{Personal Life} Daughter Going Retro

Just a little bit of retro for your Tuesday :)  Have a good one!

{Wordless}

{Personal Life}: Weird & Random Monday Post

Hi, everyone!  Did you all have a good weekend?  Anything fun going on with all this great outdoor weather - at least in this part of NC?

Yesterday afternoon my husband, kids and I went to Stone Mountain State Park.  It's just over an hour's drive from us, but we wanted to do something different.  We certainly don't usually (ever) go hiking.  I debated taking my camera with me on the hike and finally decided to not take it, and I'm glad I didn't.  I mean, I saw lots of things along the way (especially the waterfall at the end of the hike) that I would think, "I wish I'd brought my camera", but at the end of the trek, I was happy I had been able to just enjoy the nature hike with my little family.  Also, my husband and I had to carry the kids, piggy-back style, for most of the hike.  I mean, you know, 5 year old and not ever 2 year old.  They got tired.  Quickly. :)  So, carrying a camera, even strapped around my neck (I forgot to take my strap), would've been a little difficult.  The total hike was just over 2 miles long, but with 2 kids on our backs, it felt like 10 miles :)  Still...all worth it!

I did get these pictures when we got back to the car.  Didn't take the kids long at all to look like this...

(she'll hurt me someday for this picture)

Couldn't even see my son's face from where I was sitting, all covered with his pillow pet.  That may or may not be smushed banana on the corner of his corner seat.  *shudder* do.not.like.bananas.

And now, something that does NOT pertain to the hiking trip, but was staring me in the face this morning when I went into the kids' bathroom.  All I gots ta say  is...these kind of doll heads, where you brush their hair and puts hairbows on them or whatever...weird.me.out.  The End.



{Rate Increase}

My rates will be increasing in just a few days...

Effective July 1st, the full session rate will change to $100, and the mini session to $60.  You can refer to the "Investment" tab at the top of this page to see what the rates are currently and what is offered with each session.

Thanks!  Have a great weekend!

{Mr. "S" telling me what types of dinosaurs these are}

{Friday Loveliness}

Who doesn't like to see some loveliness, right?  Enjoy!

{Friday Post}

Can you tell I'm running out of ideas for post titles? :) 

Become a 'fan' on Facebook (click on the 'Facebook' tab at the top of this page; it'll direct you where to go) to see more from this session and others!  Happy Friday!

{Wordless Wednesday}

{Evening Light}

Love my backyard, and the evening is no exception...

{Monday Cuteness}

It's Monday again!  Thankfully my husband is off for the summer (he's a high-school teacher), so I have more time to have sessions and an extra set of hands to help me with the kids, yay!  I'm also doing more sessions during the day now, so if you're interested in a weekday session during the morning or afternoon, let me know! 

Saw this cutie today and yes, I'm already posting a sneak peek for his momma :)

{Busy Boy}

I got to see the above cutie this weekend and got to see him doing things such as this (press play)...

and this (press play):

FYI: I have no idea about video sizes...making them bigger, ya know.  Oh well, you get the idea of what I saw :)  I now need to learn more about videos!

Personal Life | Home Sweet Home

Happy Friday!  So today I thought I'd share a different sort of post with you all. 

My husband, 2 children and I moved into a new (to us) home about 6 weeks ago.  It's an older home - 1948, to be exact.  It's quirky, has "different" things about it, the hardwoods are a little scratched up and the linoleum flooring is stained in some areas, things that used to be white back in the day are not so white anymore.  There are lots of imperfections.  And...we love it.  I mean, REALLY love it.  It suits us WAY better than our last home - that we lived in for over 8 years.  We were needing and ready for a change, and we happened upon this house one day and immediately wanted it. 

