My busy weekend l Personal

SSSHHHOOOOOO!!! I have never posted a personal blog before, but I would like to let my clients have a little more insight to my life. This weekend was quite busy, and that may be an understatement.

Now with Spring here we all have that wonderful thing called yard work. Well, I am still adjusting to having a set work schedule for my business, as I still work full time. Yes, I still work full time in research, 40 hours a week. Plus coming home and editing pics, sessions, meeting clients, preparing for blogs, and finding eating and sleep somewhere in between. As I am getting ready to hit wedding season, I am really trying to get on the ball with having a set work schedule and a life to keep me sane, as this was great advice from Amanda Hedgepeth; she is an amazing photographer and mommy!

My Saturday went like this: Skeatti, my pug, jumping on me at 7:30 am, cause yet another smoke detector battery was going dead.....well there went sleeping in. Then not only is he laying on top of me, but then Meatball, my other pug in standing beside me looking down at me "like get up, I know your awake," oh and don't let me forget the cat chiming in........ So, let the dogs out, feed them, run to the dump (I live in the country we take our own trash to the dump), go jogging (and stopped after two miles and decided I really need to let this hurt knee heal), had to go get gas to cut my grass, push mowed my lawn, fixed my washing machine FINALLY, fixed my bath tub drain FINALLY. Then it was noon, and time for me to get ready to meet a bride, which she awesomely suggested beer over our meeting....YES please! After my great meeting with my bride, I made my way to Maymont for another session with the Olive's (love them to pieces). Then I had my FIRST ever headshots taken for my NEW Website design. Erica Stanley of Hildebrandt Photography met me during  this family session and got a few behind the scene shot for me as well.

It is always great to have friends in this industry, not only to support you, but to keep you level headed and help you LEARN. Thank you Erica for a lot of laughs and images that I can share :) :) Your AWESOME SAUCE.

Sunday was not as crazy, but I had to tend to my house in the morning, as I let it go during the week with work and more work. Made a visit to my brother and Papa, as they are my family that I am SUPER close with, and my rocks when I am having a down day or time in my life. And as if I couldn't get enough of Erica the day before, I spent the rest of the evening with her shooting some behind the scenes for her awesome styled engagement session. Not gonna lie, it is fun playing assistant from time to time. :)

Here are some images from this weekend:

 

Meet Erica of Hildebrandt Photography, we had so much fun during our headshots session!!

 LOVE her bowtie ring!!

 Playing with some sunflare.

 

AND some behind the scenes for Erica:

Couple Session Giveaway l Louisa, Va Portrait Photographer

It has been quite some time since I had a giveaway. And since I REALLY would like some images in the wild flower field and another location with a couple, I decided what the heck I should have a giveaway.

I asked on my Facebook page last week for couples to send in their images and love stories to my email. I was slightly upset I didn't have much interest. Well, this morning I posted I would need just one more to host the give away, and I received NINE emails right away. :)

I will post each contestants picture that they sent me with a little bit about them! Please choose one couple fairly!!

More RULES:
1. You can vote for a couple by commenting on this blog post with their names.
2. You have to "like" my Facebook page for your vote to count. (clink on link, and it will take you to my Facebook page)
3. Share this blog on your Facebook to get others to vote as well. :)
4. You can share on your twitter to get more votes.
5. HAVE FUN AND PLAY NICE!!!

****If you are having ISSUES with commenting on this blog post, please write on my Facebook page stating so, and vote there. Sorry for the issues, I am trying to get them resolved! *******

Contest will end April 25th!!!

Heather and Billy:

Heather and Billy met in 7th grade when he asked me out through a 'secret' Valentines letter & signed it LOVE Billy! I said no back then. Then after 5 years of waving and smiling in the school hallways, we reunited at our local fire department in 12th grade. And now here we are almost 8 years later, MARRIED!!!! And I am proud to say I married my best friend!

Kelsey and Kelcey: (entered by her sister)

 My amazing sister and brother in law deserve this giveaway for many reasons. They are such a cool couple. They met in 2007 and Oct 11 2008 made it official. They moved to Dover DELAWARE a week later so Kelcey could continue his career as a united States airman. They both are away from there families much of the year due to his commitment to our country. I am extremely proud of the adults they have grown to be. Please vote for them.

