noah :: raleigh, nc :: 1 year photography

It's been so fun watching this sweet little man grow over the past year. Whether it's his cute smile or adorable scowl, Noah's sure to put a smile on any face he crosses. Just over a month ago, little man turned one and celebrated surrounded by friends and family. I was delighted to capture a few photos of Noah shortly after this milestone birthday!

mike and allison :: maternity photography :: bahama, nc

To say we had fun at this session would be an understatement. I actually met Allison my freshman year at NC State. We lived across from each other in the dorm and became fast friends! We lost touch after college, but ended up going the same gym and started working out together. In the mean time, JJ and I had gotten married and he was always talking about this guy Mike that he worked with. One Saturday I was going to meet Allison at the gym for a class and funny enough JJ said he was going to Mike to work out. We get there and Mike and Allison are there and they are "Mike and Allison" we had no idea!! We've stayed close friends with them and JJ was even in their wedding 2 years ago. So when we found out they were pregnant this summer and then Allison asked us to do their maternity photos we were ecstatic! We met them at Allison's family's property in Bahama on a beautiful evening. We had the best time exploring the property and getting these beautiful images of them!

 

ledford :: family mini-session :: franklin, nc

A few weeks ago we were able to travel to the mountains of North Carolina to visit family. It was a great weekend and part of what made it such a great weekend were the photo sessions we had! One of those sessions was with the Ledford Family. Christy and I went to high school together, and caught up a few years ago at our 10-year reunion, so I was excited when she reached out to me about doing family photos for them. Christy is now married to Joe and they have 2 beautiful daughters. Harper, who absolutely loved the camera and made for some fun photos and Olivia who made getting a smile out of her harder than cracking a bank safe, all the while, still managing to be adorably cute!

Thanks Ledford family for letting us capture these pictures for you!

miller :: newborn photos :: durham, nc

"How cute is she!?" Not sure how many times those words came out of our mouths while shooting sweet Sophie's newborn photos with her proud parents, Matt & Lindsay, but needless to say, it was a lot! I've known Lindsay since my freshman year of college when we became friends while living in Owen Hall at NC State University (Go Pack!). Lindsay is one of the few people I keep up with from college but I am so thankful our friendship has lasted over the years! We were honored and delighted to document this sweet season for her and Matt!

blakely :: senior photos :: raleigh, nc

senior photos :: raleigh, nc

Usually our shoots consist of chasing after toddlers, pacifying crying babies and making fools of ourselves for a laugh. That being the case, we always love when a senior photo session comes our way! It actually takes a few minutes to acclimate to someone actually following our prompts (although Teran still enjoys making a fool of herself!). We had a great time a few weeks ago with Blakely as we strolled around downtown Wake Forest. This girl is beyond photogenic! She has even perfected the serious smile, kudos to you, Blakely! Not only was she crowned Homecoming Queen at NRCA but in the short time we spent with her, I can see why her reputation proceeds her. Her kind and sweet spirit were evident in the time we shared and the love she has for her friends and family is easy to understand! Blakely and her family are members at our church and we have carried them in our thoughts and prayers as her incredible younger brother, Harrison, has been battling childhood cancer. Needless to say, this family has had to carry quite a few burdens throughout Blakely's high school years so it was truly our pleasure and honor to capture Blakely's senior photos! Blakely, we wish you all the best in all that is ahead for you! You are an incredible young-lady and we can not wait to see the plans the Lord has for you!

chrstin & tyler :: wedding :: keystone, co

Paige and I have known Christin since we were all toddlers living in Florida. We grew up next door to each other but as it often goes, life took us in different directions (and all over the country). Nevertheless, we were so thankful to reconnect with Christin and her whole family as we had the privilege to document her and Tyler's incredible Colorado wedding. This wedding was nothing short of beautiful! Tyler and Christin got married in Keystone, Colorado at the top of one of Keystone's renown slopes. The day began in Silverthorne, CO as Christin, her family and her bridesmaids got ready for the big day at the home they rented during their time there. Between the cathedral ceilings, waterfront property and mountain view, there are few places we can imagine more fitting for a bride to get ready. It was a morning full of laughter and tears, family and friendship. It was filled with the moments we love to be part of - the moments that make us fall in love with photography all over again!

