Azaleas | Longview, Texas | 3.2.17

I could not live in the same town as my grandmother.

She would drive by my house, take one look at my crooked hedges, and I'd be instantaneously disowned.  James & Martha Tanner would go from having 5 grandchildren to 4 in a snap.  However, I might get to retain my granddaughter status if she saw the azaleas in the corner by the garage.  (ONLY the azaleas, mind you.)  Azaleas are one of Ma-maw's favorites.  Hers are always gorgeous, and when they bloom, it's like an explosion of color.  You can't touch the bush but where there is a bloom.

As you can tell, mine are... passable.  Passable enough to keep me in the family.  :)  As a bonus, they sure add a bright dose of color to a workspace!

Jill

Hello February | 2.2.17

On any given day, I'm convinced it's Tuesday.

I'll chalk that up to the fact that my folks live in a time zone 14 hours ahead of us, and I'm constantly trying to figure out what time it is on the other side of the world.  Thankfully, my new calendar helps me to at least remember what day it is.  An added bonus - each month's design is left blank, so I can color it in!

The downside to my beautiful new Krispy Kreme calendar... is that I'm now in a constant state of craving donuts.

Jill

Waco, Texas | Magnolia Market | 2.22.16

See more of Texas.  That was a personal goal for 2015.  So after a "Fixer Upper" marathon on HGTV, it was decided: we needed to do a little day-trippin' to Waco, Texas!  We were gonna see Magnolia Market for ourselves!  (And hey, if we saw Chip & Joanna... I wasn't above asking a home renovation question or two.)

While we (obviously) enjoyed looking at evvvery siiiingle item in Magnolia Market, the best part was the "come & stay a while" atmosphere.  The weather was perfect for claiming a picnic table and sampling some utter deliciousness from the food trucks parked out back.

So thanks, Magnolia Market, for providing a reason for us to take a day and get away.  We enjoyed it!  (And we were reminded how much we appreciate the trees of East Texas.) :)

Jill & Kay

P.S.  We rounded out our day by visiting the Texas Ranger Museum there in Waco. (Our Aunt Dora Jo's dad was a Ranger.  And seriously, who doesn't love Chuck Norris as Walker, Texas Ranger?!?!)  And on the way out of town, our last stop was a local frozen custard place called "Katie's."  DELISH.

Pursuing Eden Styled Shoot | 5.7.15

A ceremony on a dock, a sweetheart table by the water,  a wedding cake on a rowboat… these were all elements of Pursuing Eden's latest styled session for photographers.  Kristal's vision of a theme entitled "Pondside Wonders" turned out beautifully.  And Kay Lynn and I were excited to join the other photographers for the event! 

Our afternoon began as weddings do… with an invitation.  :)

The special thing about our bride and groom for the day… is that they're already married.  :)

 

This form of a "cake table" was our favorite! 

Thanks to all the vendors - y'all's hard work came together wonderfully!

Jill


Props & Styling:  Pursuing Eden Vintage Sales and Rentals
Paper goods:  Southern Fried Paper
Florals:  A Touch of Nature
Cake:  Kool Kakes by Dylan
Models:  Willum & Madlyn Lackey
Antlers:  Mad Antlers
Dress:  Weddings A to Z
Hair:  Lana Cooper
Makeup:  Victoria Morris

London, Kentucky | Nora | 3.26.15

Over the years, "the girls" (a.k.a. my dearest friends) have grown accustomed to my ever-present camera.  It's pretty much understood that if we're together, there will be photos taken.  Besides, those times are far too few and too precious to not be documented.

However, the whole camera thing is new to my sweet "nieces & nephews."  And Nora, especially, was not quite sure what to think of Aunt Jill trying to get her to smile for a picture.

Shortly after this picture, she offered me her sippy cup, and all was right with the world.  :)

Jill

Valentine's Day | 2.14.15

Today would be my grandmother's birthday.  I've always felt Valentine's Day matched her perfectly.  She loved her family and friends with a deep, patient kind of love.  A kind of love that for my sister and I, was often expressed in hugs and kisses and laughter and never-ending art supplies from the bottom dresser drawer.  

