Brinley ~ Lynnwood Newborn Photography Session

 Friends at first session. I couldn't wait to meet Brinley's parents after talking to them on the phone where I learned more about her arrival in to this world, the meaning of her name, and where we planned out colors and ideas for her newborn session. They met me at my studio in Monroe, Wa and we hit it off instantly. ( I feel like we were all life long friends and it was such a joy to celebrate Brinley. )

We choose everything pink for her session. I had everything all laid out for her newborn session and she was the sweetest, tinest newborn I ever photographed. She has the most danity features and lashes for days. 

We started with family poses and then just focus on Brinley. (don't you just love that name?!?!) It's meaning is so fitting for her. Being born 5 weeks early she faced some hills and has overcome so much. Brin mean hill and her mama's name in Hillary so together you get : Brinley. (one of the best names if you ask me. 

Olivia ~ Newborn Photography Snohomish County

Miss Olivia came to see me at 5 weeks new. I was so happy when her mama contacted to about photographing her at my photography studio located in Monroe, Wa. While most little babes are photographed between 5-14 days new, Olivia was just shy of 4 weeks. She was the BEST baby!! I also got to meet her big brother who rocks at the roll of big brother. ( I literally melted to the floor while photographing their sibling poses. ) 

Here are a few of my favorite images from her session. 

Newborn Session ~ Baby Henry ~ Monroe Wa Newborn Photographer

Henry was my last newborn of 2017 in my photography studio located in downtown Monroe, Wa. When he arrived to the studio I had all the colors and props laid out to make sure his session flowed and that the images from his session would look amazing displayed in his nursery as well as other places in his home. (I try to make sure with all my newborn sessions that we select a color palette to match your home decor. ) We kept is pretty simple but at the end of his session we added some little touches bears as his mama and daddy from the first of day learning they were expecting have called him "lil bear." 

Baby Boy Ryder ~ Snohomish Newborn Photographer

Ryder was my last newborn of 2017 at my Monroe, Washington Photography Studio.  I am lucky to have a friendship with his mama and she is amazing. She was open to anything and I was excited to try out a new bed I have just received from the very talented Bailey's Knits.  www.facebook.com/baileyknits1 We selected to go with a neutral color palette with a mix of light and dark as well as keeping it simple. He didn't make a peep his whole session. 

Esther ~ Seattle Newborn baby Photographer

When Esther's mommy and daddy, and big brother came to my studio located in downtown Monroe Wa, I couldn't believe the beauty that this little lady was. I'm taking breath taking beauty. 

She was the tiniest little lady and one of the smallest babies I have photographed. She was so dainty and girly. And had eyelashes for days. 

Like all of my sessions we started with photos of her with mama and daddy and of course added in big brother for their first family photos as a family of four.  Big brother couldn't wait to hold his new little sister and was just the sweet with her. 

After that we used all the soft pinks and neutral toned props and wraps as requested by mom that I offer during a newborn session for the photos of her alone. Adding touches of flowers and the cutest newborn romper that fit her perfectly. She didn't make a peep her whole session and it really was such a special session. I am truly grateful and so blessed when someone choose me to share in this part of their lives. 

Here are are of my favorite images from her session. 

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Party of Five ~ Snohomish County Family Photographer

I couldn't wait to meet this family. From the moment I started talking with Mom I knew it would be a great session. Maybe it was the fact that she had three boys and I speak boy (I have a 5 yr old myself) or that we just seemed to click right off the bat. I even got to help her with the whole family's wardrobe. I LOVE helping clients pick out what to wear for their family sessions. The color palette she choose was so on point for Fall family photos and timeless. 

We met at a local Tree Farm in between Monroe Wa. and Snohomish Wa. Just a few minutes from my studio located in down town Monroe.  It was the perfect location to lend a great Fall look.

We started their family photography session with everyone just playing then I had them snuggle into each other to get those great close ups we all love. Mom had request that we get some of just her and her boys and I am swooning over the moments I was able to capture. I know she will treasure these for years to come. And of course I didn't forget to get one of just mom and dad. 

I can't thank them enough for choosing Kayla J Photography. And I be honest is saying I'd love to hang out with you and your family. 

For more info on What to wear for your Family Photos, check out this link. http://www.kaylajphoto.com/blog/2016/9/15/what-to-wear-10-tips-to-look-fabulous-for-your-family-photos

Why I always take a photo of Mom and Dad ~ Snohomish Washington Family Photographer

This a fair warning to all the moms and dads out there. When we do your family session I will get a few images of just the two of you. Many of you say "no, that's ok. "  But I may or may not pretend to hear you. :) Because in all reality when was the last time you had a photo of you with the love of your life? JUST THE TWO OF YOU? (and the selfie on your phone doesn't count and many times the answers is "our wedding." ) It started with just the two of you and I think it's so important to remember that. 

It's brings you back to what it felt like to date. How your hubby's hand on the small of your back makes you feel safe and loved. How your wife's sweet whispers drive you crazy. How being wrapped in each other arms is the place you always want to be. 

So even though you may be coming to me to photograph a family session, whether it be at my studio in Monroe Wa or on location know that I will always ask you to kiss your wife's cheek or grab on to your hubby's arms.

