The Bond Between Us

The R Family :: Family Portraits

2011-10-21T10:41:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I made a donation for a silent auction whose proceeds go to FRAXA (see more information HERE). The Cosey family, frequently seen here on my blog, developed the golf tournament for which the silent auction was a part of, and I felt strongly that this was a good opportunity to give back to something greater than myself.
The R family won the auction, and I was super excited to meet them and take their portraits. They're close to the Cosey family, so it was nice to be able to photograph a family who is connected to them.
For our session, we met up last weekend at the north campus of Valdosta State. It wasn't perfect weather for "fall portraits" like Michelle had requested, but in south Georgia you can't really be picky about the surroundings since it's almost like summer year-round. Here are a few of my favorites from our session.

Lindsey :: Maternity

2011-10-15T21:51:00.002-05:00

Lindsey and Wes are near and dear to my heart... we're related by marriage. Even if they weren't, though, they would still be good in my book! :)
In preparation for Baby Cassidy's arrival soon (her due date is 11-11-11, pretty cool, huh?) we scheduled a maternity session last weekend to capture this special time in their lives. Lindsey and Wes are laid-back, so we took a relaxed approach with their session. We had fun hanging out and capturing meaningful images.

Rachel & Chaz :: Married

2011-08-07T16:40:00.005-05:00

Creative genes run wild in my family. We all have it to some extent. Rachel, my cousin, has an out-pouring of creative ability. And I love that about her. She makes jewelry. She paints. She teaches art to children. Incredible. Chaz is a fitness buff who is a personal trainer. Seeing his Facebook status each day makes me gain weight just reading how active he is... and reminding me of how active I am not. They met over seven years ago on the 4th of July, through mutual friends, and have consistently worked on building an incredible relationship. I love their love. Their quirky, fun, child-like (but so real) love.
I was honored to be asked by her to be her wedding photographer. When I spoke to her about her plans, my mouth gaped open when she spoke her wedding venue. Dave & Buster's. Yes, you read that correctly. The place where people go and play Skee Ball and go shopping with their hard-earned tickets.
The end of May couldn't have come fast enough, as I anxiously awaited for the wedding event of the century. When we got into town, the details all came together and I was able to see the vision that Rachel and Chaz had been creating for months. All of their loves came together in a juxtaposition of wedding awesomeness. You know... things like hand-made wedding jewelry (made by Rachel), bowls of Legos for table centerpieces, and a dinosaur for a cake topper.
You really need to see pictures, so I'll stop talking and just show you the awesomeness that I captured through my camera's lens.

Texas

2011-08-07T16:29:00.003-05:00

Early this summer, my husband and I drove to Texas for my cousin's wedding. I'll be sharing their awesome story later tonight, but I wanted to share this one image I captured while driving down the road. {Okay, I wasn't driving down the road... my husband was, and I photographed along the way.}
For several years, I've been itching to find a tree in a large pasture that I could photograph. Everywhere I drive, I think about it and hope that I'll find it along my travels. While driving home from Texas, my husband said to me "Ooo, that tree is yours!" And I snapped. And it developed perfectly. The horses below are just an added bonus. I had it printed large, and I'm trying to find a spot for it in my house!

Kanawha & Josh :: Wedding Photography

2011-06-02T20:43:00.002-05:00

Kanawha and Josh were married a few weeks ago, and it was an honor to be their photographer! This was the second time shooting at First Presbyterian Church here in Valdosta, and loved having the beautiful architecture of the sanctuary as a background for my images! Their reception was at the Loft at City Market, which was awesome too! It was difficult to choose, but here are some of my favorites from Kanawha and Josh's big day!

Liam :: Newborn

2011-06-01T21:17:00.000-05:00

Baby Liam is beautiful... during his session, I can't count how often his mom and I talked about how boys can be pretty too. :) I almost packed him up with my blankets and baskets. Haha.
Here are some of my favorites, though it was tough choosing just a handful.

