Lindsay & Andy - wedding

 

Lindsay and Andy's wedding was my last one for 2009.  It was kind of cool to be able to finish up my busy year with my two last weddings being surrounded by family and friends (Lindsay is my cousin.  She was actually in my wedding when she was little).  It's hard to believe that all of our girls are all grown up.  And, I may be biased, but I think this couple should be nominated for People Magazine's Most Beautiful Couple of the Year!  I was so excited when she asked me to be her photographer because I knew no matter how crazy it got on the wedding day, I was bound to get some awesome shots!  I'm so sad that I wasn't able to do their engagement pics, but I guess that just wasn't meant to be.  I can't even count the times that we tried to get together but couldn't because of our different schedules.  Then the few times we did schedule we had to postpone, a couple of times due to rain, once because of sickness, and of course, the time I got in a car wreck on my way to the shoot.  But it all worked out and her wedding day couldn't have been a more beautiful day.  ;)

Kody & Lora - wedding

Whenever I get the opportunity to shoot a wedding for one of my CLC family, I get so excited.  So when Roxie asked me to be a part of Laura's wedding I was thrilled.  I loved everything about this wedding....gorgeous location (can you believe those colors?!  there's no place prettier than Ohio in the fall), beautiful couple,  and most of all I got to be with some of our favorite people (the Bowyers)!  We love this sweet family!!  And there's a lot of them to love!  Whenever I do a wedding, for the most part, I feel a connection with my couples and their families.  I get drawn into the emotions of the day.  But this wedding drew me a little deeper.  Because these are my friends.  As I was putting together the slideshow I felt connected with each image.  As a mother, I could kind of feel a little of what Roxie may have been feeling as she gave her only daughter her grandmother's wedding ring.  I could see the joy on Pastor Adam's face as Laura walked down the isle and knew that it was genuine, because he has a big heart and loves the kids he has watched grow up (as do I).  I got teary eyed cried as I watched Laura dance with her brothers, knowing the next morning she would be moving states away.  You could see the love they had for each other on their faces.  I could go on and on.  But maybe if you watch the slideshow understand.  

Lora

I know Miss Laura has been anxiously awaiting her wedding pictures.  And I'm almost finished with them.  But still have a little more work to do.  So, I thought I'd give her a little peek while I'm finishing up.  Laura, you were absolutely stunning and I'm loving these pictures ;)

Jamie

I'm finally finishing up the last of my seniors.  I had so much fun with all of them.  Jamie was another one of them that was so easy to photograph.  He has such a sweet, shy personality.  And such a sweet face!  I told his mom he reminded me of the kind of guy that would play the guitar and write sweet love songs for his girlfriend.  Jamie, if you don't play the guitar, take my advise, get lessons.  You'll break some hearts. ;) 

Snow in Chattanooga!!

Saturday morning we woke up to the coolest surprise!  Snow!!!  I know I always say how much I hate the winter.  But I do love the snow (if that makes any sense).  I just hate the cold.  And the days and days and days of no sunshine.  And everything being frozen.  And having to chop wood for the fireplace to keep warm.  And the slush the day after the snow.  (I could keep going, I have a long list).  But nothing is prettier when the snow is coming down and is freshly on the ground.  And what's cool about having snow in the south is that everyone here is excited.  All the kids in our neighborhood were out bright and early.  We had snowball fights and hot chocolate (and of course my camera) and it was wonderful!  And the best part of all.... it was gone by noon and the sun was shining again!    

Christmas Card Designs

Ok, one last post for the day (I can't ever remember when I've been able to do 3 post in one day!)  But I just had to finish up with this little cutie-patootie!  In between editing seniors and weddings I've been working on a few Christmas card designs.  Is he not the cutest?!  (After showing these to my husband and hearing him gasp over the first picture, I thought I should note...his mommy's hands were directly out of the frame, and only for the few seconds it took for me to get the shot. lol!)

Shelton

2 posts in one day!  I'm on a roll!  Shelton was another one of my "ganster guys".  I loved Shelton's shoot.  So urban, so cool.  (I know I say this all of the time, but I get to photograph the most beautiful people.  They make my job so easy!)  

