Love, Me Blog

Hunter’s session was such a blast!  We went until the sun went down … literally.  When his mom called and told me he was a drummer, I was expecting this hard rocker that never smiled.  (No offense to all you drummers out there ).  I was pleasantly surprised that Hunter is so full of personality.  He has an awesome smile and this great thing about him that makes him super easy to be around.  I love people like that!  Anyway, we played around Denton for a while and then headed back to his house for a few with little sister and the superstar of the house.

Thanks for an awesome session Hunter, and allowing me to do my thang.  You rock. literally.  ok, that was lame i know.

Monica and Hunter have this great relationship.  I was excited to snap a few of them together.  What 18 year old hugs his momma like that??  a good one for sure.

Love how his green eyes shine here.

When you dont have a drum … there’s always your foot!

This is definitely my favorite by a mile.  In the short time I spent with Hunter, it just sums up who he is to me.  His love of music, his beaming personality, and oh yea, that smile!  Told you I’d get your first album cover.

I laugh out loud every time I see this picture.

How incredibly cute are they??

The sun was pretty much gone here, so this image is a lot grainier than what I would normally post, but proud little sis is just so darn cute!

Monica, thanks for trusting me with images from such an important time in Hunter’s life.  It truly was a pleasure meeting you and I must say, you have major bragging rights.  Hunter is one awesome dude.

but … I just couldn’t help myself during Kelsie and Matt’s wedding!  I couldn’t be happier for these two and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of such an important day.  I was the Matron of Honor the DAY I left for Africa.  I was excited to finally get the chance to load these pictures yesterday of my beautiful cousin.  She was just stunning … seriously.  Even though the weather wasn’t bright and sunny like we had anticipated, the clouds led to some great lighting and a chance to snag a few keepers.  Here are a few favorites of the happy couple.  I love you both so much!!!

I was SO anxious the whole day and was not myself while taking these pictures.  I am usually really relaxed, but I guess that’s what standing up beside your best friend coupled with thoughts of leaving your baby for a week and half to go to Africa will do to you.  Still, I am pleased with some of the shots I got.  This is my absolute favorite from the entire day.  Matt and Kels decided to break tradition ::gasp:: and see each other before walking down the aisle.  This took place in the quaint little chapel, which also happens to have zero natural light filtering through because its all stained glass.  But, I happen to really like the grainy images that resulted in this coupled by the capturing this very special moment.  In fact IF I ever decide to shoot weddings, I think I will require couples to do this as I think its so special for the groom to see his bride without the eyes of 100s of people.

Isn’t Kelsie just stunning!  I love this image in BW, but her blue eyes are so gorgeous I had to show both.

I love this one too.  This is right before she was about to walk down the aisle.  It’s meaningful to me because she is wearing my veil from nearly 5 years before when she was the Maid of Honor in my wedding.

So sweet.  I love the forehead kiss.  This is so “Matt and Kels” to me.

Happy couple!  Love you both so much and I hope you enjoy my few little pics.  A BIG thanks to Julie … the real photographer for letting me snap a few of my own

Rachel and I got back from Sierra Leone, Africa last night, but we left a huge piece of our hearts across the ocean in a little place called the Wellington Orphanage.  Eighty-four beautiful, spirit filled children stole them and I dont think we can ever get them back.

Please bare with us as we get back into the swing of things. We are both physically, emotionally, and spiritually overwhelmed and exhausted.  Thank you so very much for your thoughts and prayers.  As cliche as it sounds they truly were felt while we were there.  There really aren’t words to describe what we experienced, but we will try.  Because so many of you are already asking and we know it will be healthy for our hearts, we are going to chronicle our journey on the blog as if we had had internet access the whole time.  Give us a few days to get started.  I will of course share some of the images.  Many of my favorites, though, we be kept a secret until we unveil the huge projects we are undertaking or until we decide which ones will be included in those projects.  Until then, please know how much we are blessed by the support.  If you are interested in going to the Wellington Orphanage, first know that it will completely change your life, and secondly, GO ALREADY.  I can get you in contact with the man that can get you there.

Clients :  thank you for your patience!  We are back to work tomorrow as we needed a day to recover from major jet lag and exhaustion.  Know that you are top priority and we will contact you very soon.

