huh? Now just the thought of lugging out the tripod is exhausting. Most days, I'm lucky if I brush my teeth or dress him in matching clothes. When we do venture into a store, I walk around nervously and hurriedly, never knowing how much time I have before he'll cry to eat. Life with a newborn is like living with a really cute, snuggly bomb. Despite our chaos, though, we've had amazing opportunities for great photos — photos filled with people and stories I can't wait for Tucker to know about. Here's what we've been up to lately: First bath and time with Mom & DadOverall, Tucker didn't hate his first bath. He enjoys the sound of the water and likes having his head washed. Occasionally he's content lying in his crib, but only for a few minutes. He's spoiled! Mirror selfies! I love his chunky arms and chubby cheeks. He loves taking naps on his tummy. And look at those squishy lips! He's lost most of his hair on top, but he's still rocking a patch in the back. Tucker's first vacation!Maybe we were crazy for taking a 3-week-old to the beach (everyone said so), but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go on our first family vacation. Plus, we had LOTS of extra helping hands. Sure, things were different this year, but the fun outweighed the challenging (example: poop explosions at 1 a.m.). My first Mother's DayThis Mother's Day was big for two reasons. Most obvious, it was my first – which felt a little surreal. How am I already someone's mom?? Second, it was my grandma's last. Not many of you know this, but she passed away early yesterday morning. That Sunday was one of her last semi-good days. Though she didn't understand exactly who we were, we were able to talk with her, see her smile and take some photos. Having pictures of her and Tucker means more to me than anything. Meeting his great-grandparentsI never knew any of my great-grandparents, so having Tucker meet three of his is really special. He's a lucky boy to be loved by so many!
As I write this, it's just me and Tucker at home. It's the first time we've really been alone together since he was born nine days ago. I have yet to migrate our things downstairs. I've eaten breakfast and lunch in bed. There are so many chores that need to be done. But all that's okay, because I know that these are the good old days, the days I'll look back on and long for. When he outgrows his newborn clothes. When he starts school. The first time he leaves the house by himself. This week has been nothing short of surreal. Our normal routines have all but disappeared, replaced by sleepless nights, two-person diaper changes and whispered conversations. But with those adjustments have come so many sweet memories. Like hearing Tyler sing made-up songs to our fussy baby. Watching Tucker's funny expressions when he wakes up from a nap (his tiny little smiles are just the best). Taking him on his first stroll around the neighborhood. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything, not even a full night's sleep. 6 Random Mom ThoughtsSome deep, some just about pee.
1. I can breathe through any pain. I used to think I had a very low pain tolerance. And when I say very low, I mean I would pass out just getting my blood pressure taken. So when I decided to have a natural, non-medicated labor, I wasn't sure if I was strong enough. But I was determined to make it work. (Plus, the epidural needle is huge, so I had to make it work). Twenty-right hours later, I had done it and our sweet boy was here. What got me through it? Learning to breath through every second of pain. I'd imagine that inhaling sucked the pain from my body and exhaling released it back into the world. I still practice this at home, as my body continues healing and as Tucker and I figure out this whole, sometimes-painful nursing thing. 2. Love is patient and kind. Never in my adult life have I been more dependent on another human being than I have been on Tyler this week. He's had to help me with everything, from going to the bathroom and making me food to applying lip balm a million times during labor. And he has yet to reply with the slightest sigh or exasperation. He's easily the most patient and loving person I have ever met. 3. You're so handsome. Tyler and I say this to Tucker countless times a day. It's still crazy to look at him and know that we created him, and that despite the billions of things that could have gone wrong during his formation, he is perfect from his toes to his head. 4. Living in the moment means... This one came to me late one night (or maybe it was early one morning). I was exhausted, Tucker was hungry and all I wanted to do was turn over and sleep uninterrupted. In that one delirious moment, I realized that living in the moment isn't about being free or carefree; it means fighting everything that's weighing you down and being there for the person or situation that needs you most. 5. Be great, feel great, act great. I stole this one from my cup of tea last night, but it has inspired me to make our first day alone together a good one. Today, I'll take care of myself, take care of my son and stay positive even when his screams are at their loudest. 6. Being a boy-mom is being okay with pee everywhere. Tucker has peed on me three times so far. And every time, it takes me a just a little too long to realize what's happening. Before I know it, there's pee everywhere, probably in places I can't even get to or see. I am okay with that. I am okay with that. I am okay with that... Happy snow day! (It's our first in our first home together, so I'm a little excited.) Since we're stuck inside, I thought I'd share some of the winter decorations I've been working on. Normally, I'm really sad to take down the Christmas tree and accept that the holidays are over, but this year was different. I had so many fun winter decorations in mind that I was ready come New Year's. And, just like my Christmas decorations, these are really easy and inexpensive to put together. I'm not much of cake baker, so I used this glass dome for a little winter wonderland instead. Now that Christmas is over, you can find these brush trees and glittery houses for next to nothing.
The table by my staircase is my favorite space to decorate. I found this little tree for $7 at Target after Christmas, and the frame was a gift from my mom. For winter, I traded in my vintage glass ornaments for snowflake-dusted pinecones. These simple beaded snowflake ornaments were another after-Christmas Target find.
