When Christen shared their Lifestyle Collection to her Facebook and Instagram page, she lovingly thanked me for making their “chaos look so peaceful.” When I read it, I knew it was the perfect title for this blog post!
Even though I’ve been doing photography for many years, this was the first time I’d say I’ve done a true Lifestyle Session! The Woodards invited me into their home just 7 days after their precious baby girl Braelyn entered the world! Braelyn’s birth was a wild ride, and if you’d like to hear the story, you can hear it straight from her parents HERE! Their hilarious and detailed rendition of their home birth experience is definitely one for the history books! I’ll just say this: ONE push! They also take the time to answer everyone’s questions about home birth! It is both crazy informative, and super funny!
The plan was for me to be there that night, but once you hear the story, you’ll find out how I just couldn’t make it in time to capture Braelyn’s birth. I was SO sad, but Christen & Brandon were gracious, and adamant that there was no way I would’ve made it in time. So we decided to plan a postpartum in-home session instead!
The Woodards know they hold a special place in my heart because I had the complete honor of being their wedding photographer back in 2013! And now here we are 5 years and 4 kids later and I have the honor again to photograph the next chapter in their beautiful family story.
Let me just say, the Woodard home is a blast. As soon as you hit the door, you are hit with the sounds of LIFE! The kids are playing and laughing and running, and yes, sometimes screaming with delight! Or just screaming. It depends on the moment. Little Braelyn was completely UNBOTHERED by the sounds of her siblings playing around her. No surprise though, right? She’s been hearing those sounds for months now from the womb! Christen was the picture of beauty and poise as she sat on the couch holding her newborn, sunlight pouring in from the patio doors, smiling at the other 3 children dancing around the living room. Surrounding us were several framed photos of the family, flowing from the living room to the dining room. No one has to verbalize it, standing there, you know without a doubt that in this home, family is everything.
I couldn’t wait to get started so I sat down all of my bags next to several tiny pairs of shoes by the door. I smiled at the thought of just how many little feet there are running around this home. Brooklynn (4), Brandon (3), and Braxton (2) couldn’t wait to dive into my photo gear and help me unpack the goodies I was going to use. And of course, as soon as I lifted my camera, they did what every child does when I’m ready to take their picture... they went from 0 to 60! It was hilarious to me because I’m used to it, but man does it frustrate parents when kids refuse to participate in family photos! After I achieved my initial goal of one good posed family photo, the rest was just me pretending I was a photojournalist following the family around and letting them do what they do! I loved watching the siblings interact with each other, and how they’d pause to come and kiss or hug Braelyn and then carry on. I even enjoyed watching Brandon Sr. round up his crew and get them all ready to leave for the day!
After all was said and done, my time with the Woodards was beautiful. It was loud. It was fun. And it really was somehow chaotically peaceful! Not because it was quiet, or tranquil, but because their home is literally brimming over with love and laughter. And where there is this type of love, there is certainly peace. Even with being outnumbered by their little ones, Brandon & Christen never broke a sweat! I’m telling you, The Woodards are big time #Goals! I know it can’t possibly be easy, but they prove it’s worth it. Much love to the Woodard family. Thanks for sharing your lives with us!
Love,
Kiki
