My Kindergartener

Oh my.

My girl officially started Kindergarten on Wednesday, August 25, 2010.

It was a day that was much anticipated by her and much dreaded by me.  My fears were put to bed very quickly, though, when I met her teacher.  She immediately made Emma feel loved and welcome in her classroom and that is such a huge relief to me.  Nothing makes a mama happier than seeing her babies treated special.:)

The only thing I was worried about where Emma was concerned was her schedule that she’s been on her whole little life.  She’s like her mama…. not a morning person, so the getting her up each day is… a challenge.  So, on the first day, I got up at 6:30, went into her room and to my shock, she was sitting up in bed, petting Stella ( you can see a glimpse of her in the shot on the left below) and she said to me, “Hi Mommy, I was just waiting for you to come wake me up for Kindergarten!”  Ha! Are you kidding me???

So, the first morning was a breeze!  This morning, though, (her second day) was not so easy.  It took me two trips into her room before she got up and I’m sure she cried at least 5 times between the getting out of the bed and going out the door!  She’ll get used to it, though… I hope. Otherwise, it’s going to be a reallllllly looooong 13 years of school.

These shots are from her first day of school…. from the getting up to her mini-photo shoot before we left to go to Kindergarten.:)

Lucas Family | FAYETTEVILLE NC FAMILY PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

This family… where do I start?

Amy.  She’s my best friend in all the world.  I love her way more than a fat kid loves cake.  She’s my person I can tell absolutely anything to and she is completely invaluable to me.  I met her in 7th grade when my mom moved us to Jacksonville.  Amy was always the girl in school that everyone loved.  She has always loved Jesus with every fiber of her being and just being friends with her made the rest of us better people, because she made you want to be better.

And then, three years ago, when I was pregnant with my Noah, Amy started doing photography.  When I saw her beautiful imagery, it made me want to create those kinds of amazing pictures too.  I’d ALWAYS loved taking pictures.  I have millions of pictures of every single part of my life, but seeing what SHE was doing, blew my mind and I had to learn.  She was my very first inspiration.

And now, Amy has this gorgeous family.  She’s had her handsome, precious boy, Keenan (who has already been promised to my Emma… and yes, I am holding them to that, it will make me and Amy related after all) for many years now and she has always wanted a beautiful baby girl.  This past March, God finally blessed Amy and her sweet husband, Jeremy with the most perfect little girl, BrinkleyAnne.  I am so happy for them and their family.  There’s nothing like the feeling of being complete and I believe that’s where they are.

Thank you, Lucas family, for driving all the way here from Jacksonville and entrusting me with taking your family’s pictures!

Here are my favorites…

Steffanie { Cape Fear High c/o 2011} | STEDMAN FAYETTEVILLE NC SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Steffanie is yet another beautiful rising senior that I have gotten the privledge to know and work with this summer.  I’m loving all these seniors, they are full of fun and laughter and so much hope and wonderful plans for the future.  It’s very refreshing!

I met Steffanie through another one of my seniors, Kayla, she actually came along on Kayla’s second shoot, so I got a chance to meet her then and get a taste of her sweet personality.  One of my favorite things about Steffanie is that she plans to attend my alma matter, ECU, only the most perfect college experience there is!!  I know she’ll do great and be majorly successful in her life!:)

Enjoy Steffanie’s little preview and leave her some love!!:)

Amanda & Jose :: ENGAGED | FAYETTEVILLE NC ENGAGEMENT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Amanda emailed me when I was on vacation at the beach.  I knew immediately that she was the kind of person I wanted to work with.  Why, you wonder?  She contacted me before she and Jose had even settled on a date!  This told me that her wedding photography was her number one concern, because it was the first thing she researched!

And then I met with her and her mom.  And I just fell in love with them more and more as each minute of our meeting passed.  They both exude an air of love and happiness.  We hugged and laughed and…. when our meeting was over, I knew that they were my kind of people!

Then yesterday… I had the privilege of meeting Jose, the handsome groom-to-be and to witness the love first hand that he and Amanda share.  Their love is one that is so powerful you almost feel as if you can reach out and touch it.  Amazing.  Goosebumps kind of amazing.  And even more, they’re able to completely maintain and grow their relationship over a great distance.  She lives here and he lives in New York.  That is a great testament to the kind of couple they are!

Last night when I sat down to review the images from our session, I was so overwhelmed because their images showed what a loving and happy couple they were.  And once I started working, I couldn’t quit!  Each new image was my new favorite!  I love when that happens!

Please enjoy their love and then leave them some…:)

Mary Cate {Terry Sanford Senior Rep c/o 2011} | FAYETTEVILLE NC SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Mary Cate Duffy is my Senior Rep for Terry Sanford High School this year and I COULD NOT have chosen a more perfect person for this.

She’s smart, funny, GORGEOUS, spirited, kind, and did I mention GORGEOUS???

Her mom and one of her best friends came along with her on the shoot and this was a new experience for me… seniors usually don’t want moms along, so I was nervous.  It stems from the fact that a lot of teenage girls and their moms are in an awkward stage of their relationship…. they usually argue and disagree… a LOT!  Ha!  But I had absolutely NOTHING to worry about, because this beautiful girl and her mom have a very special relationship.  It’s definitely the kind of relationship I hope to have with my Emma.  This was truly such a fun shoot, full of personality!

Enjoy and leave Mary Cate some love!:)

Can you say, SUPERMODEL???? HELLOOO!!  This next group of shots in front of the iron gate are some of my favorite shots of ALL TIME.  I absolutely LOVE THEM!!

Shooting at this fountain was her mom’s idea.  This is the fountain that mom and step-dad were married at, so it holds a very special place in the family’s heart.  And it was AWESOME!  She was so excited about getting IN the fountain and dancing around with her shoes off.  So much fun!