Maternity, Newborn and Family Sessions – A One-Year Series of Photoshoots in Charlottesville
October 19, 2018
Hunter can still remember the seat that he was sitting in when Mark told him over lunch that he and Uconda were having another baby. He can remember the excitement and the hug he gave Mark as he shared in Mark’s excitement. Sarah can still remember being brought almost to tears when she found out later that evening.
Mark and Uconda have been friends and mentors to us since Hunter’s time at UVA, so we were over the moon when they not only told us that their family would be growing, but asked us to come alongside them throughout their first year. Uconda proposed something that we had never done before: a six-part series of photoshoots that would begin with a maternity session, and follow their family all the way to their baby-to-be’s first birthday.
Maternity Session
This is where it all began, with a maternity session that began in Mark and Uconda’s home, and ventured into the park in their neighborhood where their boys would play together one day. Not only did we capture some loving photos of Uconda and Mark, but also their oldest son Landon, who was so excited to become a big brother!
Newborn Session
Barely a month later, we were back in Mark and Uconda’s home, and finally got to meet baby Nolan! Although we don’t remember his length or his weight, we remember the way Mark and Uconda glowed over their new baby boy. We tip-toed into the house expecting to find two bleary-eyed parents and a big brother jealous for Mom and Dad’s attention, but instead we found a momma so proud of her little ones, and a dad so excited for his son’s future football career! Their Tarheel Blue from Mark’s college football career certainly came through during this session.
12 Week Session
For Nolan’s three-month birthday, we were back in Mark and Uconda’s living room one final time for what turned into a Nolan fashion show! Not only was he awake this time, but he was stuntin’ fresh outfit after fresh outfit. Mark and Uconda opted out of this one, but Landon couldn’t resist hopping in a photo or two with his baby brother!
24 Week Photoshoot
We couldn’t believe how big Nolan had gotten in only half a year! We felt like he had doubled in size (and in hair length) since we had seen him only a few months before! This time, the entire family traveled to Mint Springs Park in Crozet to capture not only some photos of the kids, but also some full family photos so their friends and family could stay up to date with the crew.
36 Week Session
The 9-month photoshoot was Nolan’s time to shine. Landon didn’t even bother coming to this one, since this shoot was about Nolan, Nolan and NOLAN! He played in the grass, chewed on some of his favorite toys, and even got to go for a ride on his daddy’s shoulders! He was crawling at top speeds and standing, although not quite walking, as long as he had something to support him. We’re pretty sure that it was at this shoot that he fell in love with Sarah, or at least touching buttons on her camera.
Nolan’s First Birthday Session!
For the one-year photoshoot, we opted to meet at Carter Mountain Apple Orchard right as late-summer turned to fall. We were shocked at how big Nolan was, and how he walked around his parents legs without a care in the world. Landon had grown so much too, as we look back on that first photoshoot, and we finally figured the trick to getting some real smiles from him!
Mark + Uconda,
Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of this incredibly memorable time in your family’s lives! You two have continued to serve as wonderful models of loving and faithful spouses and parents, and we’ve learned more from you two over the last year than you probably know! You two make it look so easy, and Landon did such a great job throughout of being the caring older brother. Even if we won’t be doing photoshoots every 3 months, we know we’ll continue to be a part of the life of your family, and for that we are so grateful.
With love,
Sarah + Hunter
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