Meghan & Buddy :: Engaged

2011-05-27T15:32:00.000-05:00

She walks in a room, and everyone instantly smiles. He walks in a room, and it's hard not to laugh. Meghan and Buddy are a dynamic duo, and during our engagement session a few weeks ago, I walked away with sore face muscles from smiling and laughing so much!
Meghan and I work together, and I felt honored to be asked to photograph her engagement portraits. As you'll see below, Meghan is a natural beauty with a contagious smile. It was awesome spending the evening downtown with her and Buddy!
They're getting married this November in St. Simons Island, and I'm so excited to be a part of it! They already have a wedding photographer booked, but with my experience shooting wedding for the past few years and having to be the unofficial director, they're trusting me with the coordination of the day. Same hard work, similar structure, but totally different at the same time. I'm looking forward to the challenge!

Thomas & Teresa :: Engaged

2011-05-25T20:47:00.000-05:00

Thomas and Teresa are getting married next January, and I'm SO excited to be their photographer. Thomas and my husband are best friends, and I've known him for over 10 years. Thomas is a wonderful person -- I consider him to be one of my best friends too -- and I'm ecstatic that he's found another wonderful person to spend the rest of his life with. Teresa is beautiful. Inside and out. She's out-going. And funny.
Here are my favorites from their engagement session. I cannot WAIT for their wedding.

Colten :: Child Portraits

2011-05-24T20:26:00.002-05:00

Colten and I had SUCH a fun time in his backyard a few weeks ago. I was invited to his backyard playground for our session, and it was awesome seeing him explore around, and hilarious hearing him laugh. :)

I'm Alive... and why edited images are better.

2011-05-15T21:27:00.003-05:00

I'm alive. I promise. I'm just swamped.
I've got great stuff to share, and I know that I'm behind on sharing, but it will be worth the wait. :) I've just finished up with the final images of Tina & Mike's wedding... so I can now focus on getting up some favorites of spring sessions I've done in the past few weeks.

Before scooting out of here and back to being a slave to Photoshop, I wanted to share a quick image with you. It's one from Leslie & Ike's 10 year wedding re-do portrait session. A before and after, showing why edited images are better.
Some clients ask if I provide a CD of all of the images that I take at a session. My answer is no. While I do show almost all of my images in a client's gallery, I take several out (i.e. no one wants pictures of themselves mid-blink or with a funky look on their face) and pare the images down a bit (i.e. it's often overwhelming to see so many pictures and many of them being multiple images of the same pose). While a client choosing images gets to see the "raw" footage that I take, they don't ever have the option of buying them. Why? Because edited images are better. I promise. And really, that's why you're paying me for my time and effort. You really don't think the only time I spend on your images is just the hour I'm photographing your family, do you? :) You're paying me for the whole package. When you go to a baseball game, you don't expect the umpire to call the game in the 8th inning. You came to see all 9.
Here is the proof... see the difference? Very little editing was done on this image (I strive to get my work good in camera so that I don't butcher them up in post-processing) but it makes such a big impact.

See? A little love goes a long way.

Spring Mini-Sessions!

2011-04-16T14:10:00.002-05:00

I had such a good time during my spring mini-sessions a few weeks ago. A few people ended up having to re-schedule because of the weather, but we're working on getting them completed. The weather had been crummy the entire week before the sessions, so our location had to be moved from the park to VSU. I was bummed at the thought of not having that nature scenery, but I was pleasantly surprised to get some green in the images. :) Here are some of my favorites!

Sassy :: Child Photography

2011-04-05T21:02:00.000-05:00

Sassiness isn't always a good thing. But when you're 3, 5, and 14 and work it in front of a camera... sassiness is an awesome quality to have. :) K, M, and M have been clients of mine ever since Miss Middle M was 1. I've been honored to be able to capture them grow, and I was amazed at how much they've grown since our last session together. :) K is maturing, and it's so neat to see her develop into a teenager. And Miss Tiny M is as much a fire-cracker as she's always been. All three girls kept me on my toes during our session, but we had so much fun together!

