Summer turns 5 | St. Augustine Lifestyle Family Photographer

Nugget turns FIVE in a couple of weeks. She has taught me so so much during her half a decade here on earth. I really wanted to capture her spirit for her 5 year old pictures. While I love all the pictures of her from years past, I wanted something different.  I didn't want the same smiles that are all over the walls. She is growing so fast, changing so much. I want to remember her - how she is. I want to to remember WHO she is. This year has been a learning process, as all years are. Learning to let her be herself. Learning to let go of control when she decides she wants to wear sneakers with her dress. Letting go when she decided she wanted short hair even though I loved that her hair was finally growing. So this year, she picked out her outfit - layers on layers per usual. We went out back and I sat back with my camera and photographed her being her, in her environment. I must say these are of my favorite pictures of her to date. Happy Birthday my sweet girl, here's to millions more! xoxo

Carver | St. Augustine Birth Photographer

I have wanted to get into birth photography since I first started my photography journey. But there are a lot of logistics that make it complicated, and in all fairness I was nervous I wasn't good enough. Lighting is usually terrible and you don't get to re-do the shot if you mess up. But I finally pulled the trigger and jumped into the world of Birth Photography. And it was nothing short of amazing.

The excitement and anticipation are like no other. And really the whole process is just so amazing. Never is a woman more strong and beautiful then when she is birthing her baby. And as someone who always is drawn to less posed more candid shots - this setting is like a dream. To be a fly on the wall and capture such a miracle is just such a blessing. There are too many thoughts and emotions to describe it - so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. 

I am looking for more births to photograph. I am offering five birth sessions at an insane discount as I get my barrings of the birth world - so spread the word! If you're interested or know someone who is, please have them fill out the form at the bottom of this page for more information! 

PBAP 2015 | World Breastfeeding Week Review | St. Augustine Family Photographer

Having sat on both sides of the fence I find it challenging to find the balance between celebrating and supporting women who breastfeed, while not excluding or offending moms who, for whatever reason, chose a different path. 

My oldest daughter is turning five next month (WHAT?!). When I was pregnant with her everyone was adamant that I breastfeed. I didn’t want to. I tried it. I hated it. We stopped. She had formula. I don’t feel the bad for her having formula in the slightest - and if your baby gets formula you shouldn‘t feel bad either.

All that to say - The Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project exists for a reason. We all have it drilled into our heads that 'breast is best' from the second you start as much as thinking about having children. But we don’t see it.  We don’t see people nursing their children out and about on a regular basis - and it’s not because babies magically aren’t hungry when they leave the house. 

This year has been amazing for so many reasons. The project has gotten a lot of attention locally - far more then I could have ever dreamed. But my favorite parts? Meeting new moms. Forming new relationships. Watching moms on the project form friendships. Connecting a community.

I had moms walk into their sessions timid and walk away feeling strength. I photographed a mom a few months ago nursing her baby as part of a regular non-PBAP session. She picked a private location and didn’t want the images shared. Easy Peasy. But you want to hear something amazing? That mom reached out to me halfway into the first week of the project and said she shared one of her breastfeeding images and was interested to being a part of the project. How amazing is that? I had the biggest grin and happiest heart when I read that message - knowing and seeing the difference we’ve made in empowering moms. 

That’s what it is all about. Reminding moms that what they are doing is normal, natural and OK. They shouldn’t feel shame. They shouldn’t feel embarrassed to feed their children. Showing moms that they are not alone in their struggles. That they are not alone in this journey. And showing the rest of the world that seeing a woman’s breast with a baby attached really is no big deal. 

I’m a painfully practical person and I think there is something to be said for finding beauty in the daily grind. I love Leilani’s vision for the project for that very reason - showing, celebrating and normalizing moms breastfeeding in everyday life.

Rock on mommas!

*PART TWO IS LIVE! Find it HERE!*

Places Megan Soto Photography & PBAP2015 have been featured:

Action News Jax: CLICK HERE

Jacksonville Moms Blog: CLICK HERE

Light Inspired:

Want to see more work from other awesome photographers on the project? Follow our blog circle! Up next is Tammy Bradshaw from Philly - to see her work CLICK HERE