​this little girl is a perfect miracle from God that was sent to one amazing family. i have anxiously been awaiting shelby's arrival since her momma (also on of my best friends), mandy, told me she was pregnant. I remember that day so well...i was elated with joy and so thrilled for her and terrent. when i was driving to the session i remember feeling like i couldn't get there fast enough. when i finally arrived, i held her in my arms and damn near cried. she was such a tiny beautiful soul and i just had so much happy in that moment is was truly miraculous. her little grunts in between breaths, her perfectly full lips that i want to steal, her soft sweet cries, and her comical milk drunk faces just sent me into the biggest love fest. it was so hard to get started because i could have easily just stared at her all day. 

mandy and I have had our share of fun throughout our lives but being mommies together is unbeatable. i remember her being nervous and anxious about having a baby just like i was in 2013. all of the emotions and unanswered questions can make you feel overwhelmed. the best advice i had for her was that once that baby was in her arms, she would know exactly what to do. and man does she. i witnessed first hand how amazing of a mother mandy is during our shoot and the whole night after it was over. she could already sense what shelby's cries meant and even had feedings down to a tee. 

​trust is always an enormous part of a successful newborn session. the parents have to put full trust in me to care for their baby while we are shooting. it was no surprise that mandy just sat and watched while i worked. she fully entrusted me to care for shelby during each pose and i never complained about the swooshing and rocking that needed to be done. i have never been so blessed and honored for a photo session in all of my life.

little miss shelby, you are going to accomplish great things in this world my pretty girl. tauntie just loves you to pieces and i cannot wait to watch you grow. 

these little lips i just want to steal from her! if you know mandy you also know leopard print had to make an appearance at some point.

these pictures were super emotional for mandy and myself. this amazing mardi gras vest was mandy's dads. johnny jam wore it all year long and just loved everything about new orleans: carnival season, southern cooking, jazz music, and festivals. shelby has got her one of the best guardian angels around. i felt him with us during this moment and shelby was the most peaceful little beauty during these shots.