A super quick sneak peek from the engagement session I shot for my friends Marilynn and Josh out in Seattle. I love these two kids, I love Seattle, and I love these images.
Seattle is SO GREEN. Gorgeous.
Too cute, guys!
This is Jackson:
He is TWO!
I photographed his parents’ wedding six years ago…
Hubba, hubba, Jackson is a flirt! (This is him winking…)
It’s always fun to cut flips and make silly faces!
Jackson is also a muscle-man, doing his push-ups to stay in shape. 🙂
Aaaaaaaaand, he is completely flippin’ adorable, very sweet, and unbelievably friendly….
I’m loving these curls and eyelashes, aren’t you??
*Melt.* My favorite from the session…
Ashley and Trevor, thank you so much for trusting me not only as your wedding photographer, but also as your family photographer.
As always, you may leave a comment for me–or Jackson’s family–below!
Meg and Alex are one of the sweetest, most creative, and just flat-out in love couples I know. I have soooooooooo much to say about these two and their DIY “Picnic in the Park” wedding today, but for now I just want to post a few quick sneak peek pics of these lovebirds.
Happy Wedding Day, Alex & Meg!
Meg, you are beautiful!!
Woohoo, look at you, Alex. 🙂 (By the way, Alex created all of the awesome videos on my website–I lurve them! Go dig around and watch them if you haven’t already!)
“Um, yeah. We’re married.”
Meg & Alex, I wish you more happiness than you can even imagine! Congratulations!
As always folks, it’s such a great feeling when you leave a comment and “show me some love.” Thanks!
CONTEST WINNERS!! I am sooooo far behind on blogging, but I wanted to be sure to announce my contest winners from the “happiness” post! I loved reading all of your entries, and they all made me cry happy tears. (Scroll down to read them if you haven’t already…you may shed a tear or two yourself.) There were two stories, however, that I really seriously loved. Carrie spoke of the simple pleasures of rainy afternoons on the front porch with her husband and kids, and Chrissy wrote beautiful words about the “comfy denim, soft-place-to-land” feelings of fitting in that she has with her love. I think Carrie and Chrissy both perfectly described what we all truly long for…just feeling at home with the ones you love during those little moments that make up life. Congrats ladies–you are both winners! Please email me and let me know if you’d like an iTunes giftcard or a print credit with ACP. [email protected]
Look at this sweet girl!! Amelia’s mommy is my photographer friend Olivia Griffin…when Olivia asked me to take some casual family portraits, I was extremely honored, because Olivia is a fabulous photographer and she chose me for her family’s portraits. I was also extremely intimidated, because Olivia is a fabulous photographer and she chose me for her family’s portraits. 🙂
Olivia requested some portraits that simply show their little family loving and playing together…
Love, love, love this family portrait.
And this one…
Olivia, you’re such a beautiful mommy!
I would like to give a shout out to my new camera, the 5d Mark II….it was pretty much dusk when we shot in this room, but this is where Amelia and Olivia play every day so we had to! Holla, Mark II and your high sensitivity ISO.
So precious!
And one of my favorites from the day…
Olivia, I know you don’t think it’s that big of a deal, but I’m honored that you asked me to photograph your special time with Amelia. I hope you enjoy your images!
As always, folks, I love it when you leave a comment to “show me some love!” (Yeah, I know. I’m all about positive reinforcement. 😉 )
It was July 2008. My two girlfriends and I were on an afternoon sail in Key West, my favorite place on earth (thus far, anyway…). Our buddy Jarred perched easily on the mast playing guitar while we soaked up the sun and floated over the blue water, passing Christmas Tree Island and Mallory Square.
It was beautiful, and peaceful, and easy.
Sometimes, this is life.
We sailed out of the harbor and into the open waters of the Atlantic. We picked up speed. We bounded over the waves. It was choppy. Jarred easily navigated while we feisty little Southern girls got quiet and turned a little green. I will neither confirm nor deny whether there was actual seasickness involved.
It was uncomfortable, and awkward, and we were ready for the rough spots to all be over.
Sometimes, this is life.
We turned back towards the island, and immediately the Carambola sailed more smoothly, the wind seemed less angry, we were relaxed, and the sun began to drop towards the horizon. The worst had passed, and we were all the more grateful for the blue of the water, the sparkle of the sun’s rays on the waves, and the laughter of our free-spirited friends. (Who totally had their sea legs.)
Sometimes, this is life.
As we sailed back into the calm waters of the harbor, Jarred helped me to the bow of the boat. I sat here, leading the way into the sunset, with my toes dipping into the warm waters every time the sailboat bobbed over a wave. I had finally broken ties from a tumultuous relationship that just would not end; my family was adjusting to the fact that my precious grandparents were becoming more dependent on my parents and me; I worked really hard to find peace in my life, but I still hadn’t relaxed enough to let myself be happy again. Until that moment. In the orange Key West twilight with my toes still in the water, I turned to Jarred and to my college friend Brandy, and I said six words that redefined my life:
“I am so happy right now.”
Always, this is life.
Sometimes things are peaceful, sometimes they are rough, and sometimes you just feel sick and awkward. But after you turn yourself around and lift your head back up, there is peace. And then, you find happiness.
CONTEST!!
So tell me: where is your happy place? Where, when, with whom do you find your greatest contentment and happiness? Leave a comment below to share your story. You will be entered to win either an iTunes gift card or free prints from ACP…your choice! You have until 7:00pm EST on Saturday, July 9 Monday, July 12 at 10:00am EST to enter the contest. I can’t wait to read about your happiness!