FAMILY SESSION // BRANDY & CO.

Brandy is a good friend of mine from church who has impeccable taste in fashion. When she contacted me for a session with her sisters, I was ecstatic.

Unfortunately, not all of Brandi's sisters were able to make the session (we'll try again soon!), but I am certain that these pictures will serve as great memories for them! There was lots of talking and giggling... really the session felt so natural.

Thank you SO MUCH, Brandi for allowing me the opportunity of capturing you ladies!

Enjoy, friends.

SUMMER LOVIN'

Swoon.

I love love.

CREATIVE SESSION // ASHLEY CORK

I'd like to say that this session is my welcome to summer. ♥

Ashley was SO much fun to work with, and that truly is an understatement. She brought some excellent wardrobe options for the session, and we threw together some last minute prop ideas to make for [I would say] a great end result. In addition to having an incredibly fun afternoon together, I believe that Ashley and I have both gained a new friend in the process!

A few shout-outs for this post:

1. LENSBABY - This was my first time ever shooting with a Lensbaby (the lens creates the circular zoom-like focus you see in some of Ashley's pictures). It was tricky (very tricky), but I LOVE the shots I was able to get with the lens. (Props to LensRentals.com for the renting opportunity--at a great rate, too!)

2. Totally Rad Lightroom Presets - The colors from this session are some of my favorites! The formula? Good exposure + RAW format + TR Lightroom Presets. ♥

3. Blog Stomp - This new "app" has cut my blog-posting time in like, eighths. Seriously. Big props to them for being awesome.

. . .

Enough talking, already. 

I hope that you all just LOVE these pictures as much as I do!

Enjoy, friends.

LIFE // BAHAMAS

Needless to say, life has been a little nuts lately. This is ABSOLUTELY the busiest I have ever been, and I am learning day-by-day how to manage the new influx of work. 

I have 25+ weddings this year, and am falling in love with my job more and more everyday.

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of lights." -James 1:17

. . .

To be completely honest, I am overflowing with a plethora of feelings. Gratitude, anxiousness, caution, joy, humility, excitement. My husband could tell you how utterly excited I get with every inquiring client. No matter the circumstance, I always see an opportunity to bless someone with all of my heart. 99% of the time, I am blessed in return: a new friend, a word of encouragement, a recommendation, an incredible experience. The Lord has also given me so many opportunities to just GIVE to people -- to capture memories they will treasure for a lifetime, to change the way they think about professional business services, to reveal to them how beautiful they are, to display (through pictures) the love between family and friends, parents and children, husbands and wives. He fuels my passion, provides the opportunity, and supplies me with all that I need to continue on this journey.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." -Ecclesiastes 9:10

. . .

Some friends of ours blessed Justin and I, and I mean BLESSED us, with a cruise to the Bahamas. Neither of us have ever been on a cruise, and we decided it was the perfect way to celebrate our two year anniversary. (To read our love story, and see just how quirky we are, click on the {♥} tab). The cruise was incredible (I probably gained 10 lbs.), and Nassau was unbelievable. I LOVE experiencing culture... and we could not have asked for a better day with the Bahamian people.

. . .

Monday I hit the ground running, trying to catch up on the mass of work I have, as well as making some last decisions to tie up the loose ends of my new branding project. I don't think I've ever been so excited about work in my life. I am waking up bright-eyed and ready at 7:00 every morning--naturally--which is NOT normal, trust me. My heart is just so full of joy that I couldn't go without sharing it with you, my fans and clients. I treasure this season that the Lord has given me... He truly is so good.

Here's a little snapshot into the wonderfulness of what we experienced on our vacation. 

Keep on the lookout for the many, many posts to come!

PRELUDE // CREATIVE SESSION / ASHLEY CORK

A little snippet of what is to come. 

[As well as a sample of my new watermark.]

LIFE | BRANDING

For those who have been with me from the beginning, you might have noticed a logo-change... or two, or three.

You see, I have always valued design as an essential element of any brand, whether a product, service, or event. As soon as I decided I was ready to market my work, I knew I needed a design right away. I threw some basics together, and slapped them on my blog to be at least minimally marketable to the clients I sought after. Next, however, I decided that it was a good idea to begin watermarking my images (putting my logo on them) for their online presence. I decided the original logo I came up with wasn't functional for this purpose, and re-designed. Long story short, that logo wasn't legible, the next logo was too boring, and the latest logo looked crazily similar to an already very popular photographer. 

Hence, the new branding.

To be completely honest, I wasn't entirely settled with the last branding project. I approached it quickly and with little thought about my personal design taste. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE cursive and flowers and girlyness. However, when I stumble upon a design project that I appreciate, it is (99% of the time) minimalistic, classic, and crisp. I love good, clean design.

. . .

In short, thank you to everyone who has encouraged my creativity along the way! I have had a BLAST discovering my "business personality", and could not be more ecstatic about the end result. I will have new business cards, packaging, and [obviously] online branding. I'll be sure to post pictures when I receive the fabulous business cards from Moo, as well as when I get ready to ship off my first completed package design.

. . .

Have a great day, everyone! 

Trust Me...

When I say good things are ahead. 

There are a few lovely weddings, engagements, and model sessions right around the corner.

Hang tight... it's going to be worth it!