Taking a break from a break

After a busy last few months, the plan was to take some time off from shooting. The Nikon needed a rest, the family missed Mommy, and it was time for a necessary break.

Within the first two weeks of my "time off", I started to get the itch. I looked at my calendar and saw I had a full day open so I texted my niece.

Sissy, you busy Sunday? Wanna know if you can come down for pics.

The rest is history...

Robriana (aka Sissy) nailed it.

One minute she’s her typical silly self...

Next minute, FIERCE.

With the style and expertise of my best-friend-since-forever/sister, we got so many awesome shots that day. Some of my best images over the years came from the joint effort of Bird and I. She also has a very artistic eye and we are quite the team.

This was a fun day.

celebrate.

"It's important to celebrate the people who hold your hand and never let go." -Leanne Coppola

Family.

Their house was a second home for me while growing up. For years, her mom and dad put up with all of us girls raiding their kitchen, being loud and laughing all hours of the night, and moving furniture around to take over the family room to make up dance routines with ridiculously loud music. Through all this, they continued to welcome me with open arms and treated me like their own daughter/sister.

When Joy told me they wanted to have family portraits taken, my response was “Tell me when and where. I’m there.”

After we wrapped up the big family pics, I had Joy and Jason stick around a little bit longer so we could get a few shots of just the two of them.

Love.

Goodbye 2011. Hello 2012.

Happy New Year!

Bound in the beating of eachother’s heart

I read her email and it touched my heart. I am a mom, so reading her words about her son and her hopes and dreams for his future, hit so close to home. The only difference between she and I is that there are miles between the two of them.

Upon meeting Nelia and Christian, it became clear to me that their geographic locations mean nothing. There is an unspeakable bond between the two of them that mothers and sons share. Although he’s tall and growing up, he is still a mama’s boy and he is her world.

“Children and mothers never truly part – Bound in the beating of eachother’s heart.” -Charlotte Gray

Thank you Nelia for contacting me and taking time out of your vacation together!

Time for just the two of them

We were racing daylight and I have to admit, I didn't think I would be able to pull it off. The sun was dropping and dark clouds began to fill the sky faster than I could adjust my settings. I was nervous. I couldn't let my brother-in-law and sister-in-law down. I kept my fingers crossed and got as many shots as I could get before we were in complete darkness.

Lucky for me, they (including their kids) are professionals at being photographed so they made it easy. They have a beautiful and photogenic family. This time, it was just their turn and I LOVE how their photos turned out....

Jamell, lookin sharp all dressed up!!! Shannan, one word... GORGEOUS! I love you guys.

Please check out Shannan at Sweetly Designed for her awesome personalized party favors and more!

Just in time for the holidays

Regina explained to me early on that all she wanted was a nice family picture for their holiday cards. She had a vision, and together, we planned to capture those images of her and her beautiful family.

It's funny how things don't always go according to plan yet it ends up working out even better than expected. The girls had other plans for us that morning, and because of their liveliness and energy, they brought so much fun to the shoot! I was able to capture them as they are.... so alive, full of personality, and just being themselves.

Thank you, Regina and Steffond, for making the trip out here! Happy holidays to you and the girls:)