Surprise Christmas Gifts....

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... a way to get to know a little more about me personally...

A few months ago I got a call from a sweet lady wanting to talk to me about a photo session that would be a surprise for her son and his wife.  The pictures would be of her teenage granddaughter.  So we started with the planning, and met up one gorgeous Sunday afternoon in downtown Kings Mountain, NC.  There is so much history in this little town, that surely you could just take photos without even a person in them and stay busy... but when I met Kathryn, I could tell she already knew the look she was after.  She was a little bit shy at first, but I could see that right under that shy exterior was so much excitement I thought she would burst.  As we moved along with her session, I could see more and more of her personality come out.  I would LOVE to have spent all day with Kathryn.  Not only was she a sweetheart, but the camera loved her, and she's just simply gorgeous.  

Now I have been given permission to finally share some images from her session... the gift has been given to her parents, and my understanding is that they were both surprised and happy with the work.  

Merry Christmas, Kathryn... and to your Grandmother, you are a totally cool Grandma!!  Hope to work with you all again very soon!

 

Christmas Reflections

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... a way to get to know a little more about me personally...

A few days ago I wrote a blog (on my personal blog-page) about reflecting... the importance of it, and how much reflecting is a part of my life and who I am.  I very much believe that also plays over into WHO I am as a photographer...WHY photography is so important to me...HOW I visualize a photo session with a client. Photography has always been such an important part of my life...recording those moments that grabbed me right then and knowing I didn't want to ever forget it.  And a picture often makes that possible.  

It's Christmastime... and along with this season comes a time of true reflection for many people.  Thinking back on the year... what worked... what didn't.  Amidst blessings, hardships, joys and disappointments we also come to the ending of one year and somehow find HOPE for better times in the next. I look at my Christmas tree and see much of that reflection in the ornaments that hang... the meaning behind some of them.  I have the first ornament I ever bought for my OWN Christmas tree... an ornament from my children's 1st Christmases... an ornament representing Alphie the Lion (who is the ADPi mascot, and the sorority my daughter has been a part of through her college career)... I have a heart with "Love Never Ends" and many times I have looked at that ornament with tears, and other times with joy.  What is on your Christmas tree?  Does it help you reflect on those times you never want to forget?     

LUKE 2:8-14

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

May you have a VERY Merry Christmas!!!

Friends and the Sea...the Best!

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... a way to get to know a little more about me personally...

For those of you who read my blogs or follow my facebook fan page, you know that I spend as much time as possible at the beach.  And last month I was so fortunate to get to spend two weeks there!  I got to take many walks on the beach, get my feet in the ocean (it was a bit cool in the water!), spend time with some family and loved ones... and those loved ones include some very dear friends.  I LOVE all of my friends... but isn't there something cozy and comfortable about those friends you've had forever?  This couple is someone I knew growing up as friends of my parents...and as I've grown up our relationship has evolved into a special friendship all of our own.  Here are some pictures I captured during out weekend together at the beach... some of my dear friends (they're so sweet!) and some of what was going around us that evening as we were heading to dinner in Murrell's Inlet.  

ENJOY!

 

Baby M

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... a way to get to know a little more about me personally...

Maternal would definitely be one of the words I would use to describe myself.  Maybe that has something to do with why I absolutely love newborn baby sessions.  Newborns just represent so much hope, promise, newness and love.  I count myself very blessed to get to snuggle up with these sweet little beings and take some of their first pictures!  

Meet Baby M... He was determined he was not going to wait until his due date, so he made his entrance over 5 weeks early!  After a week or so in in the hospital, and still very tiny, he went home with Mommy and Daddy... and he has really pulled quite a few heartstrings since.  When I took finally got to do his session in my studio he was already 2 weeks old, and usually I like them no older than that when I do their pictures.  But no problem here -- this little guy was still only 5 pounds of complete and total sweetness! I hope you enjoy his pictures (and I couldn't resist including one of him with Mommy and Daddy!)