Katie: Class of 2014 | Senior Portrait Photography

• March 4th, 2014 •

A few months back, I was so happy to photograph Katie. I love this girl!!! I have been photographing her since she was in 8th grade and I was so excited to work with her for her Senior Portraits. What a fun time we had… even if we sat in burrs (OUCH!) and FROZE on the beach (her more than me, she got completely wet!)

I love her carefree personality and “show em” attitude. I love that even after a tough summer and fall, she still has a fire in her and her smile still lights up a room. She is adventurous and strong willed, but can also be childlike and silly! (She wore a rainbow-loom ring on her finger for a few shots that I had to photoshop out per mom’s request!)

I love that she can be silly and playful…and not take life to seriously! She’s my kind of girl! It was my honor to create these amazing portraits showcasing the amazing, beautiful almost-woman that is Katie.

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Making YOURSELF Proud… Are ARE important!

• March 4th, 2014 •

In high school I had a friend who is now a very well known Hollywood actress. I was recently thinking about her as she isn’t in the tabloids and news as much as she used to be. She is still acting, but seems to have pulled away from the limelight a bit. As we aren’t friends anymore, I have no idea if this is her choice or not but I was thinking about her and how this “lessening of exposure” might be affecting her. Does she resent it? Enjoy it? Seek it out herself? Miss it?

She has a beautiful child and seems to be a great mom. She is still working… Broadway, fashion and directing. In her hometown, I am sure lots of people are talking about her. But on a national scale, she seems to have “disappeared.”

It got me to thinking how it impacts us when we no longer feel “relevant to others.” How do we react when it seems at one time “everyone knew about us” and now, they apparently don’t. Do WE resent it? Enjoy it? Seek it out? Miss it? Life is a big roller coaster. Sometimes lots of people are talking about you, other times, we can feel like no one cares.

It also got me thinking about my life… my business. How things have changed so much! At one time, my husband and I were pretty big leaders in our church: leading small groups, running ministries, volunteering at every event. Then, my marriage went through some pretty tough times and we pulled away from leadership to focus on fixing our marriage. It’s hard taking a “step down” in any leadership capacity. It was difficult for me to go from “being on top” to merely surviving. I used to be the one people called when they needed help because I gave such a great advice and support. Then I became the one who was calling others because I couldn’t figure out my own life.

And then my business: going from no one knows me at all, to feeling like everyone knows me; from one month of the phone ringing off the hook, to a few months later of the phone never ringing; from one client LOVING their portraits so much they are moved to tears, to the next client not giving me any feedback at all; to a potential client booking a session without even talking to me, to another saying my work isn’t worth the investment.

Life is a roller coaster! It can change from one minute to the next…one moment you can feel on top of the world, the next at the bottom of the barrel.

Lately, I have been trying to quit morphing myself into “relevant and important” and making “the world” proud. Really, my goal in life is to make God, my family and myself proud. Of course, I LOVE recognition and praise from anyone, but it shouldn’t be my goal.

I posted this last week on Facebook:

“Just because you aren’t relevant or “important” to others… doesn’t mean you aren’t relevant or important. Quit worrying so much what others think of you or who is “talking” about you. Be you and follow your dreams and passions. Love those in your life and make YOURSELF proud.”

I hope you take something from that. I know I am not the only one who struggles with feeling important. I believe that most people want to be recognized positively for the work they do. It isn’t bad to want recognition… it’s only bad if that is your only motivation!

I LOVE my job. I love capturing amazing moments and the love between people! I love when YOU, my clients, love what I create for you. But my motivation for all I do is to make my family and myself proud and to provide for family. So if the phone doesn’t ring as much, the friends you refer don’t call or book with me, or other photographers have more FB “likes” than me… I will not to be upset and I’ll let it “roll of my shoulders.”

I will remember that there are LOTS of happy clients out there. I will remember that my proud daughter took my Village News Ad to school to show her friends: “Look! My mom is in a MAGAZINE!” I will remember that four years ago, I had 22 FB likes, one camera and lens, and NO IDEA what to do to start this business. I will remember how far I have come and how my “little business” has allowed my family to survive when my husband lost his job and went to school full-time to change career paths.

Life is a journey. And it’s YOUR journey… YOUR story. Sometimes you have lots of supporters and cheerleaders. Other times you don’t. Don’t ever let that stop your momentum because the next rise, the next “winning moment” could be just around the bend!

Professional Portraits: The Healing Place of Hampton Roads

• February 28th, 2014 •

This week I had the pleasure of photographing the board members of The Healing Place of Hampton Roads. What an amazing non-profit organization! The Healing Place of Hampton Roads is a non-medical recovery and rehabilitation facility where homeless individuals with alcohol and other drug addictions can recover and lead self-sufficient lives in permanent housing. Check out their Mission below:

Let’s support them! Please take a moment to check out their website at http://thehealingplacehr.org/. Below you can meet the members of the board!

