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!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's on a SATURDAY?!?!?! What awesome wedding potential! This year I am blessed to have multiple Valentine's....a group of great friends, my husband, and my three munchkins. Glenn and I will be sharing the day together, but we'll be busy shooting a wedding with a good friend of ours. He better reserve some energy for after the wedding though - I'm expecting a romantic dessert by candle light ;) Have a great V-day...I hope it's filled with the people you love most!

...better late than never!

I know I have been a total slacker when it comes to updating my blog. I am happy to announce that we are finally settled in our amazing new home and I am back on track and in the "groove". The coffee pot is brewing around 7:30 every morning and I am at the top of my game! (huge baseball stadium cheer)

We hosted our first of many 'breakfast in your jammies' on the first of February. The morning was filled with plenty of great food and some of the best friends anyone could ask for. (And, I must say that even with all the little munchkins running around, we didn't get a single stain on the brand spankin' new carpet! woo who!) Here's a glimpse of the morning..........

Megan is all smiles in her maroon jannmie top, eating my awesome breakfast casserole!

Kyle even came with his best morning hair! If we had a contest, he would have won for sure!
Jackie and Kevin (with baby #2 in the oven! yay!)

Christina - and her best pose for my camera ;) hahaha She's so fun!

The boys (minus Chance), looking GQ.

...and the entire munchkin gang. There was not one whine! They all had a blast!

Next planned theme...an 80's bbq this spring!

Breathe in, breathe out. AH.

On top of re-vamping my website, MOVING, designing albums and the stress of every day life dilemmas - Chance is teething and waking up at least three times a night, just wanting to be held.  I think my eyes are almost swollen shut from being soooooooo tired!  hahaha  Oh, the joys of motherhood!  I wouldn't trade it for the world though.

The next two weeks are going to be insane, but I promise to get a handle on this blog once we move into the new house on February 1st!  (huge baseball stadium cheer)  We're hosting a 'breakfast in your jammies' on our first morning, so if you want to join us - let me know!  =)  Pictures will definitely be posted ;)

Calling all 2010 SENIORS!!!!

YAY!!!!!!  I have decided to take on senior portrait season this year!  Unfortunately I don't have a lot to show for a portfolio.  SO, to fix this dilemma, I will be shooting FIVE senior's portraits for FREE.  That's right, up to two hours of my time, all the edits and a high resolution disc with print release...all for free.  No joke.

If you have a senior, are a senior, or know a senior in Hampton Roads...please pass this on and have them e-mail me at...likeadreamphotography@gmail.com.

Will + Katie=husband + wife

Back in December 2007 I got an e-mail from an old friend in North Carolina, saying she was sending a bride my way. Referrals are my absolute favorites, so I was more than excited to say the least! The next day, Katie (the bride) called and I was mailing out her contract before I knew it...without ever meeting! In fact, we never met in person until her wedding day!

Let me tell you - this girl is STUNNING, the ceremony was romantic, and the reception was ROCKIN'! See for yourself......

the groom (Will) and all of his handsome groomsmen!

Don't they look great?!

The gorgeous bride and all of her bridesmaids (I LOVE the dresses she chose!!)

Will anxiously awaiting 'the moment'...

Katie, just outside the church waiting for the doors to open!

Some of the cutest flower girls I've seen.

I had to stay in the far back of the church, but I still managed some gorgeous shots =)

After they said "I do." we walked across the street for some photos. (The little town was so cute!)

i love this moment.

Katie's dad sang to them while they danced!

the party went strong all the way to the end. It truly was a night to remember!

Congratulations Katie and Will!