A few weeks ago I had the incredible pleasure of hanging out with the McElrath family for a very special Day in the Life session! What made this session so special, you ask? In this house, they have created a home. Together, Melissa and Clint, had their home built specifically for them. They built this home with dreams of building so much more. They built this home to be ready to live in after their wedding day. They built this home with thoughts of a nursery, and a playroom for their future baby. With dreams of becoming a family. With visions of baby's laughter echoing on their freshly-painted walls and tiny feet pitter-pattering on the wooden floors. These sweet parents' lives revolve around their almost-two-year-old, Jade and before she was even born, they planned this home for her and their family. But in June, they sold their home to begin building a new one that will give them more room to grow. More room to add children and more room to add memories.
As Melissa began to think about what they would be leaving behind, she became emotional realizing that Jade wouldn't remember this place she first called home and knew that we had the perfect solution! Melissa is a photographer herself (check her out here!) so I think she extra-understands (its a word, ok?) the importance of preserving these memories not only for her baby girl, but also for herself and her husband.
I know these beautiful memories will be cherished for a lifetime (and maybe more!) and I'm so beyond thrilled that Melissa and Clint made this last-minute decision!!
As you will see, Jade's nursery is a dream and her playroom is filled with more toys than she knows what to do with, yet she still manages to pretty much play with them all in very quick spurts! She loves to cuddle, she feeds her baby through the eyeball (that's normal, right?). She loves to color, but not as much when Mommy wants to help. Daddy? No problem. She's not even two and she is already opinionated and has a mind of her own! Love this girl!!
I don't know if you're aware, but toddlers are messy, and moody, and full of energy, and most of the time, they don't enjoy not getting their way every second of every day. But, all of those characteristics are what make them exhausting and incredibly entertaining! Jade is a typical toddler in all of these ways, and no matter her mood, she is absolutely adorable!! At the end of this set of pictures you'll see one of my very favorites, Melissa and Clint laughing while Jade throws a fit. Melissa said "I guess this really isn't good for pictures for us to be laughing while she's crying." I thought it was perfect for pictures because again, it's real life. Who doesn't end up laughing at their toddler throwing a tantrum at some point? It's funny. And they're always over it in about 2.5 seconds.
Day in the Life sessions aren't planned. The beauty of these type of family sessions is that they really are just a documentation of a family's every day routines, interactions, and love. But with that said, I always try to get an idea of what I'm walking into prior to a session. So I ask lots of questions that gets the mom talking, by doing this, she will inevitably begin telling me things that are most special to her and her family. I tuck those special moments away in the back of my mind so that I can try to remember to make sure I get shots of them during our day together. With Melissa being a photographer herself, I think we probably "planned" a little more than I would normally. Nothing in this session was posed, mind you, but I had a much better idea of exactly how the day would go. One thing that she mentioned to me was "I have always wanted pictures with Jade at the grocery store. I don't know why. Is that weird?" to which I replied, "Absolutely not! If that's something special and fun for you guys then let's do it!"......or something like that.
Jade was absolutely the sweetest little thing during the car ride. She held her baby, and loved on it, watched herself in the mirror, and contemplated life...at least that's what I'm assuming she was doing while she sat there looking so peaceful and content. Once we got to the grocery store, she was very helpful. She held onto that box of spaghetti like it was her God-given mission in life! Once home, she helped carry in her spaghetti, and got right back to playing with all of her toys and her Mommy and Daddy. <3
After some playtime, a dance party, and some more cuddles, it was bath time. I absolutely love bath photos so I was very excited for the end of our day together for this reason only and let me tell you, Jade did not disappoint! She had a blast!
This sweet family now has memories of their first home together preserved for a lifetime. I know one day Jade will look back on these pictures and thank her parents over and over for taking the time to think of her future before they moved.
Thank you Clint, Melissa, and Jade for letting me into your beautiful home to document these memories for you! You have an incredibly adorable little family full of love and I'm so grateful for this opportunity to get to know you all better!
The full story of the McElrath's day in the life is in this slideshow, so make sure to check it out!
