Christina ➳ Fresh 48 /  by Abigail Smith

I remember fondly those first few hours when my babies were pink, wrinkly and brand new, unfortunately I don't have many photographs of them like that and wish I had captured all those tiny details that have faded in my memory. 
I was so honoured this sweet girl's momma invited me into her hospital room to do a Fresh 48 shoot of baby Christina at The Bay Hospital, it has to be one of my favourite shoots to date.  
She was snuggled, kissed, changed and soothed by her adoring momma and even had a quick check up visit from the doctor while I was there. 

The Blands ➳ Family Portraits /  by Abigail Smith

I love it best of all when I get to do shoots for families as they grow and change. It's so beautiful to watch Nathan become more alert and smile and interact with his parents and to watch his parents fall more and more in love with him.
Ouma is just besotted with him and he and Oupa had such a cute little moment together. Oh and of course the poodles are besotted with their brother too and had to get in on the action. 

Thingo ➳ Newborn Portraits /  by Abigail Smith

I always wonder when I work with newborns what potential they have, who they will grow up to be, what characters they will be know by and what great things will they do. 
Thingo was such an easy model, she slept the entire session! Here she is at 15 days new. 

“In soul of every newborn baby, words are waiting to be written.” 
― Toba Beta

Shaun & Natalie ➳ Married /  by Abigail Smith

Natalie and Shaun committed to loving one another forever under the trees on a beautiful, warm day in May. Afterwards friends and family celebrated together at the Richards Bay yacht club.  

“Two Trees
A portion of your soul has been
entwined with mine
A gentle kind of togetherness, while
separately we stand.
As two trees deeply rooted in
separate plots of ground,
While their topmost branches
come together,
Forming a miracle of lace
against the heavens.” 
― Janet Miles

The Bothas ➳ Family Portraits /  by Abigail Smith

Since I no longer have children at home and I have to direct my affections somewhere, my cats have become my children. They get special treats, tucked into bed, loved and kissed all day and yes... I do have "conversations" with them.
Rochelle & Wikus's staffies, Schnappi and Aldo, are the world to them, they are so loved and so responsive to that love. At one point during the session, Wikus said that when he thought of just how much he loved his dogs it made him wonder how much more he would love their children one day?

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” 
~ Milan Kundera