Steph Ansley Photography

Pardon my oversharing, but this is still only half of the final batch for this session! 😂 This is my Vermont BFF Kathie, her amazing kiddo Olivia, and her partner Lenny. In short order, they have become family. Liv and our son Elliott are classmates and love each other like siblings (and Liv looks at our daughter Norah as a little sister, too) and we have all bonded so deeply, and for that we could not be more grateful. Having moved across the country where we have no family and didn’t know a soul, it feels so beautiful to be building our own chosen family and community. These amazing humans bring so much joy and laughter and being-home-feelings for us, and so I was super honored to nervously break out my camera again to get some family shots of them all together during peak autumn leaf time here in Vermont. Enjoy these beautiful happy faces that we’re lucky enough to get to see all the time! 💜

The plan had been for me to document this sweet boy’s whole journey Earthside, but he had other adventures planned. This little heart warrior decided to show up early and reallllly fast, and after his birth it was quickly discovered that he had a little trouble with his heart that required open heart surgery at only a few days old. I was so delighted when his Momma texted me last week to update me and let me know that he was not only okay, but thriving, and asked if I could come take some pictures for them now that they’re all home safe, sound, and healthy. It was truly such an honor to be allowed into their gorgeous (and I mean GORGEOUS) home to capture their palpable, overwhelming love for each other and this sweet little one, and I’m so happy I got to have this little guy be my first newborn shoot since moving to Vermont!

Happy holidays to you and yours! I’m so grateful for so much —this year especially— but today I’m feeling especially grateful for this work I love so much, and for the love I get to bear witness to while doing it.

--with Michayla Maxwell and Kyle Joseph Maxwell

Mustard babes! 💛💛💛