Welcoming Baby Carileena

Sweet little Carileena took us all by surprise when she decided to make her entrance a few weeks early. Gabrielle had been cautious through the end of her pregnancy to avoid false alarms. Around 8am I got the first text from Gabby saying that she was having consistent contractions but she wasn’t sure if it was the real deal yet. I waited patiently to hear back and around 11am decided it was time to head over.

When I arrived Gabrielle was working through her contractions like a champ, swaying and humming through each one. I was the first of her birth team to arrive as the birth pool was being set up. Gabby used her husband, Rigo, as support until the rest of the birth team arrived.

Gabrielle was so strong with each contraction that passed, working her sweet little girl down. After she was finally able to get in the tub she began feeling pressure and decided to get out. It was then that she was checked to see how far she was progressing. To her surprise she was there! She was at 10cm. She was in such disbelief as the midwife talked her into getting back into the tub to have her sweet girl.
Once Gabrielle got back into the tub it was go time. She was ready to push!! This was around noon. Rigo received Carileena into the world after a few strong pushes. She was absolutely gorgeous and such a tiny little thing.
Gabrielle was amazed at how fast she labored. From beginning to end, her labor was only about 7 hours. Everything was completely different from her first birth with her son.
Carileena weighed 6lbs 9oz and was 20in long. With some help from dad, Carileena took straight to breastfeeding. She was such a good eater, she even had colostrum all around her mouth and face! Carileena loved to lay on her side as the midwives team took all her measurements and vitals.

Even through a world changing pandemic, Gabrielle was able to welcome her sweet little girl to the world safely at home. Gabrielle was able to have a beautiful healing birth and both mom and baby are doing wonderful!

Save the Date I Paul + Angela

This past weekend I had the opportunity to meet with Paul and Angela for a super cute engagement session. If you know Paul and Angela you know that you can just feel the love radiating off of each other. They were so loving and caring with each other. We joked and laughed as we went through the entire session. This beautiful session took place at Calico Basin in Red Rock. It was such a gorgeous day!

A little back story for you, Paul and Angela met a few years ago while at the gym and it has been love ever since. Paul had big plans for their engagement. He even picked out the ring and held onto It for months before popping the big question. It was so important to Paul to pop the question surrounded by family and loved ones.

Paul decided he would ask Angela to be his wife while they were on vacation in Thailand. Paul, Angela and all of Angela’s family were vacationing on the Phi Phi Island for Angela’s sister’s wedding. Paul knew this would be the perfect time. He tried so hard to make sure all of Angela’s sisters and family would be there for such a special moment. Paul made Angela believe they were posing for a picture and when he got down on one knee and asked Angela to be his wife. *You can view the video at the bottom of this post!*

SAVE THE DATE; SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 @ 5PM

Paul and Angela will be getting married on September 23, 2020 surrounded by friends and family in their Las Vegas home.

Youdelis I Mom + Me

I love that I get to share this beautiful gallery right as we head into National Woman’s Day. This is one strong beautiful and courageous Momma!! I love that I have had the opportunity to capture these memories of her with her babies for the second year in a row now. Jack, Kenzie and Gabby are absolutely precious. They were so happy the entire session and loved getting to play in the dirt as I snapped some images. Rachel was GLOWING, I couldn’t help but to snap some images of her by herself! I loved getting to see her interact with her babies and share all the cuddles. It was such a gorgeous day at Calico Basin in Red Rock. None of us wanted to leave!

Soon to be Greene I Nathan + Alyssa

First, I just have to say, this beautiful woman is one of my very best friends!!! I grew up with Alyssa and I have had the pleasure of going through every stage of life with her. From childhood sleepovers, to adult girls nights, we have done it ALL. I have to say this is by far my favorite stage of life I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing Alyssa go through. I can’t wait to stand beside her as her maid of honor and share such a beautiful time of her life with her and Nate. She has grown into such an amazing and strong woman and most importantly, I have never seen her more happy than she is right now. Nathan has truly been the biggest blessing and has brought so much joy to her life. He is such a kind, caring, compassionate and hardworking man. There is no one else Id rather see Alyssa spend the rest of her life with. Watching Nate and Alyssa’s relationship grow has been so amazing. They were made for one another.

We had so much fun shooting this beautiful snow covered engagement session in Mt. Charleston. Alyssa wore a beautiful green gown to signify “Going Greene”. She looked absolutely stunning. I can’t wait to be apart of this next chapter in Nathan and Alyssa’s life. They truly bring out the best in each other!! Okay, I have to stop there before I start bawling again.

LET THE WEDDING PLANNING BEGIN!!!!!
#moorenomore

Malia . 6 Months.

This precious little doll baby came to see me today! Malia will be 6 months at the end of the month. She has the most beautiful eyes. She was so sweet and calm her whole session. She really didn’t make a peep but she loved chewing on the dough bowls. During Malia’s session we used dough bowls from Little Dreamers Props, fur and bonnet from Mama’s Knits and the cute little outfit from Amazon! It was such a pleasure seeing old friends from middle school and getting to capture this sweet babe!

Sienna is ONE

This sweet sweet girl is turning one at the end of the month!! Sienna did amazing during her cake smash. Would you believe me if I said this family was in and out in THIRTY minutes?! I know, I was shocked too. Sienna is such a happy little girl. She had so much fun playing in the flowers and she loved every bit of her cake from TSP Baking Company(www.tsplv.com). Sienna giggled and giggled as her mom and dad sang and played with her. This precious little girl is SO loved. I am obsessed with every little bit of this shoot!!!

