Baby Ava’s Newborn Session

When I sat down to write this blog, I realized it would be impossible to talk about sweet baby Ava without talking about the people behind these photos and what they mean to me. I met Maddie, her twin sister Jessica, and Nathan years ago when they were students at Southern Oregon University. What started as a friendship somehow turned into family. Over the years we've shared more dinners than I could count, celebrated birthdays and milestones together, and trusted each other with our kids. My boys have grown up knowing Maddie and Jessica as their aunties, and they have spent plenty of time loving on them, playing with them, and helping our family in ways I'll forever be grateful for.

So when Maddie and Riley welcomed baby Ava, it felt like one of those moments where you have to stop and think about how quickly life moves.

I still picture these girls as college students sitting around our table, and now here they are raising babies of their own.

Ava was absolutely precious during her session. She was calm, content, and completely adored by her parents. One of my favorite things about in-home newborn sessions is getting to see families settle into this new season together. There is less rush and pressure on the family in the tender postpartum time, and everyone can relax together. Toward the end of the session, Jessica and Nathan joined us with their little boy, which is why you'll see them pop up in a few of the photos. Watching twin sisters navigate motherhood at the same time is pretty special. Seeing them together with their babies felt a little surreal after all these years.

As much as I love the images from this session, I think what I love most is what they represent. Friendships that have lasted. Families that have grown. Babies who will grow up knowing each other the same way their parents have for years.

And if you had told me back in those SOU days that I'd someday be photographing these two as moms, I don't think I would have believed you. But here we are, and I couldn't love it more.