So a few weeks ago I decided that I was sick and tired of the rain and cloudy days. I wasn’t loving the horrible available light. I was thinking that maybe I should take a little power from Mother Nature, and give studio light a shot, specifically for little tiny ones. Jae responded to my cry, and was all game for her sweet baby girl Blaire being my newborn model. 🙂

I love love love these, but I’m definitely not ready to ditch my beloved natural light. The main reason is because as you all know (or you will know if you’re interested in a shoot), I do not have a studio. I lug all of my gear from home to home. I’ve had clients tell me how much they prefer this for newborn shoots, but it is a lot to tote around and using studio lights just added to my luggage…thanks to Jae and her mom for helping this bag lady out a bit! I guess each shoot will just vary according to the weather. Anywhoooo, take a look at the itty bitty model!

 

She wasn’t a huge fan of falling asleep outside of her mommy’s arms, but I won…for a bit. 

Sometimes I just can’t choose if I adore color or black and white!

Thank God for patience because HE knows that Jawelle (Jae) and I had to have it for this shoot to happen. I mean, we talked SOOOO much about the weather over the last month or two that I felt like we became a little closer than we would have otherwise. The rain continued to ruin our plans…weekened…after weekend…after weekend. I think eventually we both just prayed that baby girl would be patient with us and Mother Nature. Luckily, we were able to make the shoot happen.

Again, I’m thankful for the support that I am continuously getting, and it’s always great when people suggest me to their awesome friends and family members. I believe Jae found me through suggestions from a few friends. Not only was she so sweet, but her boyfriend and mother were pretty sweet too! I did something that I don’t normally do, and I shot a birthday party (see previous blog) AND this maternity shoot. I played it cool, but after being in the sun, chasing babies for pics, etc……..I was DOG TIRED. I also knew I  had a 10 hour drive ahead of me. As soon as I met Jae and her family, I felt very positive vibes, and I just knew that all was going to go well. We chatted throughout the shoot, and I remember leaving the shoot and calling my boyfriend (as I do after every shoot), and just telling him how this family was such a breath of fresh air! I wouldn’t have wanted to work with any other family on the evening of her maternity shoot.

Prayers for a safe delivery, Jae! I’m looking forward to someday getting baby girl in front of my camera! 🙂

Piedmont Park is just so huge that I never think to suggest it for maternity shoots, but Jae was all up for it! I love the city behind them! 

Her little dog, Wiz, was a nice touch, with his little cute Polo shirt. LOL!

Thanks for looking!

How did I NOT blog these pics?! AH. So Pey, my God daughter turned one earlier this year. Having a cake smash was just not even a question. Her mom and I collaborated on the perfect props (tutu’s) and things of that nature for her Cake Smash. Her birthday celebration was a “Winter ONEderland” theme.

The cake smash was going great, and I was just loooving the shots I was getting up until we brought the cake out. I was told that kids either love or hate the texture of the icing. Well, she showed us immediately which spectrum she was on. I should have known that my girl would bring the tears at some point. I still adore the pictures, and it taught me a valuable lesson. ALWAYS get shots (baby and detail) juuuuust in case they don’t like the idea of smashing their cake.

Check out these facial expressions! LOL!

“What is THIS?!”

I can’t wait to have my own kids and put them through this type of stuff, but until then…It’s more than a pleasure to subject my God children to my idea of “fun” (Check out my God son’s HERE) ! LOL! These are the pics that parents will always adore and pull out to embarrass ya! HEHE!

 

Thanks for looking!

This family needs no introduction. Missed the window for a maternity shoot and the birth of Hailey so we got together for Hailey’s newborn pictures. SO happy with the results. I’m falling more and more with newborns!

SO excited to share something a tad different for me. I’ve been second shooting weddings for Craig and taking a few nice pictures while attending weddings of close friends and family, but I’ve recently started getting inquiries to do weddings as the lead photographer! I must say that I respect that area of photography sooooo much. It is TOUGH TOUGH work, but I was fortunate to work with a bride that believed in me 100%. Porscha was the opposite of a Bride-zilla!!! Since the first time we met over coffee she was as sweet as can be. We talked about her wedding details and everything in between for about TWO hours! It’s no wonder that she had about 17 honorary bridesmaids. When a person is as kind and genuine as Porscha you have to expect her to have a lot of friends. Not only is Porscha awesome, but so is her new husband, Marlon. He was easy going, and I absolutely loooooved watching their connection on their special day…so much so that I cried that day… A LOT. There was SOOO much love and emotion, and I just hope I captured that. I pray that you two live happily ever after…I believe in that kind of stuff. 😉

It has been sooo hard sitting on these bridal pictures! Porscha looked SO beautiful!!!

…and now for the wedding day! She isn’t really into make-up…and lucky for her she was gorgeous and glowing before she even put her make-up on.“Today starts forever.”

“Yep. & I can’t wait!”

I LOOVE LOVE LOVE this shot. It looks like Porscha was happy and possessed all of the confidence in the world…as every bride should on this special day.

One of the first and only things that Porscha felt was imperative for me to capture on this day was something symbolizing how much she loved her late aunt. She wanted her presence to be a part of the ceremony in some type of way. There was a candle lit in her memory before the ceremony began. I’m sure her aunt was looking down on this day and crying happy tears with the rest of us.

Marlon waiting anxiously to see his leading lady for their “first look”…

Marlon’s boys!

& now for the reception…

Porscha’s brother gave the most heartfelt toast.

& Marlon’s friend and co-worker gave the funniest toast.

One of my favorite moments of the day/evening was Porscha and her brother’s surprise first dance. They danced to all of the classics. It was definitely something to see!

Their relationship is simply AMAZING.

& a special thanks to Shawnell Pollock for suggesting me to Porscha and my second shooter, Jacque…aka my mom. This wouldn’t have happened without you two.

Thanks for looking!!!