As the afternoon storms moved in, we made our way over to Keystone and met up with Tyler and his guys as they finished up their final touches! Though the rain delayed our gondola ride up the mountain, as soon as we cleared the last peak, the clouds parted and we were greeted by the incredible views only Colorado can offer! The ceremony took place outside, surrounded by mountain vistas and drifting clouds. It was as if the skies parted in perfect timing for this intimate mountain side ceremony, as families were honored, love was proclaimed and a young couple sealed their vows to one another!

The rest of the evening was full of joy and celebration as the happy couple and their guests danced the night away!

Tyler and Christin, thank you for allowing us to be part of your breathtaking wedding! It was truly a joy to share it with you and so many old friends! We wish you all the best in the years ahead!

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Lingle :: Newborn :: Raleigh, NC

I have known Stacy and Nik for a couple of years now and I am so grateful to call them friends! I met Stacy through our mutual friend Heather of Heather's Letters. Stacy is a nutritionist, helping her clients make wise, manageable and healthy choices - she has helped me get my own nutrition game in gear and almost two years ago we teamed up to design a website for her business launch! Working together on her website we realized that there was much we had in common and from there a friendship was born! Nik is an associate pastor at Christ Covenant Church in Raleigh and I've had the pleasure of working with on a few of their creative projects as well! Stacy and Nik have been an encouragement to me in both life and business and I have been thrilled to enjoy this exciting season with them as they celebrated the pregnancy and birth of their sweet Olivia! These beaming parents and their adorable newborn daughter made this photo shoot a breeze and a pleasure! Congratulations, Stacy & Nik, I'm truly delighted for you! 2016-09-09_0004

dodard :: family :: wake forest, nc

To say we are going to miss this family is an understatement. Patrick and Amy moved in next door to us last May. We quickly realized how awesome they were and became fast friends. Their oldest daughter Ava is right in-between the boys ages so they have enjoyed hours in the culdesac and each other's houses! Since they moved in Amy gave birth to baby Charlotte who the boys love to spoil as well! When Amy told me they were moving she also asked if they could do one last family session to remember their time here in Raleigh. North Carolina's landscape's is a little different than South Florida so we definitely wanted to do something to remember that there are trees other than palm trees and buildings made out of materials other than concrete! :)

When Patrick and Amy told us they were moving back to Florida to be close to family, we completely understood, but we also cried a little tear! Having awesome neighbors makes all difference in the world and we were blessed to have them! Praying for you Dodard's as you make the transition back to Florida. We will miss you and hope you come back to visit soon!

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Slagle :: Maternity :: Spruce Pine, NC

The 12x12 Initiative not only afforded me the opportunity to travel across the country but it brought with it numerous friendships that I cherish even from a distance! One of those is with Jordan, who works for The Crossnore School in Crossnore, NC. This place is near and dear to me and part of that is because of the incredible people who staff and run it! At the time of our trip, Jordan was coordinating our visit and helping to plan all the logistics for our time in Crossnore. Since then, we have kept in touch and I was thrilled for the opportunity to take some maternity photos for her and her husband, Kyle. After having our first attempt rained out, we weren't sure sweet Jonah would stay as the little bun-in-the-oven that he is until I could make it back over there but sure enough we squeezed in the shoot just in time!

 

richie :: family :: raleigh, nc

hot, muggy, steamy, fun, adorable, beautiful...those are all words we could use to describe the Richie's session. Yall I know it's hot in North Carolina especially in July, but this particular evening was one of the worst! Even though it was so hot and my clothes turned into a wet suit, it was such a cute session! The entire family is incredible and even with it so hot they were all so photogenic. Foster (their son) was on the move the entire time, which made it interesting trying to get him to to stay still long enough to get some pictures with him in them, but little sister Kennedy made up for it! That girl, LOVES, I mean...LOVES...the camera! And the camera loves her smile!

We had a great time with the Richie's!

 

 

 

boyce :: family :: wake forest, nc

We always love a family photo shoot, but when the family consists of older children who listen and follow directions we really love a photo shoot! The Boyce family were awesome! They met us on a hot muggy morning, but they were such troopers and after a few snaps warmed right up to the camera! Older brother Caleb was so respectful and little sister Caitlin was sweet as can be. Both started out a bit shy, but by the end you would have thought the camera was their best friend!

And mom and dad...they kept trying to tell us that they hadn't been like that in 20 years, but I tell you what they were so natural together. The way they naturally "posed" and laughed and smiled at each other was so loving.

