Sometimes, time flies outrageously fast...like Warner growing up. One day, this little man was spitting up in my lap and the now he's leading horses around a pasture like a pro! I can't believe that he is already 5-years-old. I've been photographing him since he was in the womb, and from Halloween parties, 4th of July celebrations, + Easter Egg hunts Warner has become one of my best buddies + we always have A. LOT. OF. FUN! Needless to say, he's basically the coolest neighbor in the world.

This year, Warner's love for horses spurred the inspiration for this session. He helped feed the horses, freshen their hay, lead them around the pasture, + get their reins on and off. His knowledge of horses at 5-years-old is outstanding. At one point, he looked at me while the horses were munching on grass and says, "Miss Lauren, did you know horses are herbivores?" He even knew what "herbivore" meant! He even asked great questions about how the horses wear their teeth down and whether or not it would be cold enough to let them wear their blankets for the night. Thanks for letting me photograph Warner the 5-year-old horse genius!

Rachel + Matthew are near and dear to my heart. They are both teachers at Northern High School; Rachel is the chorus teacher, Matthew is a 12th grade English teacher. When Rachel told me she was pregnant, I think I danced around her kitchen because I was so happy for her + Matthew. We then, as ice cream lovers do, celebrated with ice cream sundaes. From Saturday morning run clubs, to breakfasts, to life shenanigans, to surviving high school students, + doing our best to run up Laurel Hill (FYI: Pregnant Rachel ran it was better than slow-poke me!), I was blessed to watch Rachel's belly grow with her sweet little boy! I was so happy when she asked me to do portraits for her, Matthew, + August.

August Fitz Spencer arrived (late) in our world with gusto! Weighing in a 8 pounds and 6 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long, a healthy Baby Boy Spencer greeted everyone with Abu noises, adorable faces, + sweet, sweet smiles. He loves his daddy's in-house library so much, we think he's going to bypass his toy phase and jump straight into chapter books. He will also have the magical musical talent of his mother. I'm thinking he's going to be a child prodigy. Yes, I think so.

The most heartwarming thing though, is to see Rachel + Matthew grow as parents. Their smiles are full of love and their faces full of pride. Even Jackson is welcoming the big brother role, keeping a watchful eye and supplying abundant kisses to August. Every time I look through their maternity photos but especially August's newborn photos, my heart melts from the love these two, and Jackson, have for their son + human brother.

Rachel, Matthew, + August, thank you for letting me come into your home, drink your coffee, eat your bacon + eggs, stick a camera in your face, and photograph your little family. I'm honored to capture these sweet moments of parent- and baby-hood.