Mary Purdy Photography’s Rainbow baby Project

“Purdy’s Rainbow’s”

🌈 Welcome to the Official Purdy’s Rainbows Project Page 🌈

I created this project as a way to remind others that behind the camera, I’m human too. Life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies, and like so many of you, I carry my own story of loss. As a mother of three beautiful Rainbow Babies, I know firsthand the pain of miscarriage. Thankfully, my husband and I have been incredibly blessed; our heartache led us to the joy of our three perfect daughters, and words can’t express the love and gratitude we feel every day.

With Purdy’s Rainbows Project, I want to share that hope and joy with other families who have experienced similar loss.

What is Purdy’s Rainbows Project?
Twice a year, I will be gifting a free Rainbow Baby-inspired session to a deserving family. Available session types include:
💛 Newborn
💛 Maternity
💛 Milestone
💛 Cake Smash
💛 Birthday

These sessions are for families who are expecting or have welcomed a baby after miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or child loss. You’re welcome to apply for yourself or nominate someone you care about.

How it Works:

• Fill out the application form below to apply.

• A winner will be randomly selected twice a year using a name generator.

• If not selected, don’t lose hope, you can reapply as often as you'd like.

• Winners will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to accept or decline the session. If declined, a new winner will be chosen.

My hope is that this project brings a little more color to someone’s storm and helps celebrate the beauty that can follow heartache.

From my heart to yours —
Mary 💛

Apply for your Rainbow Baby below

Meet Purdy’s Rainbows!

Charlie

Without further ado… here’s a glimpse at the very first Rainbow Baby session from my Purdy’s Rainbows Project!

Meet sweet Charlie. While I don’t know the full story of how this little miracle came to be, I can tell you that he is every bit the blessing his family knows him to be. From the moment he stepped in front of my camera, it was clear: this boy radiates joy.

These images are proof of just how happy, playful, and full of life Charlie is. He was the perfect little model to help kick off this project, and I’m so thankful his mama reached out when she did.

This cake smash was definitely one for the books, from giggles to confetti tosses, frosting-covered fingers to splashing every drop of water from the tub (which he found absolutely hilarious). Charlie had fun from start to finish, and it shows in every single photo.

Happy TWO years, Charlie! I hope your birthday is as joyful and wonderful as you are. 💛

Madison

Say hello to Madison!

This sweet girl is pure sunshine after the storm. After facing many struggles before her arrival, her parents were blessed with this beautiful little miracle, and she is absolutely perfect.

Madison wasn’t too sure about her session at first… but once the cake came out, so did the giggles and smiles! Watching her light up was the sweetest reminder of just how special these rainbow babies truly are.

Happy 1st Birthday, Madison! I hope your day is as bright and beautiful as you are, sweet rainbow girl.

Logan

Every Rainbow Baby session fills my heart with so much joy!

I’m a little behind on sharing, but Logan’s gallery is officially complete and just look at how adorable this little guy is!

It took Logan a little time to warm up to me and his colorful setup, but once he did, he turned into the happiest, most fun little guy! He absolutely smashed his cake like a champ and, no surprise here, he loved the tub even more than the cake! I’m starting to think that splashing in the tub might be every baby’s favorite part of their session!

And let’s not forget the theme! For Logan, I created a bright, colorful car-themed setup, perfect for this special rainbow boy. It was so much fun bringing this vibrant vision to life just for him.

Thank you, Logan, for the smiles and the splashes, you were the perfect little star!

Jack

Celebrating Three Sweet Years with Jack!

I’m not even sure where to begin with this one…

I’ve been lucky enough to photograph Jack and his family for a few years now, and watching him grow has been such a gift. He’s truly a little light, full of joy and personality. 💛

It’s hard to believe how grown up he’s become. From a shy little baby to the sweetest, goofiest, most social little boy… it’s amazing how quickly time flies. Moments like these are why I love what I do, capturing children as they grow is one of the greatest joys of my work.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jack! Watching you grow has been an honor. I hope your day is as bright and special as you are!

Lewa

A Bittersweet Goodbye & a Beautiful 4th Birthday for Lewa

This beautiful girl is an absolute blessing, in every sense of the word. She’s the true definition of a rainbow baby, and I’ve had the honor of photographing her since she was just a tiny little baby.

I was so grateful to capture her 4th birthday session with this beautiful, bright setup that felt just as special as she is. Knowing this was our last session together before her family moves out of state made it even more meaningful.

As much as it saddens me that I won’t get to photograph Lewa’s milestones anymore, I’m so excited to see where life’s next adventure takes her and her family.

Wishing Lewa the happiest 4th birthday, may your day be as sweet and perfect as you are. Good luck to you and your family on your new journey. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart.

Andrew

Say hello to Andrew!

