Sellers Bridal

So much has happened these past 2-3 months...not really sure where to start. A major happening in MY world of photography was the marriage of Kaci Sellers and John Cooke. I met Kaci by referral (THANKS Stephanie Moore!!!) and the first time we were face to face was the moment she stepped out of the car with PERFECT hair, nails, and makeup...ready for her bridal shoot! It was the most perfect cloudy day...and this is not always a bad thing...but along with it was extremely COLD weather! I know it was not actually freezing...but it was close! I packed up the entire house, as I always do...all that would fit into the back of my car...including fresh coffee and hot chocolate! Oh yeah, you know I LOVE coffee! Kaci really was beautiful and I was worried about these "before spring, before everything starts blooming" pictures...but I think the lack of competing background really makes the bride stand out! And THAT is what it is all about! Big Mill Bed and Breakfast is beautiful year round...and they had a fire going in the pack house which gave us MUCH appreciated heat after the photo shoot! Look for Kaci on their website soon!

Spring Sessions...Children. Bunnies. Chicks...Take 2!

So, the story continues...Spring Mini Sessions rescheduled due to rain...and then we get more rain...mostly sprinkles...some rain...but I have to say, the photos turned out beautifully!  We had so much fun with the bunnies and chicks!  This bunny HAS to be the most gentle creature God has ever created...I am sure though that she is really glad all of the sessions are over.  I bet when her owner goes to the cage she panics...NO!  NOT AGAIN!   Haha!  Really, the animals are relaxing and recovering on a farm for animals who have had their share of the spotlight...spa packages and psychotherapy included...very exclusive...

The Boyds returned from last year, and what a blast we had!  Those kids had me cracking up!  They are both so animated as you can see, and they made for an excellent session!  I just love their expressions!  And next year there will be one more little Boyd in the mix...Yaaaayyyy!!!


I have enjoyed seeing kids from last year...grown up just a little bit more...and met some new friends, looking forward to seeing their families grow...

What in the world is THAT thing???!!!

A new face this year...what a cutie!  Every time I look at these photos I just can't help but smile!

I have been photographing these 2 since they were in the womb...they are so cute and funny!  Can you feel the love here?  This will be one of those moments you will want to relive when they are teenagers...:)

We decided to put one more session in this week...sunny skies...late afternoon session...and at the moment the last photo was taken...a downpour of RAIN!  Haha!  The Gilbreath family was such a pleasure to work with! I would love to get a photo of what all of the adults look like trying to get the kids to look at the camera and to coordinate a photo!  I am sure it was hilarious!  Never mind me laid out on the ground...in a dress that day...FUNNY!

Spring Sessions!

The second annual Spring Mini Sessions were (mostly) successful last weekend...you see, it seems that whatever weekend I pick for the sessions seems to attract inclement weather...but stay tuned!  We will have part 2 of the Spring Sessions this weekend!

We were able to get in a half day of sessions, and what fun we had!  I love these sessions, they are very unpredictable!  15 minutes to get the perfect shot of (insert name of sweetest child here), bunnies, and chicks...add changing weather conditions and lighting...let the fun begin!  Haha!  Thank you to my faithful assistants Tiffany Hardison and Miranda Cutler!  Without you guys managing all of the behind the scenes "stuff", I wouldn't be able to concentrate on capturing that perfect moment! 

I am always humbled by the number of people that come for any event that I host...faithful friends and new friends...thank you so much for helping me do something I love!  I am continually reminded of how blessed I am, surrounded by people who support me and my passion!  Thank you for trusting me with your precious memories!

My goals for this year...to continue to enjoy what I am doing, do it to the best of my ability...do everything for the glory of God, and to enjoy the journey...

Pass the kleenex. :)

Fun turning One!

The photo shoot was scheduled...and then the rain came...but despite the conditions of the day, we were able to have some fun and get some great pictures of a milestone birthday for little Katie!  There were 2 main objectives of the day.  Smash the cake, and get an AWESOME picture of Katie and Sweetie (the dog).  Should be easy enough to do, they are best of friends, inseparable...until today!  Haha!  It was almost as if the dog knew what we were trying to do and somehow developed an immediate case of "camerashyness"!  Somehow in the process too, she became my best friend...never leaving my side...We were still successful, using all techniques known, including a squeaker stuffed in my bag for emergencies...a lesson learned when taking a family photo including 4 dogs.  :)  I think my squeaker was eaten...???

No one will admit to it though...


Both parties involved appeat guilty...











A quick milk break and we were back to business...

Getting ready for the cake smash!  This was the most fun ever!  If you have never smashed a cake before, I highly recommend it!  Katie was a little unsure at first...can you blame her?  Sending mixed messages for sure about whether it is okay to play in your food, but she soon was able to get past her hesitation and dove right in!  How adorable!

A wonderful day!  So glad I could spend it with this beautiful little girl and her family!  What a sweet look on her face!

 

Happy Birthday to you!

A New Season

All of the "unusual" weather lately has got me seriously thinking.  Thinking about all of the things that are really important.  Things in the freezer...no.  Broken trees all over the yard...no.  Swimming pool turned to swamp...no.  Safety and family...definitely.  I was riding down the road today, looking at all of the damage, and even though there were some structures damaged, it was amazing to me how many of the trees and limbs somehow AVOIDED the house or main structure.  Made me think of God's provision in the storm.  Limbs flying everywhere.  Chaos.  A storm that seemed to last forever.  Broken pieces everywhere.  But the main structure intact.  How many times have I been in a storm (LIFE) and all around me things are falling apart, but somehow at the end, I am still all in one piece?  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.   For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  This gives me great hope.  That even when your "structure" is damaged, there is renewal.  Change is coming, I don't know what exactly, I just have to have faith that I will know when the door is opening.  Inward renewal is definitely happening, even with the chaos of the outside.  Many of us are looking at what is really important in life.  1Corinthians 10:31 "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  Sounds like the start of a plan to me. 

Cody and Courtney...Seniors 2012



I won't say what happened in this one...but I think maybe knowing the "behind the scenes" makes this one great!

I first met Courtney and Cody they were about 5 years old, and  I have seen them change over the years...most of the change seemed to occur overnight...and now they are Seniors in high school!  We spent the day together...laughing...serious face...laughing again...

THIS is peaceful!  Look at those eyes!  Gorgeous...

Our excursion in Beaufort County was ended by rain, but we were able to get some great shots!  I learned a lot about Courtney and Cody.  I figured out that Cody has a sense of humor...he is hilarious!  Courtney has a quiet peacefulness that can calm those around her.  Both of them love the Lord, that is evident, and I know that lives are changed, just by being around them.  They're "Weird 4 Jesus", that's right...just ask them!  They are a great brother/sister team!

I am really loving this one!  Soooooo handsome!