Kristen Leigh + her growing son : maternity portraits // guthrie, ok portrait and lifestyle photographer

When I want to tell the story of how and why I became interested in professional photography...it is impossible to do so without mentioning Kristen Leigh. She is the first photographer I ever blog-stalked. I feeeeell hard for her work...her writing....and her "K inside a gray thought bubble" watermark. (Gosh, that thing was sharp.) ;) 

For months she was all I knew when it came to "the blog world." I didn't even have a blog of my own. But the highlight of the internet for me was "the I'm Kristen blog"...no doubt about it. All the time I would think, "Man. That would be so fun to meet her some day. But she lives in Maryland. So that'll...like...never happen."

That was about four years ago. Four long years of following her work, and growing in my own work, and even interning with one of her interns! In the recent months I have gotten the immense privilege of meeting some of my "online-only" photog friends. Breaking the cyberspace barrier of a friendship is an awesome thing. :) And the more friends I met, the more that thought kept cropping up in the back of my mind, "If I could only meet one more photographer...I sure would like to meet Kristen. But when would that ever happen?" 

Well. It happened. She's married to an Oklahoma fella now that happens to fit her better than she certainly would've ever imagined possible. They've been "The Family Morris" since August and now their party of two has become a trio. :) They are eagerly awaiting meeting their son face to face this summer.

The exciting part to me is, seeing her have so much love for the little guy already. Before she can see what he looks like or what his personality type will be. She loves him. And so does Caleb, his oh-so-proud Papa. They love him greatly because they love God greatly...and they know that He has always, before time began, loved their son infinitely more than they ever will.

Before it's certain to his parents whether he'll be quiet and thoughtful

or rowdy and wild....

before they know if he'll be early to bed and early to rise

or a night owl...

before they know what color his eyes and hair will be 

or whether he'll be a chocolate or vanilla kind-a-guy...

before they know if he will be a visual learner

or a hands on fellow... 

someone that sticks to the rules and plays it safe

or someone who is thrilled by constantly going outside his comfort zone

....before any of those things can even be fully imagined....this little dude is loved. So much. By so many.

There are already so many prayers and dreams of happiness and lovely life for him.

All those many things that are clouded and uncertain now...

will be made clear. And no matter what it is...it will be wonderful, and bright, and perfect...and exactly what the Lord always intended for this bitty Morris Man. 

// Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Leave to thy God to order and provide

All now mysterious shall be bright at last. //

~Through Christ's Love ♥

P.S. A "tourist" post of my day in Guthrie will be coming soon so stay tuned! :)