Mandy & Michelle

This was a fun shoot – really laid back and yet up for anything I suggested. It was a beautiful day and even this horse cooperated! At most, I was expecting to have horses in the background of some of the photos, but the horse was hungry and nosy, so he ambled over. Mandy and Michelle are sisters and both are seniors in high school this year. Look how beautiful they are:

Four Generations

I had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful family last week at the Horticultural Gardens. I took so many photos that it has been difficult to narrow down just a few to post on this blog, but here goes:

Summer days…

Every time I drive to Raleigh, I pass by an assortment of farms and abandoned buildings that capture my attention and imagination. I was headed to Raleigh last week and I decided I would finally do it – I would pull over on the side of the road and take some pictures! My son recently turned 7 and I wanted to get some photos to mark the occasion and he was excited about the locations. My daughter, of course, assumes that every picture should have her in it, so we got some photos of her too.

I love, love, love the colors and numbers on this building:

MaryAnn and Bill in Love

MaryAnn and Bill were married on a very hot Saturday at the Old Buggy Inn in Carthage. MaryAnn was a beautiful bride and Bill couldn’t stop looking at her. Every time I would ask them to face each other or look at each other, they would sneak a kiss – so sweet!

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day!

The Westons

Anyone who celebrates a 50th wedding anniversary is a hero in my book, not to mention a role model! Just think of the countless worries, heartaches, joys and everyday moments that are experienced in 50 years of being married.  My husband and I have been married for 12 1/2 years and have experienced so much together already, it is hard to fathom what 38 more years will bring! I am somewhat of a romantic, but I’m also a realist. Staying married for 50 years takes a lot of dedication and perseverance when times get tough. It also takes a lot of love and selflessness.

I had the honor to meet my two newest heroes on Sunday – Mr. and Mrs. Weston had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and had their children in town for the celebration. They clearly wanted family portraits, but I managed to get some photos of just the two of them! I really love this photo of their hands:

Some of the whole family:

Fields of Flowers

I have been tempted by every field of flowers I’ve ever driven by and this one was no different.  A field of dandelions doesn’t have quite the same punch as the blue bonnets in Texas, but it calls to me just the same. After a couple weeks of driving by this particular field, the kids and I noticed that it was REALLY blooming today. I ran home to get my camera and then we hustled back to the flowers. The skies were dark and it was raining lightly, but we didn’t mind. The kids were sweaty and messy from a birthday party we had just left and a little too amped up to be still enough to take very many photos, but I was able to get a few good ones!

A Proud Four Year Old

I took my little Kerrigan out this weekend for her four year old photo shoot at the Horticultural Gardens. I tried to take a little nap before we left, but my mind started going with ideas for the photo shoot. As I gathered up the huge pile of books, lollipops, a number 4 and various other things, my husband looked at me like I was crazy. I can’t help it! When I get an idea in my head, I can’t rest until I’ve fulfilled it! So, I loaded down our old stroller with props and we headed to the Gardens!  My poor kids actually think this kind of behavior is normal!

When we got back home, my husband asked Kerrigan how the photo shoot went and she replied in a matter-of-fact tone, “Good – I smiled.”

Kerrigan Turns Four!

My little girl anxiously awaited the day she would turn four. For days before her birthday, she would ask, “Is tomorrow the day I’m going to be four, Mommy?”  The night before her birthday was bittersweet – it was the last night I would ever have a three year old. Kerrigan is a dancing, singing, bundle of four year old joy. The morning of her birthday, she got to open her presents from family and we sang “Happy Birthday” over blueberry muffins.

One week later, Kerrigan had a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party (she’s a huge fan) and eight little friends came over to celebrate the big day. I made the cake and I’m very proud of it – my first time to use fondant!

My precious birthday girl:

Easter

After church on Easter, I took my children out to the Village Arboretum for a quick photo shoot. Mission accomplished!

The Swaringens

Okay, I am WAY behind on my blogging….for a number of reasons. But, I wanted to share a few pics of the most laidback family EVER! I was contacted to photograph the Swaringen family for Ms. Rose’s birthday. Her four children and a whole bunch of grandchildren came to Pinehurst for the occasion. When I arrived at Ms. Rose’s house, the family was in the middle of The Swaringen Cup (kind of like miniature golf). They stopped what they were doing, we all trooped to Ms. Rose’s backyard and they declared themselves done after only 30 minutes – my quickest photo shoot ever! They clearly were having a good time being together and I got a lot of silly pics!

And one of the whole gang: