Introducing... Charlotte Marin Woods

She's here.  And positively adored.

Welcome to the world,

~ Charlotte Marin ~ 

Our baby girl arrived into this world at 2:35am on Monday, August 22, 2011.  She weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces, and is 19 inches long.  She surprised us by being almost two weeks early (my guess date was September 3, which has been a running joke throughout this pregnancy... since that's "Labor Day" weekend.)  ;)

newborn and sibling photographbig sister Lila, three years old //  baby Charlotte, one day old

Her name is very special because, to us, it represents where Chris and I began, and where we are now.  He and I met in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1998.  We fell in love and began our life together there.  Marin (pronounced "Mare uhn") literally means "from the sea", which represents our life here now.  One of our favorite things about living in Florida is how close we are to the Gulf, and how much our kids love the beach (especially Parker right now).  Chris and I also were married on the beach a little over twelve years ago, and it's just weaved itself into our lives.

I promise to post Charlotte's wonderful birth story soon (and lots more photos).  Her birth was absolutely amazing for us.  And true to her name, she was actually born in water.  For now, let me just say that the amazing ladies at Breath of Life Birth Center in Largo are the most caring, attentive and supportive midwives and birthing team I've ever seen and known.  They have been so sweet to our family, so welcoming of our other children, and so prayerful and supportive of our entire journey toward Charlotte's arrival.  I can't recommend them highly enough, Mamas.  And a less-than-five-hour labor?  What a blessing.

Thank you so much to everyone for the well wishes, emails, Facebook greetings and sweet phone calls we've received.  We are really enjoying our first week at home together with Charlotte, finding our routine and getting to know each other.  We're all completely smitten with this sweet darling girl, so everything else has been put on hold for a short while.  I know a few clients are waiting on a print here and there, and those will go out soon (thanks to my fabulous husband and his help with matting and packaging!).  I go back to shooting in late October, so if you'd like us to put you down for a fall/winter session, please just send an email to stacey {at} staceywoodsphoto {dot} com, and we'll contact you back at our earliest convenience.  We greatly appreciate your love and patience during this precious time for our family, and I promise to keep you updated during my maternity leave with lots of photographs of this little one and her big brother and big sister!

xxoo,

Stacey

like mama, like daughter

You know I had to keep that title Southern.  LOL! Nicole contacted me recently and shared the news that her Mom was going to be in town from Arizona for a visit, and that she'd love to have me photograph their relationship together, as mother and daughter.  And for me, it was an honor.  Let me just tell you... I had an absolute blast with these gals tromping all over Clearwater Beach.  Thankfully, they trusted in my vision for the session, and let me have at it.  Even when, during our wandering, I stopped quickly and instructed that they sit down here, yes right here, in the middle of the sidewalk!  :)  I love it when clients "get" my style and just go with the flow. We have such a good time, and hopefully, the results speak for themselves.  I'll let y'all be the judges...

I looooove this combo.  Love how relaxed and beautiful they both look here....

We had the most gorgeous light to work with!  I loooove the golden hour.  :)

We even stopped for ice cream at one of my favorite little hideaways.  :)

Now.  Don't these just make you want to call your Mama??  :)  Remember that this Sunday, May 10, is Mother's Day!  SWP is offering Gift Certificates to give the sweetest ladies in your life.  Show them how much you adore them by giving them the priceless gift of custom photography... either a session to celebrate themselves or one to capture memories with the kiddos.  Inquire for details!

Y'all STAY TUNED to the blog for the next few days.  I have TONS of sneak peeks and sessions to showcase here, plus lots of personal "stuff" to share too.  Bear with me as I catch up from this crazy week!  :)

fresh and new

I had the pleasure of photographing this tiny little girl a couple of weeks ago, and oh my, she completely stole my heart.  She was sooo so good for her big photographic debut, and slept almost the entire shoot.  What a sweet little bean she was!  

And of course... I had to photograph those sweet piggies.  :)

Just totally sacked out here....  She was such a great sleeper, although Mom says she has her days and nights a little mixed up right now.  I'm sure that's not so much fun in the middle of the night, as it was for me those couple of hours during the day.  ;)

And I absolutely LOVED the dramatic light here..... 

I have so many amazing images from this session.... but I don't want to spoil the surprise for Mom and Dad!  So hang on guys, your gallery will be posted NEXT!  :)