Very Merry Sessions

Well, it is that time of year and I have been busy wrapping up the senior season and starting the holiday one! I love this time of year, the air is so crisp and cool and the leaves are starting to change. The Very Merry Sessions have been a big hit with customers and I am loving all the Christmas colors and outfits I have been seeing. While I will not post any of the sessions on my blog because I know many of my clients like for their pictures to be a "suprise" to all their friends and families, I will say, we are having a blast taking them. So just a little note to say if you have not booked your session and are still interested in having one, let me know. I have decided to extend the dates since I was not able to get all the request filled because I booked up so fast. Just call or send an e-mail with a date that will work for you and your family and I will fit you in.

What a session...

Last week I had a session with a senior named Chase. Ok, so this was so neat. He and his Mom came to do his formal session first before we did his casual. I had never met Chase and his Mom, Twanna before this. After the formals, Chase wanted to go to his house to take the casuals. So they told me where they lived and I knew the area well as we use to own a farm in the area. So I followed them out to their house and you would not believe it...but it was our farm. I have to say, I got chills and teared up as I drove into the long drive way. I have so many memories of the farm, from hayrides to birthday parties and camp outs. We spent at least one day out of the weekend going to the farm when I was little. My grandfather loved that place so much, it was such a part of him and he would be so proud to see how beautiful they have it looking. Chase, his Mom and I quickly found a common connection and I loved talking with them about the farm. The leaves had started to change and air smelled so fresh, just like when I was a child. I am so grateful I was able to do this session and able to see a favorite childhood memory, not to mention work with a great family!

Family Fun!

Last week I posted some images from a fun session with Isabelle, well what I did not also tell you was I had the pleasure to photograph her family as well. When I woke up on the morning of our session, it was cloudy and about to rain. So, I called Jennifer to see if she wanted to reschedule and she said no way, it would be too hard to get everyone together again (which I know how that is) so I told her we would make it work and we did. I loved this session. It was my first time photographing the Jone's and the Graham's. They all did so well. Blake is Jennifer and Justin's precious little boy and Savannah, Grayson and Isabelle belong to Jason and Hope. I love sessions with large families, it is so fun to look at all the expressions I get in each shot. Jennifer wanted to have photographs taken for her parents for Christmas...so if you know them shhh...it is a surprise. Jennifer did tell me it would be fine to post these as her parents are not bloggers ;-)

Here are a couple from our fun filled session! Enjoy!

Out on the range...

Meet Cody. He is a senior this year and I had the opportunity to take his senior photographs. Cody wanted his session to be at his grandfather's land. I was so excited when I found out where we were going. See, Cody's great-grandfather and my grandfather were brothers and the land is right next to where I grew up and where we live now. Needless to say, I felt right at home. So when Cody asked me if I thought I could climb over the gate with barbwire on it, some may have passed, but nope, not me. Growing up on a farm a girl learns how to do many things. The cows even stopped by to watch our session. I love how these turned out, it just reminds me of my childhood memories and going on adventures in the woods. I think Cody is one of the first guys I have photographed that actually climb up a tree. Gotta love it.

Where has my baby gone?

It seems the other day while I was looking through my lens at Keaton, it hit me that he is growing up fast! It seems like only a couple of months ago I was still changing his diaper. He has become such a "boy" in the past year. He makes me laugh all the time and I love our daily conversations. Being a parent is the most challenging job in the world, but it is also the most rewarding. To watch a child go from being so dependent on you as a baby to being so independent, even at 4, is amazing. It is a job I would not trade for anything in the world. So here are some four-year shots of Keaton, who will ALWAYS be my baby. By the way, if you know me, I'm sure you have guessed that of all the images above, the last one is my favorite. I love those moody shots!

Do flowers bloom in the fall?

Yes, they sure do, and look at this precious little hat Miss Izzie is sporting. This past weekend I photographed Izzie for her one year birthday. This was my first time photographing her and she was great. Again, as many of you know, I love hats, so of course I fell in love with this one. Izzie has more than enough spunk to go along with her hat. Out of all the one year olds I have worked with, she liked her birthday cake the best. Cake sessions are always so much fun: I love all the expressions babies make when they first taste the cake; they are truly priceless. Izzie was born a couple of days after my youngest son, and they are also in the same class at nursery school. Hmmm, do I see a little girlfriend in his future?

