A Year in Review | Hampton Roads Photographer

• December 31st, 2016 •

Another amazing year has passed. Last year at this exact time, I was just so thankful 2015 was almost OVER. It was a year filled with so much sadness and loss. I prayed for 2016 to be a BORING year at least! I just wanted to get past all the pain of 2015. God answers prayers and more. Like he states “There is a time and a season for everything.” The BORING year I was praying for didn’t happen, instead He gave me so much more.

Personal highlights of 2016… I started the year off on a cruise with my family. The first cruise we have done together and it was a beautiful welcome to the new year! In the spring, I visited NYC with my son and godson and got to see my childhood crush, Will Smith (aaaaahhhhhhh) film the movie Collateral Beauty. (Seriously, I was like a giddy child- and the coolest thing was it was an unexpected surprise to see him on set!! Thanks to an amazing friend who set it up!) In the summer, I visited Ethiopia again, with Habesha Momma, and got to start the process of opening a home for homeless and trafficked children. I also FINALLY got to take my husband to NYC. I love NYC and Brett has said for years “NEVER” when I ask if he’d like to go with me. However, he finally agreed and we had a fabulous time together enjoying the big city!

One of the biggest personal and business highlights was I moved my business out of my house and into a true commercial space!! It was a HUGE leap of faith but I am so very thankful I took the risk. I LOVE having my own space. I’ve been a successful photographer for years BUT having my own name on the outside of a building makes me feel “I’ve made it!” It has been an amazing whirlwind of a year! I had a phenomenal Open House in my new space and felt so much love poured out. I have been blessed by the opportunity to photograph so many amazing people, families and projects. I truly love my job and don’t take for granted the fact that I am given the gift of creating moments in time for each of you.

This blog every year is one of my hardest… to go through the year and pick my favorite images to share. Each one of you are so special to me, all of our shoots hold special moments and laughs. In every single session- I am creating memories that I pray will be cherished for generations to come. Narrowing that down to 15-20 images to show my year in review… it is SO HARD! But here are some of the highlights I was able to narrow it down too… and once again thank you. Thank you for trusting me, thank you for supporting me, thank you for allowing me into your family.

I pray blessings, love and lots of laughter in 2017!

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An Answer to Prayer: Welcome 3D | Virginia Beach Newborn Photograher

• November 4th, 2016 •

Watching families grow is simply one of the best parts of my job. I can remember years ago photographing the David family while they were praying for another child, and getting to see where they are now is such a honor.

Welcome Little Moses the third!! This little guy is such an answer to prayer for the David family. God’s timing is always perfect and while “not yet” was hard to hear for so many years, we are so very thankful for His perfect timing!

We welcomed Moses (aka 3D as he is Moses David the THIRD) in July and he was such a star during his session. He cooed and smiled and slept like a champ! Already a superstar like his Daddy.

Big sister Amani is in love with him too, I love seeing older siblings love on their baby siblings and I can already tellt hat Amani will be like a second momma to little 3D!

Enjoy the David family and some of their favorite portraits from their session. <3 <3 photography_002

Lauren: The Naturally Inspired Life | Hampton Roads Photographer

• September 15th, 2016 •

Lauren is great friend of mine who is SUCH an inspiration. She is a wonderful mom and wife and loves all things natural and is a phenomenal business owner! In fact, she has so much talent, ideas, inspiration and passion, she has multiple businesses!

She has her own natural skincare line and I have been purchasing her homemade organic soaps and skincare for over a year now.

Then recently, she completed school and is now a Professional Esthetician! (I have gotten a facial from her and it’s heaven!!) You NEED to check out her spa services!

She contacted me recently to help her with pictures for her website and we had such a great time together! She truly does lead an inspiring life and you can find lots of great tips and ideas on living a budget friendly, natural life plus you can order products, schedule appointments and just find some daily inspiration!

Please take a moment to check out her website! http://www.thenaturallyinspiredlife.com/

Lifestyle Maternity | Baby’s First Year Photographer

• September 15th, 2016 •

Baby number two is on the way for Raf and Claire!! They are longtime clients that I am OVER THE MOON excited for as they welcome a new sibling for little Jack! Claire called me and asked for a family session that would include a few maternity portraits, but WOULDN’T focus on the “belly” the whole time. She is such an adorable and beautiful pregnant mommy… but just didn’t want a ton of pictures withe focus being on her belly!