Amber and Graham:

 Its been some journey with this amazing guy we have been together since January 3rd of 2010, we came across each other on a snowy winter evening we just clicked since then and we talk forever without there ever being a dual moment. We have a beautiful 17month old daughter that was born on October 27th 2011 that is the joy of our life. We have had a rocky road but also glorious moments. We always manage to fight threw the tough and be a family. I don't think I could ever see myself apart from him. We make each other complete <3

Camdynne and Kyle:

 We have been together for almost 4 years!! Never had pics done! And barely have any of us together!!! We don't do much but we love to fish and be outdoors! And get on each others nervous ;) we have defiantly had our share of ups and downs but it's so worth it :) we love each other more and more everyday :)

Danielle and Brandon:

Brandon and I met a little over 6 years ago at Buffalo Wild Wings singing karaoke. I just finished singing Sugarlands "baby girl" and walked off stage past his table. He grabbed my arm and said "Hey your gonna sit down here and talk to me" I was thinking to myself who does this guy think he is...

He was very handsome and I was instantly attracted to him, so I walked off went and grabbed my purse and beer  and came and sat next to him. After that night our first official date was just the two of us pool side at night with a 12 pack of beer. I swear it was the best date I had been on in my life. We talked and laughed and from that point on we were an item. 8 months later we were married, 4 years later we had our  sweet baby girl after a 3 year long struggle getting pregnant. When I was a little girl I had always imagined a prince charming on a horse but what I got was much better a cowboy with a jacked up dodge! Brandon's job keeps him away from home two weeks at a time and then he is only home for 3 days before he goes back for another 2 weeks. It would be so great to have pictures taken of us thanks so so much!

Emily and Chris:

 We have been together for ten years and married almost nine we have 4 kids from 19 to 5..we haven't had pictures done since our engagement pics..

Jessica and William:

This is me and my fiancé William. We first met when I was 16 back in 2000. I fell in love with him quick, but it took him a little longer to fall for me as hard as I fell for him...9 years to be exact lol! I gave up on us in 2004. I moved on with my life and started a family with another man and tried to love him like I did William. William was always in the back of my mind though. I wished nothing but the best for him and hoped that one day he would find true love of his own, if not with me with someone that treated him like he should be treated, a great man. So long story short the man I decided to start a family with turned out to not be the one for me. He was not ready to settle down with just one woman if ya know what I mean, so my heart was broken but I picked myself up and brushed myself off for my baby girl. One night in the midst of all my heartache I kept dreaming a phone number over and over in my head, the next morning the number was still in my head. Keep in mind that this is now 2009, I felt that I knew the number but wasn't sure from where, so me being curious as I am I decided to call the number. I couldn't believe my ears as to who was on the other end of the phone, it was William! He was single, no kids of his own, never been married! I was in the middle of a divorce! He told me that he never stopped thinking about me and after I finally told him goodbye, he realized what he had lost. So I guess it's true, you don't know what you got till it's gone! We talked on the phone for hours every night for 2 weeks. I felt 16 again and in love more than ever. We finally decided to meet up. He instantly fell in love with my daughter and she was crazy about him too. I felt like God, fate or something brought us back together. Now we are engaged and have a daughter of our own together. Our family is perfect in my opinion and I wouldn't change a thing about how it all happened. Everything happens for a reason. I have my two beautiful girls and the man of my dreams (literally)! We are getting married August 24, 2013 and I would love nothing more but to have professional pics taken of us to capture the love we have for each other! Please vote for us.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Thanks Jessica and William 

Rose and David: (enter by a friend)

This is a photo of my very best friend Rose Lemaster and her fiancé David Spencer! They are such a fun loving couple! They have been engaged since Christmas & are looking to get married this year. When David pop the question to Rose Christmas Day she was not feeling the greatest. She was ill with a virus and although she said yes & was happy he asked. All she wanted to do was go back to bed. Poor guy! So Im think having engagement pictures done would be a nice gift for them. Rose & Dave are always going out of their way to help other people. So I would like to win this for them, so they could have fun & show their engagement! Please for them!

