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San Luis Obispo Wedding Photographer

Marleigh | A Newborn Chicago Session

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MEET THE AUTHOR & ARTIST

AUSTYN FORD

This blog isn’t just a representation of my work, but a way of honoring the beautiful couples and families I’ve had the joy of working with. Each of them has left an imprint on my heart. If we work together, I’m certain you will, too.

As you browse the posts, soak in the magic of real humans experiencing true love, vulnerability, and joy.

YOU LIVE. I CAPTURE.

Let’s make art out of the life & breath of your favorite moments

Inquire to Work Together

Documenting artful imagery of human hearts in Central California and beyond.

Central Coast and San Luis Obispo Wedding Photographer

austyn elizabeth photography

HELLO@AUSTYNELIZABETH.COM

805.668.1157

IG: @austynelizabeth

I think he’s dreamy.
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Shot on #nikonf100 #portra400 -
scanned by @rewindfilmlab

Winston’s clean food bowls still sit stacked on the kitchen counter, unused. It’s one of the many reminders of what a hell of a three months it’s been. But this also holds a reminder that is too painful to fully hide away.
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For all who have asked, cared for, given, fed and made space for Emery and us over these past months, thank you. dearly.
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Navigating through a world that doesn’t stop even when you are caring for a sick kiddo… it slowly becomes the norm for so much of your life to fall between the cracks… such as emails, work, and your sanity. The consistent rollercoaster of events… the emotions, trauma and trying to stay afloat is constant… it just steals from you day in and day out. But you keep moving, advocating, second guessing, fighting, and answer so.many.phone calls. To those whom have felt the effects of this… we thank you for still being here. sincerely.
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Last week we had Emery’s post op follow-up with her neurosurgeon in LA. And it was the first time her Dr saw Emery smile—she sat in amazement just soaking her up. It was a really good appointment. Her surgeon cleared her to return back to school with no limitations.
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Driving the last 3 hrs home of that 10 hour venture to and from LA felt like the first day of the year… a new feeling of hope. Freedom. And energy I haven’t felt in months. I kept thinking, is this the beginning of the year of us? A do-over to start now?
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That night, tucking Emery into bed, she grabbed her stuffed animal who resembles and is named Winston. It hit me. This isn’t a do-over. It’s just the next chapter. One that still will hold a lot of greif and healing due to the pages before it.
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Emery has officially gone just shy of a whole week without needing pain meds. And that, my friends, is a really great start to this next chapter.

The last 11 days have not been lovely over here. Emery woke up with a gnarly migraine… which has continued on every day since. On day three Children’s Hospital LA told us not drive to them, where her neurosurgeon team is, but instead stay here and visit a local hospital. We did, and had a couple other Dr appointments afterwards. Hydrocephalus is scary when the patient has symptoms that mimic the flu or hormone migraines… because the cause might not be so innocent and requires surgery before it’s too late.

6 days ago Liam came home from school not feeling well. He tested positive for Influenza A. During this time Brian was on the other side of the county and I was juggling two struggling kids with two very different illnesses, and the youngest needed to not catch the eldest’s. It didn’t take long after Brian got home that we (a) realized I had poison oak on my leg, (b) my body was coming down with a bug, and (c) we need to get Emery to LA.

Yesterday morning I stood in our kitchen and watched Brian and Emery drive away to begin their 3.5 hr voyage south to Children’s Hospital’s ER to find out if she needs brain surgery. That feeling rips you. It’s the reminder of how many times we find ourselves straddling two worlds: caring for and being present for the kid at home, and caring for and being with the kid in the hospital. The trauma that lives in this space is deep. And heartbreaking. And something you wish no other human had/has to ever be familiar with… but you know that’s not true.

Doctors are prepping Emery for emergency surgery right now.

And I am currently taking off in a tiny plane with a friend to get me down to the hospital.

You know you made it when your Trader Joe’s date night is followed up with an impromptu beach jaunt. ✨
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Walking into your wedding weekend, a couple of the first people I am so excited to meet are your parents. They raised you. And heaven knows, being this far into parenting myself, there is this heartache and desire that your kid finds themselves madly in love with a person who loves you ardently, who supports you and makes you so happy… this desire has been written on your parent’s hearts since the day you were born. And easily makes us tear up just thinking about it.
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So, with admiration and complete respect, these first two photos are in honor of the parents who raised you.
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And the rest of the photos in the sequence are a little encouragement that walk-through rehearsals are extra sweet and a thousand times worth having your photographer around for. #theprelude to the most epic day. It’s when emotions and sweet, energy is blossoming, and your favorite humans are fiiiiinally together in one place.
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You deserve to have these moments captures too.

Happy Christmas! From our little clan to yours. 💛