Since it was SUPER HOT and had been raining for days, we decided the best bet was a lifestyle session at home. We are all so glad we did as the pictures turned out amazing . As there will likely be a household move in the future, these portraits will be some amazing treasures showing the love in the home where both their children were born and spent their first years.

Of course, as I LOVE maternity portrait showcasing the bump- I did convince Claire to do a FEW in a maternity gown that focused on how beautiful she is with that beautiful baby bump! Enjoy and say a pray for Claire and Raf… they are officially past the due date and ready to welcome their newest little one!

UPDATE: I wrote this blog and guess who arrived the very next day? The beautiful Katherine… a perfect little girl to add to this amazing family!!! Great job Claire, I am finishing up her newborn portraits now and she is so adorable with her chunky little legs! I can’t wait to share with you!

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Actress Headshots: Megan | Hampton Roads Headshot Photographer

• August 24th, 2016 •

Megan is an up and coming actress in Hampton Roads- already doing amazing things in the area… and she’s still in high school!!! Next year she’ll be heading off to college and has some very big dreams. So very proud of her and can’t wait to say “I photographed her when she was just a teen!”

Megan- you were a joy to photograph and can’t wait to see all your dreams come true. Make sure I get an invite to your upcoming shows this year!

Welcome Mr. Gabriel | Newborn Portrait Photographer

• August 5th, 2016 •

Mr Gabriel was ready to come into this world… so ready he came the very day we had scheduled his mommy for her maternity portraits!!! So sadly, we don’t have maternity portraits for mommy and daddy, but we do have some amazing newborn portraits! He was such a little star during our session. He slept and cooed and was such a joy to photograph. Mom and dad did pretty amazing too! I can’t wait to watch him grow and I look forward to our next session!

Check out Mr. Gabriel in all his adorableness!

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Getting Ready for Moses III | Maternity Photographer Hampton Roads

• August 1st, 2016 •

I met Moses and Angel David almost 10 years ago. Even back then I can remember them talking about having a 2nd child, but waiting on God’s timing. Well… God finally said it was time! I was SO EXCITED to hear they were expecting a little boy and that Amani was going to be a big sister! I can’t wait to meet Moses III, aka 3D.

Their maternity session was AMAZING! We got a break in the crazy heat and the sunset was GORGEOUS! Add in the fact that the David family is stunningly beautiful… well, it was a photographers dream! I can’t wait to photograph 3D’s newborn session… and maybe more maternity sessions in the future! I think the world could do well with a few extra little David’s running around! Enjoy!

We ALL can make a difference. Endale’s Story | Personal

• July 29th, 2016 •

Most of you all know that a huge part of my heart is connected to Ethiopia. This country gave me my son Messay and I will forever be grateful.

It is a country filled with beauty, joy, culture and love. It is also filled with poverty and need. I am on the board of directors for an amazing non-for-profit, Habesha Momma, that works to help better lives of women and children in Ethiopia. I have been going back to Ethiopia for the past two years with Habesha Momma and am so proud of the work we do there.

I began to sponsor this young man, Endale, after our first trip. I want to share his story.

He lives on Entoto Mountain, where there live a very large population of homeless and sick people. My friend Mesfin, runs a feeding program and has worked for years to help the people of Entoto. After participating in his feeding program last year, I met little Endale and his mother. This was a picture of his family from that first year (2015), Endale is in his mothers arms.

There is a sponsorship program that provides basic needs for families that are living on the mountain, run by Ordinary Hero. Endale and his mother had been waiting on a sponsor for a very long time, possibly because Endale has severe mental and physical disabilities. For some reason, I was drawn to Endale and I asked his mother to hold him… I will never forget those first moments. He screamed and laughed, pulled my hair and hit me in excitement! As I have a degree in special education, I was well aware he wasn’t upset but just happy and showing his excitement any way he could! He gave me lots of kisses and love and we laughed and laughed. By the time I handed him back I was covered in spit, had red marks on my face and my heart had been stolen!

As soon as I returned home from Ethiopia, I contacted Ordinary Hero and asked them to allow me to sponsor Endale and his family. My sponsoring them allowed them food, a place to live and medical care. His mother could finally breathe easier as Endale’s disability wouldn’t allow her to work outside the home. Finally, she could rest at night knowing his basic needs were provided for.

This year, I returned to Ethiopia with Habesha Momma and we were able to visit Entoto Mountain on the last day of our trip. I was so excited to see my Endale again. It is a day I will never forget.