Vannessa and Corey:

Corey and I have been together for 7 Years as of April 3. We have known each other since high school, eatting breakfast together every morning and hooking up shortly after I graduated. We have had our ups and downs as any normal young couple. We were blessed with our handsome son Anthony in January of 2010. He is our world. As you can see that is why I do not have a picture of Corey and I alone, lol. In September of 2012 Corey had a motorcycle accident and was medflighted to VCU. At the time he suffered from a TBI, Broken shoulder blade, knocked out a front tooth and almost completely ripped off his ear. We were told that he could wake up not remembering anyone and having the mind set of a 2 yr old. With surgery his ear was fixed, and in time his shoulder blade healed, his tooth is being replaced within the next few weeks. Unfortunaly when you have a TBI there are alot of things affected, Corey on the other hand was being watched over that night, he suffers with some short term memory loss along with a little bit of a personailty change (still outgoing but not as much as he was), sometimes has a short fuse when aggrevated. Most people with a TBI are not as lucky as him, now just 8 months later he is back to work full time!!  This normally takes a minimum of two years. We still have a lot to learn about his condition and in time we will know what changes are staying for a life time and what is just temporary, regardless we have clung to each other more and this situation has made us stronger individuals as well as a stronger couple. Last time he and I had any type of pictures done was three years ago when our son was first born. I would love for him and I to have this give away. Almost as if its a reminder that he may not be 100% the same person but love prevails all.

Lindsay and Justin: 

My husband and I never really get to to much together between a 4 year old 2 year old and a newborn, work and just life in general. We been through so much in the last 6 years and I thought it would be a good thing for him and I to spend time together. Thank you for your time! This picture is really the only one we have together and its from 2009 when we got married and our honeymoon! 

Amanda and Adam:

  Our story goes like this... he's old. Im young. He knocked me up and struck gold. End of story. :)

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Fischer Newborn l Mechanicsville, Va Newborn Photographer

Cassie and her whole family are beyond amazing. Through my photography journey they have been there every step of the way. I was able to capture their first family photos, Cassie's bridal portraits, Cassie + Matt's Wedding, then getting a call a few weeks after the honeymoon to let me know there wishes had come true and they were expecting. Not many knew about this until their Pregnancy Announcement session, a few month later we got to see each other again for their Gender Announcement session, and then for Christmas pictures. During the time when Cassie first found out they were expecting I was SOOOO happy for her and Matt!!! And at this time we discussed capturing the delivery, which I was so excited to be there with them through this journey as well. Although, I was not able to be there with them during the delivery, as a first time dad, Matt, was extremely nervous and wanted it to be just them, which is completely understandable. :)

I went to the hospital the next day to capture some of Fischer's first moments with his mom, dad, and brothers. :)

A week later we planned his newborns in the comfort of his home, but Fischer had a different plan for Cassie and I. He wasn't having it!! So we had a take two day planned, where Cassie put him to work prior to me arriving. I suggested attempting to keep him awake by changing his clothes often that day, putting hats on and taking them off regularly, and semi-light feedings; this way she could give him one heavy feeding upon my arrival while I set up and get the heater cranking. :) The first 45 minutes Fischer wasn't having it, he was fighting sleep. Then finally it happened, he was KNOCKED out, and from there he allowed me to capture his sweet face and move him around with ease. :)

Congrats to Cassie, Matt, Koby, and Seth, I can not wait until we are able to do family pictures again. :)

 Check out those eyelashes :)

 My FAV!!!

Brantley Birth Story l Louisa, Va Portrait Photographer

I honestly do not know how I forgot to blog about this special moment. :(

Shelley first contacted me when she first found out she was expecting. I absolutely LOVE keeping secrets with my clients, sometimes I find out before mom and dad as well. (Do you know how HONORED I am???) To have clients that want me there every step of the way still amazes me. With Shelley and Jonathan I got to capture their Pregnancy Announcement then their Maternity Session. I loved that they were game for my ideas and locations, as I was for theirs as well. :)

Shelley kept me posted as she went to her doctors appointments, then as it came closer I started to get nervous and excited as this was my FIRST birth story. I kept my phone on at night, which if you know me my phone goes on slient at night. I would check in with Shelley every few days for updates and see how she was feeling. She was 100% ready mentally for a all natural birth, SUPER woman!!!