This adorable little guy completely stole my heart during his cake smash session. From the very start, he was full of personality, all smiles, goofy faces, and happy energy from the moment he stepped in front of the camera.

His entire gallery is nothing short of joyful. Every image captured his silly expressions and sweet nature, making it nearly impossible to choose a favorite. His parents and I shared plenty of laughs as we watched him dive into his cake and fully enjoy his special day. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do, capturing pure joy and preserving milestones that families can cherish forever.

Andrew’s session was everything a first birthday celebration should be: playful, fun, and full of love. He was the perfect little smasher, and I couldn’t get enough of his sweet face and contagious giggles. Watching him light up in front of the camera was an absolute gift.

Happy ONE year, Andrew! I hope your first birthday is as wonderful and full of happiness as you are. Thank you for letting me be part of your special milestone, you’re truly one of a kind, little guy!

Adkins

A Beautiful New Chapter – My First Rainbow Maternity Session

I’m so excited to share that I officially have my first Rainbow Maternity session in the books, and what a special one it was!

This beautiful family has endured more than their fair share of heartache and loss over the years, but now they’re celebrating a new beginning: the upcoming arrival of their perfect rainbow baby. Photographing families like theirs is the heart of why I do what I do, capturing not just images, but stories of strength, hope, and healing.

Spending time with the Adkins family was truly an honor. As we chatted during their session, they shared pieces of their journey with me, stories filled with both tears and triumphs. It was a reminder that every photo we create together represents so much more than just a moment in time, it represents a story of perseverance and the joy that follows the storm.

Their love for this new little life was written all over their faces, and I’m so grateful I could help preserve these memories for them as they await their precious rainbow baby’s arrival.

Congratulations, Adkins Family! I’m wishing you nothing but love, light, and continued blessings as your family grows. I can’t wait to meet your beautiful little miracle!

Charlotte

A Little Ray of Sunshine — Happy 1st Birthday, Charlotte!

What a sweet little ray of sunshine this girl was! Charlotte is one of those little ones who lights up the entire room from the moment she arrives. With her silly faces, endless giggles, and larger-than-life personality, she made her session an absolute blast from start to finish.

I had so much fun capturing her big milestone and getting to know her and her sweet mama. Between the laughter, the silly moments, and Charlotte keeping us on our toes the entire time, this session was full of memories I won’t forget anytime soon. Watching her personality shine through every pose and every goofy expression was pure joy for me as a photographer.

These cake smash sessions are always special, but Charlotte reminded me why I love celebrating first birthdays so much — her energy was contagious, and every moment felt like a celebration.

Happy 1st Birthday, Charlotte! I hope your day is just as joyful, fun, and unforgettable as you are. Thank you for letting me be part of your special day!

Tanner

Meet Tanner – A Sweet Rainbow Baby & A Joyful Milestone

Say hello to Tanner! This super adorable little guy was one of my recent Rainbow Baby Session winners, and I couldn’t have been more excited to capture this special milestone for him and his amazing family.

Offering this session to Tanner was an absolute honor, but being able to gift it to his mama made it even more special. She’s one of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of working with and seeing the joy Tanner brings to her life made this session unforgettable. Their story is one of hope and healing, and Tanner is every bit the rainbow after the storm that his family deserves.

Tanner himself was full of personality! He wasn’t exactly a fan of the fake grass at first (his expressions were priceless!), but as soon as that cake hit the scene, he was all smiles and sweet, silly faces. Nothing else mattered to him except that cake — and he smashed it like a pro!

Capturing Tanner’s first birthday was a reminder of why these sessions mean so much to me. Every image tells a story not just of a milestone, but of love, resilience, and new beginnings.

Happy 1st Birthday, Tanner! You are so loved, and I hope your big day was as bright and joyful as you are!

Patrick

Celebrating 4 Years of Patrick – A Special Milestone with a Long-Time Client

Meet Patrick, a little guy who holds a special place in my heart! He and his sweet little sister have been part of the Mary Purdy Photography family for quite some time now, and watching them grow over the years has been such a joy.

One of the most rewarding parts of this project is that it’s allowed me to connect with both new families and long-time clients like Patrick’s. While my goal has always been to touch the hearts of new families through my work, it’s extra meaningful when I can offer something special to the clients who’ve supported my journey for years. Getting to celebrate milestones like Patrick’s 4th birthday reminds me why I’m so passionate about what I do, capturing memories for families who truly become part of my story too.

Patrick is the kind of kid who lights up every session with his energy and personality. Knowing I’ve been able to document so many moments in his life is such a gift, not just for his family, but for me as well. These familiar faces remind me daily that this career isn’t just about photography; it’s about relationships, memories, and watching these amazing little people grow up.

