• It was April 2019 and we were visiting a family member at our local hospital. We parked at the wrong end and had to take a long walk through the halls to get to where we were going, and on the way, we passed a sign: “Labor & Delivery tours, meet here!” It hit a nerve for some reason and I felt my eyes stinging with tears- this was my home hospital, and I was never going to need to come to here for a baby. I’d accepted my infertility, and we were in the middle of the adoption process for the first time… but sometimes grief occurs in unexpected places. And as we walked the halls, passing the L&D signs over and over, I grieved again. But God has the craziest ways of showing up sometimes… We were matched two months later, chosen by Felix’s birth parents- the best call of our entire lives! Our agency told us that his birth mama’s hope was that we would join her at the hospital for his birth, a gift and a treasure we weren’t expecting. I'm *still* in awe of generous she was with us. We were open to being matched in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida, and were shocked when they told us that his birth mama was located close by, just a couple towns over. I asked- where was she planning to give birth? ... it was our home hospital. The very place I'd stood and grieved just two months prior. I look at Felix's story, and I see God's fingerprints all over it. The smallest details, a choice of birthing centers- I heard that answer and I knew it wasn't a coincidence. That was orchestrated by a God who loves me, sees my pain, and who uses the small details to remind me over and over that his plans are good, and that I'm not forgotten. Great is thy faithfulness- morning by morning, new mercies I see! Photos by the incomparable @emilygeraldphotography #springmannjourneytobaby #adoptionjourney #birthstory
    00
    It was April 2019 and we were visiting a family member at our local hospital. We parked at the wrong end and had to take a long walk through the halls to get to where we were going, and on the way, we passed a sign: “Labor & Delivery tours, meet here!” It hit a nerve for some reason and I felt my eyes stinging with tears- this was my home hospital, and I was never going to need to come to here for a baby. I’d accepted my infertility, and we were in the middle of the adoption process for the first time… but sometimes grief occurs in unexpected places. And as we walked the halls, passing the L&D signs over and over, I grieved again. But God has the craziest ways of showing up sometimes… We were matched two months later, chosen by Felix’s birth parents- the best call of our entire lives! Our agency told us that his birth mama’s hope was that we would join her at the hospital for his birth, a gift and a treasure we weren’t expecting. I'm *still* in awe of generous she was with us. We were open to being matched in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida, and were shocked when they told us that his birth mama was located close by, just a couple towns over. I asked- where was she planning to give birth? ... it was our home hospital. The very place I'd stood and grieved just two months prior. I look at Felix's story, and I see God's fingerprints all over it. The smallest details, a choice of birthing centers- I heard that answer and I knew it wasn't a coincidence. That was orchestrated by a God who loves me, sees my pain, and who uses the "small" details to remind me over and over that his plans are good, and that I'm not forgotten. Great is thy faithfulness- morning by morning, new mercies I see! Photos by the incomparable @emilygeraldphotography #springmannjourneytobaby #adoptionjourney #birthstory
  • POLL: Matt, Felix and I are heading to Spain for @lindalestudios' brand shoot (I CANNOT WAIT!), and we've got a week afterwards allotted for vacation, but we're stuck on WHERE to go! We're planning to head to ONE spot and stay in the same place for a week, instead of jetsetting all over. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We've narrowed our top contenders to:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A) France (thinking Marseilles or Avignon?), or B) Remain in Spain, but head to Barcelona or Cadiz!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Help us decide- chime in below!
    00
    POLL: Matt, Felix and I are heading to Spain for @lindalestudios' brand shoot (I CANNOT WAIT!), and we've got a week afterwards allotted for vacation, but we're stuck on WHERE to go! We're planning to head to ONE spot and stay in the same place for a week, instead of jetsetting all over. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We've narrowed our top contenders to:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A) France (thinking Marseilles or Avignon?), or B) Remain in Spain, but head to Barcelona or Cadiz!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Help us decide- chime in below!
  • I *love* kids at weddings! The chaos and the laughter and the spinny flower girl dresses and too much sugar? I'm here for every minute of it!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So when Lyra and Hadley decided to play Red Light, Green Light in the middle of family formals, we rolled with it. No need to ask them to move to another area of the courtyard or distract them with some other activity- we could capture the perfect family portraits in between these two munchkins dashing through the frame. I wouldn't steal their joy in this moment for anything!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I can't WAIT for the first time we get to take Felix to a wedding- I feel like there are probably a LOT of silly scenes like this one in our future!