Leslie & Ike :: 10 Years Later

2011-04-05T16:12:00.001-05:00

Months ago, Leslie and I began plotting our ideas for her 10th anniversary photo session. Leslie and Ike have been working on changing their lifestyle habits over the past year, and they've both lost a good amount of weight. So much so, that they look even better TODAY than they did TEN years ago! Incredible transformations. Including Leslie being able to fit into her wedding gown!
The weather desperately wanted to rain on our parade, but we refused to let it stop our plans. We made a detour to the church where they originally got married on May 26, 2001 and re-enacted their wedding portraits. Then we headed into down and hung out around West Hall of VSU. Which, coincidentally is where they met. (cues the "awwwww"s now)
I had SO much fun during our session together. Maybe it's because they're comfortable in front of my camera or maybe it's because they're so comfortable with one another. But I swear this was the easiest wedding-ish shoot I've ever done. It's probably because there weren't family members around taking pictures next to me, or a reception we needed to go to after pictures. :) It was difficult narrowing down my favorites. But I think I got them here. Enjoy! If there's anyone else out there who wants to do a session like this, I'm looking forward to you contacting me. It was truly a blast!!

Tina & Mike :: Wedding Photography

2011-04-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

Not only was Tina and Mike's wedding fun because they're an awesome couple... they also happened to get married on my own anniversary! :) I have to say, if there's anything I'd rather do other than spending time with my husband, it would be seeing two people who are as in love as I am getting married to their sole mates.
I loved Tina's originality and the way she truly expressed her personality in her wedding details... include a silver wedding gown and personalized Converse shoes (hers were white with blue lining as her "something blue").

Kristina & Chris :: Married

2011-04-02T21:04:00.004-05:00

Kristina hired me based on a recommendation from her soon-to-be sister-in-law... who has been a client of mine for portraits for the past five years. I was so excited to be able to photograph this wedding, and spend more time getting to know their families.
The ceremony was held near the Big Oak in Thomasville, an outdoor ceremony on a day when rain was tempting to pour all day. Thankfully, it held out, and the sun shined a bit during their vows.
Here are a few of my favorites of Kristina and Chris' big day!

Tyler :: Newborn

2011-04-02T20:55:00.002-05:00

Tyler is as cute as could be, and he made sure to stay awake and alert during our session so I wouldn't forget about him while I was there. :) He's adorable, and I'm so excited to share images from our session together!

Holly & Mitch :: Married

2011-03-19T12:09:00.003-05:00

I'm shooting a wedding today... and realized that the wedding I shot while I was referred to today's bride and groom was never posted here on the blog. I shared on Facebook, and Holly & Mitch have had their final wedding images for months, but I feel terrible that I missed a post here of their wedding. :(
October has to be the most perfect month to get married. In fact, I wanted to get married in October very badly, but it wasn't in the cards. Holly's wedding was everything I loved... a simple, elegant, backyard afternoon wedding. With traditional fall colors. Brown and orange accents. Beautiful!
Here are some of my favorite images from Holly and Mitch's wedding from last October. I was so honored to photograph this wedding, and I wish them nothing but happiness forever!

Spring Mini-Session Date Set!

2011-03-12T16:40:00.007-05:00

Here are the details for the spring mini-session marathon!

Time spaces available include:

8:30- BOOKED
9:00- BOOKED
9:30- BOOKED
10:00- BOOKED
10:30- available
3:30- BOOKED
4:00- available
4:30- available
5:00- available

A new link!

2011-03-08T13:49:00.003-05:00

If you're eyes are good, you'll see that I have a new link displayed under the "websites" section to the right of the blog! It will link you to see my session information (prices, products, and packages -- the three Ps). :) The information presented shows details for regular portrait sessions. However, I also provide wedding photography and offer portrait specials throughout the year. Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions about weddings or are interested in signing up for an alert when portrait specials are available.

