You’ve got to love a mom who lets her 4 year old daughter pick out not only her own outfit for a photo shoot but her new baby sister’s outfit as well.  Actually, I’ve loved Liz for awhile…. one of the best things about shooting weddings is the people we meet (Sam shot Liz and Matt’s wedding many moons ago) and one of the best things about living in RVA is that there are only two degrees of separation here.  Liz and I found friends in common and became good friends ourselves.  Despite our common Catholic upbringing, neither Liz nor myself have a mind towards convention, one of the many reasons why I hang with this gal as much as I can!

Tie dye with polka dot accents.  That’s what Ava chose.  And I just dig these two hippy chicks:

Ava also taught me about power princesses.  She doesn’t like regular princesses because all they do is wear dresses and look pretty.  She much prefers power princesses like She Ra who can look hot while wielding a sword to save the universe (my words, btw, not hers).   I am in complete agreement on her princess stance:

I know there are photographers out there who can get a power princess and three week old to smile angelically towards a lens but I’m almost rather proud that photographer isn’t me.  Well, this one ain’t bad… actually…

But this kind of thing is much more my speed:

There was a lot of silliness…

And some stillness in quieter moments.  Keira is just such a beautiful baby girl, she looks so much like her sis when she was born…

And I don’t know, maybe I’m biased, but I think Liz has a glow about her as a mother of two.

I love this family and I loved this shoot.  Here’s a slideshow that made me completely weepy and if you would like to check out the gallery, click here.  Congrats and welcome, sweet Keira…