As I fluffed the delicate sheer layers of her Communion dress, I was reminded that I did this same thing for her mom on her wedding day.  Anna and Nick were married at Rhythm of the Sea surrounded by their family nine years ago.  I had just met them and loved them from the start.  They made me feel like I was family that day and we haven’t lost touch since.   Through the years I have photographed each of their babies and their family and today it was all about Isabella.

Isabella made her First Holy Communion last week in a dress lovingly made by her great aunt, Mimi.    It included the buttons from Anna’s wedding dress which made it all the more special.   “She looks like a mini bride”, Anna tells me as we watch her walk down to the ocean.  Loving the beach, that is where they wanted her portraits made. A beautiful free spirit, I captured Izzie as she ran by the waves, laughing and twirling with newly painted toenails dancing in the sand.

Before they were ready to go, she tells me that she wants to go to Paris, just like Grace, her American Girl doll.  Her mom tells her that she can for her Sweet 16^th birthday.  Isabella then asks her mom, “Can Mary Pat go, too?”  Of course!  Anna says.

Now wouldn’t that be lovely…♥