Life as Art

Tennessee

Once again, while driving home from a session, Tennessee's beauty caught my eye - just a little pond at twilight.  Aren't we lucky?! :)

The Martin Family - Christmas Surprise!

I met Lori Martin in person at a wedding two days before our family session was scheduled.  She introduced herself to me covertly - because the pictures were meant as a Christmas surprise for her Mother-In-Law - who was also at the wedding. ;) 

This session was just one of "those" times - Sun shining, sky bright blue, and it seemed like the fall colors started popping out over night just for us.  We had Lee's Dad - Jared's grand-pa Wayne along for the pics and he seems slightly fond of Jared. (UNDERSTATEMENT!)  

We played a little, fished some, climbed a bit, rolled around in the grass and generally had a good time. ( I got one of my favorite shots of the year of my assistant Connor on this day.  It's one of my Christmas card pics.)  Anyway, here are a few of MY favorites...

Three Generations...

Grand-pa's Hands

 

Mischief

 Quiet Love

The Martins in the hay...

Mommy Hugs...

Merry Christmas to all! The Winton Christmas Card...

Santa Claus came to town

I had the HONOR of participating in the Kids of the Community Christmas party this year.  My official job was to take pics of the kids with Santa. (I have to say I got to be good friends with Santa that night and he's one great guy!)  However, I kept running around between shots watching them open presents, play games and generally have a good time.  This awesome event works like a well oiled machine - AMAZING! This is due to the unbelievable efforts of the volunteers behind Kids of the Community.  They are my new heros and I am so grateful I got to be a very small part of such a great event! :)

There are no words to explain how it feels to hear these kids ask Santa for things for OTHER children. There are no words when a child tells Santa - they've already had the best Christmas ever.  Behind each set of eyes whether bright or wary there is a story.  Many of them would break your heart. But on THIS night, due to some wonderful people right here in McMinnville, there was only joy, only smiles, only laughter, only Christmas.  :)

My New BFF...

Just one of the precious smiles from that night!

Smile of the week

Ok, so it's been way longer than a week...But it's the Holidays and I'm behind on EVERYthing!!!  This is Allie (Hope that's spelled right!).  I drafted her as a test subject while setting up some school pics at Covenant.  I don't know much about her except she's cute as a button and a great sport and has KILLER blue eyes that look great in color or black and white. :) 

Shhhhhhh!

Look What Santa Claus left for Lynette & Clent!  :)

Shelby Hice- Senior

It's so awesome to get to do Shelby's senior pics - I've known her for years and our shared passion for photography has made us good friends. She's very talented and was my first assistant ever!  Some of these aren't a surprise for Shelby as I sent her a few to use in the yearbook a little while back.    Shelby is graduating early and  got a DSLR as an "early" graduation present. :)  She tells me she's LOVING it and is busy taking pics of others. But in the meantime,  here are a few of her having fun on the other side of the camera!  Love This Girl!!  Just can't wait to see what she does in the next few years!! :)

Nathan + Erin - Wedding Sneak Peek

Here are a few details from Nathan and Erin's "Tennessee/California" Wedding.  We had such a great time with both the Tennessee and Califonia Clans.  More to come!

The "ring shot"...

Here's the "shoe shot" - Not your everyday bridal footwear!  :)

Isn't Erin lovely!

She wasn't the only one...

Nathan + Erin  :)

Matthew Harris - Senior

I have a soft spot for saxophone players  - musicians of any kind actually (look who I married) - but especially saxophone players.  So I really enjoyed the chance to shoot a sax playing, piano tinkling, tree-climbing, 4-wheeling guy like Matthew.  :)

We started out in the studio for some traditional shots and got a few moody ones (my favs!) as well.  Then we went to the Harris Homestead and shot Matthew in his own space.  I also got some of the best apples I've had in YEARS out of the session.  Like most of us, Matthew has many different sides to who he is and I tried to capture as many of them as I could.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented guy.  

 

Blog Luv...

We had so much fun working with the crew from McNeal Video out of Nashville at Kate Medley & Nathan McGregor's wedding this past weekend.  Lynette sent me an e-mail saying she had done a post on the wedding and I thought I'd share.  Be sure to read Cheryl's notes for some of their shots from the day and a comment or two on us (blushing - at the shameless self promotion) :)  I have put a link on the side to this fabulous company for any of my brides who wish to go beyond the ordinary for their videographers.  Here's a pic I've shamelessly borrowed from their blog - Lynette, Cheryl and Amanda - Loved it!  Can't wait to do it again!