Could it be Pebbles?

No, it is not Pebbles. It is Miss Eva! Eva has been melting my heart since her infant sessions almost a year ago. She is growing so fast, and it is hard to believe she is already six months old. I fell in love with her little pig tails the moment she came to see me. How cute are they? We had the best time and she laughed and smiled the whole session. I have to say again that six and nine month-olds are my favorites. They are just always so happy and quick to laugh at my silly antics during the shoots. I look forward to seeing how much Eva has changed at her nine-month session. She can't possibly get cuter than this!

An adventure, that's for sure!

On one of my recent senior shoots, I had the pleasure of photographing Jason. I had been to this location before with another senior, but it holds special meaning to Jason because his family owns it. It has a wonderful covered bridge and mill. However, the real adventure came when Jason said he wanted some shots at the old rock quarry. We had to drive up what seemed like an enormous cliff, but Jason is a skilled driver and got us safely up and down the face of it. I am so glad he wanted to have his session there. It's just too bad that the "senior season" is almost over.

A Festive Day

When I first met Pat, I knew she would be such a wonderful bride to work with. She was so relaxed and easy going and so in love. Pat and Ken were married a couple of weekends ago and I was there to document the day. These two were a pleasure to photograph. I enjoyed getting to spend the day with them. At our first meeting, I quickly found out that Ken is all about surprises. There was a grand surprise at the Fox in Atlanta for the engagement and many little surprises throughout the whole wedding day for Pat...from a beautiful oil painting to a chorus line routine by Ken and guest. Pat was so organized and everything down to the last little detail was perfect. I also learned from Pat and several of her guest, that it really is "all about the shoes." Instead of one large wedding cake, Pat had the wonderful idea of having mini wedding cakes of all different flavors and designs for the guest. It made for a beautiful display. The day went by quickly, but Ken and Pat enjoyed every second of it. Congrats to Ken and Pat.

Goin' to the chapel and...

...we're gonna get married. Yes, that is right, Jamey and TJ were married last weekend. Jamey was a beautiful, relaxed and fun bride. I have known Jamey for what seems like forever and I was so honored to photograph her wedding. She was glowing the whole day. TJ was the same. He did not seem nervous, just excited to be getting married. They had a lovely ceremony at Chapel of All Faiths here in Milledgeville and then danced the night away at the Milledgeville Country Club. I felt like I was photographing family and I had the best time. Here are a few from the day, it was one to remember. Congrats to Jamey and TJ. All the best to the two of you!

Oh My Goodness...

If I could bottle up this little one and take her with me, I would. This is Jackie and she was the perfect model. I had the pleasure to photograph her mom, Connie, when she was pregnant, and it was wonderful meeting Jackie for the first time. She had a head full of black hair and to be only 10 days old, she was so alert. I could immediately see the love her parents, Jim and Connie have for her. Connie's Mom was also there from Canada and it was a pleasure getting to spend time with them. I am always amazed at how inviting my clients are when I arrive at their homes and the Wilson's were no exception. As I was leaving, Connie offered me fresh eggs (right from their own chickens) and egg plant from their garden. It was such a kind gesture and one we have enjoyed at our home. Thank you Connie and Jim for opening your home to me and allowing me to capture your precious new baby girl.

A VERY important month

October is...National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month help educate women about the importance of early detection. More and more women are getting mammograms to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. As a result, breast cancer deaths are on the decline.
Encourage the women in your life to get mammograms on a regular basis. Visit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website at http://www.nbcam.org/ for more information.

This issue really hits home after my recent surgery. It seems more and more women are being diagnosed with this disease. It is not just in older women anymore, it effects women of all ages. I hope that with the publicity this issue is now receiving, people will be more educated and take the steps needed to make sure detection is made early. I have joined a charity organization called Think Pink. It is an organization where professional photographers are contacted to photograph women that have been diagnosed with breast cancer and would like to have their pictures taken to celebrate life. I am proud to be a member of this organization as I believe this disease has touched so many people in one way or another.

So, help spread the word about awareness.