Who would you use?

I get asked often who I would use if I were getting married. Now, don't get me wrong - there is no wedding anywhere in the near future. Still, it's an interesting question, and I don't know if I have the answer.

I'll look at people's blogs often and be drawn to their work. I don't know if I can name them all, but today I was struck by Bobbi and Mike, an incredible husband-and-wife team. There was just something about their post that made me smile. I can say that if I were to get engaged tonight, I'd have to hit them up.

Instead, I think I'll just share the link:

CLICK HERE

I'm off to New Orleans with some of my dearest, closest friends for the weekend. I'll keep you guys updated on my pending birthday and on another Sonnet House wedding I am very much anticipating next weekend!

Grateful.

They said that Mom wouldn't live past last Thanksgiving. Not a chance. And here we are, a week from Turkey Day, and my heart couldn't be more full. I have learned that life is so much more than what we make it. I have learned to love extravagantly and not regret anything. I have learned to enjoy each moment of life and remember the blessings, even if unseen.

Thanks be to God for providing me with all my needs. And many of my wants. And a mom who can watch me turn 24. And teach me how to be a good friend, believer, sister, aunt, and wife (one day). Mom, there are no words to describe how much I love you... and how grateful I am to God for 2010.


** Remember to comment to be eligible for a prize, so I can know "Who reads my blog?" **

Stealing is Bad!

I am sad to say that I am going to have to make some changes to the pictures I post on my blog and on facebook. Sadly, I have had many instances lately where people have been using pictures inappropriately and against their contract boundaries.

I'd like to think that these people don't mean harm, but I am not certain of that. Either way, I have a strong desire to to protect my images: the images of my clients. I plan to do that by making 3 changes:
-disabling people from opening up a larger image on my blog
-placing my watermark "logo" on the images that go on facebook
-disabling the ability to right click anywhere on my blog

There may be more changes coming, but I am hoping this will do the trick. In the meantime, try to use your best judgement as to whether or not you are reproducing something that you should not allowed to reproduce. Remember that stealing is bad! There could also be prosecution for these instances, so be careful of that as well!

All photographers want to be able to showcase their images to their clients but also to others; however, photographers also want to protect the work that they do and are proud to show under their name! I can say this whole-heartedly because I have had multiple conversations with very talented photographers who would say the same thing.

*In other, more "light-hearted" news, I was able to photograph a really beautiful fall wedding yesterday and look forward to putting up images on my blog very soon!*

live simply. learned from my mother.

my sister gave me a picture frame last christmas. the words on it have become a challenge for me -- almost so that i am daily reminded to do the following:
live well. laugh often. love always. live simply. speak kindly. care deeply. love generously. laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.

can this little guy be any cuter?

so, my challenge to you as 2010 comes to a close is this: find a way to live more simply and enjoy life more deeply. and, whatever you do - love as long as you live. there is no greater thing.

New Headshots

I now understand why people say that they don't like their picture taken. It can be a really bizarre feeling, but thanks to my dear friend Jessica Wright, it was painless -- actually fun. The picture above has so far been deemed the "favorite."

And, if you want to laugh...

This one looks like "me," I think - not too sure why.

And, this one is for my mom; she will love this one. Guaranteed.

I'm Back!!!

It has been a whirlwind of a week, and my computer just got back from the Apple Store. I am hoping the problem is fixed and about to get back to all the editing that I have to do!

I came across these pictures of Jenell that my new friend Amy Carson took for me. This is exactly how every bride should be on their wedding day:
-grateful to their guests for coming to celebrate
-calm but excited to marry their best friend
-taking it all in: enjoying each moment

This was her literally seconds before she walked down the aisle: Isn't she so cute?



I met with this couple about a week ago and am looking forward to their wedding in October!

i hate cancer.

Some things in life just are not fair. I realize that life was never guaranteed to be equal or fair, but sometimes I am overwhelmed by the sadness in the world.
One of my dearest friends lost her grandmother this week. It just doesn't seem right that two weeks after coming back from her honeymoon, she is having to plan a funeral for someone she loves so dearly. It makes me sick at my stomach - makes my heart just drop to my ankles.
But, I love the picture above. I love that, despite the miserable battle with cancer, her "Gigi" could see the beautiful bride and watch her walk down the aisle. I love that you can sense the love that these two have for each other. I love that moments like this will live on, despite death.

If you know my story at all, you know that I have many other reasons to hate cancer. I am, however, grateful of how cancer changes me - grows me - challenges me: to love, to appreciate, to continue on. And, I love that it gives me a longing to love Jesus... a longing to pray that He would come quickly and rescue us from this broken, broken world.

i love these girls.

the above picture is of me and my good friend, jamie. i'm not really sure how to describe her, other than she is seriously one of the greatest people in the world... she lives in mexico city right now, and it is so great to be able to see her in person!!!

we travelled to nashville last weekend to celebrate janet getting married and boy did we celebrate!!! it was a fantastic weekend, though, and i nothing more than love these girls. i forgot how much i missed them, until i was back with them.

here is anna and allison. you'll recognize anna as that "photogenic bride" from last month!

tera, janet, me, and anna

allison and jamie - so beautiful - allison, i LOVE your short, curly hair. jamie already knows i've always been jealous of her hair!

emily on the left is jamie's cousin... i feel like she is a pseudo-cousin of mine as well!

at dinner with my high-school friends: tera, me, anna, jamie, janet, allison - one of the best dinners i've had in a LONG while

and all of us out in nashville!!!

anna and tera

and in the bathroom... we all 3 went to the bathroom together the whole night - hilarious

janet, jamie, and me - expect to see a repeat of this image at janet's wedding because i will HAVE to get one

me and anna

right before heading back to the hotel

thanks, friends, for such a GREAT weekend. i love you all - and mean it. cannot wait to see you guys at janet's wedding!!!

