I ♥ Faces!

So today's blog is a highlight and entry of the new photography blog/forum iHeartFaces!

iHeartFaces was created for photographers to be able to share the art of capturing faces and the emotions that they hold. Check it out and enter your faces!

This week I decided to enter a photo for both categories, kids and adults. It goes without saying that I'm going to pick my baby girl for my first kids entry:



For the adults entry I chose my bride Julie from last summer. Julie reminded me (and everyone else I know for that matter) of a 50's movie star! She is also one of the sweetest, most soft-spoken people I've ever met.

I've been tagged!

Good morning everyone! I was recently tagged by Kendra of Motif Design (she designed my logo!) and thought that would be a good way to start my morning. Then I can tackle my mounding to-do list! I have a busy day of editing, album design and then tonight I get to judge a pageant. I actually had flashbacks of my old days in pageants when I was asked. I had so much fun I thought I would give judging a try! I hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed weekend!

7 Random Facts About Me:

1. I was Miss Defuniak Springs (what a town name right?!) in 2002 and competed in the National PEANUT Festival that year.

2. I'm addicted to Chick-fil-A. I have strong desired to eat their mouth watering chicken-minis all day long. I've had to control my addiction with out lifestyle change though. I've been twice since before Christmas.

3. I, like Kendra, am an only child.

4. I'm horrible about printing pictures of and for my own family. I have 2 scrapbooks that I've done no scrapping in since before Kaydence was born.

5. I pray... a LOT! I probably couldn't count the times in a day that I say at least a small prayer about or for someone or something.

6. I LOVE chicken and dumplings! It's my favorite meal of all time!

7. I LOVE to cut my hair extremely short (chin length) but my hubby likes is longer so right now I'm holding back. Plus I really like how it looks right now.. it's an inner battle though when trying to decide whether or not I should cut it off!

Trying to think of RANDOM things about me was a little hard... but I did it.

Now.. I'm supposed to tag 7 people... (If you do this.. make sure you tell them you've tagged them!)
1. Amanda Suanne
2. Patsy Brown
3. Samantha Jackson
4. Aliya Rinaldi
5. The Sloans
6. Pam
7. Bri

Have a great weekend!!!!!

Studio Sample Flush Mount Album

I'm so excited to show everyone my studio sample Flush Mount Album!! I've had it in since sometime in December but I've just now had the chance to put everything together to show it off.

I have so many out of state brides and there are times when they are not able to come down to meet and we do everything via phone. I've yet to find a description of these albums that does any type of justice for them. Put simpy, they are absolutely gorgeous!

I've included a few pictures as well as a slideshow at the end for you to see the full album layout.

Click the arrow below to see the album design!

Meet Alyssa

Jenni emailed me in September asking if I would take portraits of her little girl on the beach when she was home for Christmas. We set a date and time but as it approached I became increasingly worried about how cold it was going to be. I thought it might be a good idea to try somewhere other than the beach but Jenni really wanted to do the beach since they only get to visit the area these days. Of course I said several prayers and yet again God provided! Jenni's and her family were quite warm in the sweaters as it was in the high 60's and there was NO wind (seriously..NONE)! The sky was also perfectly overcast! Here are a few of my favorite shots of Alyssa. Jenni, it was wonderful meeting you and your family! Thank you for allowing me to take your family portraits!

2009 Goals

If you are anything like me.. you are now sitting here 11 days in to 2009 and are wondering, "WHERE ON EARTH DID 2008 GO?!"

I mean let's be serious for a second. Can time really pass by so quickly? Apparently so. This past year has been one of the most amazing years of my life. I'm still in awe at the blessings God has given me. I've met the most amazing people that gave me the opportunity to capture their weddings and portraits. I've become what I think of as friends with photographers around the country who blog as well and are willing to share their stories and be mentors for others. I have a wonderful family and the best, most supportive friends a girl could want.

Friday night was my oldest BFF Leslie's birthday. With a group of some old high school friends and some other friends I've made along the way we headed out to, "Live, laugh and love!" At the end of the night one of my "newer" friends, Mandy, asked me, "Did you ever think you would be where you are now?" You see, Mandy had me take portraits of her 2 week old newborn only a month after I started my business. My answer to her was, "Never in a million years!" I honestly would have laughed very hard if someone had tried to tell me I'd be were I am now.

That being said, I want to make 2009 even more amazing! As we all know, resolutions are made to be broken. So as with most everyone else I know and or blog stalk.. I've made goals. The week after Christmas I put a notebook beside my bed with a pen. I do most of my goal setting as I'm trying to fall asleep. What better way to remember them in the morning than by writing them down immediately!? At the top is says, "2009 Goals ~ In no particular order!"

You see, it doesn't matter what order they are in or accomplished. What matters is that I work hard to accomplish them. This list is made up of not only my business goals, but my personal goals as well. However, if I had to pick one as my #1 for 2009, it would be to spend more time as a family raising our beautiful daughter.

I learned so much this year about photography as a business. I'll be the first to admit.. it's A LOT harder than I ever thought it was. I learned that I'm not superwoman and it is ok to tell people no. Especially, if I'm sacrificing my already precious time with my family.

Time is precious.. and so are our lives. Jasmine Star had a contest a while back in which she asked us to describe our lives in exactly six words. I thought really hard on this. You see, all year I had been going non stop and couldn't figure out how to narrow that down to six words. That's when it hit me. I needed to slow down love and enjoy life. That alone created my life, as I intend to live it this year and in years to come, in six words, "Loving life in the slow lane!"

Words cannot express my gratitude to every amazing person that has touched my life. Thank you, without you I would not be the person I am today!

May you all have a very blessed 2009!

Happy New Year!

I know.. I'm several days late wishing you a Happy New Year.

Our New Year's Eve was spent with Kaydence watching fire works and relaxing. As a matter of fact, we were blessed this year to spend our entire holiday season that way!

I have so many things to blog about.. it will take some time to get everything together. In the meantime I wanted to share a few pictures of Melissa and Nick's Day After shoot!

More on their story to follow when I post their wedding!