My Evelynn Rose, 11 Months | Muncie, Indiana Baby and Child Photography

Is my little girl going seriously going to be one year old in less than two weeks?

One of the most profound things I've gained from having, not just a daughter, or a baby, but *this* baby - having Evelynn Rose - is the fact that she looks so much like me.

And you want to know something very personal, and maybe a little sad?

I prayed that my children wouldn't look like me. I really did. I didn't care who their father would be, I just wanted them to look like him. I have never really thought myself to be very pretty at all. I struggled for years with body image and self image and in the end I resigned myself to the fact that there is nothing wrong with me, and that many people through the years have considered me pretty or attractive, so I just have to accept that I'll look like what I look like to me, and I'll look like what I look like to them.

I've never liked my nose. I've definitely never liked my eyes ... small, nothing special to them. I nitpick and nitpick and nitpick. For many years, it was a sad obsession.

And then I would just hope and pray that my children would look like their dad so they wouldn't have to live with my face and my issues.

Especially after I met Austin ... the guy is gorgeous!

I even remember when Evey was born and the first thing I said when I saw her - "...I just gave birth to my father."

Don't hate me. I was on a LOT of drugs. A lot. And I had pre-eclampsia so my brain was total jello.

The irony of it all? And I'm sure you know where this is going...

I'm almost positive I have never seen a child as gorgeous as my own. Objectively and subjectively speaking.

I love her features. I love her little nose. I love the depth of her deep, dark brown eyes. I love her little rosebud lips.

I am forced to look at myself every day when I look at her. There's no escaping the mirror. And this little girl has made me eat my words. Every last one of them.

I do wonder sometimes if it's just that her dad has softened my features for her. She's got those gorgeous eyebrow arches and the most subtle of cheek dimples when she laughs.

But then I see these pictures. Nope. That's me.

I'm not so bad.

Keeping Up With the Joneses! | Muncie, Noblesville, Indiana Portrait and Family Photography

I don't think I've ever posted this many photos from a portrait session.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I've never actually even delivered as many photos to a client as I'm about to deliver to this family, but I absolutely can't help myself. There was no narrowing down my favorites. It just wasn't going to happen.

They're cute. Their kids are cute. Everyone. Is cute.

Little Jazzie?

Yeah. Off the cute-meter.

Oh, and dare I forget to mention that her mom made ALL her clothes with the exception of her shoes. Mom even made her own awesome chevron patterned skirt.

In fact, you can see more of her awesome creations here: Jazzy Girl Boutique!

For now, let's meet Tamara and Doug and their three amazingly well-behaved and very silly, very sweet children: Jazlyn (5), Brandt (10, going on 11) and Austin (15) whose name, of course, I could never forget as it's also my husband's name and the name of the capital the very best state in the union. ;)

Tamara wrote to me a little about each of her children, dubbing Austin as "the best kid ever" and Jazzy as her "photo diva." Pretty much true, completely.

*sigh* - how he looks at her!

This child. This. Child.


That's going up at someone's wedding someday, I'm sure.


When these people tell you that "marriage is hard work," you just don't believe them. Sorry! Too sweet.

Love finding soft light like this.

I think he channels a little Joseph Gordon-Levitt!


My own daughter will attest to this - there is nothing like Daddy.

First time taking pictures in downtown Muncie in a while!


*melt* ... so pretty.


This. This needs to be on a canvas.


Brandt is *hilarious!*

Get ready, because there are a zillion of these...



Totally genuine...


Mothers and sons are so beautiful.

See? Joseph Gordon-Levitt again.



Oh, silly big brother.

Best pals! Makes me wish I hadn't grown up an only child!


She loves them.

And suffice it to say, they also love her very much!

Getting them to smile for me wasn't hard at all. Tamara says, "I didn't feed them before we got here so they know that if they're good, we'll go out to dinner after."

Most of the smiles were brought on by listing off varying restaurant possibilities. :)

Works for me, though, too!

Thanks for spending your evening with me!

The Neelys | Indiana Family Photography

I love this family. I really do. Which in turn makes me really proud to call them family. Nathan is my husband Austin's cousin - to be specific (I'm not sure I'm going to get this right) he's the son of the son of my husband's great aunt. I'm at least 90% sure I'm correct on that!

Nathan married Nicole, who I genuinely wish I could spend more time with. I just plain like her - I like everything about her!

Together, they made Jasper, my little girl's cousin, albeit by a somewhat mild stretch of the lineage. There has to be a technical term for that - once removed? Something or another?

My whole point is that you obviously can't buy adorable. It just happens. It's in the blood, as you can clearly see!

Thank you for the lovely afternoon! I only wish I could have posted this blog a bit sooner. :)

(And thank you to Nathan's mom Robyn for letting us use her crazy sweet property for these shots! If you're looking for an awesome place to throw an adorable vintage or country themed party or music show, contact me! I know just the place!)

Devouring literature...!
Squee!


You're so pretty, Nicole!




GRANDPA!