PRELUDE // LAURA & NICK

Everytime I look at you

My world just melts away

All my troubles

All my fears

Dissolve in your affection
{Push, Sarah McLachlan}

PORTRAIT SESSION // JANITA

Janita and I go way back. Her mom was my elementary chorus teacher (an amazing one at that!) and Janita and I worked at a Christian bookstore together for a few years. We were both working at the bookstore while attempting to launch our "entrepreneurships".

Janita specializes in wedding and event invitations. To check out her work, click here.

Here are some of my favorite portraits from our session. It was so great to reconnect with you, Janita! We need to hang out again soon! ♥

Enjoy!

This is SO Janita... if you only knew!

LIFE // UNEXPECTED E-MAILS

So, upon returning home from a FABULOUS wedding today, I received this e-mail.

Upon reading this e-mail, I cried and cried at just how good God is to me. I truly love my job so much. I love my clients. I love the beautiful gift of marriage that God has given us. 

And, seriously, friends, all of the credit goes to Him. What is photography without light? No sunsets, summers, or foliage at that. And God is love. I wouldn't have a job if it weren't for love. I simply, humbly, and with great joy embrace every opportunity to capture the indescribable creation He has made.

That is my heart.

So, here's the e-mail (although I've kept it anonymous)... totally out-of-the-blue and unexpected. What an awesome ending to such a great day. If you read this, sir, thank you so much for the encouragement. I certainly treasure your kind words.

Hello Young Lady,

As an old Marine and engineer I have never been much a “touchy feely photo kind of guy”, but many of the photos I see on your web site certainly appear to be of the same quality I see in magazines and in the professional studios here in Washington DC.  Likewise, my daughter [So and so] seems to be exceptionally pleased with your engagement photos.

Some of the shots you have posted on your web site (of all the people) are truly “eye catching” and exceptional …. 

Quality products like these should assure you will continue to do very well and grow your business.  Thanks for the fine effort and best of luck in your growing business.

J.M., Old Engineer

Pentagon, Washington, DC

ENGAGEMENT SESSION // TARA & ANDREW

Tara and Andrew are quite the pair. Really. I don't know that I've ever laughed so much during a session. They were so much fun to be around, and capturing their interaction with each other was a blast! Not to mention, they were both SUCH good sports during the session, that of which landed on one of our first HOT summer days.

I LOVE the captures. I can't wait to capture their big day in September!

Have a great night, everyone!

CREATIVE SESSION // SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY

Tess is one of my BFFLs. She is probably the most frequent face on this blog, and for good reason.

One of my dear friends, Beth Hyer, set out to do a Creative Video of Tess, and I tagged along... with my camera, of course.

Love these shots and wanted to share.

This video by Yael Naim is probably one of my favorite music videos ever. It makes me think of summer... and smile instead of think "ugh, the heat".

Happy Summer, Y'all! ♥

PORTRAITS // MY BEAUTIFUL GRANDMOTHER

Over the past five years or so, I have developed the most incredible relationships with both my Mother and my Grandmother. It's definitely inexplicable, but there's such a treasure in becoming friends with the women you've admired all your life. The admiration and respect are still there, of course, but the long talks, moments of laughter and mutual words of encouragement are a whole new level of connection with the women I love. I would say that my Mother and Grandmother are my biggest fans (along with my husband, and many other family members that I am so blessed to have in my life). 

For the past few winters, my Grandmother has visited (from Michigan) for a few months--times I have come to treasure, and utterly enjoy. This year during her visit, she asked me about potentially doing a session with her, and I was so incredibly excited! It is an honor to capture such an amazing woman. God is so rich in His blessings towards me.

Here are some of my favorites from my session with "Grandma Maggie".

Enjoy, friends. ♥

I love you so much, Grandma.

LIFE // THE LOVE OF GOD

While sailing the ocean blue with my husband last week, I experienced (for the first time ever) what it looks like to see nothing but the blue expanse for miles and miles. 

This is the first thing that came to mind: (My favorite hymn ever, by the way)

Picture is an original, UNTOUCHED photo of Blue Bahamian water. Copyright Haley Sheffield 2011.