Korban, the one year old! (+the Cline family)

You know those people that you just feel absolutely at home around? That's Joanna and her family for me. I went up to visit them in January at their lovely home in North Carolina. I was there just a couple of weeks before Korban's first birthday (which is today!!!) He's not going to remember this birthday at all, but he will have these photos to look back on when he's older!

The terrain in North Carolina is beautiful to me. Those tall, twiggy trees are everywhere and just begged to be in a shoot. I obliged and found this field right next to some. Perfect!

Koooooorban...you are soooo cute.

I happened to think the light in North Carolina was better too! Maybe it was just this day, maybe, maybe?

We were so surprised at how much Korban loved to roam about in the grass. It didn't bother him at all and he would have rather fallen over into the tall parts a thousand times more than be held!

Happy Birthday little Korban!

Something different

I have been looking forward to 2010 for more than long enough. There’s just something about this year that I feel is going to be different, in a really good way. Awesome, exciting, you-find-10-bucks-in-your-jeans-every-day type of different. You could say that feeling is based on ….a feeling, and you’d be right. But I also feel like it’s based on a truth. 2010 is going to be different because I am going to make it different. Yeah, yeah, yeah…you’re recognizing that ‘new year’ tone in my voice that died down just a couple of weeks ago, but I’m here to revive it. I am PUMPED about 2010.

A lot of those differences are being made in my own personal life, but they are also going to be made in my business. I think if you’ve been on the internet long enough, you know that juuuust about everyone is starting their own photography business. I think that’s cool, as long as everyone is staying true to themselves and doing this because it’s where their heart is called to be. With this in mind, I’ve taken a good look at what this blog is and compared it to my heart. I want to continue sharing the fun moments from times with my clients, but I want to add some of those in between moments that create life. I know photos are important, but they definitely aren’t all there is to this time we have on Earth. They represent it well, but so does other art, other people and their thoughts, and other places all over this planet.

Soo my goal is to start sharing that a little bit more of that: The good, the bad and the quirky. Twice a month I’ll be sharing my thoughts on life, art, and good stuff in general, as well as some unique and helpful finds all over the internet. I’m not even sure how extensive this could be, but I know that it could be really good.

Another big part of my heart involves the world. The whole entire huge world and all of its interesting people! I think there is so much to learn from other people through diving into their culture. From the cute way elderly Asians giggle to how African toddlers know how to create and keep a rhythm better than any professional drummer could even dream of, all of it fascinates me to no end. There are also a lot of travel photographers I want to feature in these posts.

Outside of the words here on the blog, you’ll also start noticing some updates to my brand, the look of this blog, AND my website. Super-big-huge changes are in store on both sites and I can hardly wait to complete those!

Just for fun, here is a shot from my shoot with the Ayers family…I thought I’d show it since I’m wearing a hat made from Faith over at Stitches of Faith. She’s awesome and could whip one of these up for you in time for the cold that’s sticking around here for awhile!

 

And for all you groundhog lovers, Happy Day to you!

The Miller family

I am so glad it's today. Today is a new day, a new week AND a new month. How often does that happen?
I love fresh starts like this. My January wasn't spent as a normal month in any regard, so I'm glad that February is acting as a stand in for the month of new beginnings. A new things are coming, people! LOTS of them, so stick around if ya like!! I don't think I've ever been more exciting about a month for my business...ever!

As I was finishing up these photos of the Miller Family today, I realized that this is the fifth family I've blogged in 2010! You'd think I had a hankering for shooting families recently! Oh and it's the fifth one I've loved writing about too. When I read the Miller's bio, I was psyched! Jennifer, a friend from college, told me the story of her brady-bunch like family and how love brought their family together many years ago. They love to laugh, eat really good food and enjoy one another.

I couldn't resist....

I just about had a cooooow when I saw the lighting in this area. It made for a perfect set up for what turned out to be my favorite of the day:

A big thanks to the Miller bunch for trekking through this beautiful afternoon with me! :-)

Kayla & Alex, the wedding

As this week is coming to a close, I thought I'd share my last wedding of 2009. Kayla and Alex are such a laid back couple and all of their friends and family made their big day as relaxed as possible. If you missed their engagement session, check it out here.

Now, onto their wedding!

Kayla had some sweet, sweet bridesmaids by her side.

Alex and his agents...I mean, groomsmen.

While lighting her side of the unity candle, Kayla's mom almost lit the center one! Sometimes 'accidents' are my favorite part of the ceremony...it is such a reminder that nothing and no-one is perfect!

A nice moment with Kayla and her father:

The Ayers Family

Well...howzabout another family session full of beautiful people? I think so!

Here's the Ayers Family, complete with David's girlfriend, Katie. I've known these guys for a few years and even played some sports and acted in some plays with Jamey and David. This family is full of laughs and fun, and made my job so easy by being naturally awesome.

What a beautiful wife/mother these guys have!

Jamey is in law school in far away in another state, so it was good to have her home for a bit to get some photos of everyone together.

Oh I just couldn't get enough of this blue wall!

Hello favorite!!!

A biggo thank you to the Ayers fam! You guys were so fun to hang out with and delight to photograph!