The "F" family!
These cute kiddos participated in the portrait fundraiser held a week ago at Equine Kingdom in Greensboro. Sally Cochran is the owner and instructor of Equine Kingdom and just relocated her stables to their permanent residence. The new place meant lots of new items and gear not just for the farm but the horses and students so the portrait fundraiser was a great way to help raise money for the things they need.
So what did they win? A FREE 16x20 canvas of one of the images from their session! Each family who had their portrait made was entered into a drawing for a beautiful canvas like the one the F family will receive! Can't wait to share the rest of the images which will go up on their gallery this week. Thank you again to ALL the families who came out to support Equine Kingdom! www.equinekingdom.com/
Another season has come and gone and I realized I've relied on FB for most of my updates and neglected my blog for some time now! This summer has been a great opportunity to tackle several projects and work with old and new clients as well as my training. I joined PPNC this year (http://www.ppofnc.com/) and was really inspired to concentrate on my education and begin the process to become a Certified Professional Photographer. It's not an easy goal, less than 5% of all professional photographers ever earn their certification, but I feel ready and accept that I have several years of rigorous training ahead of me!
This particular shoot was shot with a select group of images in mind to be submitted to PPNC convention in March to be critiqued by a panel of judges for constructive feedback. If I'm lucky enough to earn merits this time around it will go toward my education as part of the certification process. Thank you to Carrie Pope for letting me drag her 4 poster bed outside and her beautiful daughter 'A' for being so cooperative in the mid-day heat. And of course, Rinda, for letting us use her place, what an amazing farm!
If you've ever had a child or cared for a small child, you know how much they change and grow the first year. The same little wriggling mewing infant that once fit in the crook of your arm can now crawl, maybe even walk, and trying to babble your name! So often parents say to me how they wish they had taken more pictures the first year of life just for that very reason and when I have the privilege of photographing these wee ones a year later it is with so much enthusiasm. This little guy made his debut on here just 12 short months ago and as you can see now is growing into one of the most beautiful little boys I've ever photographed.
It's hard to believe a week ago today our family room was a sea of wrapping paper and boxes, candy canes and baby dolls, transformers and mega blocks. There's something so completely magical about Christmas morning. Kids waking up way before dawn, the lights of the tree illuminating the dark. Packages tucked away waiting to be torn into and stockings with curious shapes making you wonder what's inside. We've been so blessed to have three children and experiencing Christmas morning with each of them as been just as thrilling from the first born to the last. Our youngest is a year and a half old and really took interest this year. It was no surprise she loved the baby Santa left for her even though it still brought tears to my eyes when she snuggled her close. What surprised us more was that our busy toddler sat for hours and drew on her Aqua Doodle mat! Who knew we had an artist in the family. Maybe that's part of the magic of Christmas.
Welcoming a new baby into the world is one of the most exciting moments in a parent's life. Bringing home baby is probably a close runner-up! It's always a privilege when new parents invite me to share the first 48 hours of their child's life to document and create images that will last forever. While we can't freeze those moments in time, those images of the first few days of life serve as a keepsake that mom and dad can look back on and remember the joy and love they share as they welcome this new little person into their lives.
I love the little guys. Perfect little tiny toes, eyes that sparkle, and tiny hands that curl around your own. The newborn sessions are always a favorite and this sweet little one holds a very special place in my heart. His mommy introduced me to the love of my life! 17 years later my dear husband is still the love of my life and father to our three beautiful children. I love that the circle of life brought us together again to reminisce and relish in her journey now as a new mom.
Autumn is my favorite time of year and I'm so thrilled to share one of my recent family sessions on the new blog! We had such a great time together at the Oak Ridge Town Park and the weather was absolutely perfect! The hour just before sunset lends itself to some really amazing light and this particular afternoon was no exception. I'm so glad I had the privilege of meeting this awesome family and their four-legged friend who stole the show!
