Gratitude 2013 - Be Still My Heart - Year in Review

Where to even begin. This year. Wow. This year. Gratitude doesn't even feel like a big enough word to describe the overwhelming blessings that have made this year one of the most memorable, exciting, challenging, remarkable...every good word possible...of my entire life.

Whether it was the great honor I have as a photographer to experience the most intimate and special moments of people's lives, the calling I have claimed in my heart of hearts to affirm women in their unique beauty, my creative work with Orchestrated Stylized Shoots, or my new found partnership with The Studio Hampton Roads...both personally and professionally, this year takes the cake. In. Every. Single. Way.

I thank each and every one of you from the very bottom of my heart. And that doesn't even skim the surface of the love I have for each moment, each person, each memory. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Allison & Anais: And we can't forget 'Lil Abigail!

I have a few favorite things about Allison already:

1. She has an uncanny ability to accumulate perfectly styled outfits from Target. Seriously, I'm jealous of what she finds in that store, while I always seem to end up in the same jeans and t-shirt.

2. She introduced me to Cape Charles, VA, which I am now in love with and wish to spend all of my days in this quaint little seaside downtown piece of heaven. (Yes, she is the same one I referenced HERE when I told you about amazing ice cream.) Now I just need to find an overnight babysitter who can wrangle the twins so the husband and I can get away for a weekend. Any takers?

3. She has killer shoes. (Need I say more, ladies?)

4. She's fun, relaxed, care-free and our personalities are crazy similar. Which means she is exceptionally witty, perfectly balanced and has a good touch of sarcasm tossed in there with her awesomeness. (I kid, I kid. As referenced to me at least.) Again, I wonder at my blessing in having clients that I can call friends.

So, was I at all surprised when she came up to meet me for their engagement session and started off with "So...we have this dog with us that I forgot to tell you about yesterday. We rescued her from a ditch at a gas station, is it ok if she's in the pictures with us?" Not at all surprised. I was however, a bit worried about the outcome, as we all know adding animals to a session, however amazingly cute, can also be incredibly difficult. And then I met Abigail. And fell in love.



I should stop raving about Allison and Abigail here and throw out some props to Anais. We all know that most guys have about a hundred other things they would like to be doing, a million other sporting events they'd prefer to be watching, on their Sunday afternoons. But, he was a champ, and when he smiles, you can tell he adores Allison in the best, sweetest way that just makes me love what I do as a photographer that much more.

I can't wait for their wedding this October. Small, intimate, them. And yes, Allison and I are trying to talk Anais into dressing Abigail up for the big day and carting her down the aisle in a wagon.

The Chosen Few: Jackie & Corey

Jackie & Corey are the poster children for the tagline "Laughter is the best medicine." Being high school sweethearts, the longevity of their relationship has brought them to that place where their comfort with each other comes with such ease that they move as one unit and orbit around each other in their own perfect solar system with very little effort. Every bit of their beings is quite obviously vested in the other and it's both sweet and utterly refreshing. Simply put, love like that makes my job easy.

Jackie & Corey know how to laugh. And they do it well. And considering they spend months and months and months (and months!!) away from each other as Corey continues his military training on the West Coast while Jackie continues life here in Virginia Beach, their laughter has served as the binding glue and perfect medicine to the distance that I am sure is a constant challenge.

I am beyond thrilled to be working with them and can't wait for their wedding. It is sure to be a memorable day for everyone involved. With love and gratitude,