Oh man..it's been way too long. WAY too long. A personal post.

I vow every year that I am going to blog. Blog on a regular, consistent, share every session, share bits of my life blog. But then life gets busy. (that's the best excuse I have, cuz it really does get busy with work, family and friends.  And oh how I love my family and friends.) I'm embarrassed to say that my last blog was in March. (HOW DID I LET THAT HAPPEN?) It's really a disservice to all of you to not share all the amazing clients I get to work with. They really are the best!!! 

So I thought long and hard how to just jump back in to sharing what I love most with all of you. I've had so many great session this past spring and summer. (and not to worry I will be sharing all of those.) But in the meantime I thought I'd share a bit of our summer with you. 

Needless to say my summer didn't really go according to my grand plans. But I was lucky to have the support of family and friends and understanding of  THE MOST AMAZING CLIENTS EVER!!! 

Summer always kicks off with us heading down to Coos Bay OR with family to ride the dunes with our ATVs. It's so fun and this year I was even more excited since my main man got me a new quad. Long story short. I was in an accident and BROKE MY BACK!!! Who does that? ME!!! See that xray...crushed it. Needless to say I was in excruciating pain and have been pretty much all summer :( After finally going to the Dr. (yes I waited thinking I just needed rest) I was told I crushed a vertebra and three additional bone and that I'd get to wear a brace for 8-10 weeks.  SAW WHAT!!!!! Not really conducive to snuggling newborn babies at the studio or chasing little ones around during a family photo session. (I can not thank everyone enough who was super patience with me during their sessions.) 

While it would have been easy to focus on how my summer plans got pushed to the way side and not what I had planned or obviously expected I did have lots of fun. 

I got to sport a new fashion statement. (the new waist trimmer. LOL. YOU all should be so jealous.)

I got to make so many great memories with my sidekick, nieces and nephew, family and friends. (I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many great people in my life.)

The Fourth of July. One of my favorite holiday was spent with family and friends eating crab and shrimp and all things yummy. Traditions run deep. And memories of summer start here.

We fed Yaks and Bison at the Olympic game farm, as well as saw Moose and so much more at North West Trek. If you have never done this you should!

I celebrated my 36 birthday with my closest girlfriends with a Mexican fiesta. Margaritas and tacos and of course a pinata. (now that's a site to see. Grown women swinging blind folded at a pinata. )

We vacationed with family friends at Sun Lakes Resort where my son, aka sidekick had the time of his life and gained a little bit of independence. And where the memory of him and his friend turned the hill side into a slip in side coming back to camp COVERED in mud. 

My son learned to ride his bike. No training wheels at all. Just hoped on a bike and took off. While my mama heart was a little sad that he is growing so fast I'm so very PROUD of him. Seeing him be passionate about something makes me so happy.  We have been the the BMX track every week since. (along with daddy and grandpa and his uncle and his cousins)

My hubby and I celebrated 6 yrs of marriage. We are so romantic that we celebrated by him working on our guest bathroom and me getting a new couch. :)

The Evergreen State Fair marks the last days of Summer and welcomes the Fall Season. The last hurrah!

I am trying to hang onto Summer as long as I can. And even though it may not have started out so great and put a few dents in my summer plans it really has been a fun summer. Forcing me to slow down and just be. Forcing me to rely on other and ask for help. Showing me that I am loved, so much by so many. Forcing me to be present and soak it all in. 

I can't wait to get back to "work" and share my heart and what I love with all of you. 

I am turly blessed

~Kayla

Bennett ~ Lake Stevens, Washington Newborn Photographer

I was so excited when Bennett arrived into this world and even more excited when his mama brought him into my Monroe, Washington studio. He was the perfect newborn model at 8 days new. (The perfect window for newborn sessions is 5-14 days new.) He let me pose him anyway I wanted and I am loved adding some wrapping and swaddling to my session workflow. He was handsome and squishy and sleepy. Didn't make a peep his whole session. 

Awaiting Baby Jace ~ Everett Washington Maternity Photographer

It's such a blessing when I am asked to document some of the most amazing moments in someone's life. I am invited into some of the most beautiful love stories and get to see how they unfold from two people who fell in love, vow to do life together, and then start a family. I have had the honor of being able to share in this story from engagement to wedding (in Jamaica I might add) to maternity with their first son and now the adding of this soon to be baby boy. I am beyond excited to meet him. And can't wait for this family of 3.5 become a family of 4.5. 

We started the session down by the river and it was the perfect backdrop for the outdoor session part of the shoot. We did some family photos (Cooper included ~ the pup) and then did some of just this beautiful mama to be. I was dying over her maternity session. Then we headed back to the studio located in Monroe, Washington for more family photos and some more artistic images of mama. 

I love that this family has trusted me with some of the biggest events in their lives and so honored to call them friends. I am so so very blessed that they trusted me and my vision for every session from their engagement photos to their destination wedding to the maternity session of their first son and now their maternity session with their second one with a few family photography sessions in the mix. To be allowed to celebrate in someone else joy is such a gift. 

If you are looking to book a maternity session the best time is month 7 or 8 of your pregnancy. Please contact me to book your session today. I'd love to document this time of your life.