Waiting for Baby

Posted on December 18, 2022 by dani_f under family, maternity

One of my favorite things is getting to spend time with people at various points along life’s journey. Of course, bringing a new gift from God into the world is one of the absolute best. As a mother I recall the feeling of anticipation. The excitement, the joy, the changes, the questions, the anxiety, the exhaustion, the discomfort, the waiting, the prayers, the waiting, the prayers, the waiting, the prayers.

I’m blessed to know new mama-to-be Sofia in more than one capacity; I get to know her as a coworker and also as a coach of my daughter. I can tell you one thing I know to be true — our lives are richer because Sofia is in it. I also know this — this baby girl will learn to be strong, confident, intelligent, a little feisty, funny and fearless. Now that I’ve gotten to know Sam a little more, I can also tell you that these two parents will bring this baby girl into a home of love, of faith, of quiet presence, and of a solid foundation.

No one can know exactly when a first child will make his or her appearance. On a Friday night I watch Sofia coaching along the sidelines of a basketball game. In those moments when the refs make a bad call, the team misses a free throw, or a ponytailed young player sinks a three, Coach Sofia is on her feet and in it. She’s rallying around her girls. She’s defending them like a mama bear. And she’s taking them aside to impart words of confidence and grace. I am thankful to know women like her – strong, fearless and passionate.

Baby girl, I also know this for a fact – you will be like warm sunshine in the face of your loving mama and daddy. You are already so loved.

henry, you are a gift

Posted on June 2, 2022 by dani_f under babies, birth, documentary style, family, lifestyle, newborn

It dawned on me today that I haven’t been faithful to my website or my blog. I cannot explain why, other than the downsizing of my photography business and all of the ways that my life has changed over the past handful of years. So today, as I was thinking about sharing the photos of this blessed event, I realized that it was time – time to share and time to start writing again.

I was blessed to be invited into the pre/post-op hospital/delivery room of my baby sister and her hubby. (Yes, I still call her my baby sister and I probably always will. Not sorry.) We all knew that it was going to be a c-section delivery and that this baby probably wouldn’t wait until the scheduled date because that was the trend that was started with their first born – he arrived (breech and ultimately delivered via c-section) three weeks prior to his due date.

So, it really was no surprise when my phone rang last week late at night, a full week prior to the scheduled date. It was my sister. Her water had just broken and they were headed to the hospital to deliver. A few minutes later we jumped in the truck and headed out on the 90-minute drive to York, Nebraska. I hoped that I’d catch some shots before they took her back to the operating room, but I was about five minutes too late (luckily, my mom snapped some of those).

We arrived as the proud daddy was prepping – putting on his fancy booties and hat. It wouldn’t be long before baby made his or her appearance and we were all excited! Another blessing was the presence of my sister’s high school best friend – she is the ob director at the hospital. It’s not very often that one of your closest friends gets to be a part of your baby’s delivery and newborn care. (She told me later that she even teared up a little in the O.R. because it was such a beautiful life moment.) It was truly an amazing memory to cherish.

Now, I cannot leave you without explaining the biggest surprise of the night. Everyone – almost every single person in their lives – just knew that it was a baby girl. We were sure of it. I was ready to buy bows and pink clothes. We chatted about how this pregnancy was different from her son’s and I would have put money on it being a girl! Well, it’s a good thing that I didn’t…because baby girl was definitely NOT a girl. Even his big brother was surprised! (You can see the moment that the truth was revealed to the grandparents and their expressions are priceless!!)

To my sister and her hubby – thank you, thank you, thank you! I know that you think of this as something I did for you, but it has done so much for me in return. Anytime I get to capture memories like this and be in this space – this moment – I am reminded of God’s grace and the gifts He has granted to me. I love you all so much. And to Henry – welcome to the world, sweet boy. Your name means “house ruler,” and I have no doubt that this is exactly what you will be.

ashley + bryon + 3 fur babies

Posted on July 29, 2015 by dani_f under families

As we all know, everyone’s family looks different. I’ve worked with an amazing variety of families and I can attest, they all come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes, like for ashley+bryon, they come with a house of fur babies. It doesn’t matter how we define our families or if they’re human or furry – all kids make for an interesting photo session! This was completely true for ashley+bryon’s session! When two dogs were behaving, the third was not. And then the same was true in a different order. In the end I was able to capture at least some of the beauty that these three majestic creatures possessed. Thank you to ashley+bryon for a great session!

