Momma Mia & Baby J {Birth Photography}

I don't think anyone thought for a moment, including this mom-to-be, that Christmas day would be spent in the hospital.  But at 11:11am, Mia's greatest gift was born - a sweet, healthy baby girl.

I was so happy to be invited to meet Baby J about an hour after her grand entrance into this big world.  Both Mom and baby were happy and healthy...and a little tired.  I stood back and captured some wonderful shots of this new mom and her baby getting acquainted, as well as some adorable close ups of Baby J herself, using natural window light and the room's ceiling lighting.

Merriest of Christmases, M & J!  May next year's holiday season be a little more relaxing for the both of you.  :)

 

Interested in having your little one's first moments in this beautiful world captured with my lens?  Please contact me at jenniferleighphotos@yahoo.com or 912.222.8369.  It would be my honor to be a special part of this amazing time in your lives!

The Davis Family {Portraits}

I was so excited about meeting this family on Jekyll Island a few days ago for a family portrait session.  They are one busy little family this holiday season, as they are in the process of moving from their current home in Alaska to the home they just bought last week in Miami, Florida!  What a change! 

I was excited to meet their little daughter.  Her momma warned me...I knew it would happen...and it did - I fell in love with little Miss M.  Right from the start, we chatted about her favorite subjects: the Purple People-Eater and hippopotamuses.  (Could I even say those words when I was her age?  I had trouble even saying them during the session!)  Who knew this little red-head with the stunning green eyes was going to be so full of laughter and smiles during our hour and a half session?  She did have one little moment where she snuggled up to Daddy and looked a little sleepy, but she followed that up with running around and playing in the grass.

I loved every minute of this session with this beautiful family!  Check out the images below, and you'll see right away why it ranks as one of my favorite sessions of 2011.

Jennifer & Robert {Saint Simons Island Wedding}

A few days after Thanksgiving, I had the honor of photographing Jennifer and Robert Bozeman's big day!  Their simple, elegant seaside wedding on Saint Simons Island was a wonderful setting for their intimate ceremony.  We were blessed with huge, white, puffy clouds and a brilliant blue sky - a photographer's dream!

Robert proudly serves with the U.S. Army, and his wife, Jennifer, is obviously a perfect mate for him.  The two of them together are very easy going and fun, not to mention stunning!  While they may not agree on which football team to root for, they are still head-over-heels in love.  Here's to a lifetime of happiness, love...and a little football rivalry!

Mister V - The First 5 Months {Birth & Lifestyle}

What I love most about being a birth & lifestyle photographer is being able to capture the story of a little human in the making with my camera.  And that is exactly what I've been able to do with sweet Mister V.  Included below are a few never before seen images on his birth day all the way up to our lifestyle session in his home last week.  He is growing so fast and is turning into such a handsome little man full of personality.  He melts my heart each and every time I have the honor of photographing him.

This, my friends, is what photography is all about.  For me, being able to capture a moment in time for my clients to hold dear and cherish for years to come is my passion and a privilege.  I get to create those images.  I get to become a part of my clients' lives in this amazing way.  Little ones grow up so fast.  One day they will have children of their own.  And Mister V's parents will have images like the ones below to look back on and use to reminisce about years past.  Being a photographer is so much more than taking pictures - it's about creating memories.  And it is my honor to do so.

May you always smile so willingly and love so deeply in 30 years as you do now, little one.  I'm looking forward to watching you grow into an amazing young man.

Mister V...just minutes old...

Mister V on Day 3 of life...the day he received his name...

Mister V...10 days old, at home, during his first lifestyle session...

Mister V...1 month old...

Mister V...3 months old...and growing up so fast!

Happy 5 Month Birthday, Mister V!

 

If you are interested in having your baby's story captured in this manner, I hope you will give me the honor of doing so for you.  Please contact me at 912.222.8369 or jenniferleighphotos@yahoo.com.  I'm looking forward to giving you your very own images you will surely treasure for a lifetime.

The Lane-Walsh Family {Portraits}

This is the second year I've had the honor of photographing this sweet little family for their Christmas cards.  I am always excited to see what they show up wearing because mom knows just how to pick out the right outfits!  My heart did a little flip when the two little ones jumped out of the car.  Could they seriously be any cuter?

I also had the pleasure of photographing Melody's amazing dad, Buddy, and his wife, Glenda, who are newlyweds!  These two lovebirds are such a fun couple and are deeply in love.  *swoon

I always have a great time with this beautiful family during their sessions and look forward to photographing them in 2012!

Pets - I Heart Faces

Update: This image won 9th place of the Top 10 picks in this week's contest!  Not bad out of 451 entries!

Every Fall, we open up our home to a four-legged friend in need.  Two years ago, we fostered Lucie, a puppy who is now happily living in Ohio with her awesome forever family.  Last year, a local stray named Enzo found his way into our hearts, and we were happy to place him in my sister and brother-in-law's home in Ohio, where he is the center of attention and their world.

This year, we adopted a puppy named Ya Ya, who was dumped at a local shelter by her family.  We adopted her to save her from euthanization and vowed to find her the amazing forever home she deserves.  Ohio seems to be our go-to place (did I mention we live in Georgia?), but we would go to the end of the Earth to find her the perfect family.  Until then, we've been able to train her up, give her lots of love that she deserves, and show her how fun the holidays can be.

This image was taken the second day Ya Ya was in our home. To me, this image depicts Ya Ya seeing her new home, her new chance at life, through her big, beautiful, brown eyes.