Sam

I know I'm the most boring blogger ever.   Life just gets so busy that it's sometimes hard to keep up!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.  We had a wonderful time with family in Ohio, but it was a bitter-sweet week, as a dear cousin of mine passed away a few days before Thanksgiving.  As sad as it was, we know where he is and are rejoicing with his family and look forward to seeing him again one day.   

On another note, I'm still traveling A LOT!  I barely get my suitcase unpacked before I'm back on the road again.  But I have a lot of sneak peeks that people are waiting on and wanted to post some before I got into anything else.  I'll start with Sam.  He's one of my "gangster guys".  I had so much fun photographing those boys ;)  And they were a perfect match for my dad's old car..... I love that car ;)  (And I love a guy in a suit.  So handsome, Sam!)

Max

Everyone's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man...... 

A lot of the time when I photograph seniors I never get the chance to meet them until the day of the shoot.  Which was the case with Max.  So when he stepped out of the car you can see why I was pretty excited.  I loved his whole look.  He looked like he stepped right off of a GAP poster!  Which makes my job pretty easy and a lot fun! 

Ryan

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I'm working my way through all of the seniors.  1/2 down 1/2 to go!  Ryan's shoot was another one that has so many diverse looks.  Is he on a farm, in the woods, or at the beach?  Actually we were all of those places.  Only the beach was actually on the farm!!  Pretty cool!

The rest of Willie...

Just a few more of Willie before I move on.  His shoot was so much fun!!  I do want to make a disclaimer on the last post of him and his buddies though.  They are all paint gunning buddies.  So, of course, the guns in the last pictures are "paint guns".  I may be over thinking it a little, but the way society is today, I just didn't want anyone to get offended or to get a wrong impression of who these young men are.  These are an awesome group of guys who like to play paint ball....so they thought the gangster pics would be fun.  Anyway...no animals (or photographers) were harmed in the making of these pictures ;) 

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whacha Gonna Do....

This is why I love shooting seniors!  I actually think I was pretty brave to be on the other end of those guns.  I almost got shot one time when they were goofing around (yeah, remember guys?) I had a great time with Willie and the boys.  I've got tons of editing to do and I know a lot of you are looking and waiting to see your pics come up.  I'm working like crazy and hopefully will have a new post every couple of days, so hang tight, not too much longer ;)

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY!!!!

3 years ago yesterday we were experiencing one of the most exciting days of our lives.  "Gotcha Day"!  The day we met our daughter for the first time.  In some ways it seems like a lifetime ago. I love this day because it causes me to stop the crazy business of my life and just reflect on the miracle that God has done for us.  I never want to forget what He has brought us through.  Thank you, too, to all of our friends and family for all of your love and support.  I am so blessed to have the best family and friends in the world.  I mean that.  I wouldn't trade my life with anyone's.  Words cannot express how much I love and appreciate you.  And Happy Gotcha day to all of our friends from China!  

Katie in the summer...Katie in the fall!

Katie has the most diverse senior pictures that I've ever done!  We started this past summer when her sister got married in the Outer Banks.  Then we finished up this fall in Ohio.  The only thing missing is pictures in the snow!!  Looking at the summer pictures makes me long to be back in Hatteras!!  I love the different seasons, but most of my days I'm daydreamin' about the beach! 

Candice & Ryan ~ Finally!

I can't believe it's been another whole month since I've posted.   Time goes by so quickly (especially when you're traveling, shooting, shooting, traveling...it's hard to keep track of what state I'm in.)  But I'm so excited to finally be able to post Candice & Ryan's pictures.  It's hard to believe that this gorgeous bride is our Candice!  Wow!  She looked just like a Barbie Doll!  And Ryan looked like something out of GQ.  They do look adorable together!  Even though she wasn't feeling well after the ceremony, I talked her and Ryan into going out to do a little photo shoot at one of my favorite places in the world.  We ended up having a great time and got some awesome shots!  So happy! :)  Your slideshow will be coming soon, guys.  I'm heading out in the morning for another wedding, but will try my best to get it posted before I leave!