Molly - Waiting For...

You know that Gandhi quote that goes, "be the change you wish to see in the world"?  That's Molly.

Molly is a world changer.

She really is.

Equipped with a big heart, and surrounded by countless people who support her mission, Molly is lightening the load of childhood cancer for kids in Metro Detroit.

Years ago, she saw an opportunity to give, and in a natural progression of events, started Camp Casey - A non-profit that uses love, intentionality, and horses to give kids battling cancer a bit of joy and empowerment in the midst of fighting terrible disease.

Molly has spent years loving kids.  But in the next month or so, she's going to add a new dimension to that love.

Molly and her husband, Nick, are expecting their first child.





                         



Molly is determined, yet easy going.  Two traits helpful in both motherhood, and outdoor modeling in the middle of winter.  :)  Beautiful snow, paired with a beautiful mama to be, made for some lovely outdoor picture opportunities.  


                             



                          

                          

It always feels good to spend time with Molly.  She knows what's important in life, and she lives giving purposeful attention to those things.  And when her little boy arrives next month, he's starting life out with the best of 'em.  Specifically, with a mama who has spent a good chunk of her life loving kids well, and has a beautiful and contagious love for life.




I can't wait to meet that little cowboy.  

- Emily Arden

Baby Isaac

Baby Isaac was born a week early, on Saturday.  He is so sweet, I'm excited for you to meet him.  

Those are some of the words his mom had emailed when they got home from the hospital.

She was right on -- even with being his biased mom and all.

he is so sweet.

When I showed up at the Cole house to take Isaac's newborn pictures, Allie carried him down the stairs to greet me.  He was wrapped up the way winter babies in the Midwest should be -- bundled tight, and being held close.  Tiny and new, content as can be.  The house was warm and ready.  Ready for a sweet baby boy to have a photo shoot to show off his sweet, newborn self. 

"He's such a good baby", his parents told me.  At a few days old, he already had his parents won over. 

I love the exaggerated ways of newborns. Their outstretched arms, the way their faces scrunch so tight, their tiny toes, and big, big yawns! it's the best. 

that face!

                          

As always, it was such a privilege to capture such a special and fleeting time in the lives of new families.  Newborns are so special, so small, but full of so much big, big love. 

The Taboh Family

She slept for most of our time together.  Her sweet, newborn face relaxed in perfect rest.  After all, it's hard work growing strong and healthy, and all along doing so with a newborn grace.

At the time of our photo shoot, Lily had only been a part of this big world we live in for a mere 3.5 weeks.  And in that short period of time, she had already managed to have her parents fall completely in love with her. 

There's a pure perfection in newborn babies.  10 little fingers and 10 tiny toes.  Adorable rolls, that make them as Mary Poppins would say, "practically perfect in every way".  I'm constantly in awe of how the existence of each newborn is a true miracle.  The probability of each one coming to be, making them truly unique.  Each one, perfect. 

As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, Lily slept for most of the shoot.  Luckily though, she woke up just long enough for me to get a few pictures of her beautiful blue-grey eyes, animated face, and of course, pink accessories. 

It's always a delight to spend time with new families and their little miracles.  Babies grow so fast, and it's such a gift to be able to capture those brief tiny moments to have to look back on down the road.  Growing up is inevitable, but memories can be forever.  

But for now, Lily is focused on the growing part. 

The Warner Family

There is so much to love about Fall.  The seasonal shift that transitions Summer into Winter. The richness of the colors, the crispness of the air, the crunching of leaves.  Weather that invites you to wrap yourself in warm sweaters, and spend some time outside. So much to see, so much to take in, so much to explore.  Especially for little ones. 

Those sweet kiddos belong to my high school friend, Amy, and her husband, Justin.  In high school, Amy and I were on the pompon team together.  These days, leading a team, and counting "5-6-7-8" look a lot different to this mama of two.  :)

I met with the Warner family on one of the best Fall days Michigan had to offer this year.  And the little ones had fun. 

I think one of the reasons I love Fall so much is because I love how evident and beautiful the change is from one season to the next.  And for me, a similar type of love comes along with reconnecting from friends of the past. I love the opportunity to see love and family grow, and the chance to see how evident change has been from one season of life to the next. 

                              
                            

Thank you Amy and Justin! Your family is beautiful and sweet, and it was my joy to take these pictures for you all. 

And one more for good measure.  Because seriously, I can't get over how cute this little outfit was on Ashlyn! 


seriously.  those tights. that skirt. the socks.

  Thanks again!

Seersucker & Lace Events.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver.

There's a blog that I visit regularly, where the author references that quote often.  It's a motivator and a challenge all rolled into one.  What is it that you plan to do with your one life? 

After people my age graduated college, we looked for jobs.  and looked, and looked... and looked.  It wasn't the worst of times, but it wasn't the best of times either.  And as opportunities came up, they were snatched.  I know people who moved across the country for jobs, I have a sister who did temporary substitue jobs for years, and I know some people who went back to school for the hope of more opportunity.
The thing is, at the end of the day, there is pressure to provide.  Bills need to be paid, groceries need to be bought, and like the name reveils, unexpected expenses come up when you least expect them.  To have a job is a blessing.  But to many, it's still just a job.  

I'll tell you what encourages me though.  People like these two.




Readers, this is Rachael and Lauren.  In addition to working jobs that pay the bills, these two ladies are following their passions.  They have each taken note of the one wild and precious life they have been given, and are on the brink of doing something great with it.  They've used their non-working hours to start Seersucker and Lace, an event planning company.  They're smart, and capable, and have a natural drive to help make celebrations fabulous. 



So when the two of them asked if I'd be interested in taking a few photographs for their upcoming website, there was no other answer from me but yes. It's both encouraging and exciting to be a part of something big.  Gaining a sense of wanting others to succeed, and for them to do so by using and stretching their gifts and talents.  They gave me an opportunity to use my art and skills, and I couldn't be more supportive of referring others to use theirs.




Here's the link again if you need them.


Stay Fabulous.
Emily