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Birth Stories
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- Jul 17, 2017 Hendersonville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Payton Blair | A Pardee Hospital birth of a baby girl Jul 17, 2017
- Jul 9, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Delaney Jade | A WNC Birth Center labor and delivery Jul 9, 2017
- Mar 20, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health scheduled c-section of a baby girl Mar 20, 2017
- Jan 12, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Bishop Kai | A Weaverville, NC VBAC home birth Jan 12, 2017
- Sep 10, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Benjamin Spurgeon | A Mission hospital scheduled c-section Sep 10, 2016
- Apr 19, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Birth Story: Hadelyn Grace | The pregnancy journey and Park Ridge hospital birth of a baby girl Apr 19, 2016
- Mar 19, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: AnnaBeth | A Franklin, NC hospital birth of a rainbow baby girl Mar 19, 2016
- Dec 23, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Ayla Maeve | A mission hospital scheduled c-section birth of a baby girl Dec 23, 2015
- Aug 12, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | A Birth Story: Eleck & Cora Jo | The beautiful scheduled c-section of twin babies Aug 12, 2015
- May 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | {A Birth Story: Athaelia Eden} | The Unmedicated Hospital Birth of a New Baby Girl May 8, 2015
- Dec 19, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | {A Birth Story: Cooper Haze!} Dec 19, 2014
- Nov 12, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | {A Birth Story: Olive Piper} Beautiful baby girl hospital birth | Jessie Fultz Photography Nov 12, 2014
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Day in the Life
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- Mar 28, 2018 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Christina & Jonathan | A day in the life of a couple awaiting the birth of their baby boy, Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 20, 2016 Asheville, NC Documentary Family Photographer | A Day in the Life: The McElrath Family | A photojournalistic family session Jul 20, 2016
- Aug 28, 2015 Asheville, NC Family Photography | A Day in the Life: The Liebl Family | A peek into the life of a Florida family Aug 28, 2015
- May 29, 2015 Asheville, NC Documentary Photography | {A Day in the Life: Terry & Jenny} | A look into the life of a New York City couple May 29, 2015
- Dec 11, 2014 Asheville, NC Documentary Storytelling Family Photography | {A Holi-Day in the Life: The Kennedys!} Christmas Family Traditions & Tree Cutting Dec 11, 2014
- Nov 1, 2014 Asheville, NC Storytelling Family Photography | {A Day in the Life: Freeman Style!} Real life with a toddler & a 5 year old | Jessie Fultz Photography Nov 1, 2014
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Events/Parties
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- Oct 13, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth & Family Photographer | A Birthday Party Story: Jade Turns Two! | A rainbow unicorn pool party Oct 13, 2016
- Dec 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | A Birthday Story: Abigail Turns 5 | An outdoor Minions-themed little girl's birthday party Dec 8, 2015
- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Baby Acosta | A Florida couple's pink and blue gender reveal party Aug 27, 2015
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Fresh48
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- Mar 23, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health hospital newborn photo session Mar 23, 2017
- Mar 20, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health scheduled c-section of a baby girl Mar 20, 2017
- Dec 24, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Ayla Maeve | A mission hospital newborn photo session Dec 24, 2015
- Nov 28, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Introducing Ashton Nolan | A documentary hospital newborn photo session Nov 28, 2015
- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A Fresh48 Story: Eleanor Maya | An in-home, family-centered welcoming of a newborn baby girl Aug 27, 2015
- Nov 22, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth and Family Photographer | {Fresh48: Olive Piper} Newborn hospital photos Nov 22, 2014
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Maternity
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- Mar 28, 2018 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Christina & Jonathan | A day in the life of a couple awaiting the birth of their baby boy, Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 25, 2017 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Karen & Josh | A West Asheville couple awaiting the arrival of their baby girl, Maeve Jul 25, 2017
- Jan 23, 2016 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: The Farris Family | A family of three Biltmore Estate maternity photo session Jan 23, 2016
- Dec 22, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth & Family Photography | {Waiting on Oakley!} Downtown Waynesville, NC Maternity Photo Session Dec 22, 2014
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New Baby
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- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A Fresh48 Story: Eleanor Maya | An in-home, family-centered welcoming of a newborn baby girl Aug 27, 2015
- Aug 14, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A New Baby Story: Phebe Katherine | A sweet baby girl's in-home, lifestyle newborn photo session Aug 14, 2015
- Jul 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A New Baby Story: Handsome Mr. Oakley Cole | An in-home lifestyle newborn photo shoot Jul 8, 2015
- Jun 2, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photography | {A New Baby Story: Sweet Baby Eve} | A North Carolina lifestyle newborn and family photo session Jun 2, 2015
- Feb 3, 2015 Asheville, NC Lifestyle Photography | {Watch Me Grow} New Baby Finley Rhea | Beautiful Hendersonville, NC Lifestyle Baby Girl Newborn Session Feb 3, 2015
- Proposals 1
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Storytelling Sessions
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- Mar 28, 2018 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Christina & Jonathan | A day in the life of a couple awaiting the birth of their baby boy, Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 25, 2017 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Karen & Josh | A West Asheville couple awaiting the arrival of their baby girl, Maeve Jul 25, 2017
- Jun 26, 2016 Asheville, NC Documentary & Lifestyle Photographer | A Proposal Story: Isaac + Corianna | A Craggy Gardens, NC surprise marriage proposal Jun 26, 2016
- Mar 21, 2016 Asheville, NC Documentary Family Photographer | A Surprise Story: The Heasley/Kennedy Family | A Hendersonville, NC family's surprise visit Mar 21, 2016
- Nov 20, 2015 Asheville, NC Family Photography | A Short Story: The Baker Family | A Hendersonville lifestyle family pregnancy announcement photo session Nov 20, 2015
- Nov 27, 2014 Asheville, NC Documentary Storytelling Family Photography | {A Toddler's Story: Lane is 2!} A day in the life of a two year old Nov 27, 2014
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Watch Me Grow
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- Nov 20, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | Watch Me Grow: Finley Rhea's 8th Month | A outdoor lifestle baby photo session Nov 20, 2015
- Jul 7, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Baby Photography | Grayson Matthew's 6 Month Session | A North Carolina documentary baby bath session Jul 7, 2015
- Feb 3, 2015 Asheville, NC Lifestyle Photography | {Watch Me Grow} New Baby Finley Rhea | Beautiful Hendersonville, NC Lifestyle Baby Girl Newborn Session Feb 3, 2015