    00
    I *love* kids at weddings! The chaos and the laughter and the spinny flower girl dresses and too much sugar? I'm here for every minute of it!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So when Lyra and Hadley decided to play Red Light, Green Light in the middle of family formals, we rolled with it. No need to ask them to move to another area of the courtyard or distract them with some other activity- we could capture the "perfect" family portraits in between these two munchkins dashing through the frame. I wouldn't steal their joy in this moment for anything!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I can't WAIT for the first time we get to take Felix to a wedding- I feel like there are probably a LOT of silly scenes like this one in our future!
  • Ok, don’t laugh... but when I started my business, I told myself that if I could be the @katelynjames of the DC area, I’d be a real success. Here’s why that’s a bummer of an outlook: 1. My friend Katelyn is amazing and *one-of-a-kind!* Striving to be a second-rate version of her would have done me a disservice- I could never out-Katelyn Katelyn, and I shouldn’t want to, either! She’s *always* going to be the best Katelyn James (duh), so my best hope could only be to become a >less-good< version of her. 2. Attempting to emulate someone else’s brand is not only wildly ineffective (it’s like putting on someone else’s Rainbow flip-flops- awkward & uncomfortable), it also robs you of the opportunity to find your OWN voice and brand! The Abby of 2011 was thinking too small: I didn’t believe there was anything truly unique about me, but I’ve come to realize just HOW MUCH there is that sets me apart! My gifts & strengths, photographic style, personal story, likes and dislikes, family, the places + people I’m inspired by, the number of times I’ve read through the Harry Potter series, the way I can insert a song lyrics or movie quote into almost any situation… and on. I sold myself short for a minute, settling for a second-rate version of someone else- when what I NEEDED to do was learn what made me uniquely qualified. Here’s the thing: in the words of my client @rileysheehey, “Abby Grace is already taken.” Katelyn James is, too. Whoever it is you might find yourself emulating or imitating- they’re already taken. And that’s GOOD news, because it means there’s *all the more room* for you to spread out and take up every inch of the YOU-sized hole in the market! 📷: @alisandraphoto, from @katelynjames' brand shoot (And see? We brought it back around in the end!)
    00
    Ok, don’t laugh... but when I started my business, I told myself that if I could be the @katelynjames of the DC area, I’d be a real success. Here’s why that’s a bummer of an outlook: 1. My friend Katelyn is amazing and *one-of-a-kind!* Striving to be a second-rate version of her would have done me a disservice- I could never out-Katelyn Katelyn, and I shouldn’t want to, either! She’s *always* going to be the best Katelyn James (duh), so my best hope could only be to become a >less-good< version of her. 2. Attempting to emulate someone else’s brand is not only wildly ineffective (it’s like putting on someone else’s Rainbow flip-flops- awkward & uncomfortable), it also robs you of the opportunity to find your OWN voice and brand! The Abby of 2011 was thinking too small: I didn’t believe there was anything truly unique about me, but I’ve come to realize just HOW MUCH there is that sets me apart! My gifts & strengths, photographic style, personal story, likes and dislikes, family, the places + people I’m inspired by, the number of times I’ve read through the Harry Potter series, the way I can insert a song lyrics or movie quote into almost any situation… and on. I sold myself short for a minute, settling for a second-rate version of someone else- when what I NEEDED to do was learn what made me uniquely qualified. Here’s the thing: in the words of my client @rileysheehey, “Abby Grace is already taken.” Katelyn James is, too. Whoever it is you might find yourself emulating or imitating- they’re already taken. And that’s GOOD news, because it means there’s *all the more room* for you to spread out and take up every inch of the YOU-sized hole in the market! 📷: @alisandraphoto, from @katelynjames' brand shoot (And see? We brought it back around in the end!)
