Photographing friends is always such an honor.  Especially when they are amazingly smart and talented women, like my friend, Elena Blair.

Elena is a family photographer and photography educator, based here in Seattle, WA. When she asked me to take her portrait I was thrilled, but also a little nervous.  I wanted to give her something that really showed her personality and was just as creative and artistic as she is.  

To achieve this, I used my 1950's Rolleiflex camera, studio strobes and Iflord Delta 3200 film.  

I just love how they turned out!

Luckily, so did Elena!

As a newborn and family photographer, one of my very favorite things to do is capture an older sibling with their new brother or sister.  

These are the photos every mother and father want.  These are the photos that will be printed, hung on the wall and sent to Grandma.  I know it.  And it is my goal to get as many good shots of this special bond as I possibly can. But, it's not always easy.  

The truth is some toddlers are not super excited about the new baby in their lives.  Behind the scenes of the precious older sibling with newborn baby photo is often fraught with emotion.  It's one to the reasons why I keep a stash of lollipops and bubbles on hand at the studio. Ha!

This session however, was a total dream!  The older brother could not get enough of his new baby.  He was beaming and proud and so clearly over-the-moon that it brought a tear to my eye while I was shooting, and then again when my film came back.  I'm pretty sure he'll be the best older brother there ever was!  

And as for the lucky baby brother.... well I'll just let the photos speak for themselves!

These two stole my heart.