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.

'Tis the Season!

I don't normally shoot maternity, newborn or kiddo portraits, purely because life doesn't afford me enough time to. BUT...I have a special love for my past brides and clients, now friends, so it's hard to resist when they ask me to capture their special moments with their little ones. And I'm happy to do it, because simply put, it makes my heart burst to see how blissfully happy they are and I feel beyond blessed to share in that.

Spring (Did we have Spring? Is this Summer? What's up, Virginia?!) is in the air, which means 'tis the season. Babies, kiddos, everywhere! Here are a few faves from recent sessions.

You'll remember Nichole and Daniel from their million and one posts (LOVE YOU GUYS!!!), their most recent being Nichole's maternity photos. And now, here we are welcoming Braylen to the world! He is the sweetest, cutest, tiniest little bundle of perfection and I adore him. And he will be my little men's bestest friend. It's a done deal.









And of course you'll remember Carla from her maternity session. Can you believe Jackson is a year old?! Time flies is probably the biggest understatement ever. Probably because it's reminding me right now that if Jackson is one, then holy cow, my boys are almost two years old! We had play time at Hunt Club Farm recently and captured Jackson and Mama lovin' on each other and having fun.

Let There be Light!

When I ask you "Does your home get great natural light?" THIS is what I'm talkin' about!



Katherine & Pete are near and dear to my heart for lots of reasons. She was one of my very first brides, her Mama is the sweetest woman ever and a fantastically talented florist (send me a note if you want her info, she's awesomely old school!), and Katherine has continued to support and encourage me long since our first meeting. She's a beautiful person inside and out. She gets art in that artsy way and therefore gets me. She's always been the first to say "Good for you!" and I appreciate that. A lot.

Now we share something else in common. We both have wonderfully, amazingly beautiful children that were welcomed into this world extra early. Being a mommy to a preemie is a very special thing. To say it's scary doesn't even begin to adequately describe what it means to have a child (or in my case, two) in the NICU that gets left behind when you go home. But on the flip side of that fear, guilt, a whole gamut of emotions...there is the miracle of life. These little bodies are such fighters. To see them overcome obstacles and champion through milestones with such heart and gumption...it's indescribable.





Looking at my 'lil 'dids now, I can't even see one tiny trace of being preemies on their chunky butts. As they smile, laugh, crash and crawl, I am overjoyed. Holding tiny Eleanor for the first time, I was shocked to remember that my guys used to be smaller than she was! It seems impossible! I find myself in awe. And very, very grateful.

Welcome to the world, tiny little firecracker, Eleanor! You have awesome parents. And a really cool dog. I know you're going to have that same spirit your Mama has and I can't wait to see you grow up! I love your photos, because the light spilling onto your tiny features reminds me that you are truly a miracle and God's smiling down on you every second of every day with His beautiful light!

Little Miss Lily and her Flowery Awesomeness

By now you have heard me sing the praises of Stephanie & Mike a million times over. My very first wedding, my very first maternity, my very first newborn...They are about as amazing as clients can be. Supportive, encouraging, always talking me up and most importantly, constantly giving me new opportunities to share in their life and document the story of a happy family as they grow and build their future together. I am blessed to know them.

This past weekend was no exception. You of course remember Lily's newborn pics. For those out of the loop, how cute is this?



Well, I can scarcely believe it myself, but Miss Lily is already a whopping 6 months old! And look at how much she has grown!



I just can't get enough of her! She has changed and grown SO MUCH, I almost didn't recognize her! She has such personality and laughed and giggled her way through the fastest portrait session I've ever done. 45 minutes from the time they walked in the door, shared pleasantries, got settled, shot and then parted ways, and we got this...











There is a special place in my heart for this little girl and her big bows and flowery headbands. She brightens my day!

By the way, just as a special props to encouraging people to invest in proper editing software, Lily's newborn photos were edited in Lightroom 2. Great program, great picture, great result. BUT...seeing the two sessions next to each other! No comparison! While I am still fuming over some of the slowness and massively obnoxious delays with Lightroom 3, it is clear the upgrade is well worth it. Also well worth it, investing time and energy in practicing with your software and getting beyond just dragging sliders and clicking buttons, hoping for a good result. Learn HOW it works and WHAT it can do. Intimately.