2020 was a year that will not soon be forgotten, although most of us wish we could expunge it from our memories.
For my friends especially it was a twisty turny year full of ups and downs that began with their twins arriving at 28 week gestation and was followed by an extended NICU stay. I was fortunate enough to sneak in the hospital for some pictures of the babes in the NICU the DAY before the hospital completely locked down due to COVID.
At the time I remember thinking, their first birthday felt like an eternity away, an uphill marathon pushing a boulder through mud while filled with concern about them making it to the top.
BUT HERE THEY ARE!
They did, they survived and they are thriving! The triumph and joy I felt at getting to do their first birthday portraits is indescribable. They are amazing and their parents are warriors for getting them through this last, very difficult year.
Mom requested that their first birthday be a celebration of how far they had all come. She wanted to incorporate elements to show how small they started + have a milk bath to celebrate that she made it to a year of nursing preemie twins (which we did do, but have elected to keep private). Outside of those requests I was given free reign to style the portraits.
I went with a simple studio succulent set up to complement the outfits mom had selected. At the last second I decided to add a cake smash element to the portraits as well. I ran to fry’s the night before and grabbed a handful of real succulents and a couple of carrot cakes to redecorate to fit the theme.
I love how it all came together and hope you will enjoy it too!