Because you are dying I’m sure, here is one picture out of thousands I have to sort through.

village boy on the beach.

Rachel and I are out of town from March 14th-March 25th.  We will get back with you as soon as we get back.

Poor Shelly has had to wait way too long for her peek!  I guess its never too late, and she has to wait until Thursday to see all of them, so she begged I figured I’d be nice   I happen to love their session.  I know I say that every time, but I seriously mean it. I have been loving my families lately. I truly feel like this is my niche.  [insert sound of gasping photographers all over the country here].  Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not taking myself too seriously, its just that most photographers would rather eliminate families all together because they really can be difficult.  I just feel like its what I’m supposed to do.  I love the imperfection of it all.  That’s what real life is anyway, right??  imperfect.  and glorious.

The Varins’ home was perfect for a few pictures.  I actually love the images much more when I don’t over prepare and I go to a location I’ve never been [again, insert other photographers breaking into hives here].  I had contemplated making the drive out to their house the week before, but I decided to trust what I know and go in with an open mind. I think this is a new policy because I tend to love the outcome more when its all spontaneous.  Much like me I guess.  I’m a sort of fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl. My Nana calls it “free spirit” which is really just a nice word for well … I dont know, but  I dont think its positive.  I’ve come to grips with it, though.  Ok, back to the Varins.

So, I see this sofa right when I walk in … Jackpot!  AND, they are wearing black and white.  Well, I’ll quit blabbing so you can see this cute family.

Are they not the cutest … ever? Maurie squints her eyes and squishes her nose when she laughs and Ethan grits his teeth like he’s up to something …

Look at those beautiful blue eyes!

Something mischievous about his little grin, doncha think?

Ok, now you are about to get the candid family BOMB. I just love these types of images, so there.  You get to see lots of them.

Um … I wonder where Maurie gets her adorable smile/ laugh?

One of my favorite family images. ever.  just love me a pile of arms and legs.

I know you want to take them home now.  so cute.

Hope you enjoy, Shelly!

For those that thought I dropped off the face of the earth, I promise, I’m still here!  I was gone most of last week with a quick trip to Philly to meet up with some awesome photographer friends from around the country, and then I headed out again to Austin for the weekend with some more amazing “Texan” Photographers.  I’m not lying when I say that my weekend in Austin was one of the best weekends of my life.  It really is awesome when you not only meet other people that share your major obession passion, but also who you connect with on a much deeper level.  These five women, I would venture to say, are new “life” friends and I am so blessed to know them!  Anyway, with all this traveling coupled with having to get several shots [read: I'm a new pin cushion] for my upcoming trip to Africa, and taking much needed time to love on my baby girl … um … let’s just say I WAY overestimated what I could accomplish in the day and half I was home all last week.  So, I sincerely apologize to my families who are awaiting your sneak peeks.  I’m working hard to get back on schedule and will be ready for your ordering sessions next week.

So, now for the reason for the post.  Meet Susan, Trevor, and Brynne.  This was such a crazy session!  First of all, it was seriously cold with the wind whipping all about.  Secondly, it was really a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of day …  which happen to be my absolute favorite!  I basically chased Brynne and Trevor all about, shared many laughs, and tried to keep Susan from getting frost bite   These three are super close and it shows!  Meaningful relationships happen to be my absolute favorite thing to capture and when its genuine, it makes my heart happy!  There was no time for posed formal shots … and what came from it is pure magic, in my opinion.  Thank you guys for making my job look so easy.  I didn’t have to direct at all and I hope these images make you smile.  Aren’t they just so full of life??

Susan reads this book to the kids all the time, so it was meaningful for her to get it in some shots.  While I am not a huge fan of props, something like this is just PERFECT. I LOVE that Trevor is learning to read now, so he took mom’s role and read to his girls   And the fact that he doesn’t mind his little sister hugging all over him made me SO happy.  I really haven’t photographed many siblings as close as they are.  I know at this age, I would have been antagonizing my little brother and he wouldn’t have wanted me to touch him … well, I guess he still doesn’t ;(

This picture makes me laugh out. loud. so. hard.

One of my very favorites!

I love this next one too.  Little sis looking up to proud big brother.  cute.

This last one is my very favorite from the day.  Brynne’s messy hair and all.  love.