Homecoming!

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My girlfriend's husband came home from deployment last weekend! I always feel blessed to be able to take photos of homecoming reunions, knowing that for day after day, month after long month, these families have chosen to put their country first and deal with everything that comes along with that. I might be there for an hour (or a few depending on delays!) waiting to capture the special moment - and it always moves me. But what really hits me is that they have been waiting months, if not a year or more for this day to come.

Tiffany, thank you so much for asking me to capture your reunion. Thank you for being a woman who is not afraid to be real & honest in good times and hard times. Throughout this deployment, you have been an example to me of perseverance and quiet strength. I pray that God richly blesses your family over the coming weeks and months as you continue to reunite and grow in ways that He has stored up for you! I pray that He gives you your heart's desires, and creates a strength in your family that no man can take away.

Once again, thank you Scott & Tiff for all you've done!

Chelsa

My Growing Belly

My sweet husband takes a photo of me at the end of every month...here are some recent ones from this week :) I just can't believe how fast the changes of my belly are happening now! Every week it looks and feels bigger, and our growing baby moves and kicks harder! Not too much longer to go!

Sean Alpha Announcement!!!

Paul and Susan, here is the first go at your announcement! Let me know what you like, love, or would like to see done differently. It is a fun playground for me, so I am open to what you think! (Check out the sweet background textures, I love that!!)

PeaEss. I didn't add a quote, as you can see, i didn't think it really needed one. But if you want one, let's do it! Mother Goose has some cute ones we can check out :)

PeaEssEss. I didn't put your last name for online, but if you want that for the actual announcement let me know!

Sean Alpha

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Don't you just love this awesome family! I love these photos from their newborn session last weekend, you can see from the last 2 images that sometimes I can't decide if I prefer colour or black and white. Paul and Susan welcomed their first child - Sean Alpha - into the world 7 weeks ago. I felt privileged to capture these photos of their growing family. What an awesome and precious time of life! I'm so glad to have become such good friends with Susan, and to watch her (and Paul!) at work with their new addition is wonderful. They make such special parents. Now that I am about 5 months along, it is hard not to talk about anything but babies when I am around Susan! (We particularily get excited about cloth diapers right now).

Paul and Susan, thankyou so much for trusting me with these images of Sean, and giving me the opportunity to work for you!

God Bless you guys :)

Chelsa

Moving Announcements

Our friends, Chris and Sonya, are moving and asked me to design their change-of-address announcements using some of the photos from their Portrait Session back in November. It was fun playing in Photoshop and coming up with these designs!

Note : If you know Chris and Sonya, please note that all of their information on these samples has been changed to pseudo info for online purposes!

Chris and Sonya you will be missed! Best of luck in your future endeavors and all that the future has in store for you :)

Colby

Last week I got the sad news that my family's sweet dog had to be put down. I picked Colby out of a beautiful litter 13 years ago, and she has been a joy to our family ever since. We adore her personality and will miss her sweet smiling face greeting us!

#1 : Rare Bush

Last weekend my lovely friend Karen took Ben and me to the horse races!! It was my first time, and couldn't leave without betting at least once...so on the last big race I put $5 on Rare Bush - he did not disappoint! We got back $25, pretty good return :) I put up more photos on our blog : Ben and Chelsa!

Paul, Susan & Belly

Well we were finally able to get together Sunday morning for a belly session that included Paul! Between work/training schedules and this crazy on-again-off -again weather, we managed to meet before their little man decides to come (which could be any week now!! I am so excited!!).

Ben and I totally enjoyed our time with you two, it is so apparent how much you already love this little guy and what wonderful parents he is going to have! Thank you so much again for this wonderful honour of documenting your little miracle :)

Chelsa

For Sean...

above: i call this the "peek-a-boo" shot, Case just snuck in behind the girls and you can barely see the cute little guy!



above: this is one out of a little series...a tender moment with mom :)


above: Makynna was the flower-finding queen of the morning :)


This past Friday I met Christi and her 2 adorable blondies - Makynna and Case. Christi wanted to get some photos done for her husband, Sean, who is currently serving overseas. I had a great time walking around the big airplanes on Pope Airforce Base with them...Makynna and Case did really good with the camera, and all three of them were super easy to photograph - not to mention super sweet as well :)

Christi it was so nice to meet you, I had fun visiting and photographing your gorgeous family. I hope that before you all know it you are reunited with the love of your life. Thankyou so much for all your hard work on the homefront, and your dedication to your husband. I will have the rest of the photos online for you and your husband soon! I'll be in touch :)

Chelsa

Belly Shots ~ Susan & Baby

This week I had the delightful honour of doing belly shots for Susan, who became one of my first friends here at Fort Bragg over a year ago. Her and her husband, Paul, are expecting their first baby...in just a few weeks!! Susan is sweet, genuine, honest, and a great person to be around. It's no wonder why so many people trust her as such a loyal friend. I am so glad that I have met her and cannot wait to meet their newest addition!!!

Paul and Susan, I hope that you love these first sent of belly shots! We will get some with Paul in them before your Little Man comes - I'm determined - so keep me on speed dial for weather and schedule openings ;)

Washington, DC

This week I am crossing the first trimester finish line! The nausea - although still here - has diminished substantially over these past 2 months...and this is my excuse for being a terrible blogger-updater during that time!

Last weekend Ben and I took advantage of his long weekend and went up to Washington, DC. Ben posted about it on our blog, Ben and Chelsa, with more photos as well! But I thought I would share a few here too :)

For Reggie....

This family has waited so patiently for me to get their photos published online! The past couple weeks I've been feeling "under the weather", and so it is hard to believe that our Troop Session was 2 weeks ago already... Ang thank you for your continued patience :) Today is my catchup day!

Meet Ang, Chanelle, Regan, and Amari. I had such a great time photographing and hanging out with them downtown. Even though I know it can be uncomfortable and awkward getting your picture taken, the kids did great and I think that their dad will be blessed by these images of his beautiful children. Ang, thanks for leading the way with your fun-loving nature! Even though I probably saw the shy side of your family, I could tell they each have a part of that in them too...you and Reggie must feel so blessed! I hope and pray that this time apart goes by speedily, and that in some way these images can connect you all and bring you all closer :)