So, my wife’s baby brother had a baby of his own — premature and beautiful. Better yet, Josh and Courtnie had a baby in North Carolina. Now, when my wife’s other brother had a baby (just two weeks ago), I coax everyone down to the studio for a quick shoot. Stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., however, they can’t just hop into their car and scurry into the studio for a few minutes. Couple that with the sad fact that newborns are simply not newborn after a few weeks, Uncle Rob hopped on a plane for an airborn roadtrip to North Carolina! And by day trip? I mean exactly that …
One of the more common questions we field during our photography workshops: “how do we capture great photos without all of the equipment and studio?” Answer: … “You don’t need much!” I traveled with a camera and flash … that’s about it. Feel confident knowing that it’s fine to simply let nature do the work for you. The sun is the perfect studio strobe, a sheer curtain is the perfect softbox, a beautiful little Avery is the perfect model.
Here’s the first glimpse of little Avery Newbanks — fuzzy, warm, and quiet as she is.
I think it’s rare to have a job that makes you universally loved by your clients & remembered year after year. And for this I feel incredibly fortunate. I can remember back to my early days in art school… I swore I would never shoot weddings. I mean… I was, after all, ‘an artist‘… weddings were NOT art. At least, they weren’t considered art when I began working towards my BFA at the Savannah College of Art & Design.
Obviously our ideas about wedding photography have changed drastically in the last ten years. Even our ideas about family portraiture has changed- for the better. By the time I graduated, this revolution in documentary photography was in full force.
After ten years in business, I’ve learned that establishing relationships with my clients are the most important thing. They trust me to document their lives, their most precious moments. Every year I watch couples get married & welcome their children into the world. Year after year, I watch these babies become children & little people discovering minds of their own. Read More
Precious little Savannah was born in March almost a year to the date of my own sweet daughter. And I have been blessed with capturing this family since the birth of their first child, Jameson. Of course he has now grown into an adorable little boy who is falling quite nicely into the role of a protective big brother. (Here are a few images from their snow shoot .)
I wanted to share some fun images from our celebratory shoot for little Saavy’s first birthday. She enjoyed playing with her pearls & tearing apart her cupcake. She was less interested in eating it & more interested in exploring the texture of the icing. She is a happy little thing, giggling & entertaining herself throughout our entire afternoon together. I am eager to discover who she will become over the next year… they change so quickly & she’s just beginning to explore her independence.
I’ve known the Pelletiers before they were a loving family of six… I remember when it was just Angela & Tom- saying ‘I do’ in front of the fountain in Savannah, Georgia. I still remember their wedding day well. I was fresh out of college, still trying to discover my strong points as an artist. I was also trying to discover what would set me apart & how would that translate into the kind of images and stories I wanted to tell.
Their wedding was one of my earliest, I believe I had twelve under my belt at the time and of course, I was still shooting film. No instant digital screen to confirm my exposure. But I had their trust & most of the time that’s all it takes, even today.
Their wedding helped me know I was on the right track. It was an amazing day, we went where the moment took us. The result was a laid-back, wonderful day with creative shots I could never have ‘planned out’. The wedding made the cover of Southern Bride Magazine- my very first publication!!
Since that faithful day, they’ve allowed me to capture their family as they grow. I’m overwhelmed every time I enter their home & see their living room wall covered with the images I’ve taken over the years. It warms my heart, and tells me that the images I’ve taken will always mean something to this family. I have captured the beginning, their growth & the amazing individuals their children will become. In a way that I only know how.
This is my reward.
In early February, much to my husband’s relief, I put away my snow pants. It looked like I wouldn’t need them this year but oh how I love my snow pants! On bitterly cold days, I can slip them over my pj’s & go to work. They are my magic pants… an article of clothing that I never knew existed while living in Georgia. In fact, snow happens so RARELY in South Georgia that when we had a mere dusting of the white stuff- school was closed!
After I retired my ‘magic pants’ for the season, we receive word that a winter storm is on its way. Up to TEN inches they declare! I was in disbelief but the next morning I awake to a beautiful landscape of winter white & the threat of another storm just around the corner. In total we had about two FEET of snow!! I couldn’t believe it! This was the PERFECT opportunity to break out my snow pants. The second storm dropped heavy, wet snow that clung to the trees & created quite a magical scene- one unlike anything I’d seen before. The morning after a fresh snow is breathtaking & quite…as I stepped out in the fresh cold, I felt a different kind of ‘calm.
Initially wasn’t ambitious enough to get out in it, aside from the shoveling. But once I saw the look of wonder is my child’s eyes I knew I couldn’t take these moments or the beauty of the snow for granted. Besides it gave me the chance to wear my own magic pants.. so out I went.
Here are some images from one of my many snow sessions!
I am still so happy capturing newborns!! Even if I get covered in pee/poop/throw-up… it’s not a job for everyone, but I love it!! In addition, I truly enjoy the extra bond it creates with my wonderful families. I’m extending my newborn special so EVERY family can take advantage of these special moments. **Remember to ask about our baby plans to save even more. Read More
Hooray!! Our family shoot with the fabulous Adrienne Maples is booked!! Now what……..
If you are anything like me, there is a level of uncertainty, maybe even a little anxiety leading up to your session. Adrienne is my boss and my friend, yet I still put a lot of pressure on myself that we won’t get that one perfect shot. You know, the one where everyone is genuinely happy. The one take between the little moments of chaos. Read More
I spent another lovely Fall afternoon with Kindra & her family. I first met Kindra while we were working a wedding at Indian Hills Country Club many years ago, long before the renovation. So several years and plenty of weddings later, we’ve grown accustomed to working together. So it was long overdue for Kindra & her family to have updated family portraits. It’s something that’s so easy to push back.. month after month… year after year. Before you realize, three years have passed & your children are completely different people!
But family portraits don’t require much time. After spending just 30 minutes with these adorable kids, I’d captured their ‘traditional’ family photo as well as fun expressions from each kid. I also took a few mintues to focus on sibling interaction & fun with mom & dad. We also took a few generational photographs with grandma! Read More