Villalobos Lifestyle Session

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to capture the birth story of this sweet boy! Now, Atlas is comfy at home and the new family of four is adjusting well. Aryana has taken over the new role of big sister which has taken some getting used to, but we are getting there. I’ve loved watching this family grow and being able to capture all of these sweet moments for them!!

Eric + Dolly

Do you guys remember that precious little newborn, Emmett, I took pictures of not too long ago? Well, here are his parents and they are getting MARRIED!!! Eric popped the question to Dolly in the cutest way. Dolly and Eric planned a camping trip with a group of friends in Big Bear for Dolly’s birthday. Little did she know, the trip would end up being so much more! Dolly said YES surrounded by their closest friends.Dolly and Eric have been busy planning a wedding for Mid-November. From the colors to the bands, they are putting together every detail!

We had so much fun during their Engagement shoot at Mt Charleston. The weather was absolutely beautiful! Dolly and Eric are naturals in front of the camera and their love for each other oozes through every image.

Welcoming Atlas Knox- A healing C-Section

There is absolutely nothing that compares to the feelings of giving birth to your beautiful little baby. We were all super anxious as we awaited the birth of sweet little Atlas. As Mama, Karysa, entered her final month of pregnancy, Atlas did not hold back on giving mama contractions. Karysa was hoping for a VBAC and a healing birth after a previous traumatic c-section. Although Atlas really made everyone think he was going to come early, mama’s induction date quickly approached. Karysa had tried every natural way to get labor started beforehand but Atlas just wasn’t having it. Finally, we made it to induction day. Mama labored for quite some time. She had a balloon inserted to prepare her cervix the night before and then it was the real deal. Atlas was coming!!

Karysa worked SO hard. Her body was doing a wonderful job. She opted to have an epidural to cope with labor pains. She ended up having to sit for the epidural three times. Yep, you heard that right, third times a charm! This ended up being a blessing in disguise. Karysa was amazing through the entire thing. She never blamed the doctor once. She even said, “It’s okay, he can practice on me!”. As Karysa progressed, Andrew(dad), was by her side the entire time. They had such an intimate birth. Leaning on each other through the entire process. It was truly such a beautiful sight to see. After Mama’s final epidural was working, she was able to take a nice little nap. When Karysa woke up from her nap, after being in labor for quite some time, she was faced with the news that her body just wasn’t progressing and sweet Atlas wasn’t taking it very well. They decided to go ahead with a c-section.

Karysa felt defeated. She knew it was what was best, but was still so sad that she wasn’t going to have the healing VBAC she was hoping for. Andrew stood by her side the entire time, comforting her and making sure she knew she did everything she possibly could have. This is also where things changed a bit. Karysa and Andrew had gone through a c-section before. As they wheeled Karysa to the operating room, Andrew recounted the birth of their daughter with me. He told me about how everything was so different. This birth would turn out to be amazing in comparison. Before going into the room the Dr. asked Karysa what she wanted playing while her baby was born. She chose Carrie Underwood and a nurse joked of having to listen to country two nights in a row. Andrew and I stood outside the operation room as they prepped Karysa. Andrew totally thought they had forgotten him out there and Karysa anxiously awaited her husband’s presence. After what seemed like forever, Andrew was by her side and I waited my turn to enter the room. Karysa’s doctor was amazing in advocating for her and making sure I was able to capture this beautiful moment for them.

Atlas made his presence at 7:38pm weighing a whopping 8lbs 3oz and was 18.5 inches long. Everyone in the room commented on how big he was as he screamed his little head off. Andrew wiped the tears from Karysa’s face as they watched in awe as their baby was born. Along with being able to have a clear drape to see the birth, Karysa was also able to have immediate skin to skin with baby Atlas. The Doctor was absolutely amazing in making this experience wonderful for the entire family.

Dad mentioned to me, as we were in the OR, how different this experience was. He got very emotional as he cut the cord and watched as his new sweet boy was being checked out. You could feel his excitement and love as he took care of Karysa and Atlas. He then took Atlas to the room and did skin to skin until Mama was all stitched up. We joked of how ‘The Parent Trap’ was just starting to play on the TV as he got comfortable snuggled up with Atlas.

Atlas screamed for Mama as he anxiously awaited nursing for the first time. He rooted around a bit on dad, till she made it back to the room. The golden hour began and they talked about how everything worked out just perfectly how it was meant to be! Karysa still had her healing birth, even if it didn’t go exactly as planned.

Thomas + Shannon

While weddings are not my forte, capturing memories is my passion. When a friend of mine told me Shannon and Thomas were looking for someone to capture their little backyard shindig, I reluctantly said yes. And I’m so happy I did! First, I love their sweet family and I’m so thankful I’ve been around to capture so many of their memories and second, how gorgeous are these two?!

Thomas and Shannon were married on July 12, 2018. A year later they were able to gather together with family and friends to celebrate their marriage with a little reception. What a beautiful day it was! From the gorgeous center pieces to the beautful cake by Amanda’s Cakes (https://www.facebook.com/wolfangercakes/) everything came together just perfect!! They danced the night away and ended the night with a lantern send off!