This was a really special session for me because Ashley and Julian are some of my best friends from my high school days here on Oahu and the beach spot we chose for photos is down the street from her parent’s home. I was lucky enough to photograph their wedding on island and now a year later we’re taking photos of their newborn baby on the beach we’d always go lay out on as high schoolers. I usually get really lost in my work while I’m photographing, and I kept finding myself getting a little emotional when I’d stop, admire Ashley holding her baby and really think, “wow, this is my first best friend to be a mom” –it was surreal. Ash and Julian are complete naturals at the whole parenting thing and I can hardly wait to be documenting their life as their family continues to grow. Definitely one of those moments I feel so grateful to have this job.