Photo Session at the Ann Close Dairy Farm in Fort Mill, SC

I'm not going to lie. I struggle waking up on Saturdays.  Though my military roots aren't too fast to fade, I enjoy my Saturdays because they are much more relaxed.  My shoots seem to go extremely smoothly on these days as well because I generally schedule no more than two on these days.

I was blessed.

Can I get an AMEN!

I am blessed! I get the best clients! The Vollen Family was amazing.  They welcomed me and I welcomed them and we sincerely brought my art and profession under the beautiful sun flares and autumn leaves. 

Oh So Candid Family Shoot with the Hardmans: A Sneak

Candid moments are great.

They are the things that let us know the human condition still remains.

They are not hallow social media selfies.  They are real. They are beautiful. They never go out of style.

They are my specialty.

The great thing about  shooting close family friends is that they trust your ability to accurately use creative license: in other words, you can be yourself. You can use your specialty.

***

It was weird to see someone you had known since they were a teenager be so grown up. My first thought was "he has kids and EVERYTHING." My next thought was "gosh, you're such an old bird now."

  Although we aren't really that far apart in age, I have always thought of Randy as my little brother (he kinda is since he is the younger brother of my very best friend). But, to see him grow into such a mature, responsible father of two in awe inspiring.  I now look at his family and think "wow, they were always there, just not there yet." It's surreal.

This weekend, he and his kids ventured a few hundred miles back in to NC territory for Easter Weekend and I made good on my promise to retake their pictures.  I'm so happy it worked out because I got to capture so many great moments in this beautiful little family.  These kids could not ask for a better father and he couldn't ask for better more joyous kids. They all got to be themselves. They let me be myself.  Couldn't have asked for a better photo session.

Baby Shower: A Party and a Reunion

Pleasantries and great fun from the 40th birthday and Baby Shower of my dear dear friend who I had not seen in over 10 years. Such a joyous reunion and amazing occasion.

"Mini" Mini Family Photo Shoot

As many of you guys know, I have taken a step back from doing so many family portraits to focus my business on wedding, engagement, and couple clientele.  This is not to say that I dislike photographing families, kids, etc.  I absolutely LOVE photographing families.  It's just not something that I can devote as much time to now that my business has begun changing.  With that being said, this weekend, I got the opportunity to do a "Mini" mini Family Shoot: five shots to ten shots, five minutes, five or less people.  Needless to say, it was an awesome time.

Favorite Kid Portraits from the Days Past

I don't like everything I shoot. It could always use improvement.  These are a collection of the Kid Portraits that still make me feel like an accomplished photographer.  Some of them are from YEARS ago while others are quite recent.

Sea Otter Creations Promotional Shoot: Miss Briley Wills

Sea Otter Creations is a Tulsa based handmade children's clothing store. She makes customized orders and sells her original creations.  Store owner, Kimberly Cotter and myself met almost two years ago when I did a photo shoot for her, then, Baby Amelia.  Flash forward to now, Amelia is now a walking toddler, Kimberly is a SAHM, and she SEWS.  When we got together and decided to collaborate on her website photos, I was thrilled when it all started to come together.

There are the first few test shots using items she made for my daughter, Briley.  Can't wait for the weather to clear up so I can get my other little models and shoot more of Kimberly's clothing items from her clothing line.

To order from Sea Otter Creation or to like the page, go to https://www.facebook.com/seaottercreationsOK .  Support Local. Support Handmade.