But today the spotlight is on the G. family.  And if I have to leave you with a session, this is the one to leave you with! You see, Kerri was my first one-on-one photography mentee. My first official private student. And I am so proud to share that she is rocking the camera skills she learned with me over at With Love Studio. I also must mention that she has an AMAZING outdoor studio at her home. There is lots of land and beautiful light on her private street. And it’s just a hop, skip, & jump away from railroad tracks! We decided we would experiment with them for the shoot.

We looked for the trains but no matter how hard we searched we couldn’t find any. Big brother T. was super concerned that a train might run us over.  I assured him that if a train was coming we’d surely hear it!

I love how close these two brothers are! They were so content and happy playing together and didn’t hesitate when I asked them to give one another a BIG bear hug.

And, I am sure it comes as no surprise that baby girl K. truly has mom and dad wrapped around her little finger.

Towards the end of the shoot the kiddos were WIPED OUT, but dad still had enough energy to play toss. I am already envisioning what a FANTASTIC wall display these photos are going to make!

Gibbs family thank you for inviting me to your home and giving me a glimpse of what it’s like to be a part of such a loving energetic family of 5.  It’s been such a joy getting to know you during the past year and I feel honored to be the one to document your life in photos. xoxo.

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”
Albert Einstein

I’ve always thrived on creativity energy.  But, two years ago when we lost our first daughter, she ignited a passion in me to create behind the lens of a camera. She inspired the birth of Be Young Photography and I’ve never looked back.  Building this family portrait business from the ground up has been one of the hardest, most mentally exhausting, yet rewarding things I’ve ever done. And I’m certainly not done yet.

But, for a long time now I’ve felt like I’m reaching in the wrong direction.

Because in my heart of hearts I need to not only be a photographer, but I need to be a teacher too.

The work I’ve done over the past 9 months mentoring aspiring photographers, teaching local momtographers, and providing photo therapy online to grieving mothers has been incredible. And the feedback I’ve gotten from each of you who have taken part in one of these ventures has been like a constant cheer and round of applause for the help I am able to provide.

You’ve been asking for more classes. More assistance. More help.

But I can’t keep reaching in all of these directions. A full time teaching job, energetic toddler, husband, portraits, in person and online classes. Something has gotta give. Something has to go.  My own creative energy is being stifled and if I don’t do something soon I’ll be running on empty and they’ll be nothing left to give.

So, beginning today I am taking a break from portrait work. I am no longer booking portrait sessions for the foreseeable future. 

(If you are already booked, don’t worry I’m not going to leave you hanging – and if you are currently looking to hire someone fabulous for your family portraits please please go check out my good friend and fellow photographer Kelly Nelson at Kelly Nelson Photography. She does amazingly incredibly awesome lifestyle work).

It’s time for my creative sabbatical. I need to start reaching in all the right directions for where Be Young Photography is going next on this creative journey. I need to refuel. Fulfill some of my own creative goals. And make room for some amazing new opportunities for YOU. For the next few weeks it’ll probably be pretty quiet around here.  But I promise if you’re patient and stick around for the next chapter, you won’t be disappointed.

My heart and soul are bursting with joy today.

It is truly a special magical day. This post is being published this morning at 7:41 am. The exact moment you entered this world one year ago and I held you safe in my arms and not in my belly for the very first time.

There was a time where I didn’t think I’d ever see the day when I’d hold a healthy happy baby after losing your sister, Bella. They call pregnancy after loss having your “rainbow baby”.  I used to think that was such a silly thing to call it. Pregnancy after losing a child is such a scary, anxiety ridden time.  It is definitely not a rainbow. You feel at any moment something could go wrong to send the world crashing down around you once again.  I spent much of my pregnancy with you in denial because I didn’t want my world to come crashing down around me for a second time. Pregnancy is supposed to be a magical time of bonding and connecting with your baby but I spent my 9 months with you in fear that something might go terribly wrong. And I couldn’t stand to live through that pain again.

So for me the magic truly came that day I first met you my Brielle, kissed your forehead, and promised you’d be entering a family that loved you waaaaaay before we ever knew you’d be a part of our world. After getting to know you over the past 12 months of your little life I now know what it means to be a rainbow baby.  You are truly my rainbow after the storm and I feel so lucky to be able to call you my daughter.

