I can be completely honest here and just say that I was soooo nervous about this shoot. It was completely out of my comfort zone. There were no little ones involved, and it was not to be in a familiar park or in the comfort of their home. Whitney knew from the start that she wanted something different, something honoring her husband’s African culture, aaand she wanted an urban vibe. I think we both knew that Little Five Points would be PERFECT for what she wanted. I just had no idea how I would shoot in such a busy part of town on a Sunday evening. I had no idea where we would shoot because I’ve never even thought about shooting a couple or family down there. Luckily, I’m aaalways up for different and a challenge…and I’m starting to love the adrenaline rush I get from “different” and the unexpected.

Anyway, they were perfect together, and vibed so well together that they needed very little direction. I hope that they felt like this was more of an experience than anything because I truly had a blast during their shoot. We talked, laughed, and they posed here and there. They were extremely easy to work with from the very beginning! Their shoot has me excited to get married……..and to do another photo-shoot in Little Five Points!

I’m hoping to work with you guys again in the near future!!!!

How awesome is the custom attire?! Little details of who they are, weaved all into this shoot. Gosh, they rocked it!

Having a client show up with props unique to their family is simply a photographers dreeeeam!

Love these shots of Whitney dressed in traditional Senegal attire.

Thanks for looking!!!

That amazing person happens to be MY mommy! I’m always on a social network talking about how much my mom means to me, and I don’t mean to gloat or be annoying, but I just love and appreciate my mom SO SO SO very much. So often we see people running to their social networks to vent about their parents or giving them credit only on special occasions. I know that each day we have with our loved ones is a blessing, and I do not take that for granted. Is every day perfect with us? Uh. NO! but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t end with … “I love you, mom.”

Anyway, I’m going to try not to sit here and sob or write a book about my mom, but I just want to acknowledge her birthday on my small space on the web. My mom has been through SO much in life that when her book comes out, I’m sure she’ll be a top seller (Go, mom!). I’m always extremely thankful on her birthday that God has given her the strength another year to continue being the “hard fighting soldier on this battlefield” that she is!

I’m excited to see what this year has in store for you, my love!

SN: These are the pictures I took for my mom’s audition. She just needed a headshot, but we turned it into a little mini shoot. 😉

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!!!