Roger and Windy are just a FUN couple!  They joke around and laugh, which makes them a joy to be around.  Over the Christmas holiday, Roger contacted me to purchase a gift certificate for a photo session for the two of them just because they wanted some pictures together (what a fabulous idea)!  So over the weekend, we had their session, and it was a delight to have the opportunity to work with these two.  Thank you both for having me capture your sweet relationship, and I hope we can work together again soon!

About a year ago, I photographed Jen and Yuriy's wedding that was held at Yuriy's brother and sister-in-law's (Kathy and Sergey) house in Durham.  So, I was thrilled to get a call from Kathy and Sergey to ask me to come photograph their newborn baby boy, Peter, at just five weeks old!  Peter is SUCH a sweetie, and it was fun to hear all about their first weeks at home as we prepare for our first baby to be born in just a few weeks/days.  Kathy and Sergey, thank you for having me photograph your new bundle of joy, and I hope to see little Peter grow up!

When it comes to describing the Wilson family, there just aren't enough kind words!  When in college, Mark and Tricia graciously gave so much time to working with college students (including me) at Forest Hills Baptist, and I will never be able to thank them enough for the amazing examples they gave us--a strong relationship, an amazing family and a truly dedicated faith.  When Tricia contacted me a few weeks to ask if I would take pictures of their five kids that were all going to be in the same place at the same time, which is a giant task these days, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see their family and photograph such a sweet time!  We met out at the NC Arboretum, and I just loved our session--even if it was 90 degrees!  Overall, I hope that you can see the love that these brothers and sisters have for each other and the personalities that just SHINE!

This sweet Brady family was awaiting the arrival of their second addition, Palmer!  A few days before Palmer was born, we had a family session to capture some of these moments before baby Palmer arrived.  Big sister, Ella Grace, is a doll, and she has the cutest personality!  It is so fun to see this family grow as we have known them for several years.  Lauren and I went to Meredith College together, and we met Shawn through the church we attended during college.  Knowing that we were pregnant at the same time, Lauren suggested that we swap photography sessions with each other since she is also a photographer!  Loved this session and LOVE these images :)

On Sunday, March 20th, I spent the day capturing sweet memories of Meghan and Tyler's wedding at the Cardinal Club.  These two have had a countdown for their wedding day ever since the date was set--they have been SO excited for their celebration to come! It all began when Tyler asked Meghan to marry him using some precious cupcakes!  Then, the planning and details began, but all of the planning stress seemed to melt away when they saw each other for their "First Look" before the ceremony began.  Meghan and Tyler enjoyed their day as they celebrated with family and friends while overlooking the city of Raleigh--it was beautiful!  Isn't the cupcake cake adorable?  It was only appropriate for their ring shot to include cupcakes in the order of a stoplight since the stoplight is where their love story really began.  Congrats you two!

Each year, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching honors educators that have set themselves apart by offering students creative ways to experience what they are learning!  For the second year, I had the honor of photographing the reception that was held for the 2010 finalists.  I look forward to this event because I did teach, and I love the art of teaching, so it is inspiring to hear each of these educators as they stand up to share their story.  Teaching is one of the hardest jobs you can have, and I admire these finalists for not only having a hard job but also doing amazing things in their job!  Congratulations to these finalists--I look forward to hearing the results for this year!

Last summer, I went in to get my eye exam and started talking with a sweet girl that was helping me check-in and get ready for the doctor.  As we chatted, she asked me what my job was, and the next day, I got an e-mail from her that she was engaged and wanted to meet to talk about wedding photography!  As I met with Meghan and Tyler, I found out that they met at work but then ran into each sitting at a stoplight (notice the intersection that is highlighted in this engagement session).  She also mentioned that he proposed using one of her favorites--cupcakes!  I must admit cupcakes are one of my favorites too, and this is just one reason why we hit it off, and I became their wedding photographer.  Enjoy this sweet engagement session all throughout downtown Raleigh--wedding post coming soon!

Ashley and Sean are SO sweet and were a JOY to work with for their wedding!  Ashley called me a few months before her wedding to tell me that her photographer had fallen through, and she was really hoping to talk since I recently photographed two of her friends weddings.  I was thrilled to answer her call and have the opportunity to work with yet another sweet bride that is friends with two of my previous brides!  Ashley was a very calm bride and just took in the details of her day as she got ready with family and bridesmaids for her December 18th wedding.  Sean is such a gentleman and a truly kind person to be around.  It was evident the love that these two have for one another and those that surround them, which makes their celebration even more special.  With a ceremony at St. Francis of Assisi and a reception at Bay 7, these guests were in for a treat.  As you browse through these pictures, you might recognize someone that you have seen before!  Familiar with this song?  The Neon Trees lead singer, Tyler Glenn, is a long-time friend of the groom's, and I have to give him props--I can see why he and Sean have been friends for so long--both are just kind and great to be around.  Enjoy!

Odin is just plain cute--there is no way around it!  We took a spin on our photo session and made it "A Day in the Life of Odin," so he could show me all of the fun things that he does with mommy and daddy.  He is living life to the fullest, and it was amazing to see him have a ball doing SO many things at age 2!  From making juice (he even made me a glass of his own yummy creation of strawberry and apple) to playing games to reading books, he showed me all kinds of fun things to do!  Thank you to Bronson, Celia and Odin for showing me a fabulous time.

Breanne and Patrick were a fabulous couple to work with, and it all started with Breanne's first phone call to inquire about having me as her wedding photographer.  When Breanne called the first time, we spent two hours talking, and it felt like we had been friends for years!  I just love it when that instant connection happens---it adds so much to the experience of working together.  Breanne and Patrick were married and held a perfect reception at Brier Creek Country Club.  Their families and friends were just marvelous to work with and celebrate with--they have some FUN dancing genes in their family!  I have loved staying connected to this sweet couple to hear about new jobs, moving, etc. already, and I can't wait to hear more as the time goes by.  Best wishes always to you both, Breanne and Patrick! (Side note: Breanne's talented brother Michael Alvarado shared his music with me for my website, and I couldn't love it more--I think it is a perfect fit!)