.. but to give you a picture of what my life is like in this very moment…

I’m sitting in front of the computer gently bouncing myself on the exercise ball my mom got me to replace an old and incredibly uncomfortable office chair.. I have my headphones on listening to Coldplay in hopes of drowning out our kitty, Basil who is wailing upstairs in protest of the goofy cone around his neck (that and I am questioning how effective the pain meds are that he’s on). Our poor guy just survived a ridiculous emergency surgery last week and somehow beat the less than 10% chance the surgeon gave him for surviving so needless to say I think our tough month is not yet over (again, another story for another day – we’re not quite out of the woods just yet on this one).

And I find myself here as I’m about to get ready to head off to my parents’ house for a Father’s Day lunch and wanted to submerse my mind in photos for a little happy high fix before I leave (well that and I have TONS of work I’m in the midst of catching up on in lieu of Bentley’s passing and Basil’s unfortunate predicament).

These photos I’ve decided to share today are of a family who recently welcomed their first baby and let me come by to snap a few photos of their new life together. When I arrived there was baby Cy peacefully sleeping in his modern white crib and a plate of cheese, fruit and a fresh pot o’ coffee ready to welcome me (fastest way to my heart is through my stomach, contrary to what my bean-pole physique might lead you to believe). For the session we just literally hung out and went through their normal routine, snapping photos in between.. I’ve known mom now for a couple years as she works for an awesome non-profit called Health ConnectOne which champions for the health of mothers and babies (click HERE to see their site and read more, if you’re into breastfeeding support/advocacy and/or community health initiatives for low-income, at-risk communities you will really love checking out their work). And finally after 2 years of hearing all about her sweet hubby who is working hard to finish his current degree I finally got to meet him – and he did not disappoint. I particularly enjoyed connecting with him over our mutual fascination for getting to know people and understanding what ‘makes us tick’ (he’s a psychologist and a Gemini if that paints a more clear picture for you.. and I’m a Leo. Yeah, nuff’ said lol).

Anyway, without rambling too much more, here are some of my favorites from our morning together. Thanks and congrats again you guys. Cy is wonderful! xoxo

OH and most of all……. Happy Father’s day to Greg and all the other awesome, loving, hands-on dads out there who work hard every day to be there for their family and nurture their kiddos xoxoxo

above: thanks to Cy’s grandma for snapping this pic of me with everyone

I hope that’s what this family feels 20 or so years from now when they all pull these out and reminisce together over what life used to be like right before Sofia’s baby sister came..

Speaking of Sofia’s baby sister, I currently am double checking my phone to make sure I didn’t miss a text from mom saying she’s on her way and it’s time to pack my bags and go photograph her birth

xoxo

She had lost her way but soon was found by a little girl with long brown hair and a beautiful smile. The Princess was wild and and free, she swore she would never be tamed by any one or any creature, but slowly over time she learned to trust the girl and they became the best of friends.

The girl grew older and so did the Princess, and while everything in the world changed and spun around them their friendship always remained the same.

19 years had passed when the girl and the Princess were laying in bed together one day.. The Princess snuggled tightly in to the girl and knew it was time to say goodbye.. so she reached up and licked one last tear away from the girl’s cheek and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll always be with you.”

This post is dedicated in loving memory to the 19 years of joy and unconditional love that Princess gave to my friend. She passed away just 3 days after our shoot xo

And as time goes on I’m realizing that I prefer to go by Suzy ‘story teller extraordinaire’ instead of Suzy ‘the photographer.’

Last month my good friend Shannon Dodd and I went out to Omaha to spend 2 days with this family since baby #2 had just arrived. Shannon is an amazing newborn photographer so she worked with these four to make some incredibly awesome portraits, while I just lingered in the shadows and photographed her time with them and documented the overall experience of us being there to tell our story. And despite a 10 hour day of shooting, this family still even put on their biggest and most genuine smiles so that I could take my own portraits of them the morning before we left.  I had so much fun and honestly all of the circumstances were kind of unusually perfect.. Alec slept like a rock the whole 2 days, June was at that age where you can start telling her what to do and she enthusiastically cooperates, the family was super down to earth, kind and really let us in to their lives.. And by that I mean they just went about their normal routine as if we had been friends forever (trust me, I know that’s not always easy to do). I especially connected with their little girl June, and I like to think that my connection with her, Shannon and the whole family in general really shows through in the images (I even got in some of the pictures too if you can find me ).

Anyway, a big THANK YOU to June, Alec, and their mom & dad for inviting Shannon and I over to capture such an incredible time for them, and making it the best damn 2 days I’ve had in a while xoxo

(note: if you are a potential client and want to get a little more of what you see here, don’t hesitate to let me know so I can send you details. Shannon and I will gladly spend a couple of days getting to know you too )

Congratulations you guys and a million thanks for inviting me over to capture this time for you! xoxo

…. and then while Cian was taking a snack break, Leila and I had our own little photo shoot. Recently a friend of mine lost her beloved kitty of 19 years and so the importance of documenting a family’s furry babies has become all the more present to me.

above: thanks Tom for taking some pics of Leila & I snuggin’ after our shoot. Getting your photograph taken sure is exhausting ain’t it Leila?

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xoxo

Looking back through his images, I’d say he did a pretty darn good job.

And most importantly of all, congrats Mike & Molly!! We are SO happy for you guys and cannot wait to FINALLY attend a wedding as a guest this summer

xoxo