Wedding | Lance & Miranda

Miranda experienced a pre-wedding crisis (to say the least)--due to extreme weather in the northern states, her photographer was unable to make it to Georgia by the wedding day. Luckily, she was notified of this a few days in advance.

I was SO excited when Ms. Cindy, the owner of Plantation Farms, contacted me about doing the wedding. I am totally not the superstitious type, but with all this talk about "whatever you're doing on New Years day is what you'll be doing all year", I couldn't help but giggle with excitement as 2011 unfolded with a New Year's Wedding leading the way!

Miranda was vibrant. The glances between her and Lance were priceless--their love for each other SO obvious! I loved it. Her dress fit her PERFECTLY, and flowed in the wind beautifully as we started the formal shots.

It was a really rainy, overcast day, but as I've said before I LOVE a good challenge. Her ceremony and reception were located in a barn with a fireplace and natural light flowing in behind them. Beautiful. It was a very "low-lighting" situation, but turned out marvelously with the new, ever-faithful, Mark II. I am in love with the slight vintage grain of these pictures and the excellence, still, in the light-sensitivity of my new camera. Not to mention, I purchased some new presets that I am in love with!

Enjoy, my friends.

Song of the Day | This is the New Year | Ian Axel

Creative Session | Casey Sams

I love taking pictures of my friends. People are beautiful, but I know my friends, I've gotten a glimpse into their heart, and I know their quirky little personalities... which really allows me to display all the more beauty that they posses.

On the way to meeting Casey for catching-up-slash-photo-session time, I decided to sporadically  stop by Goodwill to purchase some items I have wanted to use as props for a while: teacup, saucer, old books, lace "blanket". I then stopped by WalMart to pick up some fresh flowers... and they had none, which was so incredibly saddening, but I had to have flowers, so I bought fake ones. Don't judge me. ;)

We started shooting around 5:30, so the sun was already past the tree-line. We were able to use daylight for some of the shoot, then reverted to the (incredibly orange) lighting off the side of the building. I feel confident that I met the challenge of the lighting, and it ended up turning out so incredibly artistic.

I am in love with these pictures. Absolutely in love with them.

Enjoy.

  The image on the right is one of my absolute favorites. Very UO, if you know what I mean.

Engagement Session | Jazmyn & Jordan

It would be an understatement to say that I was ecstatic to receive Jazmyn's e-mail requesting to do an Engagement Session. She was only going to be in town for a few more days, and wanted to squeeze in the session so that their engagement announcements would be from their meeting place, Mercer University. All of the factors worked out perfectly, and I was able to fit Jazmyn and her fiance, Jordan, in this week.

Mercer's campus is beautiful. Absolutely perfect for pictures. Photo ops everywhere. Not to mention, the sun was shining, and the weather was at it's best considering the week prior.

I have ALWAYS wanted to do a couple session in the library (it's so Hollywood... kissing on study dates, hiding in rows of books. I love it.) I suggested it to Jazmyn, and she seemed just as excited, if not more! It was a PERFECT setting, and we had so much fun sneaking around the isles of books, laughing as by-standards looked on suspiciously.

I could not be more pleased with these pictures. Jazmyn and Jordan, you are a vibrant couple with so much in store for you. Jazmyn, don't give up on your photography venture. Chase it with all your might. You totally have the art in you! Blessings on the days to come!

And now, our feature presentation. ;)

Mini Session | Tess Harper

My 5D Mark II came with free over-night delivery. Yes, please.

I had already made plans to hang out with my dearest friend, Tess Harper, the day of the camera's delivery, and I secretly wished in my heart that it would arrive in time for me to use it for a mini session with her.

10:30 a.m., I sit sleepy-eyed on our living room couch, restless from excitement, and am startled by a very powerful knock on the door. My heart must have literally stopped, and I know for certain the mail delivery man thought I was crazy. I opened the door and greeted him with an utterly girlie "OH MY GOSH, I'M SO EXCITED!", as though he were in my circle of friends, or even knew what the precious package in his hands meant to me.

Needless to say, I ran into the bedroom squealing, screaming, jumping (startling my husband a bit, I'm sure). We plugged the battery in and waited. I read through the mini-manual, hopped on my computer and admired (for the umpteenth time) other photographer's pages who utilize the 5D Mark II. (This is a regular practice. I love people. I love gawking over the creativity and excellence of those leading the way before me. It gives me hope and this incredible boldness to try new things and reach for the stars.)

My day with Tess was ridiculously perfect.
1:30 p.m. Eggnog Lattes from Starbucks, paired with giggly excitement of new-camera-slash-so-happy-to-see-you-slash-awesome-day-ness.
2:00 p.m. Cupcakes at Hello There Cupcake (Adorable!)
2:30 p.m. NARNIA in 3D (which we might have experienced better in 2D, but were still not disappointed!)
4:00 p.m.ish Photo Session HAPPINESS with the 5D Mark II

Enjoy, my friends.

 I was so happy to nail this shot.

 We're five. We know.

 Work it, work it.