Maternity Beauty At It's Best | Raleigh, NC Portrait Photographer

March has definitely been busy!  This upcoming weekend is the only one that I have "off", until I get a vacation for the Easter weekend!  The saying is so true, "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb"...or so I'm hoping!

I'm so fortunate to have family that doesn't live too far away and our schedules finally allowed for us to get together!  I was most excited because I was going to be visiting my cousin and her husband who are expecting very SOON!  And of course that meant I was going to have a gorgeous family to be in front of my camera!

Since, I wasn't familiar with the Charlotte, NC area I asked my cousin to scout out a potential session location.  She did a fabulous job and took us to Lana Plantation.  We were not able to utilize the the colonial buildings, but we still lucked out with beautiful weather and lots of other great outdoor elements!

So, please enjoy the latest bits of my work!  Mama to be looks absolutely stunning and dad couldn't be more excited!

 The photo above I shot with my 135L.  It is a compilation of about 17 photos that I shot individually and then stitched together in post processing.  This method is known as the "Brenizer" method.  It gives an image an amazing amount of depth, that you wouldn't be able to get shooting with let's say a 35mm.  If you're a photographer and haven't tried it, you should!  It is a challenge, especially while shooting, since it is easy to miss a frame of the puzzle!  It also forces you to get to know your focus and metering settings!  And who doesn't love a challenge!?

411 Wednesday|NC Snow| Clayton, NC Family Photographer

It was a rare sighting to have snow here in this area of North Carolina this past Saturday!  Of course like any weekend had things to do and places to go, and we didn't let the snow stop us!

Just as we had gotten the girls ready to head out for some first communion dress shopping for my oldest BIG flakes started to fall.  We didn't let that deter us from our plans!  Most people stay home when it snows here!  But, not us Minnesotans! ;)  Although, I do have to admit that the means to keep the roads clear here is a lot more slim.

Before we headed out the door I decided to grab my "nice" camera..."just in case".  Good thing too, because it was really starting to come down and look really pretty!  But, wait I hadn't planned on taking snow photos!  The girls weren't wearing the "right" outfits, and this only happens here very rarely!  I was in the middle of shopping outlets and we had just finished eating lunch at Bob Evans, how in the world would I get cute photos in that location?  Well I found a patch of grass with a tree, and just shot some snappies closer up.

I was determined to make my husband stop somewhere that had trees or a place that I could shoot some more photos. 

Of course as I'm screaming at him to "turn around and go back, there is a perfect spot!"...he keeps driving and disregards my request.  Now, we were on the highway no stopping now.  I told him as soon as we get to our neighborhood to go to the "backside", which still has some wooded unbuilt lots.  The girls and I hopped out of the car and into the woods for about 10 minutes, I was SO excited!  I was capturing some of my favorite photos of them I have to date!

So what's the 411?  Don't wait for the right outfit, the right weather, the right location...just take what you have and make it WORK!  You will be surprised at what your results can be!  I'm starting to think that the less planned the better! I would much rather HAVE these photos, than to have not brought with my "nice" camera, because things weren't "just right".

411 Wednesday (a day late) | Happy Valentine's Day | Raleigh, NC Children's Photographer

Sorry to anyone who checked in yesterday for my weekly "Wednesday" post!  Sometimes real life activities and events keep all of us so busy that we have to pick and choose where we can put our time!

Today is obviously Valentine's Day.  Farrah's class had a little party and Valentine exchange.  This year we decided to personalize her Valentines of course with a photo.  So, we popped outside with a couple of props, and a fun tutu.  

We found cute little plastic, heart - shaped, mazes at Michael's Craft store that she wanted to incorporate into her Valentines.  I also found on Pinterest a print out of the word "LOVE" that was also a maze.  We filled little plastic goodie bags with some Hugs and Kisses to accompany the mazes.  I failed to get a photo of the final product, but will post the photo and "LOVE" maze that I printed out to go with the goodie bags.

So, I guess the 411 today.  Don't be afraid to get creative!  We started off looking for something she wanted to give as her Valentine's and when she saw the mazes the rest was some creative wording and finding cute new fonts (which I found through pinning on Pinterest)!  

You can follow me on here on Pinterest, where I pin pretty much anything and everything I find helpful, inspirational, fun, funny, educational...ect!

Enjoy this 411, a day late!  Hug your loved ones tight and think of all the reasons you love them...and then do one even better...tell them!

Here is the "LOVE" maze printable.

411 Wednesday | Be A Fountain | Raleigh Family Photographer

"Happiness is a direction not a place." - Sydney J. Harris

Wow, the last two weeks I've needed this reminder.  It just seemed as though I couldn't get myself out of that "funk".  

I would like to chalk it up to not concentrating on myself.  Every time I start looking at some of the conversations that are being had in "groups" on Facebook I immediately start feeling the negative "drain".  Don't get me wrong Facebook is a wonderful tool!  I love staying connected with my friends and family, especially since most of them live so far away.  It is also great for networking and business!  But, often times it is one negative post after another whether it be from other photographers, mili-spouses, friends...ect.  It's draining....

So, I am making this blog post as a testament for myself and ALL of you to be a "fountain", and not a "drain".  Take that time to lift someone up.  Be that smile, that nice compliment...it only takes one!

I am going to put my blinders on and concentrate on what makes ME happy.  Here is another quote that I like to tell myself often.  

"Comparison is the thief of JOY!" 

That is the absolute truth, and it can be applied to SO many aspects in life!  From comparing your body, your house, your photos, your hair, your car...  I'm tired of it.  D. O. N. E. done!  I'm only ever going to compare myself to who I was, so that I may only ever be able to grow as a person.

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.  Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha

Here I am, sharing my light, from my candle to you.  A positive message, about being YOU, and sharing your inner light with everyone else.  You can only gain from spreading the joy!

"In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy." - Albert Clark

There is SO much to be grateful for, I can't even begin to list mine...  Let that gratefulness be your source of happiness.

God Bless!

PS.  I'm posting photos of some sunsets, because it shows me that it has been a beautiful day, with MUCH to be grateful for and happy about.  I am a sucker for beautiful skies...my Instagram feed is loaded with drive by sunsets!