RUNNING FROM THE STORM: LIFELONG FRIENDS - #2

I met Gina when I started dating her brother (my 1st high school boyfriend) so many moons ago.  Gina and shared a lot of good times together during high school.  She had such a fun spirit then and still does now.  Over the years we lost touch.  Thank goodness for Facebook!  Since catching up with her there we have kept in touch and up to date on one another's lives.

Many years ago I heard through the grapevine that Gina had taken up photography.  I was happy for her and a little jealous.  She was a photographer!  I loved taking pictures and secretly wished that I could be doing something so creative with my time.  Hearing Gina's story sparked a flame in me to consider, even if for just a moment, that I could do something like that too.  It was just the morale boost that I needed to realize that I really could do it.  I could pursue the dream and actually become a photographer.  Thank you Gina for sparking that flame in me!!

Over the past year I have had the wonderful pleasure of working side by side shooting with Gina.  On my visits back home to NC she has assisted in several portrait sessions.  She also gave of her time and amazing talent and 2nd shot with me at a wedding last October.  Gina has a great eye for capturing the moment.  It is always a blast working by her side with camera in hand.  Bouncing ideas off of one another and talking about the business.  Gina you are an amazing photographer and inspiration to me.

On this trip to NC I had the great honor to photograph Gina with her beautiful family!  I know how difficult it is to be on the other side of the lens, especially when you are really comfortable behind the lens!!  The Warren family made the 2 hour drive from their home to Ocean Isle Beach for the portrait session.  And much to our dismay and horror... the weather took a turn for the worse immediately following their arrival.  With no more than a minute to spare we made a mad dash for the beach (horrific clouds chasing us) and I shot like a mad woman!!  I was speechless and scared.  I knew that the 2 minutes of shooting could not possibly result in a portrait worthy photo.  We ran for the car just in time to avoid a complete soaking of rain.  The thunderstorm passed while our families ate pizza and home made ice cream.  And being the brave souls and serious photographers that we were, we went back out to the beach to shoot after the storm.  By this time I had a whole new set of problems... low light and a very quickly setting sun.  We had a blast and I did my best to capture a few precious moments of Gina, her husband Russ and their 3 amazing boys!  I was sweating bullets and thanking God that Gina knew exactly the challenge I was facing.

Thank you Warren Family for braving the elements with me!!  We will do a retake when I head back in September and hopefully the weather will cooperate this time.  It is a photo shoot I will never forget!

Here are just a few of the very few photos that I was able to capture during our beach adventure...

LIFELONG FRIENDS - Entry #1

I consider myself to be very fortunate.  I've meet lots of wonderful people in my journey and made lots of friends along the way.  However, there is something very special about those friends that have been in our lives since long ago.  The ones who have known us since childhood, grew up with us, had sleep overs and talked and laughed with us all night long, shared the tears when we had our hearts broken by a boy, got in trouble with us and stood by us no matter what.  I have some of those friends, some I've known since I was 5 years old.  I am very thankful that we still keep in touch and get together when I have the opportunity to go back to NC for a visit.  We talk, laugh, share tears just like we did when we were little girls, teenagers, and now women.  On this trip back to NC I was honored to have the opportunity to photograph some of these friends and their families.

First up was my wonderful friend Jennifer.  Jen and I became friends in high school.  It was a friendship that bloomed instantly and no matter where our lives have taken us we've kept in touch.  We are the 2 that moved far from home after college.  She actually spent several years in California, not far from my in-laws Los Angeles home.  When I would visit the Sanchez family, I would also visit my dear friend Jennifer.  We've both moved many times throughout the years, but I always knew she was there anytime that I needed her.

Wow... we have been through a lot together since our teenage years in high school.  We went to college together and worked together in the same office.  She stood by my side as my maid of honor at my wedding.  She was one of the first people to meet my sweet baby girl, making the long drive just to see her.  She was there at the hospital the night my Mother passed.  She is just one of those friends that will always be in my life, there in good times and bad.  When we talk now an hour passes like minutes and we still chatter like teenage girls.  I was so thrilled to spend some time with her at her home in Raleigh, doing some shopping and grabbing lunch just like we used to.  I took some pictures of Jennifer and her wonderful parents, whom I adore!  Following the session we enjoyed dinner with her Mom and Dad and laughed about the old days.

