welcome, Haven | Nashville lifestyle newborn photographer

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am Adonai, your God, the Holy One of Israel — your Savior.

… Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the East and gather you from the West. I will say to the North, ‘Give them up!’ and to the South, ‘Don’t hold them back.’

Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth — everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

— Isaiah 43:1-7

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the Kellys | Nashville family photographer

“I've been struggling with a couple things lately. By lately, I mean the last couple years. And by struggling, I mean I do battle all day, every day with these thoughts. I am so weary of them, and I am ready to move on. ⁣

I'm ready to accept that this may be as complete as my family ever feels, and I'm ready to accept that this body I'm in is good, and I don't need to fight to make it smaller anymore. ⁣
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I wrote to photographer extraordinaire @shelbymlynnmick and I asked her if she could help me. If she could capture the love and joy in my boys' eyes when they look at me.

Maybe if I could see it in their eyes, I could learn to be kind to myself? Maybe if she could capture what a special thing we have right now in this sweet, fleeting season, I could cling to gratitude instead of the hope for a feeling of completion? ⁣⁣

It was quite the ask for a photographer. But I'd say she came through. I'm so grateful for these pictures. And I'm so grateful for this season. And this body that has done so much for me. And that you all bought my skinny clothes that don't fit anymore so we could afford to pay Shelby. 😂⁣
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The pictures with the sunflowers are for Annie. You'll notice Shelby put in a shadow for her, too, so that I could have a picture to remind me that in our hearts, we are complete.”

Rachel posted that message, minutes after I emailed her family portrait gallery. It filled my cup to overflowing. And reminded me why I do what I do.

I am just now sharing these photos, because 1) I am chronically slow at blogging my sessions, and 2) these portraits and the stories that go with them seem so intensely personal and sacred to this family that I haven’t felt sure that it’s okay to share them. But I’m sharing them now, with Rachel’s blessing, because 2020 has me discouraged, and I need to remember that my job, my art, whatever — the photos I take with families — they’re important. They can bring healing. And we all need healing.

Rachel and I sent a lot of emails back and forth in preparation for this, and we both wanted to find a way to honor their daughter Annie, who was stillborn, in these portraits. We decided on 5 sunflowers, because she would have been 5 years old, and a little shadow-help from Photoshop to show that Annie is part of their family.

I see so much beauty in this family and so much strength in this woman. I am so grateful for the chance to spend some time with them, and I wanted to share these portraits with you.

welcome, Adelaide | Nashville Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

“To love or have loved - that is enough.

Ask nothing further.

There is no other pearl to be found

in the dark folds of life.”

— Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

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the Farmers | Nashville Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

Return to the LORD your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger

and abounding in steadfast love.

- Joel 2:13

(From the beautiful She Reads Truth print, on their living room wall.)

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the Wheelers | Nashville family photographer

“Believe in a love that is being stored up for you like an inheritance,

and have faith that in this love

there is a strength and a blessing so large

that you can travel as far as you wish without having to step outside it.” 

― Rainer Maria Rilke 

Letters to a Young Poet

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the Blue family

“You are my oasis — the eye of the hurricane.

One look at your face is all I need to remember by name.

So I run away home…. Yes, I run away home to you.

I was an orphan caught in a thunderstorm.

You opened the door and welcomed me into your arms.

So I run away home…. Yes, I run away home to you.

I believe in the love of the Father, and I believe in the power of grace.

I believe that he brought us together, and you are my one safe place.

You are a fortress; I am under siege.

You’re a light in the forest; I am a lost boy out in the trees.

So I run away home…. Yes, I run away home to you.”

— “My One Safe Place,” by Andrew Peterson

This song came to mind when thinking about them and the love they are so good at showing one another.

I am truly blessed to know this family. They give me hope and make me want to be a better Shelby. We took these photos last summer, and the time with them and the photos we created have been good for my soul.