Wow, you’re almost here and we are so excited to finally meet you.  Your dad and I have been waiting for you for 9 long months and pretty soon we’ll get to see you, touch you, and gaze into your beautiful eyes.  I’m especially looking forward to holding you in my arms and nuzzling your sweet smelling head.  Let’s spend hours together just cuddling, nursing, sleeping, and enjoying life together.

I can’t wait to be your mama.  I’ve been preparing for motherhood since I was a young girl and I feel so ready to welcome you into my life.  I’ve studied everything I could about how to be a good parent, how to help you learn and grow, and how to be the best example I can be for you.  I’ve even practiced by taking care of lots of other babies and kids, but really it was all for you.  Taking care of you and teaching you how to take good care of yourself sounds like the most fun and rewarding thing I could possibly do in my life.  Thanks for helping me fulfill my life’s purpose.

Just wait ‘till you meet your dad.  He’s fantastic.  I just know he’s going to be such a wonderful daddy to you.  When I was choosing a husband I decided to choose the man with the biggest, most beautiful heart I could find.  And that’s your dad.  He cares so deeply, and shares himself so openly.  I love his honesty and the way he has trouble keeping a secret, even when it’s a fun surprise.  I completely trust him to take exquisite care of all of our hearts, which is really the most important task of all.  And on top of all that, he’s hilarious!  With your daddy in our lives, we are sure to have lots and lots of laughter and fun.

My friends keep telling me that you’re “one lucky baby” and I agree.  I’ve always thought of myself as one of the luckiest people I know.  And I’m so happy to pass on my good fortune to you.  In fact, there’s no one else I’d rather bless with endless good luck and the ability to appreciate and enjoy it.

One of my deepest hopes is that we can always communicate openly with each other, that no matter what’s happening, you know you can always come to us, share whatever’s on your heart and we’ll always love you no matter what.  There may be times when we don’t like each other very much, but even then, please know, that we love you dearly, deeply, and without conditions.  And even in times when you think you don’t, we’ll remember that you love us too.  Because that’s how it is in our family, we practice unconditional love and acceptance no matter what the circumstances.

So, welcome to life on Earth, and welcome to your family.  May you be surrounded by love, inspired to learn and grow, and always know that you are deeply cherished.

Love,

Mom

Shelly and Kevin,

We sure cut it down to the wire but I hope you find these images to be a late lasting memory of pregnancy!  You’re SO beautiful!  Thanks for trusting us and for being adventurous even at 2 weeks to your due date!  It’s been an honor to document your journey from engagement, to wedding, to baby   Lots of love to you both and congratulations on your new addition.  I hope everyone found the tissues because I sure was grabbing them reading your powerful love letter!

All the best,

B + W

This is a classic shot – nothing that’s totally unique but totally special.

I LOVE this giggle, Shelly…it’s like Kevin was tickling you!

One of our total favs from the day, has all the right unique elements with magical smiles from you both and still shows your belly. – YUM!

A fun daddy shot

Who knew you could be so sexy at 8.5 months?!!  Grarrrw. Love it – Wendy

This feels lonely yet a totally surreal with you and the baby.

Beautiful soft focus on the hay and grasses – like a hidden moment.

Love the connection between a single, growing organism with the grass in front and a single, growing organism with the baby in the back.

Love these belly portraits – WOW!  Color pop is lovely.

One of my favorite portraits, love the lighting on your face and belly.

At the end of the session, Wendy spent a little time alone with Shelly for these more intimate shots.  We fell in love with this one and are thankful Shelly and Kevin let us post this beauty.  Capturing the body at this stage in life in true form.  Shelly, you’re GORGEOUS!

Max is passionate about running (it’s obvious) and about teaching running but he’s also one of those wonderful athletes that balances his supreme athleticism with a full-time career (he’s a chemical engineer) and family (he’s got an 8 month old!).  Above all, Max is an all-around fun guy, easy to get along with always cool, calm and collected with a smile.  Over the last few months we’ve had the opportunity to spend some quality time shooting Max for various marketing projects for some of his big sponsors: Montrail and Mountain Hardware.  Below are some of our favorites from the last few shoots out at Smith Rocks State Park and Sisters, OR and as we just found out, the covers of the new 2011 Montrail catalog and Mountain Hardware Excel Run.

Ohh la la

This was the ‘hydration’ shot   The view was spectacular though…

Max stretching before the photo shoot run   Very difficult, max effort.  he he…

One of our favs; Max has a fantastic stride, focus and dedication to his sport.

Max’s ‘All-American’ smile and portrait.

This is one of Wendy’s favs – great lighting and intensity.

Max is quite fearless, when we say jump – he jumps…across a chasm!

This was honored by making the cover of Mountain Hardware’s 2011 Excel Run Spring Catalog.

The new Montrail’s 2011 catalog cover shot

Another hydration/hero shot of Max.

One of the many classic, casual running shots out at Smith Rocks.

Max showing off ‘parkor’ style…goofing off really.  Just happy he didn’t get hurt   Oh, and he’s several feet off the ground here.

Another hero shot – that dude is strong.

Jumping over the 4 feet wide chasm.  Every time he landed, Wendy breathed a sigh of relief.

