Couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing an adorable little girl named Tessa. The occasion was not just her 1st Birthday but also a heartfelt and unique Baby Naming and Baby Blessing ceremony. Tessa's dotting parents, Michelle and Jonathan personally designed and wrote most of the interdenominational ceremony to celebrate the family's Christian and Jewish faiths. With around 40 people gathered made up of family and close friends, the event took place at Michelle's, Jonathan's and Tessa's home in Weston, Connecticut. It was a gorgeous Sunday with signs of Spring in the air and warm, bright light streaming in through the wall of windows on one side of the grand lodge-like living room.
The Baby Naming and Blessing started with everybody singing for Tessa 'You Are My Sunshine', which brought on a delightfully playful element to the rest of the ceremony. With loving emotion, Tessa's grandmothers read couple of poems they individually chose for the occasion: Grandma Joelle's pick was ee cummings' "i carry your heart with me" and Grandma Barbara read Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "How Do I Love Thee."
Throughout the entire event Tessa was simply wonderful! In her mother's or father's arms she seemed perfectly happy and at ease. As part of the Baby Naming Tessa's Hebrew name was announced for the first time and it is Leilah, which means night beauty (but of course she already shines during the day!).
Looking at the photographs I am reminded of the good feelings present that day - there was a genuine sense of family, closeness and love.

Thanks for having me document this joyous day - here's some of my favorite images. Enjoy your slideshow!

xoxo,

Monika