But, I do have to tell you in all of my wildest dreams I never envisioned a baby as beautiful as you would be mine to have and hold and love forever. When I was younger I used to imagine a vivacious, curly haired dark-eyed version of myself staring up at me and calling me mama. I think you shocked us all when you entered this world with your strawberry blonde hair, crystal clear striking blue eyes, and a cry so quiet that it would put a mouse to shame.

If I had to pick one word to sum up YOU in this first year of life it would have to be: SHINING.

You were the glimmer of hope that lit my world back up after a year of picking up the pieces of a broken life. I waited long and hard and patiently for your arrival. When you got here you were embraced and appreciated and oh so loved (so so loved) by family and friends near and far. That love just radiates through you and back outward again each and every day.

Your blue eyes simply sparkle, your smile can light up any room. 

Seriously it can! Just last week the deli clerk at the grocery walked across the store just to say hello to you. She said she saw your smile from across the room and had to come say hello. You spent close to 3 minutes just beaming at her and saying “Hi!”. You can brighten up the day of anyone who happens to cross your path. Especially mine. When I have a bad day all it takes is knowing that I get to come home to you. That can always bring a smile to my face.

This weekend your daddy and I celebrated ONE YEAR with you. 365 days. 525,600 minutes. We threw a huge bash. To celebrate surviving. To celebrate overcoming. To celebrate you. You soaked in each and every moment. The house was filled with friends and family from near and far. You shouted with delight, your crawled up to each and every guest, beaming from ear to ear. So happy that so many people were there because they love you.  The party was beautiful, sweet, & lively just like you.

You’re neat and clean just like your dad. You’re a busy bee just like your mom. You love peaches. Books. Naps. Stroller rides. Elmo. Kitties (especially your furry siblings). Yo Gabba Gabba. Remote controls. Nana & Mema & Grandad & Papa. Mama & Daddy. Life.

I can’t wait to watch you embrace what’s in store for your life in the coming year. Walking, playing, talking. It’s a big world out there and it’s yours for the taking my love.

Sometimes I wonder when I am going to wake up from this dream. How we were blessed with such a perfectly happy, content, and lovable baby I’ll never know. I often think about how the universe works in such mysterious ways. Your sister left us to make way for you in our life. And even though I still mourn a life without Bella, I can’t imagine a life without you in it my Brielle Rose.

Happy Birthday my lamb. My little love. My munchkin.  My 99. I love you so very much.

Forever and Always.

Mama

A big thank yous to Belle Papers and Parties, Shugar Shugar Bakery, and Kelly Nelson Photography for creating a party the truly was “Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice”. Because of you I was actually able to enjoy the celebration with family and friends instead of worrying over the details. The photos above are a combination of mine and those of the lovely Kelly Nelson. These are just a few highlights of Brielle’s special day. I’m going to let Kelly share the rest of the day with you later this week.

But, now it’s a new month and September 1st feels like the right time to begin blogging again and share where I’ve been.

You see, September brings a wide range of emotions in the world of Beryl and Be Young Photography. On this day, two years ago, we received a devastating blow in our world.  Today was the day we were delivered the news at our 20 week sonogram that our first baby, Bella, was sick. Really really sick. It makes me sick just thinking about it.

11 days later she was gone.

And even though the passage of time has lessened the hurt and the pain, September will just never ever be the same.

I love more strongly because of her.

I hurt more deeply because of her.

I embrace each moment tighter because of her.

I found the true meaning of passion because of her.

And the only reason Be Young Photography even exists is all because of her.

For a long time I tried to pretend like I could run a business focused on photographing families and teaching moms about their camera while also honoring my unborn daughter that died. I wanted to house it all here. Sharing the excitement that comes with capturing photos of a happy family in the same place that I was sharing my heartache, empathy, and hope for those dealing with a loss that is impossible to imagine if you’ve never walked in our shoes.

This month I realized that it just isn’t possible.

Things needed to change.

Enter the Illuminate website.

