CALLING ALL 2010 SENIORS!!!!! Spread the word!

A few months ago I posted a request for 2010 senior rep. volunteers.  *drumroll please*  Meet Tiffany!  

I actually met Tiffany 19 years ago - I was seven, she was two.  My mom used to babysit her and her brother, Billy.  You might be doing the math in your head - YES, she is turning 21 and is not a highschool senior, but rather a senior in college!  We have crossed paths on holidays over the years, but have not ever really 'hung out'.  Instead, we keep up with each other through myspace and facebook.  (Seriously, I have three kids and a full time photography career so by the time I get a free minute to socialize - it's the wee hours of the morning and it would be rude to call =)  SO, facebook has become my new addiction but has paid off as far as me becoming a little more intimate and in tune with the people that mean the most to me.  I love it!  It's totally on my time.  Anyway, Tiffany responded to my request with a note - "Do seniors in college count?"  I giggled and jumped at the chance to photograph such a gorgeous girl - inside and out!

I had a vision for a field with wild flowers.  We couldn't find one, but this worked =)

Isn't she gorgeous?!

At this point, I was like - "When did little Tiff grow up?!  She's a woman now! eek!"

The locals put bowls of milk out for the strays, so we had a guest during the session.  How cool is that?!

This is her prom dress - I wish I could still fit in mine!

Oh boy was it windy!  and cold!

I loved this one!

A Playdate On the Beach...

I have been on myspace for a couple of years now, but just recently joined facebook. I have not yet taken full advantage of the networking potential, but dabbled a bit by posting an offer for a free session/playdate on the beach.  Two families responded, so we dressed up the kiddos and packed some beach toys for play after the session.  Here's a peak at the evening - the sunset took my breath away!

Bri and Riley - sisters.  Poor Riley - suffering from 'little sister initiation'.  hehehehee

Aren't they just gorgeous?!

And here's Jackie - she's due in June with her second son.

Here's the future big brother, Caleb with Mommy!

and here are my munchkins =)

Thank you for a great time Christina and Jackie!  I will be posting other special offers and promotions this summer and everyone is invited to respond - don't be shy =)

First story board!!! ever.

I am pressed for time and have spread myself a little thin this month, but life is awesome and I have much to blog about, but for now *sigh*, here's a little sneak peak at this past weekends stunning bride, Abby.  I love her!!!!

Jasmane and Steven = Valentine's Day Wedding!

February 14,2009 fell on a Saturday - what could be a more perfect wedding date than Valentine's day - the day of LoVe!?!?!?!  

Glenn and I married back in December of 2002... we were young and broke, but so in love and just wanting to be called husband and wife.  Nothing mattered to us other than that commitment and being surrounded by the ones we love when we said "I do."  I picked our date for the single fact that we'd have a pre-decorated church and would be able to cut cost.  It was Christmas season so our church had beautifully decorated trees as well as poinsettias.  Though it was romantic and candle-lit,  I now wish I had put more thought into our date to make it a little more sentimental - August, when we first started dating, or February for Valentine's day - or New Year's for an insanely awesome way to ring in the new year =)  In the end though, I do have such a 'catch' for a husband so it's okay *wink. wink.*

Anyway, this past Valentine's day was Jasmane and Steven's BIG day!  Hearts adorned everything from the arch under which they got married to the cake.  Splashes of pink, red and white added to the theme - everything from the white tuxes, to the red bridesmaid dresses, to the smallest pink detail - it was perfect.  Steven and Jasmane - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

WOWZA!

The sweetest girl I've ever known is also the God-mother to all three of my children.  She's just amazing!  

A few years back, she was on the dating scene and went out with loser after loser.  Then, after Grace was born almost four years ago, she brought a guy over that just didn't look like her "type"- he was clean cut, and looked like the "all American" guy.  She introduced him as Tim - her 'friend'.  We stepped into the kitchen and left Tim in the living room with the baby.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked back out and saw him holding Grace, baby talking her!  I knew he was what she needed!  

Tim and Kristina have been together ever since and I now love him as much as I do her.  He proposed last year and immediately they asked if I'd photograph their big day!  The wedding's next month and I can't wait!!!!  

Glenn and I traveled with the kids to NC last week and shot some bridal portraits at the castle location Tim and Kristina chose for their ceremony location.  I am blown away.  Maybe I'm partial because she's my best friend, but she's one of the most stunning brides I've ever seen.  You'll have to wait to see the dress until after they're married, but I did get a killer headshot that I can post ;)

I joined Wave Photography Team!!!! Woo WHO!

