I am sure you have guessed it by now — the Horners hold a special place in my heart. Especially their Mama Bear, Neesha. The very first session Neesha asked me to do for her  was a family portrait session. Shortly after, however, she approached me with the request to shot a portrait session of JUST HER. I can’t tell you how happy this made me. I knew she was going to be an unforgettable woman right then and there. I just loved that she wanted and craved something of her own. I never doubted her divinity and crucial role as a mom, but instead found a greater love and respect for her, as she stood up for herself as a woman and a person outside of that role, too. I have since had the opportunity to photograph her as she gave birth to her sweet Will . Once again she proved herself a warrior woman and mother as she conquered the depths of the ocean that only women in labor can understand. I held her hand that night, and knew we’d forever be connected in some way.

Shortly after Will was born, Neesha and her family learned that he had suffered a stroke while in the womb, causing him to have seizures. Neesha has kept in touch with me since then – and I even got to photograph her and her husband once again – and I have, as always, been thoroughly impressed with the grace with which she weathers the storms life brings her way.

This session almost didn’t happen because of just one such storm. Will had had a seizure that day, and Neesha was struggling to decide if she should continue with our appointment or not. But soon I received a text that said she was going to make it happen. She said that her family’s pictures were sometimes the only thing that held them together, and she needed them in her life. SO she powered through it all – the stress, and the worry, and she showed up with herself, her husband, and her five kids looking as adorable as ever and I loved her a little more then.

I’m so glad she showed up with her family that day – look at the magic we made happen!! Neesha, I love you my friend. You’re a hero in my eyes.