Cole :: 6 Months

2011-02-12T18:09:00.010-05:00

He's beautiful. And I wanted to take him home with me. :)
Cole and I had so much fun together during our session. And the fact that he loved being just in his diaper was fantastic for my ideas to concentrate on his adorableness and testing out some new blankets.

Pepper & Ash :: Maternity

2011-02-12T18:09:00.009-05:00

Pepper & Ash have been so awesome to meet and get to know! Pepper works at VSU with my husband, so they're friends on FB. Through the magic of FB, Brett saw that Pepper wanted a maternity session. He suggested me to her, she e-mailed me that afternoon, and within 48 hours we were shooting her session!
The weather that weekend was less than desirable, but we made it work. Pepper and Ash weren't looking for the run-of-the-mill maternity session, so we met downtown and had some fun against the uniquely textured area. Here are a few of my favorites from our session together!

Luke

2011-02-12T18:09:00.008-05:00

Remember Heather & Mike from their maternity session a few months ago? We were scheduled to do a newborn session after Luke was born, but due to busy schedules and medical issues, we put the session off until he was bigger. In December we met up for a session before the holidays. Here's Luke in all of his cuteness!

The H Family

2011-02-12T18:08:00.004-05:00

I'm catching up on some posts today... up first is the H Family! We met downtown on what was, perhaps, the coldest and windiest day in December. Seriously. I think I did the fastest session ever. It was freezing. They were troopers though, and we got some really good shots!

Erin & Brandon :: Married

2011-02-12T16:48:00.004-05:00

Erin & Brandon had a new year's eve wedding... and it did not disappoint! The decor carried the theme of celebration and ringing in the new year. As I work on all of the images from this wedding, enjoy some of my favorites throughout the night.

One Big Happy.

2011-01-22T17:37:00.003-05:00

Kala and Matt had a great idea for their parents... a photo session as part of their holiday gift! Part 1 of their family session can be found here in THIS post, and now I'm sharing Matt's side of the family.
I love when clients invite me to their homes or family land... sessions like these are so personal, and it challenges me to think on my feet instead of using the same areas I photograph all the time. I loved the barn at Matt & Kala's, and knew I need to do pictures in front of it.

I love the idea of sending Happy New Year cards... especially if the holidays are a bit too busy and hectic. Not only does it allow you time to relax, but it's also nice for your friends and family who continue to receive well-wishes into January.

The N Family

2011-01-22T17:24:00.002-05:00

I had the joy of photographing the N family for a couple of years now... remember them from HERE and HERE? It's been so much fun watching the boys grow up!
For holiday portraits this year, we met up at the north campus of VSU on a chilly day. Thankfully, we survived without any frozen fingers. :) Here are a handful of my favorites from our session together!

The S Family

2011-01-03T16:07:00.002-05:00

Jennifer and Rob have one of the CUTEST babies I have ever seen. Elizabeth is always happy, and her smile was contagious during our session. I couldn't get enough of her!

And here's the Christmas card they chose this year. I love it!!

The H Family

2011-01-02T11:19:00.006-05:00

Amy & Adam are expecting a baby in 2011, but didn't want their pups thinking they weren't a family of four already. :) They scheduled a holiday session to capture this time in their lives, and to share images with family and friends for Christmas. Here are some of my favorites!

The C Family

2011-01-02T11:05:00.003-05:00

I'm thrilled to have amazing clients who love having their portraits made. Photographing them often allows them to capture memories across the year! Colten and his parents scheduled a mini-session just in time for the holidays... great for Christmas cards and presents for the grandparents. :) I can't believe how much Colten has grown... he just turned 2 last week! Here are some of my favorites from our holiday session together.

Thank you.