A labor of love all in honor of our Bella and a place for my heart to continue to grieve along with the women who know this journey as I do. A place for them to come find support and learn a new way to heal their heart. I created this website in a weekend. I locked myself in a bedroom for 3 hours, tears spilling on the keyboard, writing Bella’s story from start to end.

It’s raw.

It’s emotional.

It’s the honest account of Bella and her legacy.

And it’s been taking up so much more of my time than I envisioned. So I’d love it if you’d stop by and try to understand the journey that started this all and brought Be Young Photography to the place it is today.

CLICK HERE to go to Illuminate.

And if you are so moved, come follow along with this new venture on FACEBOOK.

But, the story doesn’t end here. And this space is now dedicated solely to the photos, tips, tricks, and teachings I know were meant to be housed here.

Family Friday will return tomorrow.

Like I said September brings a range of emotions and one of those is pure and utter joy.

Because our Brielle also celebrates her birthday this month. And it’s hard to believe in just a few short weeks she’ll be turning ONE!

Time sure is flying by.

And it’s time to make the most of the range of emotions September will bring.

P.S. There are only 133 shopping days left until Christmas

Why not get some of that shopping out of the way early and book a holiday mini session with Be Young Photography. Updated family photos make great gifts and are the perfect addition to your annual holiday cards. And if that isn’t convincing enough, we’ll be doing something just a bit different this year, teaming up with the amazing folks at Corcoran Vineyards in Waterford, VA during their next cupcake/wine pairing day with Ashburn, VA bakery Shugar Shugar.

Check the details below and sign up early. Cupcakes, wine, and photos, these sessions won’t last long!!

To reserve your spot in the Be Young Photography holiday mini sessions click HERE.

Be Young Photography is about to get a whole lot sweeter right….NOW!

A few weeks ago through the amazingness of social networking paired with my late night craving for something sweet to snack on I stumbled upon local home based cupcakery Shugar Shugar.  Owner Kay and I hit it off immediately and I am so excited to be working with her on some images for her brand spankin’ new website (coming soon!).

We’ve also been discussing teaming up at Corcoran Vineyards in Waterford, VA to offer cupcake & wine tastings along with my fall mini photo sessions this year. Now how AWESOME would that be?? Photos, wine, and cupcakes. Perfect combo. Mark your calendar for September 4th and I’ll be announcing the rest of those details soon.

Anytime cupcakes are involved I think deserves a time for celebration, and it’s been awhile since we’ve done a giveaway here at Be Young Photography, so let’s give away some cupcakes shall we?!

Winner will receive a 24 pack of Shugar Shugar’s mini cupcakes in 4 different flavors (a $36 value). Winner must redeem by Oct. 31st 2011. Limited to flavors of the week. Free delivery in the areas of Leesburg & Ashburn VA.

You have 3 ways to enter (enter all 3 way and increase your chances of winning each time!)

1. Leave a comment here on the Be Young Photography blog. Tell me “What is your favorite flavor of cupcake?” (my personal fav is chocolate peanut butter! nom nom)

2. Go become a fan of Shugar Shugar on Facebook by clicking HERE. To mark your entry complete – leave a note on their wall telling them “I’m a new fan Be Young Photography sent me!”

3. Become of a fan of Be Young Photography on Facebook by clicking HERE. To mark your entry complete- leave a note on our wall telling us “I am here to win cupcakes from Shugar Shugar!”

We’ll be taking entries until Friday August, 12th, with a winner selected at random and announced on Monday August, 15th. Good Luck!

However, during that time we both shared in another mega milestone together: the birth of beautiful baby girls only 5 months apart. And now that they’re back on the East Coast we’ve vowed that our two little girls will grow up to be great friends!

The M. Family has taken up permanent residence in North Carolina but were up for a visit recently with Sean’s parents in Purcellville when they decided to cash in a Be Young gift certificate they got back at Christmas.

Sweet baby Keira is 15 months old and is truly a bundle of 1 year old energy. The weather may have been hot for our session (another 100+ day), but Keira found her own way to cool off in the neighbor’s fountain.

What a joy it was to reconnect with this family after a 3 year long distance friendship. M. Family, you know how excited I am to have you back on this coast and I can’t wait to watch our girls grow up together.