Thanks for spending your Saturday morning with us Boyce Family!

carlyn :: newborn :: durham, nc

What better way to spend a Saturday morning then with a beautiful newborn, her adoring brother, and loving parents in their beautiful house! That's exactly what Paige and I got to do a few weeks ago. We have known Nick and Amanda for years and have loved watching their family grow. When big brother Camden came along it was so neat to watch them as parents and now that little sister, Carlyn, is here you can see the love between them all! Carlyn's story is pretty amazing. Shortly after Nick and Amanda found out they were pregnant the doctors told her she had lost the baby. I remember being so heart broken for them and praying for comfort for them during this difficult time. They had to go to the doctor again and say their final goodbyes, but as the doctor did one last heart check they found the faintest heart beat...it was truly a miracle.

Amanda's pregnancy wasn't the easiest and because of health complications Amanda was induced a few week's early. Through it all I was so encouraged by Amanda's strength and the faith and trust her and Nick lived out!

I'm so thankful for them and their amazing story and we are thrilled to be celebrating another beautiful baby in our group of friends!

 

family reunion :: ocean isle, nc

When Chelsea reached out to us and told us that their extended family would all be at the beach for a week celebrating their grandparents 65th wedding anniversary and wanted a family photo there was no doubt we would make it work to get there! 6 hours round trip is nothing for this incredible family. Not only were they one of the easiest sessions we've had...21 people in 30 minutes, that has to be a record! But they are so sweet and generous hosting us for dinner after and welcoming us into their home. Not to mention how perfectly the weather cooperated and gave us a slight cloud cast till we were done then the rain came in. Paige couldn't have put it any better than she posted this on our facebook page....

"What is there to say about this incredible family!? Though I've only been around them a handful of times, the Bergland family holds such a sweet place in my heart! We've had the pleasure of documenting two of their weddings and we couldn't have been more thrilled when they asked us to come take a few photos for them as they enjoyed a family vacation at the beach. It was a quick trip to the coast and back but so very worth it!! Bergland Family, we adore you guys! Thankful our paths crossed a few years ago and hopeful that they will do so again! Thank you for your encouragement, support, & friendship! Also, thank you for being an incredibly photogenic and beautiful family!"

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brooks :: newborn photos :: raleigh, nc

What can we say about the Marion family? We've had the pleasure of capturing this beautiful couple multiple times over the past year and now we've had the honor of documenting their sweet baby Brooks' newborn photos! Brooks slept through his entire session as we snapped away at the sweet little bundle and his glowingly proud parents! We couldn't be more thrilled for Jade & Travis, not only have they been loyal clients but far and beyond they have become good friends! There's nothing we love more about photography than being able to bless those in our lives! Congratulations to the Marion Family on their newest arrival!

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morgan & ryan :: wedding film :: rocky mount, nc

Morgan and Ryan's wedding day was one of those magical wedding days we so love being a part of! We first met Morgan and the bridesmaids at her Aunt's house on a beautiful farm outside of Rocky Mount. There was much excitement and laughter as they anticipated what the day would hold. We left from there to head to Morgan's parents' house where the reception would be held later that evening. There's something very sweet and special about a wedding reception hosted on family property. It felt deeply personal and sentimental as friends and family gathered together in the front yard under a beautiful candle-lit tent, dancing and laughing the night away as the family home provided a memorable backdrop. It was a wonderful day celebrating Morgan and Ryan along with their tight knit group of friends. It made for one great reception! Whether it was the smiles, laughter and tears or the groomsmen's collective serenade to the bride - this was a day filled with love.

The night ended with a sparkler send off just in time for the rain to come, we couldn't have asked for better timing! Thank you Morgan and Ryan for letting us be a part of your special day! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

 

Noah :: 6 Months :: Raleigh, NC

There's something extremely special about a first child. They are the ones that walk a couple into parenthood. They introduce them to sleepless nights, a new-level of joy and a kind of love they could never imagine. Firstborns hold a special place in the lives of their parents, there is no doubt. With that - it has always been a joy of mine to document the moments and memories of these newly inaugurated parents and children. To see smiles discovered, happiness over-flowing and to feel a tangible love in the room. Needless to say, all of these elements were present as I had the honor of capturing sweet Noah's 6-month photos. I have known Steven and Emily for a few years now and it was with great excitement I awaited this season to come for them. Parenthood fits them well and this sweet little guy will no doubt be covered and blessed by their love and support for all the years to come.