Today, I wanted to share this 6 months baby photoshoot with you and the special meaning behind the images. This is one of the most personal stories I’ve shared here and some of the most meaningful images I’ve created…
As some of you may know, earlier this year I lost one of my best friends. She passed away just 1 week after giving birth to the most precious baby girl, Adaline (aka Addie). It was sudden and tragic and it completely shook everyone’s world. And if I’m being honest, I’m still trying to fully process it.
Janelle and Dominic (her husband) were/are like siblings to me. They were also my favorite go-to models every time we traveled somewhere new together and I insisted on photographing them regularly. So, thankfully, I was able to document much of their life together. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to photograph them as a new family. The fact that Addie will only ever have 1 hospital photo of her with her mom was a devastating thought and so I knew immediately that I wanted to create a special image for Addie and Dom. One that was in some beautiful way symbolic of Janelle. And after thinking on it for a while; it finally hit me.
Addie’s grandma, Dom’s mom, sadly also passed away far too soon. Over the years, I had heard stories of him and his family having several and significant encounters with hummingbirds in the days after her passing. And since then the hummingbird has always remained a symbol of her. Soon after Janelle passed, I started hearing new stories about hummingbird encounters. Only this time… there were 2 showing up together… goosebumps, right? Me too… and well, these stories are what inspired this final image.
While Addie’s mom may have gone to join her grandma, my hope is that as Addie grows older, this image will serve as a reminder that they are still here with her. That they always will be. And that she has two very beautiful angels watching over her now.
For Christmas, I surprised Dom with this image by printing it large and framing it. Seeing it printed made it take on a life of its own. I admittedly got very emotional when I saw this printed for the first time… and again when Dom did.
But, as you can see, once I finished this image I knew I had to keep going. So, below are the 3 additional images I created to complete his full wall set:
Dom is a very outdoorsy kind of guy and is always up for a new adventure and experience. I wanted this next image to represent the beautiful new journey/adventure they were now embarking on together.
I had taken this picture of Addie playing with her giraffe and giving it kisses and Dom’s heart nearly exploded out of his chest! So I wanted to make this one even more whimsical and sweet.
And, last but not least: if you hadn’t guessed yet, giraffes are Dom’s spirit animal. So, I thought, what in the world could be cuter than his favorite girl with his favorite animal? My heart melted into a puddle when I saw this printed. Is she not the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen?
This entire experience has really brought to light the importance of not just capturing beautiful photographs, but more importantly: creating meaningful art. And that is exactly what we want to create for you all in 2021.
Reach out today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about our new portrait experience. We can’t wait to create something special for you!
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Gawd I love these!!!!
Thank you!!
I am Adaline’s great-great Aunt in California and I was Blessed that Janelle and I had a good relationship. Janelle’s Great-Grand Mother, Jennie’s, favorite bird was the hummingbird. Before her leaving us she told us that when we saw a Hummingbird that would be her coming to visit us. Glad to hear that Dominic’s Mother liked them as well. I personally want to Thank You for sharing this with all of us. Many Blessings to you, Thank You Again.
Wow, I hadn’t heard that story about her great-grandmother. That’s incredible, I’ve got goosebumps all over again. Thank you so much for sharing that story with me! It just makes this even more meaningful. It’s truly my pleasure. Thank you, Isabel!
Stefani – ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! First of all, the story is heartbreaking AND uplifting simultaneously, but your words really make me feel like I know this family! Then add your incredible images and the “behind-the-scenes making of the images – just takes me over the edge.
You have developed (ha, see what i did there) into such an amazing artist & storyteller. I feel so lucky to have been met you along your journey.
Thank you for sharing your talents with the universe.
Oh my goodness, thank you so much, Judy! It’s been really amazing to see the response to these images. It was definitely a project from the heart and I’m so glad that it’s impacting others as well. Thank you for your incredibly sweet words, they mean more to me than I could say. ♥️
No words, Stef! 😭💖
No words necessary ♥️♥️♥️
Stefani your work ceases to amaze me. You not only create the most awesome photos of Addie and Dominic but created a story that my son will be able to share with my granddaughter about her mother and her Nana Maureen for the rest of her life. Even though Dominic’s family is in California for now through your talent we are able to watch our beautiful Addie grow. Thank you so much for all the photos they mean so much to me and Dom’s family. God has blessed you with an amazing talent thank you for sharing it with us.