A Montrail shoe focused shot, Byron’s fav

Your father and I are so excited for your arrival. We have been preparing for you for many years and it’s truly amazing to us that you’ll be in our arms in just a few short weeks. Our hearts are so full of joy that sometimes we look at each other in tearful wonder that we’ll soon have the honor of being your parents. We take this responsibility very seriously, but you’ll find we are both really two big goofs, who just love to laugh and play. There are so many beautiful places we can’t wait to take you to see, play and smile as we have together. Your father can’t wait for the day to come when you slip on your first pair of climbing shoes. I can’t wait to see the wonder in your eyes on your first airplane ride or first trip to the ocean.

We promise to support and provide for you with open hearts and open ears. We promise to listen to you and hold you when you need support. We promise to give you the freedom to see and experience life through your own perspective, and to honor that you have much to teach us. We promise to role model to you patience, kindness and acceptance of others and things we don’t always understand in the world. We promise to do our best to instill in you a sense of responsibility as a human being to this planet and all the life that abounds. But above all of these, we promise to love you unconditionally and without bounds.

For now, I listen and wait for the day when you signal to me that you are ready to make your journey from the womb to the outside world. And I wish for strength and surrender that you and I will both need on that day. Until then, sleep in peace and wonder of the new journey you are about to embark. We are here for you with open arms.

Much love,
Your mother

——

Aura, you’re a gem.  We wish you and Logan the very best through the coming year of transformation.  It’s been so wonderful to be your friends, witness your engagement and wedding – continuing to document your story.  Thank you!  – B + W

This picture deserves a frame for the baby’s room

Oh, so cozy!

Who’s that cute momma-to-be?  Your eyes POP here – love it.

We love the perspective here and the light on the tops of your hands.

Does this mean it’s a boy?  Only time will tell!

Your body, your joy, your moment – timeless.

Monica and Todd come walking up a few moments after my revelation and began to tell me that it was under this cool new arbor, I thought only I knew about, they got engaged.  So begins the perfect place to start an engagement shoot on a wild and windy day in Bend, Oregon.  As some of you know, when two people are in love, their eyes are a complete give away.  Wendy calls it the, “look” and as a photographer, a persons eyes are EVERYTHING to an image.  Looking at how Monica and Todd gazed at each other was more than enough to convince me that they not only have a deep caring for each other but a mutual respect that will bond them forever.

So, here’s to  Monica and Todd, may your eye’s always reflect the love in your hearts!

I’m happy to say that Zoe and the Burton family were in great spirits when I came over for the photoshoot and I want to thank both John and Caren for their hospitality in letting me into their home.  I look forward to keeping up the Burton’s success in changing kennel regulations and applaud them for their efforts.  As you all know, Wendy and I have two of our own dogs and I’m sure all of you pet owners out there are on the same wave length with me when I say that this should never have happened and should never happen again! For the full story please click on this link:  The Source Weekly

A beautiful portrait for a beautiful dog.

The Burton Family

I’ve always had an interest in fashion/interior design/architecture, (maybe it’s my Italian roots showing through) and even though I never went to school for it or worked in the industry, I’m seeing that looking at all those GQ, Elle Decor, etc. magazines when I was younger wasn’t a waste of time as it really helps me to envision lots of options during a photoshoot and in this case allowed me to manipulate his wardrobe choices to get the results you see below.   Please take a look at their website for more information:  StreamiT Media

The images below are from a number of different moments during the trip.  My parents live fairly close to some amazing hiking trails call the White Tanks, so I took a camera with me and spent about 10 minutes photoshooting Wendy next to this huge cactus.  I love walking around in areas that are nothing like where we live.  Super picturesque and amazing colors!

The other images are of my parents church choir prior to mass beginning.  My mother was a professional opera singer prior to the birth of my brother and I and she continually amazes everyone with her voice.  My father has been singing in the choir for a number of years and seems to have found a new love in his voice!  The final images are of this house that wins the Christmas Spirit Award…enough said.

That’s Wendy getting a little too close to a LARGE cactus.

My mom, Ninfi Roe, dazzling hundreds of Midnight Mass goers with her soprano solo.  Just beautiful…

My father, Byron Roe, Sr., in the gray suit – singing baritone with the fellow choir.

The most elaborate house of Christmas lights I have EVER seen!

…it made the Phoenix news….did you know their electric bill is $800 for the month of December?

So at 9:00am in the morning it’s not super warm out and I’m having Mac sit on a blisteringly cold metal bench while I shoot photos of him for the inside shot.  Mac’s not too into the whole thing and can only think about his freezing bottom so the brick wall ends up being a better choice as he gave more than a painful expression!  The cover shot was just as fun and after experimenting with having the “bigs” do rabbit ears to Mac with the lollipops I wanted to create this look where the two adults were the ones with the candy (looking more like kids) than Mac.  I’m happy with the results as it creates a fun subtle air for an important cause.

In addition, I donated a really cool framed print of the Painted Hills to be auctioned off.  So come on and put your money to a good cause!  You can access it online at www.tsweekly.com/

This was probably one of the last days where I could get some fall colors into the shots so we went to Drake Park and also spent some time in downtown Bend where the sun was lighting up this blazing red tree.  Tiffany was a natural in front of the camera and I think this came partly from her excitement at having, as she said, “waited four years for this day”.  Thanks Tiffany, Gina and Shane for the fun day!