Where do I even start?

Nicole started working for me 4 years ago and from our VERY LONG first meeting at Starbucks to see how things would work out, I knew we were going to be friends.  She’s an awesome person and I’m not just saying that.  We get along really well and she’s a joy to be around.  I wish she could be in my pocket every day.  She’s that awesome.  I’m so lucky to have found her and that she’s in my life.  I fondly call her Minion and she calls me her Lord & Master.  I mean, come ON!  Are we kindred spirits or what?  Words can’t convey how elated I am to have met her and been honored to have her work alongside me (and once me for her but we both agree that was a strange, strange day).  She’s also got her own kick-ass portrait business (she tried the wedding thing and decided in the end she likes being my minion more than doing them on her own LOL).

This year I have missed working with my favorite side kick terribly.  Nicole was pregnant and under doctors orders to take it easy as her wee babe had a few issues and while our jobs SOUND easy, shooting a wedding can often be brutal on your body.  Especially pixies like Nicole 😉  so I had some help from friends and my awesome hubs and Nicole enjoyed the first summer off in a while.  She used her time wisely by visiting many fairs 😉 and taking good care of The Buddy as the baby is  fondly called.

A month ago I was honored and tickled pink when she asked me to be her maternity photographer.  It’s not something I’ve often done.  Actually, I’ve only done it once.  I was petrified but she said I was “The One” for the job.  We ended up rescheduling at last minute due to rain and gloomy awful Ohio-ness and the following day was amazing golden skies and a perfect day for portraits.  I had an absolute BLAST with her and her hubby John as we roamed Malone College and took pictures at all of their old haunts.  Love always inspires me and these two, they have a special and perfect love that you just smile to see.  Soulmates are these two personified.

This session was behind another to be blogged in my timeline but tonight Nicole had to have “The Buddy” a few weeks early and they can use all the prayers they can get so I thought I’d get this out there now because one extra prayer or good vibe from someone, even a stranger, never hurt anyone.  If you want to read more about her story, or see her freaking ADORABLE nursery, please go here to read her blog.

Nicole, I love you and am so honored to have you as a friend and to be your photographer.  I can’t wait to see you, John & Buddy soon.  Love, your Lord & Master 😉

UPDATE:

Owen was born on 9/28/12 at 6:51PM and they have chosen the perfect name for their darling boy, Owen, which means young fighter.  He’s a blessing and quite adorable.  I’ve yet to meet this cutie yet (they are keeping visits to family, which I totally understand) but the pictures are too precious for words.  He has a massive amount of hair and has already sported his own faux hawk, which was awesome.  However, he is still fighting the fight and things are still up in the air.  Their original game plan for his care once born had to be altered and it’s a day-by-day case.  I’ve had a lot of people ask me what they can do to help and some of their friends are hosting a fundraiser at The Barrel Room in North Canton on November 8th from 6-9PM.  I’ll be posting more information on my Facebook Page but I would LOVE to see you all there!!  I plan on donating something for the raffle 🙂

UPDATE #2:

Sadly Owen passed away on 10/20/12.  The fundraiser is still taking place and I hope to see you there!

See what I’m talking about?  They are SO adorable!

Even if it’s a traditional maternity shot, I still love it.

<3

I was joking with them that they needed to cuddle on the bench like they do on the couch when watching Lost.  Nicole is a HUGE Lost fan.

Such a pretty lady with some awesome fingernail polish!!!

One of Nicole’s only requests was having pictures taken where they had their first kiss, which is this spot.  LOVE this picture so much and this makes me furiously happy that we rescheduled because the light here is amazing.

This started out as a joke.  We did a lot of the cheesy maternity shots and I was joking about shooting through the blooming roses because they always say how a woman is “glowing” or “blooming” when pregnant and I thought it was funny the flowers appeared to be blooming from her.  Joke was on me because this ended up being one of my favorites from the day (tied with the kiss shot a couple images above).

At the end of the night we celebrated a successful shoot with some Handel’s Ice Cream and I had to have one shot of Nicole enjoying her S’Mores cone.  I mean it’s like too perfect right?  A pregnant lady and her ice cream.  I have to say though, her taste buds are superb.  I tried this flavor based on her raves and it is DARN tasty.

Since I’m Irish, I always seem to gravitate towards Irish blessings and this one I thought would suit.

“May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings
beside your nursery door.
And for the proud parents:
May God grant you
a wee bit of heaven
to cradle in your arms –
a sweet bonny baby
to hold close to your heart
A newborn babe
brings light to the house
warmth to the hearth
and joy to the soul
for wealth is family
family is wealth.
Old Irish proverb”

Much love and hugs to you to tonight as you start your journey being parents to The Buddy.