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I met Brittany and her husband Brian a few years ago

through the Port City Breastfeeding Bag Project.

The first time I saw them walk in with the boys

I was struck by their beauty.  Seriously.

If you know this family – you know they are all stunning to look at!

And over time I was struck by more than just their beauty.

They have an amazing relationship with their children.

They have an amazing relationship with each other.

And of course Brian wins the best husband award because

he surprised Brittany on Mother’s Day with my

Maternity, Birth, & Newborn package.

Great husband points there!!!

We had a beautiful maternity session in late June (but boy was it hot).

I had travel plans in August – just a week after her due date, but being the 3rd boy,

Brittany was sure this baby would come on time just like his big brothers did.

Well.  Grayson  established right away that we wasn’t going to do things like his brothers.

I am so grateful that my friend, and colleague,  Susie Linquist, was available to be there for Grayson’s birth.

To hear Susie tell it, Brittany barely made a sound and welcomed Grayson n into this world

with the calmest assurance ever.

Brittany had some amazing guides and supports.  Olivia and Candace make an amazing team.

I was so happy to hear everything went well and couldn’t wait to meet the newest boy to the family.

The newborn session was full of laughter and giggles, just as I suspected.

Of course, a birth can not be done justice with just photos.  Watch the slideshow below to see more of this family’s love.

Watch it big – bigger is better in this case.

I love it when large families remember to document

their time together on vacation.

I love it  when they ask me to capture their life.

And I love it even more when they want to

move away from mostly posed shots

and just play.

We did a lot of playing.

A lot of laughing.

I had fun.

Those are my favorite kinds of sessions.

There’s no better compliment than to be asked to photograph a family again.

This time, instead of Carolina Beach,

I met the family in Holden Beach.

And although it was windy, the weather was perfect (what’s not to love about a windy beach).

Because the whole family couldn’t be there

the focus this time was on the grandchildren.

We had a good time, a real good time.

I love it when parents let their kids just be, well, kids.

Since I know the family will be able to view this while they are still together,

I wanted to make it a little more enjoyable.

I wish I were with them now, as they watch for the first time.  Enjoy!

Oh, and by the way, the kids give the BEST hugs.

Life Celebrated.

I’ve known Megan since we were pregnant together with our now 2nd graders.

I’ve had the pleasure of watching her children grow up behind my lens.

Maternity, newborn, 1st birthday, “being 5“, family sessions, and preschool.

And she’s had the opportunity to watch my business grow over the years, too.

Now, I’m honored to be a part of her growing businesses.

Megan, Nat, and Anna of WilmingtonSEO have a super cool new office

right at the waterfront in Downtown Wilmington.

I enjoyed hanging with them helping them

get some new portraits for their online presence.

Keep watching them – they are growing in so many places.

 If you are interested in getting some new head shots for your website/marketing, please contact me!

Earlier this summer, one of my favorite clients brought a mermaid costume to the session.

I was skeptical at first – because you guys know I’m not a “proppy” kind of photographer.

But this was not any mermaid costume – this was very tasteful and beautiful.

After sharing her portraits on facebook – I was flooded with interest in more mermaid sessions.

I was fortunate enough that she let me keep them for a year.  Them – yes – more than 1 – there are 2!

While shell hunting with my family one day, I found the perfect location for these mermaid sessions.

I put out a casting call for 2 little girls when I knew the tide would be low.

The moms were not only willing, they pulled their girls from school to make the shoot!

And how about this – the youngest – it was her 5th birthday!  How cool is that?!

Anyway – it was absolutely FUN!  Not the most ideal conditions.  The sun was brighter than I wanted it to be,

the wind was blowing waaaay harder than I wanted it to be, and the seas were rougher than I wanted, too.

But I can’t always get what I want.

I did however, have two VERY cooperative girls that made my day with their giggles.

Within 5 minutes they acted as if they’d known each other forever.

I can’t wait to do some mermaid sessions in the spring.

Contact me if you are interested in your own mermaid session.

Several years ago, I met MB for the first time.  We met at Ft. Fisher for her Sweet 16 portrait session.

I love that mom continued the tradition for her son, several years later.

But, you can’t really call it a Sweet 16 for a boy, can you?

So, how about a Super 16?

We met again at the same location.  Mom had her hopes on

another canvas to compliment MB’s.

The only thing we were missing was MB herself.  Hopefully we’ll get a few of her

when she comes home from college.

He really is an awesome kid (can you call a 16yr old a kid?)

And such a trooper to do this for his mom.

He was so easy to work with and so handsome!

He’s a Junior this year, so look for his senior portraits some time next year!

If you’d like to celebrate a special birthday or occasion – portraits are the perfect opportunity.  Contact me for your next session.

