The say that TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE!  It seemed like just a few months ago when I shot bridal portraits for my cousin, Lauren.   Well, actually it was almost 3 years ago but who is counting?!?  I thought she would wait for me to published in Essence or Black Enterprise before we shot images again.  Silly me!  Looking back on that blog (From Brown Baby to Beautiful Bride), I was so happy for her.  Now, here she was, standing before me as a married graduate of Winthrop University.    This time, she was with her husband, Ben, a fellow Winthrop Eagle.  She looked a little different from the last time I had seen her in person.  Lauren was with child!

The session started very smoothly. I asked the PARENTS-TO-BE to sit and get comfortable, as I prepared my lighting.  It was time to put the Nikon to work. As they got comfy, I shot some candid images of them enjoying the South Carolina pre-summer air.


Once they were set and I was in place, we got a quick image of the couple (and the bundle of joy).

Not to be selfish and throw Cousin Ben away but this session was all about Lauren.  We slowly helped her up (she is in great shape: I’m just being dramatic) and she took position in front of a flower bed.  Lauren is a Nutritionist/Lactation Counselor.  Therefore, she has fitness, well-being and youth on her side. 🙂 With her dress flowing and the sun shining, the beauty of her maternalness was on full display.

I am a caring photographer.  So it wasn’t uncommon for me to allow the mother to catch a seat and hold her bundle of joy.  I managed to steal a moment of her caressing her baby.  A mother & her baby: what a combination to behold!!! 

Not only am I a caring photographer but I am an inclusive photographer.  Lauren and I had made some great memories.  I felt that it was time to get “Dad” back into the scene.  An Interal Auditor by trade, the image incapitulates Ben auditing the happiness of Lauren enjoying the day with him and the “little” one.

As we moved toward the end of the session, we paused to allow Ben a chance to further appreciate the mother of his child in the form of an embrace and kiss on the forehead.


Quick to arrive and quick to leave, it was time to send my clients off on their way.  They had driven in from the city of Rock Hill to spend some precious moments with me.  Grateful for the opportunity, we ended our time together with one final shot of the three of them.  World, I present to you Ben, Lauren and Brayden Ndubuisi Ikenegbu!

how did THAT work out for you?!?

Special shout to all of the fathers that celebrate their day on this past Sunday.  I hope you had a great Father’s Day weekend and you feel more encouraged to do more than you have done already. We can always do more and make the world a better place to be.

Welp, that wraps up the latest blog.  I’ve been missing for a few but I’mmmm back.    Snap at you later. BE EZ. PEACE!!! #beEZpeace