MARCH 5-on-5

Another doozy of a month in the too-busy-to-focus-at-all-on-photography department, but thankfully this last 10 days we have experienced two or three seasons in Atlanta, so nature provided me with inspiration.

Jasmine...my favorite smell. Unfortunately, my huge vine that does so well does not produce much in the aromatic department. But it more than makes up for it with this gorgeous showing the first few days of March.

That first flower on the clematis vine...signaling to the rest that it's go-time.

My favorite, for sure. New life totally pushing the dead out of the way to reach the sun's rays.

My girl. This falls under the category of trying to capture the very real moments of our every day. She drinks a smoothie every morning, and she often tips it this way, even though she knows 'it's a sipper, not a tipper'.

Unrealistic because she'll never keep anything in her hair for more than a few moments, but I love the contrast created by the bright sun, and I love how she fits in the shadow of the tree.

Feel like seeing more photos? Continue the blog circle to Nicole's post.

FEBRUARY 5-on-5

This was a very non-photography busy month for our family. So busy that there was even a full 7 days at one point that my camera didn't get touched! But the month started with a bang, giving me so many fun photo opportunities within 36 hours, so I can't complain too much.

I had the honor of shooting the wedding of two 'kids' that I have seen grow up over the last 6-ish years. They are in a band together and I've been able to take photos of the band and be fans of the band, all through them growing their relationship. The wedding was beautiful - more beautiful than any I can remember because of all of the cool details that made it their day. And then, God gave us a random snow/ice storm in the midst of two weeks where the temperatures hovered in the high 50's. When I say God gave them that storm, He absolutely did...it made the wedding even more amazing and an absolute dream to photograph.

This was one of my favorites because of the moment it was. Bride-to-be getting her hair and make-up done by two of her friends while her little sister peaks in. This all took place in both girl's older sister's house. Memories, memories, memories.

Is there anything more special than the moment when a bride and groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day? I do not shoot weddings often, but I am such a fan of the 'first look' because of the quiet moments (outside of my camera clicking) it gives them in what is usually a noisy day. Oh yeah, and when your couple is super cool and wears homemade ties and gold dresses, every photo looks amazing.

Again, weddings are not something I usually shoot, mainly because I don't feel creative enough to make the day look anything other than cookie cutter. This was my attempt to make a simple bridal party photo interesting. I love how it turned out.

The ceremony and reception were in the darkest of dark places. The beautiful string lights made the atmosphere so dim and intimate, but they did not give off nearly enough light for my comfort zone. I decided to test my camera for the ISO it boasts. Almost all of the ceremony photos were over ISO2000. Big step for a girl who likes to shoot at 400 or less.

 The moment right after they walk out of the ceremony, right after they have been pronounced husband and wife. You can't script this stuff...

Feel like seeing more photos? Continue the blog circle to Stephanie's post.

JANUARY 5-on-5

Since having Ruby, my focus on my photography has been more reactive and less intention. I've traded my desire to capture unposed people, real-life moments for what I think my clients want instead. This year I plan to right that ship. One of the ways I will be challenging myself will be by joining some other photographers each month for a 5 on 5: my five favorite personal images for the previous month.

These people. They are my people. They let me photograph their crazy, their love, their lives.

The girls have a very special bond, mainly because my older daughter was a born caretaker. She will kiss and hug and feed and entertain more than my younger daughter will allow. There are so many sweet moments like this between them; this year I WILL pause to record them more often.

My circus. We are so unbelievably blessed to have found a family to do life with when our oldest boys met in Kindergarten. These six are as close to siblings as they could be and I love them all.

One of my best friends has been praying for a baby for as long as I've known her. This fall she had her long awaited son and he is perfect. I am ever grateful to her for letting me crash her home in the early weeks of his birth to take some raw footage of the early, anxious, blissful days of his life.

I love engagement shoots. Especially when I know the couple. Especially when the smiles can't be wiped off of their faces and their natural interactions with each other trump any posing suggestions I may have.

Feel like seeing some fabulous photos? Continue the blog circle to Stephanie's post.