The Story of Adelaide

Adelaide arrived on Valentine's Day. Her parents are friends of mine and I have had the pleasure of waiting for her arrival along with everyone else in our circle of friends.
Katy, Peter and their son, Liam were gracious enough to allow me to drop in not once but twice on their lives to document the new arrival to their family in the new year.

The first time was before Adelaide arrived. In early January, Katy was nearing 8 months but still kept a cheerful and mellow outlook. She was a great reminder that motherhood, like so many things in life, is best approached with patience.
Liam joined Katy for a few of the frames. Katy and Peter decided to be surprised by Adelaide, so at the time of these pictures, we were still guessing.

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JANUARY 13, 2014

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FEBRUARY 27, 2014

On February 14th, Adelaide came into the world. A few days later, Peter and Katy (Liam was napping this time) allowed me to intrude yet again on their lives and snap some images of this beautiful little girl. World, meet 13-day-old Adelaide.

The world is a scary place. I can only imagine the bewilderment Adelaide must have felt at being completely naked in a room with voices and sounds she didn't recognize, being positioned and placed.
The only time she was calm and relaxed was when Peter held her and bounced up and down on this huge exercise ball in the living room.
Earlier in the week, I had promised both Peter and Katy that they would not have to be in any of the pictures. Of course, Adelaide had other plans.

For that very reason, these last shots are my favorite. It's not every day that a father winds up in baby portraits. Usually those frames are reserved for quiet moments between the mother and child. I also know quite well that most guys would prefer not to be in any portrait shoot--family, baby, wedding or otherwise--if they can help it. There's something memorable and real about these last two. Peter: sporting a fave baseball cap and shirt covered in baby-pee. Adelaide: sporting nothing at all. Both of them: probably would rather be anywhere but in front of a camera. Both in this together.