Like A Vapor

Last month I got to photograph a group of Cousins! Fun! I was told it had been several years since the last time they had their Family...er...Cousin Portraits done, so it was much needed.

It was a beautiful day, lovely light, amazing people, but more so then any, I would soon find out later how special that day really was. Because it wasn't any ordinary day, that day was truly a blessing that would later on mean soo much more. But before I can get to that, I want to share the Cousin Portraits with you. They were a great group of ladies to work with and didn't take long before they relaxed and were posing beautifully in front of the camera. Here are a few of my favs from the day:



























I did two sessions in one that day, the cousins and a mini family session w/ Erin, Ben and their son Ryan. I've know Erin and Ben for several years through my fiance, and well of course, Ryan I've know for 4 years :) Erin, Ben and Chris (my fiance) go way back and have been friends way before I even came into the picture. So it was pretty awesome to get to spend some time with them while updating their family portraits. At the time, it just felt like a regular (photography) day, I had no idea I was blessed with capturing such a very special moment.

A couple weeks after taking their family portraits Ben had a massive stroke. It was one of those moments that didn't seem real, how could the man we just saw a few days ago be in the hospital in serious condition?? Ben's health worsened over the next few days and on Dec. 20th, he peacefully passed away.

That day was a really hard day as well as those that followed and continue to follow, for my fiance, his friends and especially for his family. I don't think I'll ever, ever forget what Erin said to us that day. During her grieving she took a moment to console those around her -- Life is short, just because were young doesn't mean we're promised tomorrow. Don't wait to do the things you want to do. Do them now and cherish the time you have together. --

So, this post is dedicated to Ben, someone I know, who will always be remembered by many.

The Faces of Christmas

So, as I mentioned in my last post, one of my favorite things about Christmas is the excitement on other's faces. I love it, absolutely. I wanted to share with you what I got to see on Christmas...it's pretty good stuff.


This is my sister, I surprised her w/ standout prints of her two kitties, Holly and Goat.





Even Bubba, our dog, had a good Christmas. Here he is sporting his new bandana.



My mom, oh my mom. She had the best facial expression of the day, she usually does every year. She had a pretty good Christmas as you can tell, my dad got her very first DSLR camera.







That's a robe, apparently my mom loves robes. :)



My dad had a good Christmas too, lots of "toys" for him to play with.



I was really excited to give my aunt her gift. She has a cat, Teddy, also know as The Spawn of Satan by my sister bc he's a pretty grumpy cat. BUT my aunt loves him to death and back so I took some pictures of him while she was up for Thanksgiving, did some quick editing and had a 24x36 Gallery Wrap printed of him. I think it made her day.



Here's my mom again, with another great look. We surprised her with a desk and bookshelf...that took my fiance and his friend Billy 2 hours to put together. It was all worth it for that face though :)



My sister got me and the fiance a Wii - yippie! Here she is boxing or dancing?? Not sure...



And at the end of the day, smiling faces was a good thing to see :)

And A Very Happy To You...

I truly love, love, love Christmas and everything about it. The music, movies, sights, smells, yummy eats, the excitement on others face but most importantly enjoying my blessings.

Life is crazy enough every day, but tomorrow I just want to enjoy life. Because all and all life is pretty darn good.

So, a very Merry Merry Christmas from my crazy family to yours :)


My aunt, sister, mom and me.


Someone thinks Christmas Eve dinner looks pretty good, even if it's just the butter!


And for those of you who aren't located in Roanoke, here's the beautiful and bountyful snow we got last week. And it's still here, it'll def. be a white Christmas this year.

November, where did you go?

And October, September, August, July, June! I swear, I think this year has been one of the fastest of my life. Maybe it's because I've been so busy, maybe it's because I'm older or maybe it's because Father Time has decided to become my enemy. Whatever the reason is, I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels like they're constantly fighting with time.

I also can't help but to have a mini panic attack when I remember that in just a few days will be 5 months left until our wedding! How much stuff do I left to get done? TONS! I haven't even sent out our Save the Dates yet...eek!

But, with all the stuff I have left to get done before the end of the year or in the next 6 months, it'll get done. One way or another, it'll get done. And as I enjoy the last few weeks we have left of the year, when I look back, I can honestly say, it's been a fast one, but man has it been a great one. I'll miss it for sure.

And to end such a great year I did two REALLY awesome family portraits last weekend. Here's a sneak peak:

Family Portraits...Hokie Style

Family portraits should be fun, a memorable experience in itself and most importantly, show your family's personality. And that's exactly how I would describe these family portraits - a bunch of Hokie fans photographed at VT and to top it off...with the Hokie bird. Such a great family to photograph and they were up for just about anything so I really got to let my creative juices flow!

With Camera In Hand

It's just about every weekend I look forward to spending a couple hours with my face behind the camera. Sometimes it's a slow weekend, photography gig speaking and if I'm dying to take portraits I usually buy / borrow / beg / steal friends and family. Lucky me I'm surrounded by beautiful family & friends, who are full of life and personality.

So, with that said, I've been begging my sister for months to photograph her. Not just because she's absolutely beautiful but she's my partner in crime to cut up with. We truly have the same sense of humor and spend most of our time together just simply laughing....lots. I feel very blessed to have a sister like her and even more blessed we are such good friends.

So to all you sisters out there - let me introduce you to mine, Amanda.