2010-12-30T23:37:00.003-05:00

*Whenever I hear "thank you" I cue my mental song list to play Alanis Morrisette... anyone else?* But I digress. :)

My dearest clients,
Thank you so much for your trust in me.... trust to invite me into your family and to capture your memories. 2010 was a fabulous year, and I can't wait to see how 2011 unfolds!
Speaking of, bookings for 2011 sessions are officially available. I encourage everyone to consider having their portraits made this year. My husband and I actually had our portraits taken a few weeks ago for our Christmas cards, and it was sad to think that the last time we had pictures taken of us was five years before at our wedding. While it was funny being on the other side of the camera, it made me crave more pictures... and understand the importance of my job as a photographer.
Remember that I only take a limited number of sessions on each month due to my full-time job (and an actual life, which I'll be trying to engage in more this next year). I always try to save room for maternity and newborn sessions, but it's still a good idea to contact me about these sessions so we can pencil something in.
Again, to my clients of 2010. Thank you.

Sorry for the lack of posts over the past few weeks. With Christmas being in full swing, it was difficult to find time to post sneak peeks. Good news, however, is that everyone who needed pictures before Christmas has them, and all holiday cards were delivered! Now sharing can be done with less worry about making sure I don't give away surprises. :)

Robin & Patty : Family Portraits

2010-12-11T21:15:00.004-05:00

Robin and Patty are sisters, and over the Thanksgiving holiday while Patty and her family was in town, we got together for some portraits.
I don't want to share too much because I have a feeling some of their images are going to be Christmas presents, so I'll just share a couple. :) I don't want to give too much away.

Celebrating Adoption : Family Portraits

2010-12-11T20:00:00.003-05:00

I've been a member of Celebrating Adoption for a few years, and I've had the pleasure of photographing a few families who fulfill the requirements of deserving a FREE photo session. The S Family fits the mold more than most -- they've not only adopted within the past year... they've adopted FOUR times in the past handful of years. They totally deserved this session, and I was so happy to provide them family portraits. What's more, they're going to be adopting again soon! Amazing!
Words can't describe how much fun our session was. Photographing four children between the ages of 4 and 7 was hard-work, but their love and laughter made it a wonderful experience for all of us. Here are some of my favorites from our session together!

Stalvey Family : Child Portraits

2010-12-11T19:44:00.004-05:00

Be forewarned that adorable children are in this post.
Dressed alike.
In holiday outfits.
This post oozes cuteness.
For real.

Check out Mr. and Mrs. Stalvey's grandchildren. We had a lot of fun walking around their property and taking pictures. I loved how photogenic they all were! Here are some of my favorites!

Kala & Matt : Family Session

2010-12-11T19:32:00.005-05:00

Kala and I are friends through the Valdosta Junior Woman's Club, and I was excited to have an opportunity to take some portraits for her, her husband, and her parents. We met out at Kala and Matt's house in Adel for a relaxed portrait session geared toward using images for their Christmas cards. I'm not sharing the final images they chose for their cards, but here are a few of my favorites from our session together! More images to come from an additional session with Matt's family. Stayed tuned to see them soon!

Coming soon to a blog near you...

2010-11-26T22:34:00.002-05:00

I've been excitedly busy with holiday photo sessions lately, and I can't wait to share them all with you. I've got three that I just finished up last weekend, and another three to do this weekend. Since I'm under a time crunch, I'll share one from each session... with a full share soon. :) Here's what's coming soon to the blog!

Today, I'm thankful.

2010-11-25T13:43:00.002-05:00

... for the almost 30 families I have the opportunity to work with this year (and another handful in the next few weeks).
... for Canon for providing amazing customer service and fixing my camera free of charge.
... for my husband for being supportive on weekends when I'm gone early in the morning, and late in the afternoon for photo shoots.
... for Photoshop, for providing amazing editing software that has the capability to taking my images to the next level.
... for my mother and grandfather who gave me the photography bug.