Board Members, thank you for the great job you’re doing at investing so much into our community!

Teen Photography Class

• February 27th, 2014 •

I have the pleasure teaching a teen photography class and this past weekend we had our first field trip! We went to Great Neck Park to simply “find the light” and experiment with composition. We had a few of our students unable to make it (these Virginia Beach School on Saturday make-up days have thrown all of our weekends off!) but those who came out had a great time! I love working with teens and Eva, Dnzel and Zoe are awesome young people who are showing lots of talent! Check out some of our fun!
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Renew Session: David and Taesha

• February 21st, 2014 •

If you don’t all ready know, my Renew sessions are so important to me! They are SO much more than just a photo shoot. They are a perfect opportunity to capture some great portraits, yes; but more than that, they are a moment to relive your past, focus on your present and look forward to an amazing future together as husband and wife!

Last month, I got the chance to photograph David and Taesha. I had previously photographed their family for a Homecoming session when David returned home from a long deployment. (Thanks again for your service and sacrifice, David!) So, when Taesha contacted me wanting to so a Renew Session, I was SO excited! Now, my job during a Renew session is to help you remember where your love blossomed and how it led to becoming husband and wife. Many times we can’t go back to where you met or fell in love as Virginia Beach isn’t where that happened! So my job as a photographer is to help recreate those moments so we incorporated the Jamaican flag, where both were born and raised. I learned that their love story began with, of all things, a prank phone call young Taesha made when they were just kids! One prank turned into a conversation which led to more phone calls! And the rest, as they say, is history!

Ten years later includes a move to another country, three children, several military deployments and lots and lots of memories! What an honor it was sharing in your love story, David and Taesha! I am so very blessed to see love in action, day after day, year after year. May the next 10 years be filled with blessings and wonderful surprises!

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Welcome Baby Elijah!

• February 19th, 2014 •

I was so blessed a few months back, when out of the blue I got a message from my friend Tricia saying she was pregnant! I had no idea and was so excited about her becoming a mommy!!! I was honored to photograph Tricia for her maternity portraits and while it was freezing and windy, we captured some amazing portraits of her lovingly waiting on her little man!!

tricia (10 of 11)

In January, we got to meet little Elijah for the first time! Oh my goodness, did he steal my heart at his newborn session!!! He is so adorable and I loved getting to know him. Can’t wait to see him grow up! Great job, Tricia… you did good! <3 <3 <3

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A Valentines smile for EVERYONE!

• February 14th, 2014 •

February 14th means lots of different things to lots of people! Some people hate it, some people love it! My take? Well, any day I get to eat candy is a good day. And my kids give me lots of extra hugs and kisses so that makes me happy too! My hubs is an awesome man, but he struggles with the romance side so I never know how that is going to go!!! (This year he did good though… he’s been trying! I got TWO cards and some bath and body “smell good!” Love you honey! Good job!)

I do know that some people get very frustrated on this particular day… everyone is all “lovey dovey” and maybe they are still waiting on Mr. (or Mrs.) Right. Or maybe they are recently feeling the pain of a breakup. Whatever the cause… there are always great friends, adorable animals and precious little babies and kids to make you smile!!! Take a look at some of these cuties who helped me get into the spirit of love this Valentines day!!!

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YOU are Awesome!

• February 5th, 2014 •

It’s the month of Love! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I Love LOVE but I am not a crazy, fanatical fan of Valentines Day because I really think we should do our best to show love to our loved ones ALL YEAR ROUND! I do think having a day to stop a minute and say “If I don’t say it enough, I really do love you” is important. So Brett and I WILL be going out and I WILL be writing him a sappy love letter. And I am hoping he will do the same (hint, hint if you are reading this honey!) BUT if he doesn’t, it’s okay. He shows me love everyday (in fact, he painted my toenails for me last night and if that isn’t love from my burly motorcycle lovin man I don’t know what is!!)

So I hope you enjoy Valentines Day with your sweetie or your kids or even just your friends, because you are loved and you are AWESOME and you deserve to feel the love.

However, don’t forget to show some love to yourself this month too! Because loving yourself is critical to finding true happiness!

So lets take a few moments to celebrate each of our individual awesomeness!!! Because really, God only made one of each of us and we really are pretty incredible creatures!!

Here’s just a few reasons YOU ARE AWESOME! And I have NO IDEA why my computer is making me number this entire list with a #1 (instead of 1-10) but maybe it too wants us to know that we’re #1 in the big book of awesome. So as you read though, just chant to yourself “I’m number #1” every time you get to a new point!

