Steven & Melissa | Re-kindled

They dated 4 1/2 years in high school. They graduated and decided to take separate paths. She left for college, he left to join the military. A few years later they realized they couldn't live without each other so she just flew to NC this last weekend to re-meet up with him and re-kindle what they knew they couldn't live without and I got to photograph it. <3

PURCHASE | http://rachelsmithphotography.zenfolio.com/stevenandmelissa

        They started dancing all on their own <3

Welcoming Liam | A Birth Story

Erikah & Luke were expecting their first born child who was due May 3, 2013. Her name was Ailene Martina Messamer. They called her "Ali" for short. However, they found out some devastating news. Luke was deployed to Okinawa, Japan when Erikah found out the heartbreaking news that their baby girl was going to be a stillborn at 23 weeks and 3 days. Within two days of finding out, the Red Cross was able to get Luke home. After a 33 hour labor and delivery, Ali was born sleeping on January 11, 2013 at 24 weeks. A photographer from Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep came after Ali was born to take pictures of Erikah & Luke with their little girl. Erikah had seen a picture somewhere that said "Pictures are proof that you have lived" so having photos was important to them so they had the proof & memories to cherish forever.  

Almost 9 months after Ali passed away, Erikah & Luke found out they were pregnant again, this time with Ali's little brother, Liam. Erikah describes Liam as "proof that there is life after loss" and I couldn't agree more. He is a rainbow baby sent straight from heaven. Erikah wants nothing more than for families and especially mother's to know that it's okay to talk about your loss or losses because they were something real. Erikah & Luke find peace with having Ali's photos from the night she was born and also having photos of her urn to honor & remember her the way she deserves. Erikah & Luke knew that capturing the moment their little boy entered the world was a must. Little Liam was due July 18th, 2014 and this is his birth story....

You can check out their birth video here:

http://youtu.be/VsYvDNQqeM0