Boy-oh-boy is God moving in my life!  For a while now, I've been contemplating on ways I could contribute to one of the many volunteer teams at my church.   I once tried serving in the nursery...let's just say, it wasn't what I'm 'called' to do!  Hahahaha.  Babies are sweet, innocent and cute but somehow I volunteered for the evening service and wound up with a room full of sleepy babies that just wanted their crib.  Afterwards I had to muster up even more energy to lug my own sleepy munchkins home and get them to bed.  Though it did feel good to contribute where service was needed - it just wasn't in my heart.  I kept praying for God to unveil where he needed me in His house.

Then about two weeks ago I received a phone call from a woman named 'Promise' (gorgeous name, I know)!  She explained that she was the head of the new 'Wave Photography Team' and my name had been mentioned during their meeting.  She explained that the team consisted of both aspiring and professional photographers that volunteer their time to photograph different church events and went on to ask if I'd be interested in joining!  YOU BETCHYA'!  I was pumped!  Yes, our church is quite large and has video camera's everywhere, but I had no idea a photography team even existed!  What an opportunity to serve, doing something I love and can give my entire heart doing!!!!!  Thank you God!!!  Once again you have answered my prayer and have delivered bigger than I ever imagined.  (How awesome is our God?!?!?!)

I had my first 'job' on the team yesterday - photographing water baptism's after the 6pm service.  It was such an honor to witness something so powerful and 'freeze' that moment for so many people.  It's like they are embraced by God and I had the opportunity to capture it with my camera!  *sigh*  Here's a little peak...

Um, I think we may have picked the wrong time of year for our FAMILY vacation....

WOW!  I have really neglected my blog and updates!  Time has really slipped through my fingers lately.  Between motherhood, photo sessions, church, and traveling - I was torn in so many different directions that my blog was put on the back burner.  Wedding season is HERE and (drumroll please) I am back!  Not only that, but I am now equipped with my macbook pro and she will be with me on the road...destination weddings, here we come!

God is good!  I have been doing a lot of research lately - just on different avenues I could possibly take for advertising.  Starting my business a few years ago, I took full advantage of craigslist, but now with me being more 'established'...it's not the best place for me.  With that being said - I don't think that paying $150+ per month on various different sites is the best place for me at this time either.  While I believe in the old saying, "You get what you pay for", my business and household income just can't afford that right now.  What do I do when I feel totally lost?  I pray.  So I sat down and talked to God, asked for guidance and for Him to lead me in the direction he wanted me to go.  My phone rang.  On the other end was a referral from a bride three years ago!  Since that day, I've had three additional referral calls - I think God is telling me that my business is in His hands.  How amazing is that?!  I've decided (for now) to network on facebook and maybe enter a few online photo competitions.  Watch out world - here we come!  I am pumped up!

*deep breath, exhale* ah! Now let's move on to the section of this post that reflects my title ;) ....A couple weeks ago my dad gifted our family a trip to Florida as an early birthday present to me.  Glenn and I sat down to look at our calendar for possible vacation dates and decided on his college spring beak week so that he wouldn't have to miss any class...not thinking of the fact that every other college student has off that week and would probably be partying on the beach while we were there with our small children.  We rented a car and drove the dreadful 14 hours of endless, tree lined interstate for an entire week of visiting my awesome dad and gorgeous step-mom.  Our first morning there, we loaded the car with beach toys, a jam-packed cooler, towels, sunscreen, etc and hit the beach.  Once we arrived, we were suddenly aware that we were surrounded by swarms of partying spring-breakers with beer in hand.  Thankfully, the kiddos were so thrilled for sand-castle building that they never noticed anything but the blue/green water and white sand! hahaha  Me being a photographer/people watcher though...I couldn't pass up snapping a few shots to sum up the day....heheheheeeee

Do you see what I mean when I say that the kids were oblivious to their surroundings?!

And to imagine that with the body of a woman that will NEVER wear a bikini again, I was afraid of my husband's reaction when placed on a beach flooded with hot, college girls - HA!  I love this man.

THIS is why I love people watching...(I apologize for the second photo - his attire, not his actions is my reason for posting)

And this next photo is more of a warning...keg stands on the beach are not only illegal, but also dangerous.  Drinking impairs judgement - excessive drinking is a promise for impaired judgement.  This coupled with the fact that you are wearing next to nothing in the scorching sun and near an ocean with deep water filled with sharks and strong currents, is not a good mix.  I have a feeling that these spring beakers were in for a rough night...blistering sunburns and hang-overs don't sound like much fun.

The rest of the week was not quite as eventful, but amazing, nonetheless.  Here's a collage of a few pictures from our vacation :)  Texas is next!