  • I knew @rachelhudginsphoto and I were going to be friends when I saw the white Chucks. One of the best parts about my job is the opportunity to hear about what makes my clients different and sought-after- their unique selling proposition (USP). Hearing how Rachel doesn't *just* photograph kids but that she photographs their entire childhood (literally newborn through senior portraits!) was fascinating! Her ability to tell the story of a child's life through photographs is breathtaking, and hearing how dear she is to her clients that they return again and again made me so excited to dig into her brand, and figure out how to translate that USP into a series of photographs. I traveled up to Greenwich, CT a few weeks ago to shoot for Rachel as she gets ready to launch a completely new website and visual brand. Learning more about her ideal clients and how they prefer to consume their photographs played heavily into how we mapped out Rachel's session (actual stacks on stacks of albums), and I cannot WAIT to see her new site when it launches- especially because @tylerherrinton was there capturing B-roll throughout the shoot! #abbygracebrandportraits #brandphotographer
    00
    I knew @rachelhudginsphoto and I were going to be friends when I saw the white Chucks. One of the best parts about my job is the opportunity to hear about what makes my clients different and sought-after- their unique selling proposition (USP). Hearing how Rachel doesn't *just* photograph kids but that she photographs their entire childhood (literally newborn through senior portraits!) was fascinating! Her ability to tell the story of a child's life through photographs is breathtaking, and hearing how dear she is to her clients that they return again and again made me so excited to dig into her brand, and figure out how to translate that USP into a series of photographs. I traveled up to Greenwich, CT a few weeks ago to shoot for Rachel as she gets ready to launch a completely new website and visual brand. Learning more about her ideal clients and how they prefer to consume their photographs played heavily into how we mapped out Rachel's session (actual stacks on stacks of albums), and I cannot WAIT to see her new site when it launches- especially because @tylerherrinton was there capturing B-roll throughout the shoot! #abbygracebrandportraits #brandphotographer
  • Even though this was my second Mother's Day as a mama, the day still makes me want to hide in bed with a glass of wine and a book. I *love* being a Mom- it's the greatest honor I've ever received, and I could never have anticipated how much it would change me! But there's also still pain there from all the years spent waiting and wanting. As someone who's usually really good at articulating my emotions, Mother's Day stumps me with its ability to make me feel all the feels with very little explanation for any of them. Yesterday was a day that's been hard for six years. And I think I expected those feelings to go away once I became a mom, but that's the funny thing about grief and suffering- sometimes it leaves scars where you're least expecting it. When Felix was born and placed in our arms, it made every tear worthwhile, but it didn't change the fact that we spent years waiting. My son didn't erase the scars I bear. And that's ok- he was never meant to do that. That wasn't a burden he was created to shoulder. And I'm truly grateful for my scars because they're what it took to get to where we are now, but that gratitude doesn't mean they don't still hurt sometimes. I wouldn't change our story for anything. Felix, my son, I would bear these scars for you again and again. I just hope that as you grow, you learn to give me grace on the days when the pain flares, because it truly was worth every ounce of it to get to you. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 From Felix’s one-year session last summer (!) with @emilygeraldphotography #springmannjourneytobaby
    00
    Even though this was my second Mother's Day as a mama, the day still makes me want to hide in bed with a glass of wine and a book. I *love* being a Mom- it's the greatest honor I've ever received, and I could never have anticipated how much it would change me! But there's also still pain there from all the years spent waiting and wanting. As someone who's usually really good at articulating my emotions, Mother's Day stumps me with its ability to make me feel all the feels with very little explanation for any of them. Yesterday was a day that's been hard for six years. And I think I expected those feelings to go away once I became a mom, but that's the funny thing about grief and suffering- sometimes it leaves scars where you're least expecting it. When Felix was born and placed in our arms, it made every tear worthwhile, but it didn't change the fact that we spent years waiting. My son didn't erase the scars I bear. And that's ok- he was never meant to do that. That wasn't a burden he was created to shoulder. And I'm truly grateful for my scars because they're what it took to get to where we are now, but that gratitude doesn't mean they don't still hurt sometimes. I wouldn't change our story for anything. Felix, my son, I would bear these scars for you again and again. I just hope that as you grow, you learn to give me grace on the days when the pain flares, because it truly was worth every ounce of it to get to you. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 From Felix’s one-year session last summer (!) with @emilygeraldphotography #springmannjourneytobaby
  • I got about two frames into their engagement session before asking did you used to dance? And then Brooke told me how she grew up in the studios of @thewashingtonschoolofballet, and how she danced the role of Clara in Nutcracker, and I realized that I'd almost definitely seen her perform at Warner Theater at some point over the years! I *LOVE* that so many of my brides are former ballerinas- it makes things like oh my gosh your arches! totally normal for me to say throughout the course of the shoot. 🩰 Brooke & Bryan, thank you, THANK YOU for spending the world's windiest afternoon with me- I'm absolutely obsessed with every single frame of your engagement session!! I know it's been a long season of waiting, but now I'm all the more impatient for October to arrive! Hair & makeup by the incomparable @carlraymua And for any curious film photographers- admittedly, I initially *freaked out* when Fuji discontinued 400H [still- WHY?]... but I think Portra400 might have my heart now! So, so grateful to @fast.foto for helping me make the transition flawlessly!! Absolutely in heaven with these gorgeous skin tones!!