I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

This session is one of those instances where I was meant to be their photographer.

No one else.

It started with a phone call coming in into my landline.  I don’t answer the landline anymore.

It’s actually hooked to a fax machine and the main ringer turned off so I rarely even hear it anymore.

When I do hear it – I ignore it – except this time.  It was meant to be.

The call was from this mom – saying Cori had sent her to me (thanks, Cori).  That she had already had another photographer picked out

for the job – but was calling me just because.  It was meant to be.

She told me that she was almost 40 and her only child, a son, is 9 (instant chills – my exact story in 2 years).  It was meant to be.

She wanted me to capture her and her son – their friendship, their laughter, their love – as her

40th birthday present to herself.   I’m almost in tears.  It was meant to be.

I assured her she came to the right place.  I WAS the photographer for her.  I wanted this for her

as much as I would want this for myself.

It was awesome.  Everything I could want it to be.

The weather was perfect.  The tide was perfect.  The North End was gorgeous.

Their relationship…………….much like mine and my sons.  I’m doing this for me one day, soon.

It was meant to be.

Moms, please take time to celebrate yourself.  Please take time to have portraits done WITH your children.

Contact me so I can make it happen for you.  It would be the perfect gift to yourself.

This is a picture heavy post – get a cup of coffee – and enjoy!

Mini-sessions are the best way for families to get quick updated portraits.

While not quite as in depth and not nearly as many connections as I get with a full session,

I’m always pleased at the end of the day.

These are crazy fun sessions.

The other thing I love about these sessions are the history I have with these families.

Each one of my families that I’m sharing today has been photographed by me before.

I love, love, love seeing them again.  I love watching their children grow up behind my lens.

I met this family last year when Hampton wasn’t even standing well on his own.

Mom had missed one of my breastfeeding sessions so hired me for a family mini-session followed by a breastfeeding session, too.

I just love how animated Hampton is.

I don’t think I blogged his last session:(

This family is one of my most loyal customers.  She first hired me when I was JUST starting out – 5 years ago.

Our first session Julian was only about 6 months old.  It was a VERY cold beach session.

Over the years I’ve really gotten to watch them grow up.  It’s the highlight of my year!

Here’s an old post from when she was pregnant with Elsa

This year I was able to squeeze in some of mom and her kids – Ulrica – you are just radiant!

I photographed the boys for the first time last year.  I met mom through my very awesome dentists, Karen and Brent of Bush Family Dentistry.

The office staff bought a gift certificate from me for them for a gift 3 Christmas’ ago (how cool is that?)

And I’ve been with the family ever since!

I was so happy that mom and dad jumped in on this session.  I LOVE seeing families together.

I don’t know if I ever blogged their session last year (I was getting slack then)

Cori and I have known each other for a long time.  We were pregnant with our boys at the same time.

In fact they are exactly 1 month apart in age.

I photographed the family just before Cori and Dan got married (one of my favorite sessions ever – check it out HERE)

and just the boys last year.  It’s great seeing them all together!

Oh, and if you’re looking to buy/sell a house – check out Cori – soon you’ll even see a new headshot from this session:)

I was in contact with this mom while she was pregnant with her twins.  They just celebrated their 3rd birthday

and I love photographing them each year.  We’ve done full sessions and minis over the years.

Our last full session we did using Grandma’s field in Southport – such an awesome location.

The year prior to that – they weren’t even sitting up on their own – we met just before Orton Plantation closed.

We’re already in the planning phases of a “Day-in-the-Life” session – can’t wait for that!

And folks – please leave comments!  Not only do the families love it – but it actually helps me

reach out to new families.  It makes me more searchable

and google likes it:)  So, thanks in advance for comments.

Businesses are harder to keep track of on Facebook – so if you want to make sure you don’t miss updates – subscribe to the right!

I’ve been fielding a lot of e-mails and phone calls from parents wanting last minute sibling portraits

and family portraits for Christmas cards and gifts.  I have something up my sleeve Nov 27-Dec 2.

Contact me.

Three years ago when I met this family for the first time,

I had no idea I would become part of their summer tradition.

Every summer, this family spends a week (or more) in Carolina Beach,

and for the last 3 years, I feel like I have watched Megan grow up behind my lens.

And I feel like I’m the fortunate one to have the experience.

Having family portraits done are no small feat.

There’s the scheduling, the wardrobe coordinating, the location selection, and the investment.

Megan’s mom said it best in a recent note to me:

” I have to save ALL year long for this investment in our memories! Some people think I am crazy for the amount of money I spend on pictures…. and maybe I am crazy… but, I LOVE LOVE LOVE having our pictures done by you. So, I sacrifice other things so that I can ‘afford’ this. ;)”

This is why I do what I do.  This is why I love what I do.