(Please enjoy the above blast from the past.  Yes, those are matching hats & t-shirts, 

and yes, Ma-maw is rocking some very plaid shorts.)

If she were here today, we'd likely celebrate her birthday with strawberry milkshakes in the sunroom, along with pedicures and the brightest pink toenail polish known to mankind.  :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Jill

A Thanksgiving perspective... | 11.27.14

Today is a wonderful day to look at life from a different perspective (either figuratively... or literally - like from a tree).  :)  With that new perspective, we are reminded and challenged to live our lives in a spirit of thankfulness. Especially today, we recognize that God is the one to whom all our thanks and praises are due! And we are thankful to Him for His provision, love, and mercy.

Happy Thanksgiving from Jill & Kay! 

"Hallelujah! 

Give thanks to the Lord, 

for He is good; 

His faithful love endures forever."

                                               - Psalm 106:1

Perot Museum | Dallas, Texas | 9.15.14

Unbelievably, it seems that summer is over.  We had a few "adventures" during the past months, and figured we'd keep our summer going by sharing one of our favorites.  :)

I honestly like exploring museums.  Kay Lynn, on the other hand, is a bit more, shall we say, reserved with her excitement.  Because of this, when searching for museums to visit in Dallas, I searched for a place that was "super fun and kid-friendly."  Turns out, the Perot Museum fit the bill!  Our excursion was made even better by the addition of the Brown family to our company!  (You might recognize Weston, our friend, side-shooter, and occasionally the guy we call to pick us up after our car breaks down.)

FOUR STORIES of escalators.  Pretty cool - not to mention a great view! 

(I told her she'd have fun.)

While we don't agree with the museum's timeline of "millions of years ago"... the dinosaur room was pretty cool - and the Brown kiddos were total pros at putting together the wall puzzles!  :)

We can now check off the Perot Museum on our list of things to do and see in Texas!  One down... a lot more to go!  :)  If you've got any Texan "must-see's" you think we should add to our list - let us know!

Jill (& Kay!)

P.S. A special thanks to the Brown family for going with us - we had a blast!!!  ;)

Pa-paw | 7.30.14

The last time we were home in Alabama, I hit the jackpot of old photos of my grandparents.  Most were images I'd never seen before.  I was particularly fond of a shot showing my teen-aged granddad leaning up against an old Ford, clearly dressed to impress in his Sunday suit.  It's definitely a keeper.  :)  But while finding that photo was such a treasure... I like this new one below even better.  I like the smile lines, the freckles, and the baseball cap he's worn for as long as I can remember.  

Comparing the two photographs - one taken well over 50 years ago, one taken moments before - I was reminded once again that in life we are always changing, learning, growing.  It is quite an adventure, quite a journey. 

Jill

P.S.  Many thanks to Kay Lynn, the carport portraiture expert!  :)

FIELD TRIP | El Capitan Beach, California | 3.5.14

Creatio ex communitas

... the creation of a community.

Being part of a community is crucial in life.  We need relationships!  A crew of people recognized a need for a new type of community within the world of photographers, and had an idea of how to begin... with a Field Trip.  A time to build relationships, to bounce ideas, to refresh and rejuvenate your creativity.  I (Kay!) quickly applied for a spot, and myself, along with over 200 fellow photographers, gladly took the opportunity to go on a Field Trip to El Capitan Canyon in beautiful California!

For three days I had the chance to sit with, listen too, learn from, and even shoot beside other photographers who are changing the way our industry works around the world.  Photographers whom Jill & I have followed online for years, like Jill Thomas and Dan O'Day were suddenly right in front of me, sharing stories and lessons they've learned.  Talk about being inspired!

(You'll notice the mud boots... they were a common sight!  Traveling and camping across New Zealand prepared me well for being flexible where weather is concerned!)  :)

Did I mention that the Field Trip crew worked hard to make this weekend a real treat for us photographers?  All the sponsors and instructors had a plethora of information to give out, plus, I was super excited to bring home some new "camping gear."  :)  

This was a great place to camp out for a few days! 

Thanks for a great weekend, Field Trip crew!
Next year, I'm gonna take Jill with me.  :)

Kay