A story of Comfort from New Beginnings: Lifestyle Family Photographer: Northwest, IN

May 31, 2017

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

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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!!

newborn child pondering out soft window light

portrait of newborn child in focus with family snuggles behind

Family snuggles, connecting on bed in soft window light

mom and dad connecting with newborn child

newborn child in focus with parents snuggling behind

couples snuggling on bed in soft window light

mother cradling newborn child in the comfy of her own bed

Mother cradling infant in front of large window on bed

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overhead portrait of newborn girl with her grandfather

family skipping down street through neighborhood, filled with joy

family walking down street, hand in hand, connecting in beautiful soft light

brother cradling baby sister, connection, powerful portrait

sister carrying newborn baby across yard, movement, powerful, connection

father gently holding hand of newborn girl cradled within his arms

mother with newborn child snuggled on her shoulder, connection, powerful, caretaker

overhead portrait of newborn child in dappled morning light on blanket

overhead portrait of newborn child on leaf blanket in dappled light; black and white

family strolling down neighborhood street, connecting in joy

daughter holding daddy hand in street on morning walk

brother cradling newborn baby sister; powerful, connection, black and white

documentary, older sister holding baby sister nested in trees

grandfather holding granddaughter in morning light of neighborhood

sister holding baby sisters hand on blanket outside in morning light

father adoring daughter in his arms in morning light

Warmly,

Laura

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All Encompassing Devotion: South Haven Beach Session: Amber & David

May 24, 2017

Encompassing Devotion

Character is reflected from that of one's heart, and one's heart radiates through ones words, actions and manner of being. Amber is a person who radiates extreme devotion to her people. If you have the opportunity to know or be around her, you know that she loves well and has a smile to draw you in to her beautiful presence. David's heart reflects his willingness to serve. He not only serves our country well through his position within the government, but he also serves his wife well, and others around him well. He radiates peace, protection, strength, compassion and service. When you are around David you feel well thought of and as if you matter, listened to and valuable. These two together, well, it is a beautiful collision to say the least. Amber radiating joy, love and devotion, as David brings peace, protection and service. The people who have the opportunity to be around these two are blessed beyond measure.

It is a cold evening as the crashing waves slam up against the pier as the streams of water flow over the walkway. The bitter cold winds strike our face and our lips are going numb, however, it does not phase them. Their attention is on each other, on the warmth they bring to each other, Amber reminding David of her loyalty, devotion to her great man at her side, loving him well with her radiant smile. David, pulling her in close, to remind her of his service to her, to warm her and never let her go, to also love her well in return, wrapping her in his loving embrace. Their love runs deep within their veins, bleeding out sweet fragrances for all around them to smell and admire their sweet romance.

I hope you are able to delight in these images, and they make you feel as drawn in to these beautiful people as I was to them throughout the session. Truly my favorite session ever captured I believe!!

couple gazing intimately at each other on pier

couple kissing on pier with windblown hair, backlight in golden hour, powerful connection

couple walking along pier at golden hour

couple snuggling on pier at sunset in beautiful light, powerful connection, black and white

couple touching head to head on pier, backlight, golden hour sun, intimate connection

side close up portrait of couple on pier in golden sunlight

intimate connection between couple in golden light

man embraces wife in his arm, foreheads touching, black and white

documentary shot of couple dancing on pier, black and white

couple touching head to head on pier with light streaming in from behind

couple hugging on pier, connection, embrace, warmth

couple hugging on pier as light wraps around them and wind moves her dress

couple wrapped in each others arms on pier, black and white

couple dancing along the beach, black and white

couple walking along golden pier, hand in hand, connected

couple chasing each other along the beach in golden sunlight

couple embracing on beach in glow of sun, black and white

playful embrace of couple on beach, black and white

playful interactions between couple on beach in golden sun

couple running along beach and in hand, golden light

girl running along beachfront in golden light

couple embracing on beach, out of focus, black and white, moody, intimate

couple walking along beach as wife looks back, prism, golden hour

couple twirling in delight on beach, golden hour

close-up portrait of woman in embrace with husband, intimate connection

close-up side portrait of woman in embrace with her husband on the beach, black and white

