The Johnson family has been coming to me since 2021. Their first family session was when their son Gunner was a few months shy of turning 1 and they secretly had another babe on the way. A lot of times in this business, I am the first to know about pregnancies and this session ended up including announcement photos with Gunner’s adorable ‘big bro'‘ hat. I love that I get let in on such secrets so often- That is one cool thing about my job! I love keeping your baby secrets!!

Fast forward 7 months later, little brother Grady came along and Dani brought her family back to me for newborn photos. Snuggling babies is my jam and siblings are always such a hoot to photograph so I worked some toddler-magic and bribed big brother Gunner! I’m not above bribery, y’all! haha! I really wanted Dani to get in the photos, but when she wasn’t here for my bribery. Maybe next time, right? ;-P

A few months after Grady was born, Gunner turned 2. These babies are closeeee in age y’all! Gunner was a fan of being the center of attention during his ‘Milestone session’, so this was an easy job for me. We laughed a lot! And even though I begged Dani again, she still wouldn’t get in the photos,,,,There hassss to be a next time, right?!

So funny story, you know how I said I love me some secrets? Well, a few months later a good ol’ secret came along when Dani texted me and told me she was pregnant with BABY NUMBER 3! WHAT IN THE WORLD! I was shocked, but also ecstatic for her to join the “Mom of 3” club! So, guess what happened?!? I FINALLY GOT MY WAY!! I might have got renamed to ‘bossy Brandi’ but it was worth it!! During Gradys 1 year milestone session, I finally made Dani get in the photos with Grady. It took a lot of bullying from me, but look at these photos! I know she walked away feeling like herself again…and that is another cool thing about my job; I get to make the mama feel valued, seen… and purrrty!

Since this was Danis last baby (but for real, is it really?! I mean, she swore Grady was! HA!), she wanted labor and delivery photos. This, of course, is a very vulnerable atmosphere to be invited into and I don’t take that lightly… And, considering Dani doesn’t like to be in photos and has to be bossed into them, I was so so excited to capture this experience for her.

Birth is sacred. Birth is empowering. Birth is raw… it’s definitely my favorite to photograph and I was honored to be there with her. And also she had an amazing doula, Grethel, who made it that much more enjoyable. I swear the environment was like a girls night with Dad (Corey) crashing the party with his headphones and dad jokes. LOL!! Such great memories were made! I mean, just look at these photos from baby Grady’s birth.

Her labor was magical; We laughed (a lot!), we danced, we cried, we prayed… and then Gabe joined the party and my goodness, look at that cutie!! There is nothing like that fresh newborn baby smell, am I right? I delivered all 3 of my own babies at Advent Health Hospital, so not only did I love being there with Dani and her birth team, but I have very fond memories there. There is nothing better than having an empowered birth experience, and because of those surrounding Dani, I know she had just that <3

Check out Grethel's birth work here

Best Around: Advent Health

We waited until Gabe was one month old to take his newborn photos; Dani likes when her babies have some chunk on them, and honestly my favorite sessions are when babies are 3-7 weeks old! Dem’ squishy cheeks are what get me!!! Don’t let a photographer turn you away because your baby is older than a specific age… babies can be photographed beautiful at any age, I swear by it!!