We met Adria & Shawn in Sundance Square for their engagement session and sweated our faces off.

I shot Adria’s sexy session to give her soon-to-be hubby… and sweated our faces off.

We shot the wedding at dawn on a beach in the Dominican Republic. Guess what? SWEAT.

And since then, a couple family portraits, a TON of nights on the McG patio, parties, and fairly constant communication.

Basically, this is another example of my job bringing me a bestie.

Adria & Shawn became parents to Alexander Thomas last week, in a room that was actually COLD most of the day, which was a welcome change in our relationship. 😉

I was so glad I could be there not only as a friend for support, but as a photographer. And I was beyond honored that when it turned into a c-section delivery, I got to capture every second of that, too. His first breath, when his parents held him for the first time, when he met his big sister… So special.

I don’t get the chance to photograph many birth stories, because it’s obviously a hard thing to plan in advance, and the McG schedule is BANANAS. But when my dear friend checks with me before picking an induction date, even though I call the kid Xander instead of Alex… well, I wouldn’t miss that for the world.

I can’t “talk” through the whole set, because I’ll cry my face off. Suffice it to say, this is how I saw Xander’s birthday.

Adria, you’re a beast. Carrying that HUGE healthy baby, being so healthy yourself during a pregnancy that kept you from being very active, making hard decisions on D-Day… you’re crushing this mom thing. And Shawn, you’re an adorable first time Dad. And Emily, you’re already an awesome big sister. I have no doubt you’ll make sure Xander knows all about our magical world.

Xander, I love you already. I’m your Aunt Chelsea, and I will always have gum.