Dillon & Jody | 11.24.10

Jody is one of my best friends (and my suitemate), and I was so excited when she called me this past summer to tell me that Dillon asked her to marry him... and she said yes! 

One of the initial ways Jody & Dillon got to know each other was working together with Appalachian Ministries.  Each week they come to this park with other volunteers to meet with the youth in the area, leading Bible studies, playing games, and simply loving the youth. 

Mom and Kay brought this huge bouquet of balloons from Richmond.  The colors were perfect.

Personally, I feel like this next shot is the one that should go in the invitations. 

Look closely - I feel certain you'll agree with me.  :)

This trio of images is my favorite.  I don't remember exactly what they were laughing at (maybe this was when I almost fell off the tire I was trying to perch on), but their expressions are priceless.

After a wardrobe change, we headed to a secret mountain-top location shown to me by my friend Brooke.  I would tell you where it was, but Brooke has made me promise to keep her secret...

Usually, our clients don't see their images for 2-3 weeks.  However, when that client lives with you - it's difficult to keep them waiting.  As I was downloading the images, Jody casually sat down beside me.  After a while, I let her watch, and this next image was our favorite.

One last shot with the balloons before they let them go...

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine..." 
                                  - Song of Solomon 6:3

Dillon and Jody - we can't believe it's the 6 month countdown to the wedding!  Time flies! 

jill <><

Deborah | Senior 2011 | 11.20.10

Four years ago, right before we moved from Indianapolis to Richmond, there was a girl from our new church who began e-mailing me.  We quickly became fast friends, and have been ever since!  :)  Deborah has always told me that I would be the one to take her senior pictures... and finally - I did!

" There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."
                                                                                                                                                       Philippians 1:6

This next one is a favorite for sure!

Deborah's session was our first time to shoot in Berea. 

Let me tell you, there were so many great locations!  Take this train station for example...

I have to confess, SENIORS are definitely some of my favorite shoots to do! There is SO much going on in their [our] lives right at the moment that you hope to capture in the pictures.  See what I mean?

When we first talked about ideas for Deborah's pictures, she mentioned a hat.  We completely forgot it until right at the very end.  Some people just look great in hats!

Deborah, I had such a blast shooting your senior pictures!  I'm thankful for our friendship!

Kay

Lightpainting | 11.18.10

When Kay and I had the opportunity to go to Orlando this spring and attend the PhotoshopWorld Conference, we went to a workshop about lightpainting.  If you've never seen it before, basically, you use flashlights to "paint" a scene in the dark.  We have played around with it a few times, but never with a lot of success. 

Then, a few weeks ago, I got the urge to make another attempt at lightpainting.  So I gathered a few friends and we headed up the mountain to find a nice, quiet, extremely dark spot.  It took a while for us to get the hang of it, but when we did - we got some pretty cool shots!  I'll share two of my favorites.

The first, (pretty realistic I'd say) is myself, Katie, and Jody with halos...

And in the second, Keigan is happy, Dillon is sad, and Michael is mad.

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

                                      - Matthew 5:14-16

It's hard to believe the semester is almost over and in a matter of a month, I'll be back in Richmond for Christmas break!  We have several more portrait sessions to share with you between now and then, so check back with us soon! 

jill <><
__

Madelyn | 11.2.10

The girls [Jill and Kay] said that if I made this fun and not an English paper, then I could write about Madelyn.  So here goes.  Three words: ball of energy.  And that pretty much describes Madelyn's session!!  :)  From the minute she got out of the car she didn't stop moving...oh wait.  There was this one time...

  

Wish you could have heard the giggles coming from Madelyn as

she played peek-a-boo with her Mom!  It made us laugh too. 

Time for a wardrobe change!  Get a load of the boots.  U-R-2-cute, Madelyn!

  

Of all the pictures the girls do, I always, ALWAYS love the ones

with moms or dads playing.  It just doesn't get much better than this!

We told you, Madelyn was interested in this and that,

and everything in sight!

Some day you'll ask for my autograph.

An absolute favorite from the morning's session ... simply beautiful!

I'm sure you would agree that one of the best things

we've ever been called ... is MOM.

"As soon as I saw you, I knew and adventure was about to happen."

Winnie the Pooh

-Carole [for Jill and Kay]

Katie | Senior 2011 | 10.27.10

Mondays are busy days.  It's the begining of the work week around here after 1 day off.  One day!!  That's all it takes to make your to do list quite a bit longer!!  But, the Monday I met Katie was fabulous!  I headed out to Panera for a wedding consultation, which I believe went quite well, considering I booked it.  :)  Next on the list was meeting up with Katie for her senior session.  She rocked it out!!  And she told me she wasn't very photogenic.

As most people know, mom comes along on our sessions as the official...well, everything BUT the photographer!  :)  This shot was her idea - gotta admit, it's pretty good.

Most seniors don't want a fall look in their pictures. But, Katie loves the fall!!

What a great job they did of picking three totally different looks.  This outfit was my favorite!

These next two are simply...stunning.

For Katie, things are a little different.  It's not sports she's involved in, but drama!! 

 And along with drama, she loves to read.  When her mom mentioned

bringing a Shakespeare book well, this is what I saw in my head....

Thank you for such a fabulous session, Katie!!

Kay

Braeden 1 year | 10.25.10

This is when we first met Braeden...

Look at him now!  I couldn't believe it when I went back thru his newborn pictures,

such a sweet little boy.  What an honor it has been to be a part of Braeden's first year. 

I must admit, he is one of my favorite babies.  :)

"A boy's story is the best that is ever told."

                   - Charles Dickens

We just can't get over how big Braeden looks in this next shot!

Silly boy!

Mrs. Holli brought along one of Braeden's favorite toys...a tunnel!  The minute he got in,

 I saw a huge smile spread across his face.  :)  Once he got to one end, he would just turn right

around going towards the other.  I believe he was quite amused!

After being so good for a while, then shedding a few tears, he gave me one last

stare down as a tear was rolling down his cheek.  So precious!!

Braeden loves his mom so much.  He just decided to relax with her for a while, it was hilarious!

Last shot - a for sure favorite.

Mrs. Holli, thank you so much for allowing us to capture Braeden's first year!  We have all loved watching him grow and can't wait to see more of you both.

Kay