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.

Joanna Reyburn May- November 2008

I wanted to re-edit these photos just a bit and re-share them.  I feel like they are worth sharing all over again.

I took these election evening in 2008. Shelley Paulson took me out on our first real mentoring session to shoot portraits of our close friend, Joanna Reyburn May. It was a gorgeous November night with tall grass full of golden light (a few of my favorite things!). This session taught me so much about lighting and composition. Joanna, is such a natural model and so full of spirit. After upgrading my camera, and learning so much more since then, these photos still remain to be some of my most favorite.

Check out Joanna’s Wedding that Shelley and I shot in May of this year.