I wasn't ready to pack away this year's Christmas cards — so I didn't. I just added a snowflake paper chain over it. (It was only 50 cents at Target, and yes, I felt like a kid making it.) I made Tyler make snowflakes with me on the first day of winter. Lots of cozy blankets are a must. Yep, I'll be here all day. Home sweet home.
I'm usually all about fall colors and pumpkins galore, but now that we have a house, I'm loving the chance to fill it with so many fun, cozy and special Christmas decorations. But I don't think you need to spend a whole lot to make things festive — you just need to get creative. Here are some of the budget-friendly things I've come up with (and don't miss the fudge recipe at the very bottom!): I've been a little obsessed with vintage glass ornaments this Christmas. Not only are they so pretty to decorate with, but they're also easy to find at most antique stores (and are just a few dollars a piece/set). The display on the left is the centerpiece for my dining room table, and the one below sits on my fireplace mantel. And more! You can throw them in just about any vase, votive or bowl. I love my little winter wonderland display. This set of trees was only $2 at Jo-Ann Fabrics, and since I didn't have any fake snow, I just used cotton balls. There's definitely a little bit of a vintage camera theme around my house. I found this old holiday-themed Polaroid advertisement at an antique store in Harrisonburg for a few dollars. I made this mitten garland and candy cane candle last weekend at blogger/crafter/espresso caterer Suzie Schmitt's monthly "Crafternoon" in Blacksburg. You can find a tutorial for the garland and so many more cute ideas on her blog, The Green Cupboard. I love displaying all the Christmas cards we get — and this is such an easy way to do it. I used twine and tiny gold clothespins that were hiding in our junk drawer. Home sweet home. Hope you got an idea or two to use at your own house! 5-minute Peppermint Candy Cane Fudge I love recipes that have a very small chance of messing up. My husband and I made this last Saturday morning, and it's amazing! All you need are five ingredients and a microwave. Ingredients:
Directions: Combine milk, chocolate and butter in a bowl and microwave for about a minute. Stir to combine and heat another 15 seconds if needed. Add extract and stir until smooth. Scoop onto a parchment-lined baking dish. Spread with a spatula to about 1-inch thickness. Top with crushed candy canes. Chill until ready to serve. Slice into 1-inch squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's been 365 (amazing) days since my best friend became my husband. Though our wedding day was such a BIG day, it's the little details I think of when I look back. Together, these things helped tell so many stories — stories that reveal who we are as a couple, where we came from and where we want our marriage to go. And since I encourage all my clients to incorporate meaningful items into their photos, I thought I'd share some of my own mementos here today. Infinite thanks to Ashley Lester Photography for capturing the story of our day so beautifully.
3 / Family heirlooms and special gifts In addition to my dad's tie, I also had my mom's garter and a handkerchief that my grandma has kept for me since I was little. 4 / Jewelry
One of the most special things I wore on my wedding day was a small gold and diamond necklace my dad gave my mom on their first Christmas together. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I love fall with all my heart. Come June, I'm ready for changing leaves, cooler temperatures and dark tights. Waiting for Mother Nature to catch up with me is just the hardest. Earlier this month, I celebrated my birthday by shopping for fall clothes and decorating the house with pumpkins, autumn florals, lanterns and my favorite pumpkin-spice candles. And my only gift request? Two loaves of my mom's pumpkin chocolate chip bread (recipe below). To give you an idea of just how amazing it is, Tyler and I have consumed three loaves in 21 days. Our version of a 21-day fix, maybe? So to celebrate the first day of fall finally, here's a list of things I love about the season (in no particular order):
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Ingredients:
Directions:
Last week, my husband and I packed up the car and headed for Corolla, North Carolina, where we had rented a house with five of his closest guys and their girlfriends. Before this trip, I'd only spent a handful of times with Casey and Jordan (and one of them was my wedding, where we all know quality time is pretty impossible), so I was really looking forward to getting to know them better.
Throughout the week, we talked, tanned, made a surprisingly great sangria and even brainstormed plans for future trips with our guys. Cheers to more memories and beautiful photos! Why now? I've thought about this question a lot lately. After years behind the camera, why is now the right time to start a business? And then I realized ... the answer is in the question. For more than five years, I've been honing this skill, this ability to create a photograph that tells a story, catches an eye and evokes a feeling. While I have so much to learn about successfully managing a business (taking advice starting ... now), I believe my passion, experience and your support will take me far. What's in a logo? A dog-ear from a book — a simple way of marking a meaningful page, a page you'll return to every so often to become inspired once again. In the same way, photographs serve as dog-ears for our lives. They bring us back to moments otherwise forgotten. They represent meaningful lines in our story. Before I sat down to design my logo, I had to decide what would set my images apart from the rest. After 11 years studying and practicing journalism, that decision was pretty easy: Your story. My hope is that every portrait session will seek to answer important questions: What defines who you are right now? What inspires you? What makes your relationship with your child, spouse, parent, sibling or best friend so meaningful? If your life were a book, which moments would you dog-ear? What now? Take a look through my work, learn a little about me and decide if my style and outlook are right for you.
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Hello!Welcome to the blog! I'm Laura, a Charlottesville-area photographer specializing in authentic, natural-light photography and heirloom print art. Hope you'll explore my little online home and reach out if you have any questions! Archives
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