Kaylee is another one of those clients that has truly become a friend. She participated in my Despite the Distance series, which is how we initially came into contact with one another. I learned about her art background…she is an art therapist—how cool is that, y’all?! She completed her degree at ECU while her husband, Greg, was stationed at MCAS New River. Shortly after meeting for DTD, she asked me to do a couple’s session for her and Greg at their home. Kaylee’s artistic background came to the forefront as we were planning their session. They have corn fields in their backyard (which she swore away after moving from Indiana where they spread for miles) and she had a vision of having a picnic, complete with cheeses and chocolate and drinks! I was pregnant at the time, and although they didn’t know it yet—so was Kaylee!

Now that we look back with that knowledge, I love being able to say that I documented sweet baby Lyla’s life from the beginning! I was only a few months ahead of Kaylee in her pregnancy, so we texted frequently without to commiserate and also ask if random things were normal. Once Huxley arrived, I was able to answer some of Kaylee’s newborn questions…even if I wasn’t totally helpful! I think I almost gave Greg a heart attack when I told him we had calculated that we used over 700 diapers in the first two months of Huxley’s life!

Kaylee reached out to me toward the end of her pregnancy to see if there was any way we could make a maternity session happen despite not being in the same area. You have no idea how happy this made me! I love documenting multiple life events for couples. It allows them to have the same style of images throughout their home creating a consistent look and the couple is more comfortable in front of my camera because they have been there before. Again, Kaylee had a vision—an in-home lifestyle maternity session, complete with a lace robe, family heirlooms, and her favorite cup of tea.

She welcomed Huxley and I into her home and we made this session happen! Of course a military lifestyle session wouldn’t be complete without some stress about everchanging timelines, departure, and arrival times. We weren’t sure if Greg was going to be able to make it because he was taking a course in Colorado, but thankfully, he was able to be included as well.

Sweet baby Lyla is now almost two weeks old and has stolen the hearts of her mommy and daddy. Kaylee, I hope you love each and every image. You were a beautiful expecting momma. Greg, I know you are smitten. And sweet Lyla, Huxley and I cannot wait to meet you, love on you, and tell you how awesome your parents are!