This is me as I finally get to see Endale with his mother. I am sure I was saying something nice but I think I look a little crazy as I am taking him from his momma! I was just so excited to hold him again!

From the moment Endale was in my arms he was laughing. He laughed and laughed! He gave me kisses. He squeezed my cheeks with his little chubby fingers (I think I had red marks again from his fingernails lol!) Did I mention his laugh? It was infectious! He brought our team so much joy… just watching him laugh, smile and squeal in excitement.

This morning I received a message from my friend Mesfin. Endale passed away yesterday. I don’t know how, all I know is he got sick two days ago and passed away in the hospital. My heart is breaking for this family. My heart is breaking that I will never hear that precious laugh again. My heart is breaking knowing the pain his mother must be feeling.

I think back on the life of Endale… the two short visits I had with him. I will never forget his laugh. He might not have been able to talk to me or run around with the other kids, but he showed me love. He shared happiness. He radiated joy. No matter how you were feeling, how sad, upset or angry you were, just being around little Endale would fix that, even if just for a moment! I share these pictures with you to show you his love… his contribution to this world. He might not have been able to tell you his name but he should share the simple joy of being alive with you.

I am not sure if his mom will know how much he meant to me… how much I cherished the moments I was able to spend with him. I hope you take this time to enjoy Endale’s joy. I hope you allow it to lift your spirits. It was what I believe he was put on earth to do… to share pure joy. So please take a moment and allow his joy to fill your heart. Look at that beautiful smile, the glee in his eyes! When you think you don’t have anything to offer the world, think of Endale. He couldn’t do so much… but he could do the very best thing of all… love. He could brighten your day and bring a smile to those around him. He did his job and he did it well. God called him home and now he is running around and that beautiful laugh is filling the heavens!

I am so very very thankful to have met Endale. I thank God he allowed me to hold him just two weeks ago and share his joy. I am thankful he had a mother, a brother and a community who loved him. I am thankful God introduced me to my friend Andrea (president of Habesha Momma), who introduced me to Mesfin, who introduced me to Ordinary hero. I am thankful that for the last year of his life, he wasn’t hungry or unsheltered. I am thankful God allowed me to provide for them.

Not all of the kids in Ethiopia are so lucky. Our project in Debre Markos is working to help children living on the streets, without family, shelter or food. (Watch Video Here.) Please consider going to Habesha Momma and donating. Would you donate a $1, $5, or even $50 in memory of Endale? Help us share his joy by bringing joy and love to more children so desperately in need of it.

Saying I DO all over again | Hampton Roads Photographer

• July 27th, 2016 •

If you follow my blog you will know this family. I have been photographing them for years, ever since they were pregnant with their beautiful little Elliegh. So when Steven called me and asked me to photograph a surprise wedding renewal for them, how could I say no? I LOVE surprises and I love Jenna, so I was super excited to photograph them saying “I Do” again!

Family and friends from all over came to Virginia Beach to surprise them. Not sure it was a complete surprise (I guess someone said something about someone coming to town in front of her) but it was a night to remember none-the-less! I loved watching these two recommit themselves to each other and to their marriage. Jenna and Elliegh were stunningly beautiful and Steven cleans up well too! Blessings and love to you guys, thanks for always trusting me with your precious family memories!<3 <3

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Cupcakes by the amazing Amy and Daniel with Apothecary Cupcakes. http://apothecarycupcakes.weebly.com/

When the Last leaves the Nest | Family Portrait Photographer Hampton Roads

• July 21st, 2016 •

I met Latrice when she attended my open house in May. Her youngest son was graduating from high school and she talked to me about senior portraits. Her son, Emmanuel was not super excited about Senior portraits, so I talked with her about combining a family session with his Senior portraits. That way the focus wouldn’t be on him the whole time and we’d get those family portraits she’d been putting off for way too long. It’s important to capture the family when the last graduates, especially if there haven’t been any marriages yet. Capture the family unit as it has been for so long… because before you know it it will be growing again!

Once I met her stunningly handsome sons, (Devonta, Marquis and Emmanuel) I realized my job was going to be very easy. They could easily model, each one of them! I had such a great time meeting them and getting to know as little about each one of them. Handsome, talented, kind and compassionate… Latrice- you’ve done a great job raising these young men!

We did our shoot in the neon district in Norfolk and it was the perfect background for this family! We got some great brothers shots, some senior portraits for Emmanuel and some beautiful family portraits for mom! I can’t wait to see this family grow in the future… I see a few future daughter- in- laws someday!

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