Nicholas at 3 months

catching up with Lisa and taking photos of this cutie pie!

welcome home teddy

To me, the best part about being a professional photographer, is being able to freeze a second in time of a sweet stretch or a little yawn and turn it into a photograph that will be cherished for a lifetime. Making a piece of artwork that is so... emotionally charged and the ability to take any parent back to that very moment in time... that is why I do what I do.

Here is baby Teddy... his long awaited arrival happened on May 6th and we couldn't be more excited for the Vozzella Family. He's tiny and sweet and a spitting image of his older bro, Owen. 

I am so looking forward to documenting their friendship as they grow up together! We love you, Teddy!

a playdate at my house!

Hi Mama's, time to come up for air and get some personal thoughts out on the blog today.

I have to start out by saying... I am in the THICK of this whole motherhood journey... and by thick I mean: piles upon piles of laundry, poopy diapers, dirty dishes and if you came over after any meal you would think we re-did our hardwood floors with tiny chopped up pieces of food... if I'm being honest with you, my day to day is pretty f'n intense... and it all starts out around 5:30am with either one of them awakening with a solid scream cry.... they don't wake up slowly, taking their sweet time to snuggle, stretch and greet the day with ease (like so many instagram moms like to post about)... no... they come at it HOT and screaming!

If you're new here, I have a 1 year old son and a 3 year old daughter and they don't go easy on me. My wardrobe these days consists mostly of soccer shorts, sneakers and tank tops... I do so much running and heavy toddler lifting that it just makes sense... however, I do look like I'm about to step out onto a sports field at any given time. Whatever, at this point in my life fashion has been long gone...

I am probably the only mother in town to be excited that my daughter is about to start pre-school this fall... She SO needs it and so do I! I imagine myself to be the only mom at the drop off on the very first day, totally pumped! Don't get me wrong, Sienna is a riot to hang out with, uses her manners, is patient etc etc... but mama could use a 3 hour break from entertaining her 2 days a week. Lately, after a horrible night of sleep, the last thing I have energy for is to mold and build the mind of a (very intelligent - so far) 3 year old little girl. But alas, I must... and I do the best I possibly can each day. But I'm telling you... I would sometimes give my left arm to sit quietly behind a desk in corporate america just to get a little alone time and some peace and quiet... like an hour would do me some good. 

Anywho, so that's what's been going on with me. 

Oh and so fun, I hosted my very first play date (yeah, 3 years later) with some great friends, Lisa & Becky. Here are a few photos I was able to snap in between making sure Ethan didn't fall out of his tree house! The kid is a beast. 

xo,

April aka #therunninmama

 

 

welcome home marlowe

As soon as I opened the door to greet the Tilden Family, I could feel the love for their new baby girl practically pouring out the door. Baby Marlowe made her debut on April 14 and boy is she a beauty... but that's not surprising because look at her parents! I loved meeting and hanging with the Tilden's and their cool pup Maui (best dog name ever). 

I look forward to watching that little nugget grow into a beautiful little girl!

 

The Glow | a maternity session with Kristina

This girl... I've known her since the early days of elementary school and somehow, after all these years, we've kept in touch simply by making each other laugh! I was so happy and honored and lucky enough to have her and her family fly into Boston so that I could capture this very special time in her life.  Kristina, or as most people know her on social media as @lifeaskristinab, struggled with infertility for years and finally was blessed with twin boys... as luck would have it, she is now expecting (the unexpected) third child who happens to be a little girl! We shared soooo  many laughs together in the short time we spent together and I'm so excited to fly home in June to capture the Welcoming Home of her little girl. 

welcome home Caroline | Weston newborn photography | boston newborn photography

Spring is in the air and the sweet aroma of flowers and new little bitty babies fill the air...

Creating this post to share is pretty bitter sweet for me... on one hand I love the Cavanagh Fam so seeing Alyss and Chris is always fun and I couldn't be happier for them and the life they've created for themselves... but on the other hand, I cannot believe how fast babies grow up. Little baby Catherine is now 2 years old!!! Say what?!