Thank you Jennifer for always being there and being a wonderful friend.  Thank you to your Mom and Dad for patiently posing in front of my camera and sharing your evening with me!

We spent the evening on the beautiful campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.  The next day Jennifer and headed out for an individual session just for her in the revitalized downtown area in Fayetteville, NC.  Here are some of my favorites...

Beautiful family

Jen, you are simply gorgeous!

Jen, I know you thought I was crazy... but his pose is awesome!
And, I want those shoes!!

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

HOME.  They say that is where the heart is.  If that is the case my home will always be in NC.  

I just spent three weeks at home enjoying time with my family.  Recounting memories from my childhood and how blessed I was to grow up here.  Summer vacations spent waking up early (much to my dismay) to work in the garden picking peas, butterbeans and other home grown veggies.  Followed by more hours of work, shelling and preparing the food to go into the freezer to feed our family for the next year.  As we got older, we were sent to help out other local farmers work in the tobacco fields or on their produce farms (as did many of our friends.)  Yes, there were early mornings and hard work, but it was fun.  It shaped me into the woman that I am today.  I learned the value of hard work at an early age and I am so appreciative for the lesson.  There were also hours spent riding bikes, playing in the barn and hanging out with friends.  

Being back home brings back so many memories of times long gone.  Memories of my Grandparents who lived just next door.  Days spent swinging on their front porch, eating supper that Grandma so loved to cook for us, homemade ice cream on a hot summer evening.  Papa slipping me and my sister a dollar bill underneath the table as if no one knew what he was doing!  Memories of my Mom and how she loved us and always had time for us.  It was a time when things moved a little slower.  A little more laid back.  It still feels like that today.  Time passes slower in the country and I love being back home.  

A lot of things have changed since those days of my childhood.  Loved ones have passed and babies have been born.  I’ve moved around a lot since leaving home 15 years ago, but I always come back.  Home is always in my heart.  I have to admit, as a little girl I dreamed of life in the big city.  Hustling and bustling about.  Well, I’ve been there and done that!  I do love that I've had the opportunity to move around, live in different places and meet new people.  I am so thankful for my journey and how all of these experiences have impacted my life and me as a person.  But, no matter where I might live, deep down I know without a doubt - I am and always will be a country girl at heart!

I’m typing this on my flight back to Houston, TX and my life in the city, far away from the place I call home.  To my family I want to say that I miss you all everyday!  I love you all so much and cherish our visits together.  No matter where I am you are always in my heart.  Who knows, one of these days the Sanchez Family might get back to Carolina!  Until then just remember.... I’ll be home soon.  And for the record... you are welcome in TX anytime!

Sisters Hannah and Haley: Spivey's Corner (Dunn, NC)

Sisters.  I have one, so I understand the dynamics of that relationship.  As kids we sometimes wanted to pull out each others hair!  There were moments when we could not stand to be in the same room.  Other times, most of the time, we were best friends, confidants, fashion consultants and secret keepers.  It is a relationship that sees its ups and downs.  As an adult, I come to embrace our differences and know how lucky I am to have her in my life.

I worked with sisters Hannah and Haley a few days ago.  Watching them together reminded me of my sister and I when we were that age.  After talking to their Mom we decided to start at their house so that Lucy (Hannah's little yorkie could join the photo shoot.)  Well who knew!?!?  They had a dream location right on their property.  A pretty white fence which worked perfectly with a idyllic backdrop - a grassy field and a red barn.  I was thrilled!  After taking some photos there we headed into Dunn, NC for a change of scenery.  These girls would look great no matter what the setting and they were more than willing to keep on modeling for me.

Thank you Hannah and Haley (and Lucy) for letting me photograph you.  I know it is not easy to be in front of the camera, but you girls rocked it out!  I would also like to say a special thanks to their Mom Laura for all of her patience over the past few months, the numerous emails back and forth and all of my crazy suggestions for a location.  It all worked out great!  Next time I'm in town I would love the opportunity to work with you all again.  Maybe we can even get Dad and brother Caden to join us!!

Here are a few favorites from the shoot...

Lucy, you should be a model for dog magazines!

Gorgeous Haley!

Hannah you are a beautiful girl!

Girls, laughter looks good on you!

