I first met Alaya when she was still residing in her mama’s belly. Then again as a newborn. I hadn’t seen her since last summer, so when I first laid eyes on her this past weekend, I couldn’t believe what a little girl she had grown in to! She is celebrating her first birthday on Friday, complete with a ladybug theme, and her mom had the cutest ladybug outfits for Alaya that I had ever seen!

Alaya had a rough time letting go of her mom and dad during the shoot, so we ended up getting a lot of fun family shots!

I’ll be going to Alaya’s house soon to hopefully capture a few more individual shots, so I’ll have more of this little ladybug to share soon!

Sunday’s Mommy & Me mini-sessions were *this close* to being a complete wash - literally! The rain that wasn’t supposed to come until later that afternoon showed up a bit early.

Luckily, we had pockets of time that weren’t such a wash-out, and two of the three clients I was shooting that morning were still able to make it out. (And wouldn’t you know it…at the the time the 3rd client was scheduled, that darn sun was just a-shinin’! Just Mother Nature having some fun with me, I suppose!)

First up is Jacob, who I haven’t photographed since he was a teeny newborn! He’s got that little boy look now that makes me all smiley and teary at the same time.

As an added bonus, Sunday was his mommy’s birthday! Her 29th and final, she says!

Second up is Stella…I first photographed Stella last summer, when she was just a wee babe. Now she is a BUSY BUSY toddler!

No time for photos when there are important calls to make!

Happily, she did stand still for a few microseconds so that we could capture some of Stella with her beautiful mommy…who is expecting a baby brother or sister for Stella in August! (I so admire parents who can wait to be surprised about gender at the birth. I just do not have that kind of self-control!)

And just one more fave from the day!

Thank you to everyone who came out on Sunday! It’s such a privilege to me to capture these special relationships for you.

Ella is my first ever graduate of the Building Blocks baby plan, and we had her one-year session last weekend. I usually try to get the sneak peek up within a day or two of the session, but Ella’s mommy and daddy were jetting off to a week of fun in the sun in the islands, mon. So I patiently waited for their return today to show off some of the goodies we got!

Just look at that face!

This last one just melts my heart.

Thank you, Danielle and Casey, for a wonderful year! It has been amazing to watch your baby grow up in front of the camera!

So after this morning’s session, I tweeted about how gorgeous these children were. And now I’m blogging them and saying “told you so!”

See what I mean?

And if anyone can figure out how to get a photo just like this of my two girls, I will pay big, big money for it!

Sweet, beautiful Riley made my job so easy.

And Sheamus is your typical almost two-year old - very busy and very curious.

Sarah and Scott, thank you so much for having me over this morning! It was a blast, and I have many favorites to show you very soon!

Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Mommy & Me mini-sessions scheduled in May! Dads, this would be a fantastic and original idea for Mother’s Day! Photographs can last a lifetime, and they never go out of style. And one size fits all!

I have changed things up a bit, and added a digital collection to the offering. Questions? Email me! christy@christyjohnson.com.

I’m so sad that Harper is a year old. I mean, I’m happy for her, but I’m sad that our baby’s first year plan has come to an end. And I’m sad that babies don’t stay babies forever. Somebody should make a law about that.

I’ve been photographing Harper since she was in her mama’s belly, and it has been pure joy to watch her grow. It crossed my mind during today’s session to sneak her into my camera bag and take her home with me. But I guess her mama and daddy probably wouldn’t like that too much. I think they like her.

A whole lot. It’s too bad, really.

Of course, big brother Jack might have something to say about it too. As he so seriously informed me today, he is BIG. He might beat me up if I stole Harper!

Good thing he thinks I’m funny.

I think I’m safe.

THANK YOU to one of my favorite families in the universe! I love and adore you guys, and I’m so thankful we’re friends!

Sam and her family are getting ready to move out of state next week, so we squeezed in her 9 month session yesterday. And what a Good Friday it was! Sam’s dad has the MOST cool 1959 Chevrolet truck, and we put that baby to good use before it drives out of town!

I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have clients that trust in my vision! Jen, Ben and Sam, thank you from the bottom of my creative soul! I hope you have an easy time with the move, and I can’t wait for Sam’s 1-year session this summer!

By the way, don’t forget to register for the Mommy & Me Mini Sessions! Not only would this be a fabulous gift for Mother’s Day, but moms - consider giving Dad a beautifully framed print of his favorite people for Father’s Day!

Calling all moms! Do you have the “always-behind-the-camera” blues? Do you ever flip through your family’s photo albums and wish you were actually IN the pictures?

The time is NOW. Don’t worry about getting your hair did. Forget about those last 10-20-30 pounds you want to lose. Your relationship with your child is so special…it’s unique…it’s right now, ever fleeting. Put some photographs in that album that your child will cherish for a lifetime.

Mommy & Me Mini Sessions are limited, so make sure to get on the calendar soon. And Dads - can you think of a better Mother’s Day gift?!

A quick calendar note: April and May are fully booked, and I am beginning to book for June and July! Of course, I always try to leave room in the schedule for newborns - but make sure to contact me before baby arrives!

I met this beautiful young family over in Durham on Sunday to capture Ben at 18 months. (You may also remember his 12-month shoot!)

He’s growing up, sniff sniff! Look at what a handsome little boy he’s turning into.

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!

If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it!

I did a pretty embarrassing version of the chicken dance to elicit this smile. No lie. It was ugly. But it was worth it!

Thanks so much to Ben and family! I’ll have your entire gallery ready soon!

Connor and I go way back. We first met six months ago, and then again three months ago. Now he is a big guy, 9 months old, on the verge of crawling and sprouting some teeth!

Connor thought I was hilarious! He would giggle every time I brought the camera to my face, which in turn had the rest of us laughing right along.

Thanks so much, Kelly & Chris! I can’t wait for the big one-year session!