Pittsburgh In-Home Newborn Lifestyle Portraits
As I sat down thinking about words to write about this session, I was struck with how blessed it is to be in someone’s life from a young age and be a part of every major, and lots of minor, life events.
Eunice and Timmy have been around for most of my life. Timmy is ten years my senior so he was in the background until I was in high school. He called me to join Sunday service praise team that he led, taught Saturday morning Bible study for Sunday School teachers, and served as my small group leader in college. Honestly, he’s like a big brother (funny enough, I actually have a brother with the same name!); new people would often ask if we were siblings. He offers biblical wisdom, pays for meals now and then, and puts me in headlocks, an embarrassing act he hasn’t gotten over and I still suffer from even in my mid-twenties. I’ve annoyed him many times and he’s made me cry three or four times. But he has a good heart and is quick to help.
Growing up, Eunice has always been like an older sister. Our moms were close friends so we’d hang out with each other all the time. We would do arts stuff (Eunice was so good at painting and drawing! She doesn’t do as much now, but I bet she’s just as good), play pretend, and memorize lines from Finding Nemo. Of course, that changed as we got older: we went from playing Nintendo64 games to doing life together. Well, it was mostly her doing life and me asking for advice on how to do life. She helped me with my math homework, listened to my secrets and rants, and we’ve been on trips together. I can’t imagine life without either Eunice or Timmy because both have had such a big impact on my life and my faith.
It’s amazing that over distance and time, we are still involved in each other’s lives. I was in their bridal party when they got married and now, aunt-tographer to their first little, Aria! They invited me to stay with them for awhile in Pittsburgh instead of just taking photos and leaving. It was almost like being on vacation even though I worked my normal 9-5 remotely plus photography work. Aria is a chill baby who can sleep through some of the loudest noises. Even during the session, she slept through most of it. More often than not, instead of smiling, she smirks. It’s the absolute cutest! Also telling of who her dad is hahaha. Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! It’s amusing to watch Timmy smitten over his child, too. He’d hold Aria during his Zoom meetings and flex her in front of his colleagues. Eunice admitted to me that she didn’t really know what she was doing (but which first mom does?!), yet I wouldn’t have known otherwise since she looks like she knows what she’s doing and is naturally transitioning into motherhood. Her eyes light up whenever she talks about baby stuff so you know she loves it, and I love hearing about it (except for breastfeeding; I’m a little scarred now).
The session was on a typical Pittsburgh gray and cloudy day. Eunice and Timmy’s house had a small room that filled with beautiful light in the afternoon/evening, perfect for indoor portraits despite the cloudiness! As usual, Timmy purposely made a lot of funny expressions, but I got good ones of his normal smiling face. Eunice’s mom was also visiting so we got shots of grandma with Aria and one with three generations! It was nice that I was staying there because we could take more breaks for feeding and changing. I was also able to snap moments of daily life, the good and bad. They might not necessarily be the most poised and beautiful, but they are the ones that remind us of reality, the fragility of life, and how God works through mundane or trying times. Overall, time spent with this framily (friends+family) was much-needed and life-giving.
I can’t wait to see these three again. Aria, I’m praying for you just as your mom prayed for me. I hope you’ll come to fun Aunt Sarah when you want a break from mom and dad!
