South Carolina Wedding :: Augusta, Georgia Photographer

So, here is another example of why I love photography. Just when I feel like I'm getting into the groove of things, I'm given another exciting, challenging opportunity and I fall in love with it all over again.

This wedding was my first one ever, and it was an amazing experience. I was invited as a second shooter by John Wrightenberry for this fabulous May wedding. Before I get into all the goods, I have to give you some of the backstory!

Last October I went with my family to Skytop Orchards to go apple picking, which you must visit if you haven't already. While finishing up there I was walking around taking photos of Drew, naturally, but he wasn't cooperating towards the end so I got up to find something else to photograph. Suddenly, I hear a man say, "I was trying to take an image of you taking an image of your son." Alrighty, so I got back down to Drew's level to capture a couple more since this man was trying to capture some of his own. After that he introduced himself as John Wrightenberry, and said he would email me the photos when he returned home. All of this was very nice, but I know how it is with photos, they often get buried beneath all of their photo buddies and they are never seen again.

Well, about a month or so later I find an email from John with the photos attached! I was quite surprised because I knew he was a very busy man just by looking at his website. I'm still surprised that he shares his time with me at all, but I'm thrilled to learn whatever I can from him.

So, months go by without talking to John until I receive an email from him in April asking if I was still doing photography and if I'd be interested in second shooting this wedding with him. Well, I had to reread the email a few times, and then double check to see if he sent it to the right person! To try to make an extremely long story slightly less long, he did send it to the right person and the rest is history!

Now, it's taken me a very, very long time to post this for a few reasons. First, I wanted to make sure that John received all of my images and was able to do his part with them. Second, I wanted to make sure the images I used were approved by him since he has the contract with the family. Finally, I couldn't choose which photos to share!!! :o)

So, here is my first wedding ever. The couple was very sweet and I wish them all the best in the world!

The Miller Family :: Augusta, GA Family Photographer

The Miller Family and I met on Saturday for their second ever family shoot. Due to the supposed rain, we moved our session up to the morning and while it was slightly cooler, it wasn't cool enough to forget that we're in the middle of summer in the south! No matter, this family is awesome! They were troopers through the heat and so relaxed.

Right off the bat you could tell that this is a fun and playful family. Michelle and I kept in touch up to the morning of the shoot and she mentioned that her hubby really wanted to include their family Jeep in some of the pictures. Instantly I was excited! This Jeep is something they use on the weekend and she said they do some off-roading behind their house! What a fun prop to include in your family photos!

Overall, it was a fabulous experience, especially getting to see casual, real play not only between the kids, but with the parents, too. Michelle, thank you for contacting me and I hope you enjoy your sneak peek. There are many other great ones to come :o)

A Little Overwhelming, but... :: Augusta, GA Photographer

First of all, I want to say thank you to all who visit and follow my blog. I know I haven't been very good at updating lately and it's simply because I'm overwhelmed with all I have going on. With two new babies, on the way, a little boy about to turn 4 (I can't believe it), keeping my house from crumbling, and working on my business things are very overwhelming, but.....not enough to make me stop any of it. I am completely and utterly at peace and smitten with my life right now!

I do want to include more personal things on this blog, not just my sessions with clients. I think it's important to keep things a little more intimate so that those who don't know me can get to know me, and those that do, you just get an extra dose of me :oP

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for stopping by and please continue to do so and pass my site onto your friends. And just for a little glimpse into my recent life, here you go...

Some much needed beach time...






We were driving somewhere and I happened to turn around and see this sight, so here's to seeing the world in new ways (even if it's through foggie frog goggles)...


We said goodbye to wonderful friends, here's the last night before they moved across the country...


Our summer has been full of trips, heading back to Texas and offering Woody and Buzz some new adventures...


We spent some quality time with my grandmother, Drew's great-grandmother while in Texas. She has alzheimers and she didn't know who we were, but it was special.


And here are the twinlets at 21 weeks! Two boys, look out world, the Grooters are going to take over!


Time as a family is essential and there never seems to be enough of it, so it's cherished...


Me and the hubster :o)


I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer full of things to create special memories...

The Strongest Bond :: Augusta, GA Family and Baby Photographer

Rewind just a minute:



When you are pregnant with your first child there are so many things to occupy your mind and time preparing for that little bundle of joy. You spend time organizing the nursery, folding their freshly laundered little clothes, and maybe even reading up on "What to Expect." All of these things seem to be the first steps in bonding with your little one. Each kick or nudge from inside seems to create another connection, but it's nothing compared to the bond formed after they arrive.

Bonnie's maternity shoot was one of my favorites for so many reasons, but mainly because she allowed me to be a part of such a special moment, a couple of hours where she focused on what was inside of her and what it all meant. Well, fast forward a few months and now I get to be a part of that miracle again!