I {heart} the B Family!

2010-11-12T19:29:00.004-05:00

I love having families who trust me. Whether it involves location choices, clothing options, re-scheduling because of weather, or anything else that could come up. Trust is such an important quality to have in a relationship, and knowing that people trust me (especially with family memories) is humbling. The B family certainly falls under the category of families who trust me. Every option I gave Leslie during our consultation e-mails were replied with "Whatever you think is best... we trust you." Last weekend, we met up at the north campus of VSU for their holiday session. Here are some of my favorites!

The P Family

2010-11-12T19:23:00.004-05:00

Renee and Dalton have been clients before, but this time Matt joined us! Renee and Matt were married a few months ago, but are having a wedding next spring and wanted to get some engagement type pictures along with some family shots for holiday cards.
Here are some of my favorites from our session together!

Tristan & Kaylie : Child Portraits

2010-10-30T13:12:00.004-05:00

T&K's mom and I went to college together, but lost touch. Through the wonders of Facebook, we reconnected, and I was so excited to see her and her kids a few weeks ago for their holiday portrait session! Gena was actually pregnant with Tristan the last time I saw her. We had fun exploring the north campus of Valdosta State University together, climbing up and down stairs, playing with fall leaves, and enjoying the crisp air of the coming fall.

Colten : Child and Family Portraits

2010-10-30T11:29:00.004-05:00

He loves Elmo.
He loves to giggle.
He loves play.
He loves to explore.
And he loves his parents more than anything in the world.

Here's cutie Colten from our session together a few weeks ago.

Alice : Senior Portraits

2010-10-26T20:15:00.004-05:00

Even when she was little, Alice has always been a fun kid to be around... nice to all people, a lover of animals, and incredibly smart. Now a high school senior, Alice is anticipating graduation, deciding which college to attend, and ready to embark on the next chapter of her life! I have no doubt that Alice will be successful at anything she puts her mind to accomplish! I was honored to photograph her senior portraits.
While most seniors love doing their sessions somewhere urban or funky, Alice chose to do her session at her home and personalize her session. (I looooove when clients do this.) Her father is an amazing horticulturist, and their backyard is beyond beautiful with trees and flowering plants. A truly perfect backdrop to Alice's natural beauty!

The Spivey Girls.

2010-10-03T19:52:00.004-05:00

This was my most favorite session to date with the Spivey girls. Truly, it's amazing what happens when Mom or Dad disappears, and kids get into their element. Mom stayed in the van while the girls and I walked around, talked, and picked flowers. I'm sure she appreciated some uninterrupted time... even if she was stuck in her car. :) Here are a couple of my favorites!

Emma : Newborn

2010-09-22T19:26:00.004-05:00

Emma's parents have been clients of mine since the beginning. Like, waaaaaaay back. I loved being able to capture images of her, adding my touch to her family's portraits! I was a little apprehensive about her being older than a normal newborn I photograph, but I found that she was just as much of a dream as I was used to with little ones. Here are my favorites from our session together, and I look forward to many more!

Heather & Mike: Maternity

2010-09-12T18:20:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from a previous client of mine saying she wanted to buy a gift certificate for her co-worker. I was so excited to hear that Heather is pregnant, and that Erin wanted to gift her a photography session! (It's such a great idea and available to anyone, by the way... no doubt that you don't have to worry about duplicate gifts!!)
Heather & Mike joined me here in Valdosta for their maternity session. Baby Luke is due to arrive any day now, and I can't wait to share his images soon. I am thrilled to be able to document this time in their lives. Here are a handful of my favorites!

Coming Soon!

2010-08-27T21:00:00.003-05:00

Heather, Mike, and her belly! Luke will join the world in a few days, and then he'll be on here too! Nothing better than a belly and a baby!

Cole : Newborn

2010-08-27T20:40:00.004-05:00

5 days old.
Plenty of hair.
Asleep.