June is flying by!!!

I was blessed to photograph Bryan and Jennifer's wedding last weekend and am finally able to show some of her bridal images that we shot last month at The Preserve in Hoover.

Time just flies. I try to enjoy each day but am often shocked with how fast time flies... I celebrated Father's Day at my parent's pool with my family and even took my camera into the pool - dangerous!

Have you cried at a blog post?

I did this morning.

Let me take you back about 8 months ago... I got a call from my dear dear friend Lauren saying that she was getting married. The date that she wanted to get married was a date that I could photograph her wedding, but it ended up being June 12, a date that I was already booked.

I sent her to this "new photographer's website" named Amanda Pair and told her that while she was newer into photography, I thought she was friendly, kind, and really talented. I thought that, if everything worked out, Lauren and Amanda would be the perfect match!

Fast-forward to this morning. I sat, looking at the photographs of Brett and Lauren's wedding and read what Amanda posted. I literally teared up and cried through it - because Lauren is such a dear, dear, dear soul to my heart. What a jewel she is!

Look at her:



And, in that moment, I was so grateful for pictures. For photography. And for Amanda. It makes me appreciate all the hard work and she and other photographers put in to capture so many magical, priceless memories. That may sound cheesy, but I believe each and every word of it.

I cannot wait.

Today is a day that has been a long time coming. My good friends Thomas and Morgan are tying the knot, and I absolutely cannot wait.
I have a little confession to make... I always get really nervous before a wedding. I get even more nervous when I know the couple, so I woke up this morning with about a million butterflies in my stomach.
These two could not be more perfect for each other, though. They are the kindest, sweetest, friendliest, most loving couple I have been around in a long time, and I cannot wait to capture it all in pictures.
Morgan invited me to the rehearsal dinner, and of course I took along my camera. They were surrounded by a countless number of people who care deeply for them - an obvious testimony to how precious they are to so many people.



Dear friends, I could not be more honored to be (tearfully) photographing the event as you give your lives to your best friend. No worries... My camera has auto-focus, so I can cry all I want!

My Wedding...

Well, this morning I was browsing my Google Reader and came across this new post from Anna Kuperburg. If you've never heard of her, she is an incredible photographer, and I love following her blog and recent work.

Her most recent post might be the wedding of my dreams. If I could pick 5 photos that I would want to represent my wedding, it would be the 5 below. Wow. I am still in awe. Check these out:


(photo by Anna Kuperburg)

(photo by Anna Kuperburg)

(photo by Anna Kuperburg)

(photo by Anna Kuperburg)

(photo by Anna Kuperburg)

the bahamas... indescribable

I am going to attempt the impossible... I am going to attempt to put into words the incredible trip that I just took to the bahamas with two really great friends. As I'm sure you can imagine from the above image, we had a fantastic trip.

This was the shot flying out of Atlanta early Friday morning...

And this was the shot flying into Miami Friday afternoon... Tell me: which one do you prefer?

We got on the ship Friday afternoon and did a lot of ship exploring, laying out, and eating until Saturday morning. We arrived at a private island called Cococay, owned by Royal Caribbean. Below is the shot as we were heading towards the island of Cococay Saturday morning.

We did some exploring around the island. We were the first group of people off the boat, so it was nice to explore without people being all around.

When the clouds started looking like the photo before, we decided to head back in. It was a great idea! On a side-note, can someone please tell me how something that huge can just sit on top of the water? I am amazed.

We spent the rest of the afternoon up on top of the boat, lying out by the pool. As I'm sure you can tell by the background, we really weren't at a loss, were we?

The view: not edited at all. That was literally the color of the water.

We went to formal dining 2 out of the 3 nights and really had a great time. Our head waiter, assistant waiter, and table guests were really fun to be around.

Remember those fun dinner table guests I was telling you about? Well, we went to the poolside party with them and had a blast!

By far, the greatest experience was our snorkeling. I wish I had photographs from being under the water. It was marvelous. I was literally in awe each time I put my mask and snorkel under the water. We were able to snorkel where they filed "Into the Blue" and "Flipper" and "Jaws." On the last stop, we swam with these sharks. Yes, I got into the water with these guys:

We survived and actually made friends with 2 couples who were vacationing in Nassau. We ate lunch with them after the snorkeling adventure. Here are Mio and Satu from Finland:

And here is Moreen and Josh, who live in West Palm Beach. She is originally from Israel, and this picture does not do their attractiveness justice!

We just had to document the fact that we DID eat native food from a VERY high waiter!

This was the scene walking back to our cruise ship in Nassau. I could have stayed there all day, I think.

And, of course, all good things must come to an end. I took this picture the morning as we docked into Miami.

It was sad to leave, but I will say that it was the best vacation I've ever been on. I will (hopefully) be going back soon... I also want to give a shout-out to Royal Caribbean and to Stuart Cove's Snorkeling. Those two companies made our weekend nothing short of extraordinary!