Sometimes you set up for a shot that never happens. Sometimes you get something good along the way.

 I haven’t been posting here much lately, but that doesn’t mean I’ve not been shooting … I’m going to try to play catch-up over the next few days and weeks.

u·nit·ed (y -n t d). adj. 1. Combined into a single entity. 2. Joined together by common feelings.

I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to do for this prompt until I spent some time editing a recent newborn shoot. Both of these shots struck me individually but put together, I realized this is it! Baby boy — and his precious tiny little grasp on dad’s finger and mom’s shirt — is the glue that has forever connected this family like never before.

Do stop on by the ever-fabulous San Francisco Bay Area photographer Jayme Franklin to see her take on UNITED.

Ready or not world, this little guy wasn’t about to wait. He made quite the early debut. Good thing we got their maternity shots in when we did — they were parents a mere two days later. And still, he all but aced his Apgars, unheard of in the NICU, and quickly made up for lost time in the weight department. He was always tops in the cute department.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love newborn photo shoots. Newborn photo shoots take longer than most shoots but allow me to hear how everything went down and how mama and everyone else is adjusting to life plus one. I’d say these guys are adjusting pretty dang well, big brother especially. Have you ever seen such a ham? Also, have you ever seen such adorable little daddy clones? Regardless of who they look like, they sure do make one beautiful family!

This little guy has got to be one of the sweetest, mellowest little ones of all time. I’m really going to miss him and his entire family — they’re moving this week. About time I posted these, right?

More of this little guy’s newborn shoot coming soon!

I was beyond excited to take photos of Baby M. I’d gotten a peek of her when I stopped by their house a few days earlier. All that gorgeous hair had me giddy. I brought baskets and headbands … and I had a grand plan in my head of how this newborn shoot was going to go. Ha. Hahaha.

The funny thing is, I have a feeling her parents might say something similar about the circumstances surrounding her birth. (Her birth story is not mine to tell but I will say I get teary-eyed every time I hear it. Suffice it to say Daddy and Baby M had some serious bonding time right from the get-go but everyone is more than fine now and that is all that really matters.)

I just love these intimate shots. Maybe even more so because they aren’t according to plan. They’re just real. And beautiful, just like baby M.

Baby M knows what she likes. She likes to be cozy and bundled. (Can’t you just feel the love?)

Or in her parents’ arms, as she should.

Congratulations, again you guys. I feel so lucky to have spent this time with you and Baby M.  Thank you for opening your home and sharing your heart, your gorgeous baby girl with me.

And really, who needs a headband when you’re dealing with this much perfection?

My beautiful friend Karen wanted photos of brand new baby Tate with her first baby, the furry and most lovable Destin.

Destin isn’t quite sure what to think about the new (and sometimes noisy) baby but she could have posed for the camera all day. She took quite a liking to the prop blanket I brought with me.  She also, apparently, really likes carrots and if we wanted her to change position, we’d tease her with the prospect of carrots. She is quite possibly the most gentle dog on the planet.  Once she settled in, she didn’t move an inch and we got braver and braver placing Baby Tate near (and even on!) her.

Karen, congratulations again on your little bundle of sweetness. I so enjoyed spending time with you yesterday. Motherhood looks very good on you.