Two days after their wedding, Shireen and Andrew met me at the gorgeous Vizcaya Museum to create some more magic.
It was just two people in love, a pair of film cameras and one giddy photographer.
This is just a little peak of what we got that day. Can’t wait to share the rest.
Currently Listening to: Your Bones by Of Monsters & Men
Love, e
Somehow she always knows. It’s in the sound of my voice or the catch in breath—if there is something wrong, all she needs to hear is my voice and she knows. I’ve always been fascinated by this gift of my mother’s. I didn’t understand it until I got older. This gift is the simple act of being present; of listening; of knowing your kids. I talk to my mom everyday. I’m 31 and I still call her every day if only to let her know that I’m alive and well. If only to hear her voice. She is everything that I want to be as a mom.
Up until now, I’ve only ever been an awed observer. Until this little blessing started growing inside me, motherhood was something that I could only experience as a child or witness as an outsider. Now, I get to take part. In my life I’ve been surrounded by shining examples of motherhood beginning with my mom and my grandmother. I’ve also been incredibly blessed to be able to photograph motherhood from it’s early stages and through the years.
Here’s to all the mom’s who show up, who love fiercely, who know. I celebrate you every day.
Happy Mother’s day you fierce mommas.
And to my Mami, thank you for always knowing. I love you.
Currently Listening to: Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) by Bill Joel. I can’t wait to sing this to my Logan.
Love, e
I’m pretty much obsessed with these two. Shireen’s smile explains why. It’s hard not to look a beautiful bride like her and a couple so in love like them and not be infected by their happiness. This wedding, held at the gorgeous La Gorce County Club, was peaceful and emotional and all those good things in between. And lets not talk about their day after session. I was gushing, more on that later, and probably said the word awesome more times than a respectable english major should admit.
A very special thanks to Shanti of Events by Shanti for her flawless planning and the Mike and Michelle of Michael Burgos Films for being so easy to work with.
Currently Listening to: Every Chance We Get We Run by David Guetta
Love, e
[...] Sneak Peek: Shireen and Andrew at La Gorce [...]
It’s all getting very real. The little kicks a constant reminder that from now on, I’m responsible for someone else entirely. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself. I can’t really picture what he’ll look like or who he’ll become. Will he have Mike’s eyes, my crazy curly hair? Will he be as full of energy as we both tend to be? Right now, almost 23 weeks in, I try not to venture into those parts unknown. If I’m being honest, it doesn’t matter. I’ll love him anyway.
I press on my ever-growing belly and say hello and it’s like he hears me. A little nudge saying that he did. Sometimes I catch Mike staring, a smile playing at his lips, the evidence right in front of him, that yes, we are in fact making a human; that soon the pair of us will be a family of three.
We’re in a state of transition. Come the fall, we’ll most likely be living some place else with the added bonus of caring for a newborn. Though I’m looking forward to it in ways I never thought possible, I’m trying to take things day-by-day. For the first time in my life, I don’t know stress. I’ve chosen to let life be and it’s been the best thing.
We are in a state of flux with a new horizon moving ever closer, but for now I’m enjoying every second of being pregnant. Sure, there are some interesting things that no one ever talks about and I’ve pretty much given up any control I’ve ever had over my body, but I’ve never felt stronger. Even as I lose my breath while climbing stairs or need to have a moment on the couch after a trip to Target, my body has never felt more alive that it does now. I can’t help but think how lucky we are as women that we get to do this. And I feel so unbelievably blessed that I’ve been given this opportunity unlike some who struggle to get to this point.
I don’t know what I did in a past life to deserve the chance to be this growing boy’s mom, but I’ll take it and do my best. Mike and I were talking the other day about parenting and the immense responsibility that will fall on us to help make him a decent human being. I told him that the only thing that we can do is show up. Every day. Just like we show up for each other and fight to keep what have precious, so must we do the same thing with our son. And so we will.
For now, I’m just trying to enjoy that he’s with me every moment of every day. That we are connected in a way that is so beautiful, it defies description.
Here are some growing bump shots taken mostly while working…
Currently Listening to:Anything Could Happen by Ellie Goulding
Love, e
Beautiful E! So happy for you and Mikey and that your two will now be three 
CONGRATULATION !!! Mrs. Palladino, you will for sure be an awesome mom just like you were an amazing teacher for all of us, specially during my senior year.
Love,
Yelena Guerra
Oh, Elaine! I know exactly how you feel! It’s such a blessing to be able to bring someone into this world and such a responsibility to make sure they turn out to be a good person. Mike (my Mike, lol) and I talk about it all the time. It’s going to be amazing though! You guys are going to make unbelievable parents. And I have a feeling you’ll miss being pregnant. I’m starting to feel that I will. It’s been such a journey and getting to feel him move around all the time and be his home for all these months have brought us together. It’ll be so weird to have an empty belly! Haha!
Every wedding should have cut-outs of the bride and groom’s faces. What a hit. Weddings should also only consist of wonderful people like Kim and Charlie. It was a beautiful day filled with joy and that’s all we can ever ask for.
Currently Listening to: Radiolab (Check them out, seriously, here.)
Love, e
That dress shot!!! Love it, Elaine.
Amazing preview of Kim and Charlie’s beautiful and fun wedding. Can’t wait to see the rest! Thank you!
Donna Cray
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