loving embrace of couple on beach, man smelling his wife's hair

multiple exposure of couple embracing on beach with sand

couple walking along beach in golden light, scarf flowing behind, movement, connection

couple dancing on beach with scarf creating beautiful movement, black and white

couple kissing on beach, black and white, intimate connection, powerful, raw

couple touching foreheads on beach with golden sun setting behind

wife melting into husbands arms on beach during sunset

walking along beach with movement of scarf, emotional, black and white

couple dancing on beach in the evening light, connection, love, warmth

documentary image of couple embracing on beach, movement, connection

couple kissing on beach, shadow light play, warm embrace, intimate connection

Intimate portrait of couple on beach, black and white, connection, raw, powerful

silhouette of couple touching foreheads on pier

couple loving on one another on pier at dusk

intimate embrace, loving kiss on pier in front of lighthouse with moon shining behind

couple embracing on pier as they look out onto the water

couple in warm embrace as they look out onto the water, black and white

couple hugging in front of lighthouse with moon in background

couple walking along pier, hand in hand, connection, movement, black and white

Warmly,

Laura

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Shiloh Hope Turns 3

May 17, 2017

Psalm 62: 1

"My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

I remember quoting this verse many times to myself throughout my pregnancy with Shiloh. For you see, she was our rainbow baby, our child following our miscarriage, and I was constantly overwhelmed with fear. Then, the Lord blessed us with her. She came with extreme collic, jaundice, and eczema, but she also has provided a joy and love I did not know I could ever posses. Something far greater than myself, for the gift of childbirth and parenting is a miracle that some days I cannot believe I am still living.

Now here we are, 3 years later, I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed. Many days, most days, have felt slow, inching by minute by minute through the screams, tantrums, fighting, surgeries, strong willed defiant toddler meltdowns. And lately I have felt my heart racing, anxiety inching forwards, and my need to run to this verse once again.

"My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

But this time, it is out of a different fear. This time I find myself fearful of the transition of my baby girl into now a full fledged toddler, becoming more and more independent by the minute. I feel my anxiety rise that I am not doing it right as a parent, that her baby days are over and she is paying more attention to me and my actions now than ever before. Am I modeling well for her? Am I being the parent she needs to be? It all feels heavy, the mourning of her awakening into a little independent human, mixed with my fear of not being the perfect parent. I don't want to let her go, yet I do all in one. So I repeat it to myself again.

"My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

The truth starts to sink in, the same truth I was reminded of before Shiloh was born. Although she is an amazing blessing placed into my hands, she is not mine. Let me repeat that, she is not mine. She is the Lord's. I have the time I have with her now, and for as long as I am gifted with that time. I am to love, affirm, guide, teach, discipline, correct, give grace, show sacrifice and servanthood. However, she is not mine to keep. She is the Lord's. Ultimately, I cannot control her or many things that will happen to her. I can do my best to guide her well and protect her where I can, to keep her from as much harm as possible and to keep her in the best health as I can surrounded by as much love as I have to give. However, the rest is in the Lord's hands. The rest is in her hands. She is not mine. And that brings freedom for me. I am so tempted to try and control the future, to place my pieces where I feel they should lie and then make them come true. But life is life. I am not in control.

"My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

And when I can take this verse to heart and rest within the Lord, when I can find my salvation in Him and stop seeking approval from other moms or from my daughter, or from my photography, then I can truly rest content and I am able to better serve the other moms around me, I am able to be a better mom to my children without the constant need for striving, I can be a better photographer without the constant need for comparison and seeing if I measure up. I am simply resting in the Lord, allowing Him to be my strength, my rock on my weak days, my fortress where I too can be protected, have shelter and protection. For where we feel safe, we are secure to be our true and most genuine selves. And that is what I wish most for Shiloh. That she might rest secure in who she is and the amazing, amazing talents she is gifted with so that she might use them to shine light to this world. May we all remember these beautiful gifts we each have, rest in them, and use them!