Brothers Seth and Tyler: Downtown Dunn, NC

Boys.  I don't have any of my own and my family was made up of all girls.  Girls I know how to handle.  But I have learned a few things over the years taking pictures of boys.  Some of them like to pose it up for the camera as much as any girl that I've seen.  They also like to look cool!  They are not worried about their hair or about getting dirty if I ask them to sit in the grass.  Boys are different.  One cute definition that I found was this:  Boy, n.:  a noise with dirt on it.  ~Not Your Average Dictionary  I think that is a rather accurate description.  


Seth and Tyler are brothers, but they could not be more different than night and day.  At least, that is what I saw from behind my lens.  Seth was quiet and reserved.  He did not really play it up too much in front of the camera, but he was focused and serious.  A thinker.  No matter how hard he tried not to, he cracked a smile or two!  Tyler.  Oh Tyler!  He was a poser.  He danced, he strutted, he posed and grinned.  I can imagine he is always the life of the party.  They are both wonderful boys and I can honestly say, without a doubt this was one of my favorite photo sessions.  Ever.  Period.  


My Dad joined me as my 'assistant' and he had a blast. Who could not have fun around these two kids?!? Tyler even asked to have his picture taken with him.  And in the end, he asked to have his picture taken with me!  We were both honored.  Thank you boys for doing such a great job at your photo session.  I enjoyed working with you both and maybe you'll let me take pictures of you again one day!


Here are some of my favorites...

Tyler, you make my heart smile!  : )

Seth you are a very handsome young man!

Cool dudes!

I love the moments 'in between' when they have forgotten that I'm taking pictures.

Kassidy + Michael: {Engagement Session: Clinton, NC}

They have an easy comfortable way with one another.  An unspoken language of love and understanding.  She loves to pose for pictures and he loves to make her happy, so he poses for pictures.  He was tired from a long day of work and she was bubbling over with energy.  And together it worked in perfect harmony.

I worked with Kassidy and Michael last year for a portrait session when they were a girlfriend and boyfriend falling in love.  I was so excited when I got the call that they were now engaged and wanted me to photograph their wedding in May 2012.  Since we already had photographs of them together we decided to do a mini-engagement session.  After all, engagement sessions are a right of passage for a newly engaged couple! We met in the historic area of downtown Clinton, NC.  It was a beautiful summer evening with a gorgeous young couple.

I will also be shooting Kassidy's bridal portraits in a few days and am looking forward to spending more time with her.  She comes to life behind the lens.  I'll be waiting the next 11 months in excited anticipation for their wedding.

Here are a few of my favorites from our time together...

And here are a few photos from our session together last year...

THE CARROLL FAMILY: NC FAMILY PORTRAITS

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph some very special members of my family over the weekend.  So many of my childhood memories were made with them.  Summers spent running in the grass and climbing in the barn.  Their family photographs were taken in by the very houses and yard where so many of those memories were made.  I think it was the perfect place to photograph Nancy and McKinley, Amy and her husband Brian and their beautiful blonde twin girls Morgan and McKenzie.  I had so much fun with you all!  Thank you for sharing your Saturday morning with me.  I love you all so very much!

Here are a few of my favorites from the session...

In front of the old tobacco barn at my Grandparent's house.
 

My cousin Amy's beautiful girls!

SWEET MEMORIES

I suppose today was like any other day.  Except, it wasn't.   Today was a bittersweet day.  Filled with tears, grief, smiles, laughter and hope.

Today marked the two year anniversary of my Mother's passing and her new life in heaven.  I still find myself having a hard time believing that she is no longer here with us.  I sense her presence with me and have moments when I feel like she is right by my side.  Today was one of those days.  You see, not only was it a day of sadness, but a day of gratefulness and wonderful memories of her and our time together.

It was also the day that my darling nephew Owen was dedicated at church.  (Thank you to my sister for coordinating this blessed event while I'm in NC visiting.)  I was so thankful and happy to witness this wonderful display of God's presence in the lives of our family.  The church service was beautiful and very touching to all those who were there to witness it.  I know that my Mother would without a doubt be grinning from ear to ear with pride and love for that precious little boy.  For the whole family.  Owen's fraternal Grandparent's have also moved on to heaven and I know that they were just as proud as we all were.

So what could have been a day of mourning, turned into a day of fond memories from the past, the loved ones that we have lost and the hope of a bright future for a sweet baby boy.  

Love to you Mama and Owen.  Today we celebrated each of your lives and the joy you have brought to ours.