. BE YOURSELF .

It’s something I have always tried to remain true to. It wasn’t always easy! Thankfully I had several influences in my life that encouraged me to be myself.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and how to reach those kids that are in that crucial stage of their lives! I remember all too well what it was like to be in that stage! It’s awkward and painful and confusing and stressful. You want all the attention in the world but you don’t want anyone to notice you. You feel stuck.

I want to document this stage – this important phase of life that we seem to wish away so quickly. As parents you wish your little guy or girl would just come back to you and this stage would pass. When you are going through it you can’t wait to grow up – to not be a kid anymore!

You are becoming who you are during these moments! I want to capture those faces – show the beauty in them!

. BECOMING WHO YOU ARE .

When you book a session for your 9 to 14 y/o during the month of February – you get $50 off your session!

(the session doesn’t have to take place in February – just the deposit down)

On a side note – I was struggling with the decision to focus on only seniors, babies & maternity, and brides with weddings with Fitzy coming. Are you kidding me? I can’t give up the rest of you! I will still be doing all sorts of photography sessions – families, babies, kiddos, maternity, pets, seniors, just because, pretty much anything! I will only be taking appointments 3 days a week this year so make sure to get your appointment on the calendar!

Thank you again to all of you that support me. pray for me. encourage me. love me.

. BE YOURSELF .

I met Julie at Athens Wesleyan Church – what seems like a lifetime ago! She is now a mommy to sweet little *E*!

HOW CUTE IS SHE!

I love that one – even though it’s blurry!

Julie – thank you so much for having me over to photograph your sweetness!

I met Nicole and Dustin over FACEBOOK last year. We did their maternity photos and had such a fun time!

When little *E* came – we did his newborn and three month photos – I can hardly believe that it’s time for his SIX month session!

He is such a RIDICULOUS cutie – I can’t even stand it!

What a gorgeous family!

I am not usually a fan of Valentine’s Day – but this makes my heart skip a beat!

BE STILL MY HEART!

Nicole & Dustin – thank you so much for having me over! Thank you even more for becoming GREAT friends!

I love the outfit and little blankets you got for Fitzy! Thank you so much!!

I met James during one of the best summers of my life – the summer of 2000! It was filled with drive-ins, mini-golf, video games, late LATE nights, and so many memories!

James and Laura were also the second wedding I ever shot – and now I am photographing their little miracle!

James has some of the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen – I think baby *J* will have the same ones!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

That might be one of my favorite shots EVER of a newborn!!

Laura – thanks so much for having me over to photograph your Christmas miracle! Can’t wait to get our baby boys together and make a new generation of memories!!!!

Lindley and I met on FACEBOOK – I’m not really sure how or why – but we have mutual friends in common! She contacted me about doing a senior session for her graduation from college – Philadelphia University to be exact! Which is where I went for my first semester of college!

We had the session set up for Phillie and then the weather was bad and then our schedules didn’t match up – and then she was home on break and we FINALLY fit a session in!

It wasn’t any higher than 28 degrees the whole time but Lindley was a rock star!

LOVE THOSE SHOTS!!!!

How AWESOME are those shoes!!

My favorite shots of the session!!!

Thanks so much Lindley – it was great to finally meet you!

I met with Zack on a chilly afternoon for his senior pictures – he would have liked more snow but we worked with what nature gave us!

One of my favorite shots from the session!

Thanks so much Zack! Have a great senior year!!

Why are YOU here? On this earth – in THIS country – residing in THIS town – knowing the people that you know?

I know the answer.

To share the good news of Jesus with everyone you meet – everyone you know – everyone you come in contact with!

Do you do it? I don’t. I need to.

Why is it so hard – the people in my life are people that I want to go to heaven – to escape the eternity of hell we all deserve.

There are people that aren’t in my life – that I have never met – the need to know Jesus. EVERYONE needs to know Jesus – everyone needs to be spared the eternity of hell.

Why is it that I can’t talk to my best friends about the importance of accepting Jesus – my grandparents – my aunts and uncles?

Why is it that I can write about it so openly on here – it’s not anonymous – you know who I am.

My aunt L – my DEAR aunt L – recently started an evangelism class. In her class there was a challenge – to share the love of Christ with one person you didn’t know that week. Most of the time I think it’s much easier to share with someone you don’t know than someone you do. If you share with someone you don’t know and they think you are crazy – you don’t have to see them again – most likely! When you share your love of Jesus with someone you know – someone you are close to – and they think you are crazy – you don’t have anywhere to go!

And that reason alone is one of the big reasons why I don’t share the way I should – which is weird because I normally don’t care what people think of me!

So here goes with the first step!

God created the universe – every last ounce of matter! He created you and me. He loves you and me. We sin – every day. Sin separates us from God – Jesus bridges that gap. Jesus is God’s son – who died – for you and me. He takes on our sin so that we don’t have to live in hell for eternity – be separated from God. Ask Him into your heart – ask Him into your life! Ask Him to CHANGE your life – to change the way you think – the way you interact – the way you LIVE!

You will not regret it!!

So I leave you with this challenge – this week share Jesus with someone you don’t know – let me know how it goes!

Next week – share with someone you DO know – someone that doesn’t know Jesus – let me know how it goes!

Praying for your encounters!!

Laura contacted me about doing a session for her sister and their little cousins – as a Christmas present for her sister!

When I got to their house I realized that I knew the little cousins – I photographed them last year!!

SUCH A HANDSOME COWBOY!!

Laura – thanks again for setting up a session! Can’t wait to see you for our next one!!

Vicky emailed me in November to set up an appointment for her little guy – who turned one on December 27th!

He was such a poser and way too cute for words!

MAGICAL!

I CANNOT STAND THE CUTENESS!!!

Vicky – thank you SO MUCH for asking me into your home!!! I had a great time getting to know your family and am looking forward to our next session!!

Anita contacted me about a family session as a gift for her grandparents! Little did I know that I know her grandparents – such amazing people!

We met on a chilly afternoon in early January!

You guys were so much fun! Thank you so much for asking me to capture your family!!