Fierce Love and Loyalty

To be wrapped in love of the fiercest form,

More than snuggles and kisses and care and provision,

But also wrapped within the greatest protection,

To be led and guided, shown and uplifted.

The journey in this life can be hard,

Leaving us breathless, exhausted, and tired,

But love carries on despite all odds.

Love wraps around our deepest wounds,

our largest insecurities.

Love somehow always wins.

Love overpowers and overwhelms,

It retreats for nothing and lays down everything when needed.

Love somehow always wins.

Let love win for you today.

Little boy hugging mothers leg with father admiring beside in wide open field at Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, Sunset

Making Space for Family

Rachel was telling me of how her favorite memories are those of them simply enjoying time together at home. Life does not have to be busy and full of all the "have to" moments in life to be of eternal value and rich satisfaction. And I so love that this family gets this and understands the true important things. For satisfaction, growth and relationship truly bud from simple time spent together. Nothing fancy, but far greater than anything this world can buy.

Anyone who has mothered knows that it is an incredibly hard task, but Rachel is one who loves her children so well. Beyond care and provision and snuggles and kisses, but so much farther into true love. She makes space for her children. She listens and invests into them. It is so evident in the way she interacts with her son Lukas that love abides within their home and he knows that his momma is his. She also loves her husband Ben well. Only with the kindest words to say, building him up and encouraging him every step of the way. To say these children, this family is wrapped in love is truly only the begining to the incredible journey and adventure they are embarking on as together. I cannot wait to see what continues to bloom of their beautiful story.

Husband and wide embracing over a warm hug, Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve

Golden Hour portrait of little boy looking back

Boy running through golden light with family watching from behind, Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve

Boy chasing the light as family watches in excitement, Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve

Boy giving dad a high five in golden evening light, connection, joy, rich treasure

boy walking through golden light with family adoring, Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve

Boy running freely in joy, sun flare, coffee creek watershed preserve

Enjoying this life

So I might ask you, how are you enjoying your life? Are you wrapping love around those closest to you? Are you wrapping yourself in love? How are you making space for those dearest to you in your life? I was once told that if someone wants to know what we deeply care about, they will look at our calendars. And I so believe this to be true!! Make space for yourself my friends! Make space for those dearest to you!

mother interacting with children, Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve

Mother cradling and swinging her infant daughter in golden evening light, Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve

Multiple Exposure image of mother cradling daughter within daisy field and golden sunlight

Mother cradling daughter on arm, with golden backlight streaming in, powerful connection

mother holding hand of son with daughter in her arms, backlight

Detail portrait of mother and son holding hands, black and white, connection, emotional storytelling

Family image with focus on infant looking at camera while being held in mothers arms

Family walking together in golden evening light in wide open field

mother walking with son cradled on her arm as he glances at the camera, golden evening backlight in wide open field

Family connecting over kisses in wide open field

Family laughing together in wide open field, connection, embrace

family connecting by stream through warm embrace and tender connection

close-up portrait of family highlighting son in his fathers arms

Fierce Love

In closing, remember to fight for yourself and the things you love, or else other items will win. Make family a priority, soak them on, love them well, do your best to never take them for granted. For the richest piece of life is relationship. So, may we let go of the perfect vision we have for our life, and instead step into a fierce love of the current people we have in our lives and love them in the fiercest of love.

Mother embracing her child in love, as she looks down in gratitude, backlight, lens flare, bokeh, black and white, emotional motherhood portrait

Mother holding child in warm sunlight with lens flare, backlight

Emotional Family portrait as mother embraces sons head as she holds her daughter, backlight, black and white, documentary style

couple in warm embrace in wide open field, sunset

father embracing newborn daughter in his arms, connection, wide angle

Father tossing son into air in playful fun

Son kissing father on the cheek surrounded by trees and golden light

wide angle portrait of boy with his family, in golden evening sunlight

Summer Session Openings

I do still have a few more summer session openings on my calendar. If you are interested in documenting your family's story and having some amazing visual poetry to display on your walls, I would love to connect and create something wildly beautiful for you and your family.

Let's Connect!