When did that happen?! After living these very moments in my own life and then living them again, in a much broader sense, through lives of those who have me document them, it's mind blowing how fast it all happens. As a child yourself I'm sure the time went very slow, for me it did. But as the years go on, the time seems to fly... and these moments pass so so so quickly.

I was so honored to be called back to the Cavanagh's to document baby Caroline's "welcome home".  She was so teeny tiny and angelic. Catherine was a total ham and I loved playing with her, she's such a good girl. I look forward to watching them grow!

Kiss + cuddle your little ones extra long tonight ;)

xo,

April 

Happy Half Birthday, Grayson! | Boston Baby Photography

You may remember this beautiful family from my post here about welcoming baby Grayson into the world! Grayson is one of my very first milestone babies and this is ALWAYS so exciting for me to see such growth in such a quick period of time... it's really remarkable to me. The first year goes by so fast, it's unbelievable, and the mental and physical changes seem to happen almost overnight. Babies have, and always will, fascinate me. 

I digress...

The Mangano Family is celebrating Grayson's half birthday. I loved catching up with Amy & Mark and as always we swapped stories and shared a laugh about parenting! it's a trip. I'm so looking forward to Grayson's 1 year shoot.

Stay tuned for more!

Welcome Baby Nicholas | Natick Newborn Photography | Boston Newborn Photography

This is one of those posts where I'm sitting here thinking... where do I even begin?!

Lisa and Matt have been good friends right from the start of moving to Boston (in March 2010). Over the years we've celebrated some pretty awesome life events together and this is one of them...

Nicholas Matthew Riesz! Welcome to the world little guy, I assure you, you're in very good hands. I am looking forward to watching you grow into the cutest little angel. 

Source: http://www.aprilkphotography.com/

The Glow | a maternity session with Heather

How gorgous is this mama?! I don't have many words for how beautiful this session truly is, other than she left me wanting another baby! She's radiating that motherhood glow and it's contagious. Heather I couldn't be happier for you and I cannot wait to see how gorgous your little guy will be! 

Kate + Jason | Wedding at the Artist for Humanity Epicenter | Boston Wedding

I'm SO honored that Kate and Jason chose me to shoot their love celebration! This was such a fun wedding to shoot for so many reasons, one being that I absolutely adore Kate and her friends... So knowing that I was getting to hang with these girls all day was a treat in itself, ha ha. 

You may recall the super fun engagement shoot we did over the summer, that was when I knew this wedding day was going to be so magical. Kate and Jason just have this energy about them that glows with excitement for life, so you can imagine the positive vibe that was radiating from each and every person there to help celebrate. 

Their wedding day was a crisp and sunshiny December day in downtown Boston. As soon as Kate was finished getting ready, we headed up to the stunning rooftop of The Envoy for their first look. Jason waited patiently for his bride, who snuck up behind him...and just as he turned around to take his first look, a big gust of wind woooooshed Kate's veil into the air and around Jason... it was such a fun and magical moment. We then took a nice walk down by the Barking Crab and the waterfront. After the sunset, we headed over to the Artist for Humanity Epicenter for a cozy and romantic ceremony followed by a beautiful and energetic reception.

Kate and Jason I wish you a beautiful journey together... I am confident there will be no lack of love, laughter and adventure! xo

2015 | Personal project - recap of the year

This year for me has just been... absolute chaos... I can't even believe I survived! Since I lived, I'll tell the story...

In a nutshell, we had a baby, moved a few times {were homeless for a few months}, settled into a new home, took a few trips, shot a few weddings, newborns and families.... It was nothing short of chaotic, emotional, painful, taxing, extraordinary, rewarding, joyful, and tiring!

I am proud to say I really stepped up my game with bringing my camera places... it's always a question for me "do I bring my camera with me?"... I've really learned that when I don't have it, I always want it... when I do have it, I will use it at least once. For me it's finding a balance between documenting my life and actually living it!

As my sisters used to call me "Media Arts Girl"... I've always had a camera, either video or still, and documenting every moment... I earned dual degree's in  Broadcast Journalism + Studio Art and learned more about how to document.... and.... I guess, I'm coming to realize that it really is my one true passion! 