Please tag Calico Creek Photography in all social media posts. Thank you…and thanks for choosing Calico Creek Photography!

the bristol family

Posted on July 21, 2015 by dani_f under families, family

Personality. Spunk. Giggles. Charm. Freckles. Just some of the words I could use to describe the three gorgeous children of Shane+Kelsey! I have been blessed to work with this family a few times and every time it just gets better! I know how parents are – trust me, I have four kids – they want that pinterest-inspired, perfectly-posed shot of their family. A photo that captures every smile and wisp of hair perfectly placed. But let’s be real…those shots are few and far between. And besides, they can be pretty boring! I’d rather see the personality of a family – the way they laugh, and talk, and are naturally around one another. One of my favorite shots (though Kelsey might disagree) is the last one on this blog post. It shows just how hard a family photo session can be. Be sure to check out the facial expression of each child as mom and dad smile and hope for the best. Priceless.Please tag Calico Creek Photography in all social media posts. Thank you…and thanks for choosing Calico Creek Photography!

•the roberts family

Posted on November 16, 2014 by dani_f under families

Sometimes there’s just no way around it…a kid has a bad day. Regardless of any tears or avoidance of my camera, it’s my job to capture every little person’s personality and every family’s love. Yes, children can be a challenge, but they keep my work fresh and fun and in many ways, I enjoy the challenge! I know that kids who don’t always want their photo taken stress parents out FAR more than me. In fact, it’s a bit refreshing from my perspective to know that everyone’s family is normal, and everyone’s kids have rough moments just like mine do! My time with the Roberts family may have been a bit stressful from time to time for mom and dad, but to me it was just another opportunity to capture absolute cuteness!

If you like what you see, please leave some love on my Facebook page!

If you borrow any photos for Facebook, please give Calico Creek Photography credit and tag my business page!

•the h family

Posted on November 16, 2014 by dani_f under families

It’s not every day that I get to work with a family from France! It was great to see an old high school classmate and meet his charming wife and children. Thank you so much for allowing me to work with your adorable family while you were here visiting! Next time I’d be alright with coming to you!

If you like what you see please leave some love on my Facebook page!

If you want to borrow any images for Facebook, please give Calico Creek Photography credit and tag my business page!

•the crawford family

Posted on November 16, 2014 by dani_f under families

When working with infants and toddlers I’ve learned to just go with the flow! It has been a rewarding year of watching little miss Charley grow–she’s full of energy, has a mind of her own, and is completely adorable! I recently had the pleasure of working with the whole family again on a beautiful fall morning (thank goodness we got this session in before the snow arrived)!! It was great to celebrate a first birthday and such a gorgeous family!

If you like what you see, please leave some love on my Facebook page!

If you borrow any of these photos for Facebook, please credit Calico Creek Photography and tag my business page!

•the mccaulla family

Posted on November 2, 2014 by dani_f under families

There are so many beautiful places in Nebraska, especially in the fall. Recently I had the chance to travel to the Plattsmouth area to work with the McCaulla family – it was such a gorgeous shoot, on a beautiful fall day, with an awesome group! I couldn’t have asked for a better family to work with. From the oldest to the youngest, everybody was smiling and it made my job a breeze! Thanks again for allowing me to work with you all!!

If you like what you see, please leave some love on my Facebook page! Also, if you borrow any of these photos for Facebook, please give me credit in the caption or by tagging Calico Creek Photography!

•samantha + lucas \\ waiting for baby

Posted on October 6, 2014 by dani_f under families, maternity

When I learned that Samantha + Lucas were expecting their first child, I was thrilled. When Samantha asked me to photograph the next steps in their life, I was overjoyed. It is a honor and privilege to photograph major milestones for my clients – clients who become friends. I first met Samantha + Lucas for their engagement session a few years ago. Then, I photographed their beautiful wedding day two years ago. And now, I get to be a part of their baby story and I cannot wait to meet him or her! They are such a wonderfully sweet couple who will be amazingly loving parents.

If you like what you see, please leave some love on my Facebook page!

•the naiman family

Posted on October 5, 2014 by dani_f under families

When I was contacted by my friend Regina to photograph her extended family, I smiled. I absolutely love to work with grandparents! The unmistakable look between two people who have loved one another for so long is always fabulous to see. The Naiman family did not disappoint! I was blessed to work with them and I am honored to have been a part of these moments. Time and life move beyond our control, so being able to slow down and capture life is why I am a photographer. So often we take our families for granted. We take time for granted. And we assume we’ll always have tomorrow. I don’t care who is behind the camera, but my hope is that every family asks someone to photograph them – to capture their love like the Naiman family did on a warm fall morning.

If you like what you see, please leave some love on my Facebook page!