I thought today I'd share with you all what our kitchen looks like.  You might think it's totally ugly.  That's ok.  There's beauty in everything! ;)  As you'll see it's very...um...white.  I like it just like that!  It's not modern, is not updated.  And yes, I love it.  Not fancy, has things that need to be fixed.  And...I still love it.  And actually, I don't think I'd change a thing about it.  Ok, maybe a couple tiny things...like the floor that's a little uneven, so when we walk past the stove, the little things sitting on the stove, fall over.  *sigh*  I'm dealing with it though ;) 

So anyway, here ya go.  Just some photos of my kitchen.  Perhaps I'll share some photos of other parts of my house next week.  And ok, one last detail about my kitchen, my favorite thing - all the natural lighting.  It has 4 windows.  Tiny windows, yes.  But the lighting that comes in makes me sigh with happiness.  Oh, and being able to see from the windows over the sink, my lush, green back yard that's usually filled with little birdies hopping and flittering around?  Glorious.  All the shots below are SOOC (straight out of camera).  No light was turned on in the kitchen, so it's a little dim, but I love how the light from the widows just kinda fills up the room.  L O V E.

Oh, just some muffins my husband and daughter made from scratch.  Some have berries in them, hence the unique colors ;)

{Faves from the Week}

My favorite photos are generally not the "perfect" shot.  My fave ones are usually when I've incorrectly adjusted the settings on my camera, making a shot blurry or not "lit" correctly (I use all natural lighting as much as possible, so in areas of low-light or shade, it requires readjustment after being in great light), when someone's laughing at someone or something between shots, when a child is running away...for the hundredth time...and they turn around to look at their mom or me and smile.  Anyway, you get the idea.  I do have lots of favorite "perfect" shots as well, and during the past week's sessions, I've had a mix of all kinds of things ;)  Ok, enough blabbing from me.  Hope you enjoy these are much as I do!

This is 3 generations.  This pose was not my idea, but I love it.  I was having trouble focusing on what I wanted to focus on, but I ended up liking this one better than the one where all 3 were completely in focus.  Wait, am I blabbing again? ;)

A little blurry, and she's running out of the frame.  And I adore it.

Just so stinkin' sweet of this couple.  Period.

The soft lighting coming in from the windows to the side.  To die for.  Ok, I wouldn't die for it, but you know what I mean!  Little old church with really poor (but perfect) lighting, and I wouldn't change a thing about it.  I shot a wedding one time in this church.  Super romantic feel to it with this sort of lighting.  Am I obsessed with lighting?  Uhhh YEAAAHHH!

I think it was after this shoot that I decided I'm not a pet photographer ;)  Actually, I didn't mind it, but I certainly specialize in people portraiture, not pet portraiture, heh!  I fell in love with this photo though.

And this one?  Well, I like everything about it.

"K" Sneak Peek | Urban Session

Ever meet someone that just exudes a sweet spirit?  Genuine smile and laugh, kind and encouraging words, that inner beauty that you can feel even before they speak a word?  I met someone like that this evening, and even though the session was about her son (also very sweet), and not to sound cheesy, little does she know how much I needed her smile, laugh and kind words.  Thanks so much, KKL!  And model K, you were such a treat.  For real ;) 

KKL, I'm SO happy that you decided to get a couple shots with your K!  Looking forward to seeing you all again!

Friendly Reminders :)

Hi everyone, in case you're not a 'fan' of my work on Facebook, I'm posting on here what I post on there...

Here are some reminders regarding booking your session:

1. I'm on vacation and will be out of town July 9th-17th, so if you're wanting to book a July session, it'll need
to be before or after these dates. 
2. If you've contacted me in the past 2 weeks about booking a session but haven't actually booked a date yet, you might want to do so. Days are filling up QUICKLY! Remember that beginning Monday, June 20th, I'm available for sessions ALL DAY LONG :)
3. No session is secured until I have your deposit in hand. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason.  Thanks!

{"H" Family Session Teaser}

Loved, loved, loved meeting this family and getting to know a little about them throughout the session.  Also, I couldn't have asked for a better evening of wonderful temperature and beautiful lighting.  Thanks so much, "H" family!  There's so many more where these came from.  Truly enjoyed your session!

{Personal Life} My Lovies

Thought I'd share photos of my own kids on this lovely Tuesday.  Hope each of you are having a great day!

My little beauty Natalie is 5 years old and headed to kindergarten in the fall. 

And my handsome boy Brenham will be 2 years old next month.  Keeps me busy, this one!



Holly & Shane | Maternity Session

What a beautiful evening for a session with beautiful, pregnant Holly and her husband Shane.  These two are special to me, and I'm so happy for them and excited to meet their little girl - due to arrive in 3 months.