I don't know what else I could have asked for when I shot Baby Cole's newborn session the other week. He was a photographer's dream, for sure!
Here are a couple of my favorites... though I admit that it was difficult to choose just a few.

Remaining Openings for 2010

2010-08-21T10:23:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm so excited that bookings for holiday sessions are going well, but that unfortunately means that I only have a few more spots open for 2010. Here are the dates and times that I have open.

- Sunday, September 12th at 8:00am: BOOKED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE
- Saturday, October 2nd at 6:00pm
- Sunday, October 3rd at 6:00pm
- Sunday, October 10th at 6:00pm

If you're open to a session during the week, I have limited openings for that as well. Let me know if you're interested. Weekday sessions are only good for mini-sessions, as the available light is decreasing quickly.

Actually, I take that back... let me explain. The above sessions are the only availabilities I have if you want your images delivered for the holidays. If you don't have an immediate need (i.e. you don't want holiday cards or to use your images for holiday presents) than I am more than happy to schedule a session after the middle of October. Just know that there will be no guarantee that your images will be ready for Christmas.

And, because a blog post without an image isn't any fun, here's one from a newborn session I did last weekend. Cole's official blog post is coming soon, but here's a teaser!

Mom & Me Contest Winners!

2010-08-20T19:47:00.004-05:00

So, a million years ago when I did the Mom & Me contest, Melissa won the session giveaway! Pretty soon after, we were able to do a session with her mom and sister... making it a trio of family love. Earlier this week I was searching my blog to show off these images to a friend of mine interested in her own adult mother/daughter session, when I realized that I never blogged them. My jaw dropped to the floor when I realized this. And I feel terrible. Better late than never, right?

2010 Holiday Card Offerings

2010-08-19T21:33:00.002-05:00

Last night, I created the 2010 holiday card offerings. I love them all for different reasons, and simply cannot pick a favorite. Which one will you use for your holiday cards?

(click to see images larger)

I want their genes.

2010-08-11T20:06:00.003-05:00

I love the K family... they're gorgeous, sweeter than pie, and amazingly fun together. I joined them on Sunday morning at their house for some family portraits and I couldn't be more pleased with what we got! Mr. K is deploying soon for a few months, and they wanted some pictures to capture them in their element. The little Ks are cuter than they were about a month or so ago (if that's possible). Here are some of my favorites. To be honest, I really DON'T have a non-favorite from their session... so here are my favorite-favorites. :)

And now, for something completely different.

2010-08-01T15:17:00.002-05:00

Neal requested a session in order to send some images to Collegiate Camo, a company he represents on the Outdoor Outfitters Channel. If you're not familiar with Outdoor Outfitters, its purpose is showcasing anything and everything regarding the outdoors -- fishing, hunting, marksmenship, etc. Neal even has a show airing in August where he's the star of an episode... a celebrity in the making, I tell you. (He's agreed to allow me exclusive photography privileges if he makes it big. Haha.)
He needed the images on a pretty strict deadline, and I'm incredibly surprised Neal made it through the session alive. A hot July afternoon and winter-seasoned camouflage don't normally go well together. :) Here are some of my favorites from our session. This session was totally outside my normal zone of photography, but sometimes it's fun to get outside of your element.

Holiday sessions are now available!

2010-07-10T09:46:00.003-05:00

The Feeling is Mutual.

2010-06-27T11:30:00.004-05:00

Robin and Layton have been trusting me with their family portraits for three years... ever since Little Miss Gentry was a newborn. They're always excited about pictures, and I know that they "get it"... the process, the attention, the love.
And the feeling is mutual. I love Gentry's smile... Robin's laugh... and Layton's cool-as-a-cucumber attitude. Their willingness to do whatever I have in mind. Their opinions about making their photo session their own. Their beautiful relationship.
Yesterday I hung out with them at the Arts Center for a bit, and then we headed over to Drexel Park for some playground fun. Here are a few of my favorites!