1. You have a gorgeous smile.

You really do. While your teeth may not be the whitest or straightest, the whole world becomes brighter when you smile.

1. You’re doing the best that you can.

Hey, you may not be perfect, but you Are AWESOME and you are doing your best. You may not know where you’re going, or what to do next, but one thing is for sure, you’re doing your best. And that’s enough.

1. You’re a kickass dancer.

C’mon, don’t pretend it’s not true. I know you got moves like Jagger!

1. You have a big heart.

The way you love others is amazing. Never stop loving like you do.

1. You’re so good at what you do.

It’s true – you totally rock!

1. You inspire people.

Believe it. You won’t ever know just how many people you inspire every day. Most people don’t tell those that inspire them the impact they have had. So while it may seem no one is noticing your awesome…. they are!

1. You are loved.

Truth… plain and simple.

1. You’re not perfect.

You are awesomely imperfect. But hey so, am I… it is what makes us ALL awesome!

1. You never give up.

After everything you’ve been through, all the challenges you’ve overcome, you’re still here. You’ve proven that you can handle anything that comes your way. Be proud.

1. You put the YOU in beaYOUtiful.

And don’t you forget it!

Now go shake your groove thang, eat some candy hearts and chocolate, love on your loved ones and go share that awesome with the world!!!

Happy Valentines Day.

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The Learning Never Ends!

• January 26th, 2014 •

In the past week I have been called “The Best Photographer in the World” by two different people. (Aww… I LOVE you guys!) And while I LOVE the compliment, I know I still have a long way to go to accept that title!! I love capturing all of the perfect moments that I do… but I am very rarely 100% satisfied with my work. I always see room for improvement and I spend a good amount of money each year attending conferences and classes to improve myself.

It is funny actually, how much I enjoy taking photography classes, conferences, workshops and seminars. I have a college degree ( a bachelors in Special Education) but even as a college student never expected myself to go any further the 4 year degree. I didn’t hate school, I just didn’t really want to keep at it past the four year degree. Now though, if money would allow, I would take every class possible that related to photography and owning your own business!

And as I take more classes, I realize I have SO MUCH to learn. Not only about photography, but about being a small business owner as well! No wonder there is a college degree in business… there is A LOT you need to know to be successful as a small business owner. I was lucky enough to attend two differnt conferences last year but this year is already jam packed with learning!

First, just yesterday, I took a one-on-one mentoring class with local newborn photographer Keely of Kiwi Marie Photography. I adore newborn photography, but it is a WHOLE DIFFERENT world of photography! Posing, soothing, lighting, props… there is so much that is different about working with these precious new human beings! I had a great time even tough our little models were a tad cranky. In fact, our adorable second model never made it to in front of the camera. His tummy was a bit upset and he wasn’t in the mood for portraits! But here are a few great images we WERE able to capture!

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I am very thankful to Keely for taking some time to teach me all the newborn tricks! I learned a lot, but am already cursing you for all the new stuff I want to buy! 🙂

I am super excited this year to be attending AT LEAST three different photography conferences! On Monday I leave for Florida for the SPI Conference that will mostly deal with photographing High School Seniors. I am looking forward to building that part of my business too!

Then in March I am attending the Clic Photography Conference in Raleigh, NC. This conference is for women business owners and photographers.

Then in May, I will be attending the Mid Atlantic Regional School Of Photography for the 5th year! It is located in New Jersey and I love going every year!

All this said to say, I love that you all love my work. I work hard to perfect my craft and become a better photographer and business owner. I love learning new ideas and am so blessed that you appreciate my hard work by continuing to book with me! I have aways to go before I feel I’ll truly earn that “Best Photographer in the World” title, but I’ll keep working towards it! 🙂

Gender Reveal: It’s A …. ?!?!?! |Virginia Beach Family Photographer

• January 24th, 2014 •

I was so excited last week to photograph Jessica at her Gender Reveal baby shower! She has an adorable little girl name and a beauitful step daughter, so everyone was really hoping for a little boy to add to the family!

The cake was ADORABLE and was done by Marvella of Marvelous Creations in Suffolk.. (757.754.4099) It DID slide around a little in the car on the way to the party (Jessica was letting her Fast and Furious out I think!) but was still pretty darn amazing and tasted great!

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Kendra Simmons did a great job planning the whole party and everyone had a great time! LOTS of laughs 🙂

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The time has come: It’s a… GIRL!!!! Not many people got that right! 🙂 Momma to be was a little disappointed but is thankful for a healthy baby girl!

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Thanks so much Jessica for invited me to be a party! I had a great time and can’t wait to meet your little girl… Or boy! You never know, maybe they got it wrong? It happens! 🙂

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