    00
    I got about two frames into their engagement session before asking "did you used to dance?" And then Brooke told me how she grew up in the studios of @thewashingtonschoolofballet, and how she danced the role of Clara in Nutcracker, and I realized that I'd almost definitely seen her perform at Warner Theater at some point over the years! I *LOVE* that so many of my brides are former ballerinas- it makes things like "oh my gosh your arches!" totally normal for me to say throughout the course of the shoot. 🩰 Brooke & Bryan, thank you, THANK YOU for spending the world's windiest afternoon with me- I'm absolutely obsessed with every single frame of your engagement session!! I know it's been a long season of waiting, but now I'm all the more impatient for October to arrive! Hair & makeup by the incomparable @carlraymua And for any curious film photographers- admittedly, I initially *freaked out* when Fuji discontinued 400H [still- WHY?]... but I think Portra400 might have my heart now! So, so grateful to @fast.foto for helping me make the transition flawlessly!! Absolutely in heaven with these gorgeous skin tones!!
  • Baby Spring no. 2, wherever, whenever, and whoever you are, we cannot wait to meet you 💕 This past January we began the process anew to grow our family again- we're *almost* done with paperwork, and we'll be moving onto our home study hopefully in the next few weeks! The wait feels a little easier this time around, praise God. I imagine that has a lot to do with the fact that we have an energetic 20-month-old running around the house, keeping us laughing and busy. But I also think it’s due to a heart change- instead of feeling panicked when things aren’t going according to MY plan, I can rest in the confidence that God’s plan and timing are perfect. When we encountered an interruption during our first home study process, I felt like my world was falling apart. But then it turned out that Felix’s birth mama wasn’t ready to choose a family until two weeks after we hit the waitlist… and I realized that delay we endured? We were waiting for her. She was waiting for us. Those years of infertility we experienced leading up to becoming parents? That wasn’t wasted time. Matt and I learned how to work together as a team, how to fight for our marriage. I learned where true hope resides, and that it wasn’t fair to place my happiness or contentment on a pregnancy. The intense adoption process itself- it left me softer, more aware of the needs of others, quicker to listen and slower to judge. Where we were once afraid of an open adoption, we became EXCITED to welcome not just Felix to our family but his birth mama as well! Baby Spring, I don’t know who or where or when you are. But I know that I already love you with my whole heart. We’re praying for you and for your first parents, that the Lord would protect you and keep you all close. Let’s do this. #springmannjourneytobaby Photo by the amazing @gordonplacephoto
    00
    Baby Spring no. 2, wherever, whenever, and whoever you are, we cannot wait to meet you 💕 This past January we began the process anew to grow our family again- we're *almost* done with paperwork, and we'll be moving onto our home study hopefully in the next few weeks! The wait feels a little easier this time around, praise God. I imagine that has a lot to do with the fact that we have an energetic 20-month-old running around the house, keeping us laughing and busy. But I also think it’s due to a heart change- instead of feeling panicked when things aren’t going according to MY plan, I can rest in the confidence that God’s plan and timing are perfect. When we encountered an interruption during our first home study process, I felt like my world was falling apart. But then it turned out that Felix’s birth mama wasn’t ready to choose a family until two weeks after we hit the waitlist… and I realized that delay we endured? We were waiting for her. She was waiting for us. Those years of infertility we experienced leading up to becoming parents? That wasn’t wasted time. Matt and I learned how to work together as a team, how to fight for our marriage. I learned where true hope resides, and that it wasn’t fair to place my happiness or contentment on a pregnancy. The intense adoption process itself- it left me softer, more aware of the needs of others, quicker to listen and slower to judge. Where we were once afraid of an open adoption, we became EXCITED to welcome not just Felix to our family but his birth mama as well! Baby Spring, I don’t know who or where or when you are. But I know that I already love you with my whole heart. We’re praying for you and for your first parents, that the Lord would protect you and keep you all close. Let’s do this. #springmannjourneytobaby Photo by the amazing @gordonplacephoto