a good monday...

I was contacted a few weeks ago by Anne. I shot Anne's wedding in June of 2008, and it was one of the most laid-back, enjoyable weddings I have ever been apart of. She recently contacted me to do some head shots for her; Anne is a well-loved English teacher, who is also in the process of trying to get her novel published. Does this photo not make you want to read what she has written?

I also recently heard from another bride by the name of Emily. I shot her wedding in August of 2009 and recently received a "thank you" card from her. Emily was one of the most gracious brides ever, and I was blessed to be at her wedding. I am going to write more about this card later because it was so good to my heart to receive.

And, of course no post should be complete without a photo of my favorite nephew. Is he not just too cute? I think I've kissed him a million times this weekend.

More photos from Anne's "going to be an incredible writer and needs a head shot" shoot very soon; check back!!!

Can you ski in a rainstorm?

I might be a little sore after some skiing this week. I was away from internet, cell phone coverage (sometimes), and work for a few days, and it was lovely. I had not skiied in the last few years, so there was a slight learning curve for the first hour or two. I then fell madly back in love.

I was up in North Carolina, only about 2-3 hours from Atlanta about 4-5 from Birmingham. Great skiing for the cost and very nice people on the slopes. Check them out, if you are interested. (you can click here)

Funny store... We began up the ski lift to the top of the mountain. I am not too fond of going all the way to the top because it seems SO high, but if you're going to spend 5 minutes on the lift, you might as well be able to ski longer than 5 minutes down. As we hit halfway on the lift, the rain began to POUR. I was practically drenched in a matter of seconds. Thankfully Kevin, one of the guys, let me have a cap, so I wasn't fighting rain on my face.

On the way down the mountain, the rain and wind was so strong that it stopped me mid-ski. I was on an incline, prepared to ski down, and was actually stopped. It was bizarre. We also were taking the "s-curve" ski route, which made the "s-curves" a little more icy. It was an adventure.

I'd love to go again soon. I forgot how much I loved it!!!

a few more...

So, before I deleted the pictures from Lee and Julia's wedding, I looked through them once more. Don't worry, I already gave the photos to Kristen Stewart, who I shot with for this wedding. I just found a few more I loved. Enjoy:

second shooting

Lee and Julia were married today, and I was able to second shoot it with Kristen Stewart.
In the beginning of my "photography career," I was able to second shoot with Emily Kicklighter so my ideas of second shooting often go back to shooting black-and-white film... I love what I captured today and was happy to be back in the swing of shooting!

Thomas and Morgan

Is she not beautiful?

I have known both Thomas and Morgan for a very long time, and to say that I am honored to be photographing their wedding is an understatement. What a fantastic celebration to be apart of.

I feel as though I am one of only a few to have known both Thomas and Morgan separately more than together, and knowing them away from the other makes their relationship even more wonderful. They are two of the most kind, sincere, loving, welcoming, and fun people I know -- I'll let the photos prove it!










I have to thank Thomas and Morgan for being such troopers. It was 28 degrees outside -- freezing! We had a blast, even though I felt like my hand was going to fall off if I tried to change my shutter speed one more time!!!

We are working on a "Save the Date" slideshow for them that I am excited to show you very soon.

my christmas break...

so, the holidays always start with me on december 17, also known as my birthday. this year, i had to work, but when i walked into my house, it was SPOTLESS. i mean, SPOTLESS.

my sweet sister had spent about 4 hours making my house look absolutely perfect. i could not believe it.

there was the SWEETEST note and plate of cookies. literally, i dropped to my knees and wept it was so sweet - and special. what a fantastic gift!

macaroni grill is always a good choice for a birthday dinner, even before work -- oh, how i love pasta!

my friend and co-worker, lori, made this extra-special cake for me. i think it's impressive!


the red mountain show is always enjoyable. brian and his crew put on a chill, delightful show with incredible music. what a fantastic way to start the christmas week.

merry christmas

i am sure that there will be more postings about christmas, but i wanted to start with our trip to "old baker farm." this place was so neat... look at all those trees:


mason is the newest addition to the family, and he just snuggled all day - he had the best seat for sure!

he sat right on aubrie's shoulder the entire day. that's my roommate, by the way, if you've ever wondered...

looks like they found the tree they wanted!!!!

there's our little reindeer. (precious, huh?)

and, there's my little cutie-bug.

both the grandkids LOVE their nanny... i mean, LOVE their nanny.

all the family members got in on the action...

riley wanted to be a big helper, as you can see:

and, boy does she love adventures with her paw-paw.

there was this CUTE little station to write letters to santa. the man there was so precious to riley. she wrote:
"dear santa, i want a hermaine granger wand. i have been a good girl. love, riley." she made me write, too... we'll see if i get what i asked for. :)

a final shot of what there was to choose from...


if you live in the birmingham area, you NEED to go to this place. it was so much fun to bring home such a great-smelling tree. i mean, it is wonderful already, and we've only had it about 4 hours.

i love what christmas means... i love that it gives me a longing for christmas morning but also brings excitement and anticipation -- believe it or not, the excitement of the season also gives me excitement and anticipation for jesus. there are so many "secular" things of the season and this world that make me want jesus, and i love that jesus shows up in the every day.

christmas music has such meaning and hope, too... i could listen to it all year long, i think.

"hope of all the earth though art...
by thine own eternal spirit, rule in all our hearts alone."