Warmly,

Laura

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Witnessing the Most Beautiful Love Story

I drive into the neighborhood nested within a protective covering of the trees; a beautiful forest surrounding me with peace and comfort. I step into the home, and an immediate comfort meets me there. Gentle kisses, warm hugs, tender encouragement pouring out from this beautiful home, the beautiful people nested here. Birth is hard, motherhood is hard- requiring great sacrifice and diligence, yet Chelsea meets it with the purest compassion, the richest devotion, the most beautiful love story.

sister kissing baby sisters forehead in soft morning light

newborn child cradled within mothers comforting arms

mother comforting newborn child in her arms

mother and father soaking in joy of newborn child in their arms

wide angle image of mother and father with newborn child, connection

detail image of boy's foot draped over chair

brother nuzzles his forehead against baby sisters' in mother's loving arms

A Letter to Loryn:

To the sweet new Loryn, you are already loved hard and loved well. You are surrounded by the best people, your people. The birds sing and the trees rejoice, covering you in goodness, for your coming is so sweet. You bring an overwhelming joy and delight. You are calm and peaceful. May you be destined for greatness in this life, a champion of your heart. For you, my dear are dearly beloved, deeply loved and richly blessed.

Family snuggles on couch in morning light

brother kissing newborn baby sister on forehead, overhead shot

father kissing his daughter, black and white

older sister snuggling with baby sister in loving embrace on couch

brother snuggling with baby sister on couch

sibling interactions on the couch in morning light

sibling snuggles on couch with newborn baby sister

Letter to Londyn:

Oh my heart you are a lover! You already love your sister so well and your momma is incredibly blessed by you. You will protect your sisters so well in the days to come. You, sweet boy are destined for greatness.

tender moments of brother resting with newborn baby sister on couch

mother holding newborn child by windows light, overhead shot

mother comforting newborn child by window light

mother looking with love into newborn baby's eyes, connecting and making extraordinary moments' black and white

overhead newborn portrait with mother; black and white

mother kissing her newborn child in compassionate love

portrait of newborn lying on couch in window light

portrait of newborn girl's face in soft window light

mother admiring newborn child on couch in soft window light

mother admiring newborn child in prism light

portrait of mother with newborn cradled into her in front of bay windows

portrait of mother cradling newborn daughter in front of bay windows

father smiling on newborn daughter over mother's shoulder as she holds her close

Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Newborn Family Session, Home Session, Natural Light, Laura Duggleby Photography-31.JPG

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Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Newborn Family Session, Home Session, Natural Light, Laura Duggleby Photography-33.JPG

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Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Newborn Family Session, Home Session, Natural Light, Laura Duggleby Photography-36.JPG

Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Newborn Family Session, Home Session, Natural Light, Laura Duggleby Photography-37.JPG

Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Newborn Family Session, Home Session, Natural Light, Laura Duggleby Photography-38.JPG

A Letter to Chelsea:

Momma, what an amazing job you are doing! Your children fiercely love you and your husband adores you. Knowing you personally, I know your gracious and loving heart. You are a treasured diamond, a rich and rare find. Your family is certainly blessed by you! You are the best of the best my friend!

Lifestyle image of mother swaddling her child

newborn child resting on mothers lap with her fist in her mouth

detail belly button portrait of newborn baby

newborn baby lying on bed in soft window light

mother nursing her newborn child in soft window light of prism

mother admiring her newborn child on bed; black and white

details; mother holding newborn child hand during nursing

details, front angle portrait of mother nursing child while holding her hand

details, mother cradling newborn baby's head while breastfeeding, connection

Letter to Leighton:

Oh your beautiful eyes. You have rich compassion, caring well for your dolls and your beautiful baby sister. Your bond with daddy is the absolute sweetest there is. Hold on to him tightly forever, never let him go, for rich treasure resides there.

Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Newborn Family Session, Home Session, Natural Light, Laura Duggleby Photography-52.JPG

Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Newborn Family Session, Home Session, Natural Light, Laura Duggleby Photography-53.JPG

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A Letter to Jacob:

Jacob, what a fun-loving, servant-hearted, leader you are for your family. You invest in your children well and I can see your adoration of Chelsea all over. What a beautiful, beautiful love, even after 3 children. :) The respect and admiration of you from your family is apparent. You are a rich treasure for them.

mother ticking children on bed in laughter and joy

family tickle fight on bed, laughter, joy, connection, black and white

boy peeking outside of large window, reflecting

family reflecting out large window in bedroom

little girl looking out window with face pressed against the glass, wonder

little girl looking out window with mother; black and white

documentary, newborn child holding hands with siblings, overhead portrait; black and white

newborn child connecting with older sister on bed, overhead portrait, black and white

Thank you for blessing me!!

Cohen family, thank you for blessing me by surrounding me with the comfort of your home. People who know you are better for it, I am better for being able to see a part of your rich story. Congratulations on this beautiful season of your beautiful story. Yours is truly a precious one!!