One of the added bonuses of my job is forming real friendships with my couples. Watching them grow into families, and more often than not…getting to document their milestones through the years. Jennings was a friend before my love of photography grew into a career, so photographing her isn’t just like photographing an old friend…it’s the real deal. She’s someone I grew up with, hung out at middle school dances with ( wow..do I even remember middle school?!), and now share a passion for photography with. I know what you’re thinking…I recognize that laugh. Yep, she’s shown up on this blog a few times over the past year. Who could forget her southern beach wedding with a reception to end all receptions?

Not only did she become a wife in 2010..she became a business owner. I love seeing friends follow their passions & Jennings is really putting her heart into her photography. Her sweet hubby Brennen gave her a one-on-one session with me as a birthday present & we spent the better part of a Saturday talking shop & creating a business plan for her. We focused on establishing her look, finding her niche, resources to help take things to the next level, and even did a live edit of a few of her recent images. There’s so much to love about Jennings. She’s carving her own path & focusing on all the right things. Being true to herself, her art & her clients. I love the authenticity of her work…she’s not trying to be anyone else. All of my photographer friends out there would agree..that’s hard to find these days. At one point during our session we were discussing her wedding pictures & I mentioned how much I love the image of her & her dad laughing together in the hotel room before the ceremony. As I told her what I loved about that image ( the fact that you can almost hear them laughing..) I watched her eyes well up with tears. It was one of those moments where it all comes full circle & you realize how precious even the smallest moments are. It made me see how perfect she is for this job. Her clients are lucky to have someone with such a huge heart photographing them. Big things are on the horizon for this southern gal, and she knows I’m here to help anytime she needs a word of encouragement..

Sooo.. ( if you’re still with me, you deserve a medal ) the day of our one-on-one, we got a little surprise… in the form of a major snowstorm. Well, major for the south…around here school closes at the first sight of a snowflake, so 4-5 inches is considered a blizzard :) Jennings & I were so wrapped up in shoptalk, we didn’t look out the window until it was time to start shooting & there was a bonafide winter wonderland outside. Aside from almost killing my gear ( I don’t recommend shooting in the snow without a water housing, btw..) it was one of my most memorable sessions to date. Jennings decided to make it a sisters shoot, so she had her sis Bennette join us. These two are so close…I love the connection they share. Thanks for the laughs, ladies…xoxo.

Hi :)

I’m back. After a brief hiatus, it feels good to be blogging again. I haven’t left the bat-cave ( otherwise known as le’ studio ) much since returning from the holidays. New website(s), new ( letterpress & eco-friendly ) packaging, and a nice little blog facelift are in the works..in addition to wrapping up the last few edits of 2010. So, lots going on. Lots to catch up on blog-wise. Thanks to those of you who emailed, messaged me on twitter, and even called ( yes, really..) to see when I would be blogging again. Its good to know there’s a handful of you out there who care. Here’s a squeeze from me to you for being so darn sweet…

Julia & Jona are the perfect couple to get this blog back in business. You guys might recognize Julia from her one-on-one session last spring. Since then she’s taken her business to a whole new level, shot 2 weddings with me, and made a beautiful little boy named Quin. 2010 was a big year for this lovely gal I’m lucky enough to call my friend. I just photographed baby Quin & his new little family last week, so this isn’t the last you’ll be seeing of these two. Stay tuned for Quin’s blog debut next week…

In the meantime, here are a few favorites from Julia’s maternity session. I love that she didn’t bat an eye when I showed her the marsh location. She’s part superhero..seriously. And have you ever seen a cuter preggo gal? Not me. Never.

J & J- I ♥ you guys..thanks for being you..

What’s this? Two gorgeous redheads back to back?! I know you redhead fans are lovin’ me right about now :)

This session was a long time coming. We rescheduled twice because of rain, but I knew if we waited for the perfect day, it would eventually show up…and boy did it ever. I wish I could special order this light for every shoot. We were surrounded by the most beautiful buttery sunset & Jackie and Brandon lit up each frame with their sweetness. They are so in love, I didn’t have to direct Brandon to put his arm around Jackie or snuggle her in close….it just happened naturally every…single…time I lifted my lens. Add to the mix their perfect pup Gilly, and you can see why I left this shoot on a major high. Jackie & Brandon really value photography, so they put a lot of thought into what they wanted for their engagement session. We incorporated 2 things they love…Brandon’s camaro & Gilly the super dog, and the results are so very…them. I’m completely smitten with these three & can’t wait to do it all again in May.

Here’s a peek into the world of Jackie, Brandon & Gilly: