Exquisite

There's really no other explanation required. That one word reveals all. Exquisite.

Nichole is one of those people that come into your life and you just know that something big has happened. And you're grateful. Because you happened to meet them just when you needed it most.

Every time I have the privilege of working with Nichole, I feel artistically rejuvenated and personally motivated to stay in touch with my heart and my creative spirit. She is strong-willed in the very best way, passionate, loyal, vibrant. I could go on forever. But like I said. I really only need one word. Exquisite.

I've been holding onto these images for awhile. And I've literally been shaking with anticipation. In the year and a half that we've been dreaming up her wedding, I have never felt so personally invested and excited as I did for her as she married her soul mate, Daniel. I feel as if my best friends just got married and that the world is their oyster and I'm truly so happy, so incredibly, elatedly happy for them.

Nichole. Thank you.

I am Woman.

Sometimes when I say I shoot boudoir, I feel that I get an eyebrow raise, a curious "Huh?" or even a slight blink of disapproval. Mainly, this comes from confusion. Quite honestly, most people don't even know what that word means.

What I should say is that I am privileged to capture the beauty of woman.

I always think back to ancient art, when women were sculpted, voluptuous, revered. Beauty was in the woman who lived a hearty life, who had curves, relished love and knew the power she held. Old world art screams "I am woman!"

It's an especially curious thing that God created beauty. What a loving God, to indulge us in this fancy...quite simply, beauty is not essential. It's not a necessity. It is not air for our lungs, or food for our bellies. Beauty is a luxury. So is color. We could have easily seen the entire world in black and white. Yet God went further. How amazing that He did not desire a mundane life for us, and instead created music, color, beauty, attraction, emotion...Yes, the bads of this world are so very, very bad. But the goods...they are so very, very good.

This is what I think of when I shoot boudoir.

These past few months, I've had several opportunities to celebrate the beauty of woman. Here are just a few of my favorites. Well, let's be honest. I have TONS more, but as you know, I respect the privacy and utter delicacy of this subject matter, and as such, share with the greatest of respect and protection for those who trust me with such important work. So, for what you're seeing...know there was so, so much more.

I posted this on my Facebook page the other day:

There are times when I am editing a boudoir session and I am so taken aback by the beauty of my client, that I think "She will never wake up again and think she's anything less than magnificent." Every woman should be able to feel that way. Every day.

This is my mission.

Happy Birthday, Mia!

If you've been reading my blog for awhile now, you know Mia. In fact, you know her Mom & Dad, Stephanie & Mike, from their wedding photos (my very first wedding clients ever!), subsequent maternity photos, her sister, Lily, who sported big headbands, flowers and inexplicable cuteness for her many portrait sessions. And now there's Mia.







It's a special thing to follow a family. It feels something like writing a history book. And celebrating Mia's first birthday, which also of course meant impromptu portraits of Lily, was yet another happy chapter of their lives jotted down.



Stephanie & Mike truly understand the importance of photographs. They adore their tiny, perfect family, and they work hard to make sure photography stays a priority for them. And now, Stephanie will very soon be taking my October Shutterbugs class, so she's even taking on learning some basics herself, so that she can keep on capturing the memories even when I'm not there.





Happy Birthday, Mia!

September 22nd: Consignment Sale!

"Oh hey there, hello, random person who blogs once every million years!" I know, that's what you're saying. I promise, I'm working on getting back on track. I've been blogging up a storm on the Hampton Roads Creative, so check with Facebook or the Webpage if you haven't done so already, and you'll see lots of Katy stuff. And, I have tons of new posts in the works here, but I've been dogged by some bad weather, top secret stuff that needed to wait before the big reveal, and ya know, that thing called life.

But here I am, in all my randomness, with my bi-annual plug for the local Tidewater Mother's of Multiples consignment sale that is coming up again. This time, on Saturday, September 22nd. I'm on the board this time around and am super proud of being a mommy to the most adorable twinnies on God's green Earth, so am thrilled to have Kathryn Blevins Photography sponsor this incredible sale again.

In short, if you have young kiddos, you need to go. The quality of items is superb and the quantity of items is in a word, mind-blowing. Don't miss out! And get there early!



And to finish off, yet one more shameless plug for my little Jakester. If you haven't seen my bazillion posts reminding everyone to vote for his awesomeness in the Gerber Photo Search Contest...well, here's one more. VOTE!!!! I mean, seriously, he couldn't be more Gerber Baby if he tried. And yes, I love Ben just as much and think he is just as handsome (however many people comment on what a cute little girl he is), but he had to sit this one out. No favorites with this Mama!



You can find him by searching, Jake, in Virginia Beach, VA or using his ID, 40592. Yay!