This is the woman that gave her heart and soul [and sanity] to my children the year I had Janey. She is fondly known to our family as “Janey’sothamutha” or “RomarsmomJen” or “JenfromMissTerraleesmarket.” She’s known as a savior. She’s known as a mother before her time. She’s known as half of an amazing duo. She’s known as being the chick who got uber thin and fabulous and gained 4.6 lbs while pregnant with twins.

This isn’t to short change Billy. Because he is the bomb. He always has a smile. He works harder than almost anyone I know. He lights up when he looks at Jen. He’s a dad before his time. He has given 110% to ensure that his family is cared for and safe, regardless of how many early mornings, how many hours in the car, and how many quiet battles he has to fight.

And Romar. The kid who can light the world up with his smile. Who loves Jen & Billy and his entire family with all his heart. Who is wise beyond his years but is such a kid in his heart.

And so we spent this night together in the state of “almost” — before the girls arrived. When they were still safely baking. When they were just three.

I love this family and all that they stand for with all my might. I am honored to know them. I am thrilled I will be there to document their milestones.

Thank you for allowing me to do so.

They are going to be really awesome parents.  They just really like each other.  They are very funny and relaxed.  They’ve made a great home.  The nursery will be done soon.  They are READY!

So here are just a few for now… you’ll see more when their little boy arrives!

I have so much more to say about this, but I can’t because I have a 20 month cyclone destroying my office… too sick for school, too well for home and into Sharpies & Post-its.  And I have to pack us up for our trip tomorrow.  And do about 10,000 things.  Like post nursery contest updates, and all that jazz.

So these can pretty much speak for themselves.  Love.

Anyway, I grabbed some shots yesterday and am sad to say that my camera is definitely needing to go back to Canon.  Though they promise me I will be at the front of the repair line and I’ll have it back (or a rental) for Thursday.  I was able to get a bunch of great shots (more than what I am posting), but I am breathing I sigh of relief that I rescheduled all my sessions because I’d be in tears if this happened with a client (like every shot I would say “I don’t know Erica, I just do not know.”).  But I love these… and hope I can get the rest to her without making her wait 6-12 months (because that is the poor treatment I give my friends and family and myself!).

Quick update… added this one and it could be my fav maternity shot EVER.  If you are curious how I shot this, read on, otherwise just skip to the pictures!  I shot this at ISO 500, 1/200, f/3.2 on my {broken} 5DMK2 with my 24-70 L.  Probably metered about +2/3 of a stop over 0 (where I typically shot, rarely do I meter to 0).  I put Erica up on  a chair (which is sort of mean to do to a woman who is 35 weeks pregnant) since the only way I could get the light right was to shoot up to it (and avoid the white railing behind her)… the light was pretty high and only come through a few branches.  Then I got below her and moved around until the light was partially behind her, partially giving her edge light.  I focused right on the edge.  With a Canon, the only focus point that will allow you to do this is the center one.  The other focus points will search and not lock.  This shot is remarkably similar to how it was SOOC.  I adjusted white balance (added red, reduced magenta), slightly recovered a little Bokeh (+15), and jacked up the blacks to 25 for her tank top.  In PS I tweaked curves a tiny bit, added color balance layer and added a vignette.