Candie is a sweet spirit with lots of play and I feel we captured that in her bridal session where she will say her vows in just a few weeks. We had lots of fun exploring what we could get into in the beautiful nature surrounding the North Georgia mountains at a retreat center called Camp Pinnacle, where she's served as a girl's counselor for many years. This time, she returns as a bride ready to say I do to her man Jesse. We didn't plan on a night shoot, but we had so much fun and lost track of time – we had no lights with us, so we got creative and used the soft lights shining from the golf cart headlights to shine on her for the remaining shots. This gave the last portion of Candie's session a nice mood and ambience to the intimate setting with her at the cross where they will be married. I can't wait to be a part of their wedding - they have such significant and personal touches planned - and all to honor God.

I have the honor to work next to some wonderful people at the Missions and Ministry Center - people who care about their city and communities. We had numerous volunteers pack up their lunches and hit the streets inside the perimeter of Atlanta a couple weeks ago to pray for the communities in the area and most importantly the people there. A day out of the office was refreshing - whether behind a desk or on the field, ministry takes place and hearts are being touched. Here are some of the experiences from the group I joined.

Head Shots Atlanta photographer

Matthew Piland has had a tremendous impact on students over the years as he led them in ministry at First Snellville Church and CrossPointe Church. Now he's following God's calling to where He may lead and Piland is speaking to various groups and traveling quite a bit.

He needed an update for his head shots and I was so glad he wanted me to do this session with him. He, his wife, my husband and I all braved the weather – these were taken as a night session so Mother Nature had turned to a bitterly cold and windy woman that evening. Bbbbrrrr - but all were troopers and even helped me chase down a fly-away light umbrella and a falling light due to the intense winds. We got some variety of shots here despite the harsh weather, the light? Not so lucky.

My life always seems to be quite an adventure - if it's not me finding it, it'll find me. I am glad that Matt and Lyndsey are good sports and were ready for the ride for this nighttime shoot.

God bless you and your continued ministry Matt!

New Beginnings & Sweet anticipation

I recently had another fun opportunity to hang out with some great friends and capture a special time in their lives as they anxiously wait for their little girls arrival. Amelia will be on her way soon and Matt and Lyndsey Piland wanted to capture these times as new parents.

We had a great time strolling the city streets for some great ideas and even my husband Steve came to our rescue and temporarily borrowed some balloons on the street for our shoot - they aren't quite the right colors for a portrait like this one, but we'll take what we can get and edit what we can when they choose their faves. Mother Nature was offering up some high winds for our shoot too and it didn't quite give the model by the fan appeal - we girls were eating our hair all day.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate this special time with Matt and Lyndsey than sharing in shooting their session before her arrival as we made a night on the town of it and breaked for some yummy dinny-din-din at Chow Chow Baby.

These two will be terrific parents, if you can't already tell of their excitement and love from these shots. Congrats to you both! We can't wait to meet her.

Reynolds Plantation Wedding Photographer

Nothing gives adds more joy to my passion for photography than when I have the opportunity to work alongside friends. We met him and his sweet new bride at church as we share a heart for ministering to students – and they have to have a heart for children, because the two of them are blessed to love on seven children between the two of them.

The new Jordans held their intimate wedding at a beautiful home in Reynold's Plantation in southern Georgia. Sharing this day with their dear family was a fun reminder of the power of love in a family – no matter the size.