Emily's Senior Portraits {Sneak Peek}

I was so excited right after shooting this photo... I just knew it would be one of my favorites from Emily's session! No one could have predicted, however, my excitement at the surprise even that followed! Just after taking this shot, a horse-drawn carriage strolled into the arboretum, right past where we were standing. A very adorable couple got out, walked over and sat on a bench near the water... and the rest, well, see if you can figure it out!!!

PS... Dear lovely couple,

Congrats on your romantic engagement! I hope you have a blessed future! And... if you happen to see this and if you're looking for someone to shoot your engagement portraits and wedding day then drop me a line! *Thanks*

Kelsey {Senior Photos}

Ah.... Miss Kelsey... I could go on and on about this young lady who is lovely, talented, and so very sweet! It was so much fun for me to do her Senior portraits... she has a fun sense of style and an up-for-anything attitude! She really worked it for these photos. Did I mention that she is also one of Declan's two "girlfriends" (the other is her sister Chloe)? She is a great big buddy for our little guy and he loves her dearly... that made this session even more special for me! Plus, Declan has gotten all googly-eyed many times while looking at her pictures during my editing process! I hope you all enjoy these photos as much as Delcan and I do!

Couldn't make a decision with these next two...

Black and White:

...or Color:

A BIG "ASK" {For the Love}

Wow... personal blogging has fallen by the wayside lately. I could say that this is not entirely a bad thing because it means I've had lots of photography work to keep me busy and just shows how God is continuing to bless and grow my photography endeavors. I am so thankful for the ability to actually work whenever I want and actually supplement our finances by doing something I am passionate about. I will say however, that a couple of weeks ago, some serious burn-out was going on with everyone in this household. We've been blessed beyond measure this past year, but those blessings did not come without their fair share of frustrations, disappointments, and heartbreaks. Over the past few months we have really begun to feel the effects of too much work, too many frustrations and too many heartaches. Finally, after getting through a very busy time at the church and serious illness in our household we knew we needed to take a break. So, Jimmy and I sent Declan to my parents house (where he could get a much needed break from Mama and Daddy) and we drove on down to Asheville (where we could get a much needed break from life as we were living it)! Wow, did the Father ever bless us with some mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional refreshement! It was a miricle that we could have the time off (thanks to some well deserved comp. days), that we could afford to go (thanks to minister's retreat rates at Camp Ridgecrest), and that we could spend time together as just a couple (thanks to my wonderfully giving parents). We had many wonderful experiences, but none quite as refreshing as our 3 1/2 mile hike through the mountains! God not only gave Jimmy and I some time to really reconnect with each other, but he also really spoke to me intimately and reaffirmed a message he has been giving to me for some time now. Over the past few weeks, through group Bible study, sermon series, and personal devotion, God has really driven into my heart a reoccurring message... that HE has great plans for my life and I am not allowing him to accomplish anything by drudging through the day-to-day. It is time to seek HIS face and to ASK HIM to do mighty and powerful things in me and through me... whether those things be simply in my marriage, or as a mother, or as a minister! This verse has been revealed to me by the Spirit over and over again over the past few weeks...

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. " Jeremiah 29:11-13

All I have to do is look... all I have to do is ASK! There are many areas of my life where I've been afraid to seek wholeheartedly and ask boldly... but things have got to change. So, where is all this going... well, I want to share with you one BIG ASK (among many) that I feel is very important. It is extremely difficult for me to do this because it feels so selfish, but I know it is necessary. There is an AMAZING retreat taking place this year for Christian photographers. It is called "For the LOVE" and it is going to be an amazing time for photographers to retreat, to fellowship together, and to seek God wholeheartedly for His desire for our lives and our photography endeavors. I truly feel that this is something I could benefit from in so very many ways, so I am asking God to open the doors for me to be able to go. I have even entered a contest for a scholarship to go. So, I'm asking you to please join with me in prayer that God would make a way for me to experience this awesome opportunity. Whether I will get to go or not, I know that God can do great things simply by the process of our asking and seeking together. So, I'll end with this...

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20



... and because no post is complete without photos... here are a few from our trip to Asheville....

Kelsey {Senior Photos}--- Sneak Peek!!!

OK... so this was another one of those totally "rock my socks off" photo sessions! Kelsey is so amazingly gorgeous and completely adorable! Here are just a few photos from her session... I couldn't wait to post them. I have TONS more to work on, and hope to get them posted by the end of the week! Until then, hope you enjoy these....

Sarah Beth and Brett are in L.O.V.E.

These two wonderful people have been dear friends to me since I was very young! Brett was one of my closest friends and when he met Sarah Beth it was only natural that we would be great friends as well! The three of us have been on countless "youth-group" trips together, wrote songs and traveled in a band together, and have watched each other grow up! I only wish we lived closer and could see each other more often! When Brett and Sarah Beth asked me to do a photo session to celebrate their wedding anniversary I was excited, honored and humbled! They are such a sweet couple. They care for each other deeply, adore one another completely, and are head-over heels in L.O.V.E.
I had such a wonderful time photographing them... I hope you all have as much fun looking at some of their photos!

ps... Brett and Sarah actually own and opperate the coffee shop where we shot some of their photos. If you're ever in the lovely little town of Wise, VA you should totally visit SteelWater Coffee. Sarah Beth's Caramel Machiatto totally beats Starbucks any day... and I hear their other stuff is pretty awesome too!!!

Sneak Peek-- Brett and Sarah Beth

Justin and Melissa are Married! -- part 2

I loved every part of Justin and Melissa's wedding day! They are so very sweet and so madly in love! I wish them all the best and pray for many blessings as they continue this new journey through life together! Congrats you two!!!