OUT OF THE OFFICE

Hello all!

Just wrapped up a fabulous wedding in the mountains of Colorado and am headed on a much needed vacation in Florida.

Just wanted to let you all know I will be

OUT OF THE OFFICE

until

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1.

Expect a Sneak Peek from Joy and Cody's dreamy Colorado wedding when I get back!

All phone calls, e-mails, and facebook messages will be answered at that time.

Wishing you all a great week!

A RAY OF SUNSHINE

Seriously, though.

I don't even think you're prepared for how wonderful this session is.

Rays of sunshine. Heart-melting hugs. Mother-and-son eskimo kisses.

On a side note completely, it's just been one of those weeks. Last-minute moving (third floor), car wreck, dead phone every time you really need it. With intentions of posting this session on Saturday (I can't really emphasize how excited I've been about sharing it with y'all!), Nicole has been nothing but gracious as I postponed the preview day after day. I've had so many friends/family shoot me encouragement after reading my whining facebook posts. I can't thank you enough.

Just because I feel like you should always find someway turn your discouragement into encouragement. So, I thought I should forward some of the sweet words given to me for those of you that might need some hope.

"I will hold myself to a standard of grace not perfection."

"Keep your chin up. This too shall pass."

"Take heart--for Jesus has overcome the world."

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." [Matt. 6:34]

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you." [1 Peter 5:7]

"You're awesome."

And sometimes you just have to get a dry erase marker and write things on your mirror. Or change the background on your phone. Or put a sticky-note on your steering wheel. And sometimes you just have to inhale and exhale and know that your present circumstances are not permanent ones. In that string of "what else could go wrong", there are a lot of things going right... you just have to recognize them.

You will make it.

Back on subject, here are the lovely photos I've been so excited to share with you!

//

Nicole and family,

In complete honesty, I've been SO stinkin' excited about your session since the day I read your message. Your enthusiasm for my work was nothing short of humbling. I loved your ideas. Felt at home getting to shoot at one of my favorite locations. Thoroughly enjoyed capturing your family interact as the sun worked with us so kindly! Thank you for the opportunity to capture this season for you! Wishing you all the best as you continue in your personal and business endeavors!
//

Enjoy, friends.

EDITORIAL // NECTAR & CO.

I had the tremendous privilege of working with Nectar & Co. on a recent project of theirs for a very exciting project with Southern Living Plant Collection.

It was my first experience working so intimately with plans and decor, and I have to say it was as enjoyable as I've ever anticipated. Carmen and her team are packed full of talent and enthusiasm for their art! They have such a natural ability to work with plants and a fine-tuned attention to detail that an artist like myself can appreciate! I [just might] have been inspired to start my own little container garden!

These images were designed to inspire use of container gardens for cooking, entertaining, and decorating. I, for one, left the shoot wanting to fill my home with the smell of rosemary and the beauty of the greenery. What do you think?

//

Carmen and team,

I remember "meeting" Nectar and Co. at a bridal show in 2010, and adding to my "goals" list to work with such a fabulous company. Lo' and behold, the day has come! I can't thank you enough for allowing me this opportunity. Wishing you all the best as the seasons turn and looking forward to the collaborations to come! 

//

Enjoy, friends.

SNEAK PEEK // RYAN & BLAIR

Oh, friends, I had a glorious weekend in Ohio.

I really cannot fully describe how equally relaxing and invigorating shooting Blair and Ryan's Cleveland wedding has been. I feel refreshed in body and in my passion for my work... left as grateful as ever for the clients I get to serve and the memories I get to capture.

These are just a few of my favorites from the wedding. Can't wait to share more with you.

Venue: The Glidden House
Several portraits at: The Cleveland Botanical Garden

//

Ryan and Blair,
I know you may think I've been exaggerating about my gratitude or utter enjoyment of your wedding weekend, but I couldn't be more honored. It was an absolute privilege to capture such a wonderful celebration for you and your family... you are all beautiful people! I pray these photos serve as precious memories for you to relive as your relationship continues to blossom and life grows with time. (There are lots of crazy fun photos ahead as well, so look out for the full blog post to come!)//

Enjoy, friends.

WEDDING // NICK AND CHRISTIE

What can I say? Nick and Christie's wedding has got to be one of the easiest weddings I have ever photographed. Their love for one another was infectious... you could tell just by looking at them how  at home they felt in each others arms. I'll never forget that Christie came home from her honeymoon and thanked her vendors publicly on Facebook. The day she came home. Her gratitude was one of the greatest gifts I could have received.

Aside from their beautiful personalities (and good looks), the elements of Nick and Christie's wedding were to die for. They wed at Plantation Farms, which is (as you all know) my favorite wedding venue of all time. Their ceremony was perfectly rustic and organic... complete with mis-matched wooden chairs. Their floral arrangements (done by Cindy, the owner and operator of Plantation Farms), were some of my favorite to date--they complimented the girls/tables just enough and exuded such an organic beauty!

To top it all off, I was fortunate to be accompanied by my assistant and dear friend, Jessica Barley of a darling day. It is always a blessing to have her on my team. She is an incredible photographer and could not be easier to work with! Several of her images from the wedding are included in the post below, so stop by her blog and give her some love!

//

Nick and Christie,
You have been a tremendous couple to work with from the very beginning through this excruciating  waiting time. The love you have for each other couldn't have made my job easier. I loved your interaction, your excitement, your emotion. More than anything, though, I truly love (as I mentioned above) how very at home you looked and felt in the presence of your spouse. Thank you for allowing me the wonderful privilege of capturing your wedding day. I pray God's very best over you as you venture on this first year, and His abundant blessings for the many years to come.//

Enjoy, friends.