I have known Belinda since 8th grade – where we met at church! We both went to Mansfield University and share a close friend – Jessica! Jessica was a bridesmaid in my wedding and Belinda’s! Belinda and I were both in Jessica’s wedding!

Belinda & Nate were the third wedding that I photographed! I took their engagement photos long before I even thought about starting a photography business!

They have gone through so much heartache in their dream to have a child – we have cried together and prayed together.

Now we are rejoicing together!

*C* was born on January 27th and I just had to get over to the hospital to see them the next day! I could hardly keep it together walking in that room – so much emotion!

Knowing that Belinda and Nate have been waiting years for this moment – and now it’s here – was just too much to take!

Little *C* is about 30 hours old in these photos!

The first thing I said when I walked in the room and saw him was – HE IS SO FAT! This is an instance where I don’t think before I speak – it happens more often than not! But you see – the thing is – I LOVE LOVE LOVE chubby babies! The fatter the better – and he is just so chubby!!

HOW AMAZING AND PRECIOUS IS HE!

He is just perfection!!

I added the watercolor effect to this one! He is just so precious – I can’t get enough!

Belinda & Nate – thanks so much for letting me come over and snap some photos of him – and share in your joy! We are SO happy for both of you!

We have been attending Liberty Bible Church since October – and are loving it!

A few weeks ago – the sermon focused on the giants you face in life.

David faced his own giant in Goliath. Instead of seeing the giant and realizing the impossible – he saw the giant and realized the possible – that he couldn’t miss! David was an optimist – much unlike myself! He faced his giant and he won!

Our pastor asked what our giants were in our own life – addiction – anger – worry – hatred – you get the point.

Right now in my life – my giants are jealousy and anger and fear.

There are times that I still feel jealous and angry when I find out about someone expecting. When that person didn’t have to try very hard – didn’t have to struggle for a beautiful miracle – doesn’t even know what is lying in their own womb – so precious. It’s hard to have those feelings – to admit to those feelings.

I look at other photographers and wonder why I can’t be at their level. I look at everyone around me buying cameras and wonder where my business is headed.

I get so caught up with what I think should happen with my babies – Fitzy and barden photography – that I don’t let God take control. Remember – I am a control freak and giving that up – even to God – is very difficult.

I want to not worry about Fitzy – whether he has moved in a few hours or not – whether he is okay in there – what will happen when he is born and we bring him home and he is actually ours! What happens when I’m not a perfect parent and I mess up – make mistakes – will it affect him greatly. What happens when he is at a friend’s house and has a piece of hard candy and I’m not there to make sure he sits down while he is eating it! (I hate seeing kiddos with hard candy – it makes me a nervous wreck) When he goes to school that first day and I’m not there! His first sleepover – his first time driving – that first time driving without me in the car – when he goes to college – gets married – has babies of his own! Oh my!

I want to not worry about photography – will I get enough to make it by this month – will I get enough weddings for the year – will I lose the clients I love – will facebook really hurt me or help me! I love that God gave me this passion and talent – I love that I get to share it with so many of you. Through this blog and my sessions – my clients have become friends – dear friends! I’ve been struggling lately with some issues that I need to give to God in regards to this baby. Please pray for me!

So – those are my giants – what are yours ?

You don’t have to share them with me – or anyone – just think about it – pray about it – give it to God!

I met Jessica on FACEBOOK – I think! We met in person at the BRIDAL EXPO jut two weeks before her big day!

It was a COLD day for a wedding – but so beautiful!

Their little sweetness *K* – she was such a great flower girl!

I love love love LOVE this little guy – I could photograph him ALL day!!

What a breathtaking couple!

Such a fun wedding party!!

BEAUTIFUL!!

Thank you so much James & Jessica! This was my last wedding until June 25th – after Fitzy is here!!

You guys made it a great first wedding of 2011 and last wedding before our baby boy arrives!

I pray your marriage will be filled with love and joy!

I met Jeanette on FACEBOOK and set up an appointment for her sweet kiddos!

Her little guy *C* is 2 and such a great big brother!

HOW SWEET IS THAT SERIES!!

Little *C* was a week old when we shot this session – and so alert!

OH MY GOODNESS – so cute!

WHAT AN ANGEL!

Jeanette – thanks so much for welcoming me into your home and lives! Can’t wait till our next session!!

I met Brianne through Chelsie – who I met through Stephanie – have I lost you yet? At Stephanie’s wedding in June – her future sister-in-law Chelsie told me how much her sister-in-law Brianne loved my work. She wanted to get her a gift certificate for Rylee’s 6 month portraits. Not long after – Brianne called me and made an appointment for Rylee’s 1 year portraits! Brianne is mega organized – like me – and since she already planned a session with me – Chelsie got her a GC for the 1st year session!

We have had this planned since July! I cannot believe time flew so fast!

How RIDICULOUS is she!!

AHHHHH!!

Those shots are my FAVORITE!!!

Sweet baby girl and her momma!

I love sessions in the snow!!!

Thank you for opening up your home to me on your baby girl’s special morning! I can’t wait till our next session!

Thank you also for the baby blanket and photo book for Fitzy! We are so blessed!

I can’t remember how I met Alexis – through a referral of some sort – but the person escapes me at the moment! Which is normal due to this pregnancy!

Kent & Alexis will be my first wedding back after having Fitzy – I am so excited!

We have been waiting for this engagement session for some time! We finally fit it in on a chilly January afternoon – 21 degrees to be exact!

She can totally bring it!!

Love those shots!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE those!!

FLAMMABLE INDEED!!

I mean seriously – I CANNOT WAIT to shoot their wedding!

You guys were awesome! Thank you so much for being troopers in the chilly weather!!! See you in June!!

. 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!!