My mom always told me as I went through college "April, if you don't do art, you'll flunk out"... I always thought she was crazy but this year I really understand what she means. Being creative and making things is what I've done since I was like... idk, 2 years old... and so for me, being able to have photography as an outlet has been so beneficial for my mental health! Through all the stress and agony of figuring out... our life together, juggling a business, moving etc... I was able to jump behind my camera and get my zen on...

Life is moving at a pace I cannot even comprehend right now... and I'm so glad to be able to look back at it all! #photographyrules

here are a few of my favs 

 

...just thinking...

my sweet babies

...life as a stay/work at home mom is often times lonely and I rarely have a chance to even sit and catch my breath...

...but when I get really lucky... once in a while... like catching a falling star, she's a complete angel who says super loving things that make my heart melt, and squeeeeezes me and snuggles me so tight saying "I wuv you mommy" and during this special moment... they play together and make each other laugh... and I get to witness it all. 

it's these times that I hold onto the tightest!

Newborn | Welcome Baby Cora!

This beautiful little angel is a dainty little darling, who slept like a lamb {until she wanted more milk, haha}. Meeting her and her parents was such a great experience. They're the most loving and down to earth little family who I am so looking forward to watching grow over the next year. 

Personal | Happy Birthday Kyleigh

This is my niece, Kyleigh. She was the first niece I ever had and was born the year I graduated from college, I was 21. She was the first baby in the family and the first little model I ever had... This girl has been shot with every model of Nikon since the D200 (as you can see from the earlier photos). Anyone who knows me personally knows all about Kyleigh and how special she is to me. I'm not only her aunt, but her god mother and we also share the same middle name!

When I lived closer to home, we used to see each other often and she would run to the door in such excitement whenever I came to see her... we would spend every waking hour together on the weekends I stayed with her,  when it was time to say goodbye we would both cry. The bond we share is so special and that is why I'm sharing, a little piece of my heart. 

Today Kyleigh is 11 years old, say what? She has grown to be such a thoughtful, strong, beautiful inside and out, brave, flexible, empathetic, and lovable young girl. 

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Here are some of my favorite memories together

Newborn | Welcome Baby Cassidy | Newton Wellesley Hospital

I've had the greatest honor and pleasure of documenting so many special moments in Jen and Mike's lives, and this was no exception... the newest addition to the Davis family and Ashlynn's new little playmate, Cassidy is here (well she's been here for about a month now, I'm just finally getting to share it with all of you).  I was so happy when Jen said yes to my proposal of going to Newton Wellesley Hospital to document baby #2. I wanted to get Cassidy all snuggly and cozy with her big sis, unfortunately the timing wasn't perfect and she had to go get all of the newborn testing done so I couldn't have her for hours to go to town on newborn photography. Ashlynn was soooo happy to be a big sister and loved holding her little Moi Moi. I love the Davis's and cannot wait to share more of their growing family with you!

Jon + Meaghan | Boston wedding at the ritz carlton

This day will go down in history as one of my favorites to photograph... not because of the gorgeous flowers or her beautiful lace dress... but because the people at this wedding were simply, amazing. The love that filled each room was so contagious. Meaghan's girls were so much fun, I love when the "maids" are so friendly, helpful and energetic, it makes the day so enjoyable. They were all so overwhelmingly excited and happy for Meaghan and they all shined with happiness. 

During the ceremony at Our Lady of Victories in downtown Boston, Jon was bursting with excitement the first time he saw his bride walking down the aisle. The reception was filled with fun and excitement, great food and the soulful sounds of a live band. The dance floor was bustling with friends and family celebrating... a true love!

Newborn | Welcome Baby Claire

Meeting baby Claire was an absolute joy! She is the teeniest little girl with the biggest blue eyes. I met the Stahl Family at their home in the South End of Boston where we strolled around with baby Claire, since it was such a beautiful morning. We then headed up into their condo for some extra cozy photos of the sleeping angel! Amanda + Jake, Claire is blessed to have such awesome parents like you! I can't wait to see her grow into a little beauty.