Miss Anna Ryan is almost 4 months old now, and is as precious as can be. You can see that the bond that began with those little nudges has increased infinitely between this sweet mother and daughter. Anna was full of smiles and squeals throughout the whole session and I don't know if I've ever felt so relaxed during a shoot. I contribute it to Bonnie's calm approach to caring for Anna, which was evident immediately. When I got there Miss Anna was almost completely dressed and ready when she had a mini diaper disaster. While it wasn't what was planned obviously, it gave me the opportunity to capture life as it happened...a bath was in order!



Shortly after, Anna was ready for her assignment...to be cute! Mission accomplished!



She loved the extra snuggles and attention she got from her mommy, and Bonnie seemed to absorb every moment of it, as well.





It's amazing how each teeny tiny feature is so perfectly formed. You can't help but want to just squeeze those cheeks or hold those little feet.



Photos like this help us to cherish all these small moments, but they also make us excited for what the future may hold!



Thank you, Bonnie for letting me be a part of your memories.

Moving on... :: Augusta, GA Senior Photographer

Ahhhh, senior year, what an interesting time. Maybe not while you're in the middle of it, but looking back it really is something. High school is a four year span of trying to fit in or trying not to. A time to try to figure out who you are and who you want to be. It often seems like many events contradict another leaving so many unsure.

But, senior year means you've made it, you can see the end in sight, you've survived! It's a time full of emotions battling each other - you're happy to be done and out on your own, but not totally sure you're ready to leave home. It's a tough time for all involved, not just the soon to be graduate. The family that has guided you through to get to this point is dealing with a whole other rollercoaster of emotion.

I had the privelege of doing Daniel's senior portraits on Saturday and despite the heat, we had a very nice session. I got to chat with him as we went along and he is a very interesting guy. High school is what you make of it, and I believe Daniel knows that. He's found his niche to get through, but along with that he's found a passion for film making and writing scripts. I think that's huge! I had no idea what I wanted to do beyond high school, but he knows which school he'd like to go to because it's a top school for film.

Daniel, I wish you nothing but the best in your senior year (and getting through those senior projects) and in your future. Remember to take a moment now and then to look at how you got to where you are and to look at all you have to be thankful for.













Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Just Mommy and Me :: Augusta, GA Maternity and Child Photographer

This shoot was just so sweet. Lilah and Stephanie were such troopers as we made our way through the tall grass in order to capture some great mother-daughter moments. Stephanie did say she wanted more of Miss Lilah too so we let her guide the shoot.

Lilah was a fan of all the goodies her mom brought along, however, the ultimate had to have prop was the giant lollipop! From the time she got out of the car that was all that was on her mind and she was determined to have it in her little hands on her time schedule! This little girl is just awesome; she's sweet, but strong-willed and her personality just shines through in these pictures. I think it's a mixture of those eyes and that smile.

Stephanie, thank you for letting me capture these special moments. Savor each and every one. Lilah will no doubt bring you tons of blessings along with baby boy, but as we know they grow up way too quickly and we're left with the pictures that froze those moments in time, so that we can refresh the ever fading memories in our minds.

Carlisle Family :: Augusta, GA Family Photographer

After going back and forth on whether to go through with this shoot because of the threatening rain, we finally decided to go for it and I'm so glad we did. It ended up being a nice evening with some very sweet people. I really enjoyed spending my time with you guys and your sweet girls. I hope y'all like your sneak peek.

Could it be time already? :: Augusta, GA Photographer

Yep, it sure can. I have my 16 week appointment to check on the twinlets Thursday at 3pm and it could be a big one. My doctor said that they check between 16 & 18 weeks for the baby's or in my case babies' gender!



So, just for fun, I created a poll for y'all to give your input. Check out the link below and place your vote as to what you think we're having. If you can't click on it just copy and paste it into your browser. I'll let you know as soon as we find out :o) Hopefully, the twinlets will cooperate and not hide their goods!

http://poll.fm/1x32s

Childhood Innocence :: Augusta, GA Child Photographer

Caroline and Lily are two sweet little girls that I had the privilege of photographing on my birthday! Dressed in their best, we headed out to a location of the family's choice and it was wonderful!



We started out trying to get the girls posed together and I could tell very quickly that, as these things go, the kiddos were the ones that would guide the shoot. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. There is nothing better than capturing that childhood innocence, the real moments, their true spirit. We were able to laugh together and just watch as the girls explored their surroundings and played both together and separately.







Through the eyes of a child you will see the world just as it ought to be.



Watching kids investigate is such an amazing thing. You can practically see their minds absorbing everything. It truly makes me happy to watch their little faces light up with new knowledge and experiences.





While we try to teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is all about.
- Angela Schwindt



Thank you to the E family for letting me capture some of that childhood innocence and helping me to remember what life really is all about.