Family, Family……

I thought I would share a few photos we took back in December for our Christmas card. I took a few of my Brother, Sister in law, and sweet nephew Káel. They snapped a few of us together.

My dress I’m wearing was my great grandmother best Sunday dress. Isn’t it so lovely?

I hope you enjoy these!

These are edited with VSCO Film from Visual Supply

Jessica makes these dolls. Check out her website for information on ordering them!

 

Matthew & Lauren Engagement

Lauren contacted me about a year ago. She found my photography through my beautiful sister-in-law being on Girl Meets Gown. Lauren, Matt and I met at a coffee shop last summer and chatted about her plans for a barn wedding filled with antiques. She wanted to do a rustic, country, October wedding.  I am really excited about shooting their wedding in October.

The day before this engagement session, Brandon and I went and spent the day with Lauren and her family at the Steeple Chase out near Waxhaw. (I’ll blog my photos from it later!) We had the best time, eating, laughing, sipping sangria’s and watching the horse race. We so enjoyed getting to know Lauren and her family and feeling like we were in the movie “My Fair Lady”. I felt extremely spoiled by getting to watch the horse race from the paddock area.

First week of May we spent a Sunday evening in Waxhaw town, and ventured out in the country to an old general store and massive barn. I was dying, I wanted to shoot everything. The texture was so yummy, and Matt and Lauren were so great to work with. I’m really excited to share these photos. I hope you guys enjoy them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminiscing in Fall/ Manor Lake’s Festiveness Part 2

As I write this the air outside is a crisp 51 degree’s and the wind is blowing the leaves in small little tornado’s around my neighborhood. My heat is on 76 and I hate being cold.  The man across the street is having his carpet cleaned (loudly) and my itunes library stays on shuffle playing everything I love. I feel content. I don’t know if I’m the only one that feels this way, but for some reason when the fall season starts it gets my soul into ponder mode. I turn on my recap, and begin to reminisce all that has gone on so quickly this year. I think I say every November 1st “oh man! I can’t believe this year has gone so fast, its almost Christmas.” My husband always laughs at me and says “No, babe, its still a month and a half a way. Its not even Thanksgiving.” I still want to put up a Christmas tree, and drink hot cider, and watch the twinkle lights while Josh Groban’s sings “Oh Holy Night” to me. I guess I’ll have to wait a little longer.

What I felt last year around this time seems like I feel it even more so and that is that I feel so busy. Busier then I’ve ever been in my life. This year has consisted of so many new experiences. I’ve been through 3 different jobs since I moved back to the Carolina’s last Fall. I’ve become an Auntie (which has been such a joy), I’ve started a business, I’ve built confidence in my giftings, I’ve let go of a lot of past friends, felt freedom to fly. I recorded some of my music live last New Years eve. (Which BTW I’m going to the studio this weekend to finish this project. It has taken forever.) I’ve been more of a house wife this year then I’ve ever been. I’ve also cooked more then I’ve ever cooked. (Its true! Ask my husband) Got in my first bumper hit accident, Carved my 1st pumpkin, dressed up for the 1st time on Halloween, (I’m hoping to make my 1st gingerbread house next month)  I’ve found fresh creativity. I’ve felt deep friendship more this year then I’ve ever felt.  I have fallen more in love with my husband then ever before. My heart has found simplicity in my walk with Jesus. (For the 1st time. I know right? )I have enjoyed life more this year then I ever have. I am the happiest I have ever been and for the first time I am happy with being where I am and being who I am.

Lots of good stuff right? The next two months are jammed packed with so much to “DO” ahhh… Its good though. Brandon and I will be spending Thanksgiving in Dallas with year with my parents and my sister in love’s family. And then Brandon and I will have our very 1st Christmas alone this year. And that makes us both so happy.

So with all that deep ponder stuff… I started teaching my husband photography. Let me first say that there isn’t one thing Brandon isn’t good at. (Besides a British accent) He picked up a camera on Sunday and made me so happy with the images he took. We went walking in the colored woods when the sun was slowly starting to fade. He took some beautiful photos of me. And I took some of him which I really love. I can’t wait to teach him more.

So Saturday evening we had our 1st Manor Lake costume party, hosted at our lovely castle. I baked fresh pumpkin bread and ginger molasses cookies.

Our friends arrived. To the left we have the “My Name is Earl” tv show cast ( TJ, Rebecca, Josiah, Nicole, and Eva).

To the right we have “Double Rainbow Oh my god” and a lovely Jason’s deli delivery driver with fanny pack included. ( JJ and Carolyn)

Below to the left is Jack Sparrow, his wife and his parrot. (My brother, Samuel, sister in love, Jessica, and my sweeeet nephew, Káel)

And to the right below is Dr House and Cuddy from the TV show “House” ( Dusty and Heather)

Brandon and I as “A cow-boy and an Indian”. I love my cow. (His utters are…. well… eee)

My wonderful sister in law made all their costumes. Aren’t they incredible?

MOOOOOOOOO…………

HAPPY FALL/ALMOST THANKSGIVING/ALMOST CHRISTMAS/ ALMOST NEW YEARS!! YAYYAYYYYY!!!!!

Leah Rose

Joel and Laura Teel are close friends of mine. I’ve known Joel thirteen+ years and he’s always been a big brother and a dear, dear friend to me and my brother growing up. His character has always been very consistent in our friendship. We shared so much of our childhood and teen years together, that its fun to reminiscence together.

I had the privileged to be able to photograph Joel and Laura’s little girl, Leah Rose. She is a two and a half year old full of energy and life. I would also dare to say she one of the most beautiful little girls I’ve ever seen.  Leah kept me on my toes for about an hour and a half, as I chased her with my camera through tall grass and woods at Colonel Francis Beatty Park in Matthews, NC. She would not sit still, not even for a moment. She was always finding leaves, sticks, stones, and flowers to pick up. So adorable.

This was my first time photographing this age, and I was sore the next day from bending up and down and crawling on my hands and knees. I was also able to catch a few portraits of Joel and Laura.

I hope these make you smile..

sometimes I love blurry.

Joe and Angela Gerics

I have known Joe since I was born. His family has been super close to our family for forever. I remember having nerf gun wars in Joe’s basement with my brother and his brother, Steve. We also played 007 golden eye till late into the night, when our parents would talk for hours.

I met Angela on a mission trip back in 2002. We spent about four weeks together that summer, and we did just about everything together. I laugh hearing Angela laugh, it cracks me up.

Angela and Joe met on a mission trip to the United Kingdom a few years later. They met, fell in love, and married all within a year. Joe is a history teacher in a high school and Angela is in college working hard. They both are from up north and I’m hoping that the Carolina sunshine might persuade them to move a bit closer. I so love them, I couldn’t be happier when Joe and Angela fell in love. It is absolutely perfect.

Angela emailed me a few months ago and told me that her and Joe were going to be in North Carolina for a wedding and they wanted to see if I could take some fun romantic photos of them. I was super excited!

I found an old burnt down camp ground that I pass everyday and behind it was tall grass, and on a bit of a hill. We started here and ended at the peach orchards by my house.

I’m excited to share these!

I love you Angela and Joe!