The days came closer and they admitted Shelley in the hospital, I was kept on my toes for a few days as they prepared to induce her. They broke her water on a Monday afternoon, and I was on my way to Martha Jefferson as soon as she texted me. Once I got in the room, her contractions started, and seeing her in pain was painful to watch. I was impressed at Martha Jefferson's birthing facility, they even have a birthing tub in their rooms, how cool is that. Since her doctors where watching her blood pressure closely, they did not allow me in the room during the actual birth, sad face I know. But I was in their moments after and was able to capture some of Brantley's first moments with mom and dad. :) :)

Congrats Shelley and Jonathan on a precious baby Brantley!!!

 Shelley's Dad stayed by her side the whole time :) :)

 Soon to be Dad comforting his wife :)

 Welcome to the world Brantley

 I LOVE baby feet!!

 How precious is this??

Breedlove Family l Crump Park l Glen Allen, Va Family Photographer

The wonderful thing about having this career is being able to catch up with old friends, and watch their families grow. I have known Tracy since the First grade, we were both in Ms. Robinson's class. I look back on days we had in Ms. Steven's English class in high school, and it is amazing the wonderful woman and mother she has become. The most amazing part is that she hasn't aged a DAY since high school, still gorgeous as ever.

It was great meeting her little family. Her husband is a great dad, and they just have so much love for one another. Bella is a little firecracker, I loved letting her take pictures with my camera, and her pushing her face against the back of the camera pretending to look through the eye piece. Although they said Addalyn was not quite the happy baby, she sure gave me some gorgeous smiles this past weekend.

Here is a little sneak peek to this awesome family!!

 They both have the most gorgeous blue eyes!!

 Someone is turning THREE!

 I always love to take a few moments to get a few images of just mom and dad :)

It's a GIRL!!! l Louisa, Va Portrait Photographer

IT'S A GIRL!!!! I am over the moon excited for Deborah!!!!

A special dedication to Sissy l Louisa, Va Portrait Photographer

WOW, is all I can say. The response to the image I posted on my Facebook yesterday was incredible. I made the image as a surprise to Stacy, an amazing client that has become a wonderful friend. You have seen her in my very first Maternity Boudoir session, and in Brycen's Newborns. I am working on a year long project with her, and I can't wait to share in 2014. :)

This image was my first time merging/ ghosting images in photoshop. I was able to use one of Stacy's images off of Facebook, yes with her permission. Many of you may or may not know that Facebook lowers the quality of their images as they are uploaded, so this was a little difficult for me, but over all I didn't curse at photoshop (we have a love hate relationship still, but we are working on our differences).  The quote is from a song by The Dixie Chicks, and I first heard it after I did Brycen's Newborn pictures on the way to my best friends house, and I had been thinking about what to do to include her mom in his pictures, as I feel 100% she sent Brycen to her to show her what a mothers love truly was and is. I was in tears listening to it, which I had never done before, and I put on concerts in my car quite often. :)  At that moment I knew that was the song that was meant for a dedication to Sissy for Stacy and sweet Brycen.

Here is what was posted: "I have to share this project with everyone!!! (it is not perfect because I have never merged images in PS, nor downloaded an image from FB to use) Stacy is an amazingly strong woman, she lost her mom about a year ago and they were the best of friends. Imagine you and your best friend and times that love and happiness by 10, that was her and her mom. A few months later she found out she was going to be having a little blessing from above, 9 months later Brycen made his appearance to the world. I wanted to do something special for Stacy to show her that her mom is still with her everyday watching over her and that special boy. In thinking about this a month ago I was in tears, in hearing this song I was in tears, and now writing this I am again for the forth time today. Stacy I love you and Brycen and your mom would be so proud of you!!"