Happy 4th Birthday, Patrick! You’ve grown so much, and I hope your year ahead is as awesome and full of fun as you are! Thank you for letting me continue to be part of your story.

Lucy

A Princess Rainbow Session for Sweet Lucy!

I had the absolute joy of spending the day with Lucy and her mama for her beautiful rainbow session, and what a session it was! Lucy is bursting with life and personality — I’m pretty sure she sparkles wherever she goes. From her big smiles to her sweet giggles, this little girl was pure magic in front of the camera.

We designed a setup that was perfect for her bright spirit, complete with her favorite unicorn outfit and a special surprise: the full princess treatment! Lucy personally picked out a pink princess dress from my client closet, and let me tell you… she wore it like royalty. She looked absolutely stunning, and it couldn’t have suited her better.

Lucy did such a fantastic job during her session, and her mama was a huge help behind the scenes. I also learned that Lucy’s mom is a photographer too, which made this session extra special to me. There’s something so meaningful about being trusted to capture memories for a fellow photographer, especially when it’s for their rainbow baby. Knowing I could provide this experience for them truly filled my heart.

Happy Birthday, Lucy! I hope your day is filled with as much sparkle, magic, and love as you bring to everyone around you. Wishing you and your family all the happiness in the world.

Veera

A Frozen-Themed Birthday Celebration for Verra!

Sweet Verra is back in front of my camera, and I couldn’t be happier! As a returning client, Verra and her family have become part of the Mary Purdy Photography family, and every session with them is pure joy. They’re always so much fun to work with, and this session was no exception!

Let me tell you, Verra is a force, full of energy, confidence, and personality! She absolutely rocked her session like a pro. Since this beautiful girl loves all things Frozen, it was only fitting that we designed a special Frozen-themed setup just for her. Watching her light up in her snowy, magical world was the highlight of my day.

Verra has such a vibrant spirit, and I can’t wait to see what amazing things she does next. Sessions like this remind me why I love what I do, capturing not just moments, but the personalities and passions that make each child unique.

Happy Birthday, Verra! I hope your day is as beautiful, magical, and full of adventure as you are. I’m already looking forward to welcoming you and your family back to the studio soon!

Alena

Bright Smiles & Sweet Moments – Celebrating Alena!

This sweet girl was full of personality from the moment she stepped in front of my camera! Alena is such a bubbly little light for her family, her energy was contagious, and every photo captured her joyful spirit perfectly.

Her mama was absolutely amazing throughout the session, helping behind the scenes to get those perfect studio shots while also appreciating all the adorable candid moments (which, let’s be honest, sometimes become the favorites!). It’s always so special when I get to work alongside parents who are just as excited as I am to freeze these precious moments in time.

Alena’s setup was the perfect match for her bright, bold personality, every detail came together to help showcase her radiant smile and playful heart.

Happy Birthday, Alena! I hope your special day is filled with as much happiness and light as you bring to everyone around you. I can’t wait to see where life takes you, sweet girl!

Aiden

Classic Style & Endless Smiles — Celebrating Aiden!

Aiden was such a happy, goofy little guy during his session, full of energy and personality! From silly faces to sweet smiles, he gave me all the perfect poses and kept the session fun from start to finish. Little boys at his age are always such a joy to work with, and Aiden was no exception.

One of my favorite parts of this session was that Aiden’s mom was open to using a classic, traditional color palette for his setup. It felt timeless and simple, letting Aiden’s personality take center stage, and it couldn’t have suited him better! Sometimes the most traditional setups create the most unforgettable images.

Happy Birthday, Aiden! I hope your special day is as fun and full of adventure as you are. Thank you for letting me capture this sweet milestone, you were an absolute star!

Billie

A Fall Rainbow Celebration – Happy Birthday, Billie!

Some families just feel like old friends, and Billie’s family is definitely one of my favorites to work with. I first met her wonderful mama when she was nominated by a friend for a maternity session, and now, here we are, celebrating sweet Billie’s first birthday with a cake smash session!

I was thrilled when Billie was also nominated for her cake smash session, and even more excited when her mom gave me complete creative freedom to design a setup just for her. And what could be more perfect for a fall rainbow baby than a boho rainbow/fall pumpkin theme? Cozy autumn tones, soft textures, and subtle rainbow touches came together beautifully to create a setup that felt just right for Billie.

And now… let’s talk about the star herself! Billie was an absolute dream to photograph, the sweetest little model from start to finish. Her big, bold personality shone through every image (just like her older sister and parents!). She was full of charm, smiles, and a sparkle that made every moment with her so much fun.

I truly had a blast celebrating with her and can’t wait to see this amazing family back in the studio again soon.

Happy 1st Birthday, Billie! You’re as special and unique as the setup we created just for you.