A first time for everything

I had the honor of experiencing a miracle with a great friend of mine. She was due to have her baby on her very own birthday and the baby is her and her husband's first, not to mention the first grandchild on both sides, and the first opportunity I've had the joy in being a part of it first hand (without being in labor myself of course). 

From the soon-to-be mommy packing a suitcase full of clothes for the baby's two-day stay in the hospital, to watching new dad get acquainted with his baby girl who had his finger wrapped around hers way before she was ever born, I relished the entire day with them awaiting for Riley Grace's arrival. 

Not only did she arrive on her mom's birthday, she was also the exact same weight and length. One really can say, "Like mother, like daughter."

After Riley Grace was home for just under a week, I was able to visit with them and capture her in her own nursery at home. She is already spoiled with love and it was fun and difficult to get any shots of her as she wanted her mama - who can blame her :)

Take a looksie at the lil' footsies ...

Congrats Crystal and Jason! You'll be fantastic parents!

Kudos

A photograph I shot on a recent trip to Tenn. for a wedding I was shooting was chosen by Schmap.com Guides to represent Chattanooga and the Hunter Museum of Art. 

You can plan trips, take virtual tours and custom print your own full-color travel guides with their PC and MAC desktop mapping application. You can also explore your destination online for over 200 worldwide destinations with their unique integration of maps, photos, and place reviews. They also have an application for you iPhone users!

http://www.schmap.com/chattanooga/activities_educational

I have been photographing the Wilbanks family since they grew by two feet, their first baby Emma that is. Momma Erin and I met at a wedding years ago, shared in our first pregnancies at the same time, and have watched our friendship grow while our families expand as well. Bless her heart, Erin always says if it wasn't for me she wouldn't have any photographs of her children. That's what friends are for - no matter the cost :)

Weddings

Staci Swit and Jacob Brinson had a gorgeous destination wedding on Jekyll Island under the enormous oaks which canopied over the lawn near the ocean. I had so much fun working with such a laid back couple in such a beautiful setting. Of course, Jacob and his boys toward the end of the reception were ever more laid back with the infamous glory dance, can I get an Amen! on that one Staci? Memories like these are what make your day uniquely yours and I hope the photography captured it as beautiful as it all is in your memories!

Heather Sims and Andrew Petoskey had a lovely wedding near a river in Tennessee this early Fall. You guys were so flexible when the lights and electricity went out and made do with the resources you had and pulled it off with flare - that's just the beginning of knowing how to roll with whatever comes your way in marriage and life - and you two are already pros at handling it with ease.  And Andrew wrote and sang a beautiful song for his new bride as she danced with her father - unforgettable.  After the couple said their 'I do's' they ventured off in a boat down the river to catch a horse and buggy ride to their final destination. What an adventure!

Jessica Najjar and Jamie Kubat were so much fun to work alongside for their wedding day. 

It took place along the shores of St. Simons, GA. The groomsmen certainly got a kick out of watching me almost get swamped by the approaching high tide as my focus was on them through the cameras eye - my socks, shoes and pants were soaked and gritty from being on the washed up shore, but it helped give the groomsmen a relaxed look even if it was at my expense. I love destination weddings and accepting the challenge of finding new perspectives and backdrops to shoot. Although I have done several weddings in the St. Simons area, each one had been uniquely fun and beautiful from the next - I can't wait until my next visit! Thanks Jessica and Jamie for allowing me to be a part of your special day!