Stephanie & Stephen

2010-06-19T08:45:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, I traveled to Naylor... a town that's almost a figment of imagination in South Georgia. The directions to the church included, "after the caution light, turn left". I was afraid that I was going to be lost in the middle of nowhere. :) Thankfully, I found where I needed to be with no problems, and was greeted with warm smiles and open arms!
Stephanie & Stephen's wedding was small and intimate with close family and friends. I loved the simplicity and natural beauty of our surroundings that we were able to utilize, despite the ever climbing temperature.
Here are a few of my favorites from their big day!

One last hurrah...

2010-05-25T20:50:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it. Another photography family leaving. I understand that life takes people places... but it stinks when you've been fortunate enough to be involved with them. Even if just by the other end of the camera lens.
The M Family have been faithful clients, and I've loved every minute of each session we've had, watching Miss K grow up to be a big girl. Here are some of my favorites from our session together... taking it right back to where it all began in December 2008 with their maternity session in downtown Valdosta.

No Wonder I Love Him

2010-05-19T21:14:00.002-05:00

My birthday was yesterday, and I was more than surprised to find a bouquet of sunflowers waiting for me when I arrived to work in the morning from my husband. I love sunflowers, and was so excited to display them throughout the day.... and then quickly go home to take pictures of them. :)

And the winner is...

2010-05-15T08:41:00.002-05:00

A huge thanks to all of the entries for the Mom and Me sessions. Thankfully, I wasn't responsible for choosing a winner, because everyone would have won in my book. Nope, it was all up to random.org, an unbiased website that is very popular among blogs for randomly choosing a number. Here are the results...

Melissa, you and your mom are welcome to choose your location and day of your session. I can't wait!

Mom & Me Mini-Sessions

2010-05-10T11:13:00.003-05:00

I've been thinking for a while about doing something fun for Mother's Day. And, obviously, since it's passed... you know that I couldn't think of anything cool. Until today. The morning after. Hrmph.
At any rate... I'd love to give away a Mom & Me mini-session, a 30 minute on-location portrait session. To me, though, a Mom & Me mini-session probably isn't what you're thinking of (you're thinking of you and your child, right?) Nope, the Mom & Me mini-session I'm thinking of is of you and YOUR mom. As in two adult women.
This thought occurred to me when I realized this morning that the last picture that my mom and I have of ourselves is five years ago from my wedding... and the picture before that was during my sophomore year in high school. In other words -- way too long ago! :) In an effort to prevent that from occurring in your family, here it is... the Mom & Me mini-session!
In order to win this giveaway, you need to clear a few things off this list.

1. You have to be in (or willing to travel to) the Valdosta-ish area (-ish areas include places like Lake Park, Quitman, Lakeland, etc... anywhere within about a 30 minute drive).
2. You have to be available to complete this session by September 31, 2010.
3. You have to leave a comment here on my blog telling me why you and your mom are deserving of this.
4. You receive bonus points if you blog about this, Facebook about this, tell people in your Mommy group... anything else cool and fun that lets other people know about this giveaway. As a present to you for that, your name will be counted twice as long as you post here a comment providing a link with proof.

The Tiny Print: Winners will receive a free session, however prints and other products are not included. Winner must provide dates of availability to coordinate with Kelly's schedule. Submissions will be accepted through midnight on Thursday. The winner will be announced here on the blog on Friday by 6:00pm.

I can't help it.

2010-05-02T17:28:00.004-05:00

I did a session this afternoon, and I'm overwhelmed by cuteness. Usually, I do my best to hold off for a day or two, but I couldn't help myself. Alex & Ellie are beyond cute. Check it out. A bigger blog post will happen soon, but I can't help but share these two now for mom and dad.

Colten

2010-05-02T16:28:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, Colten and I met up at VSU for some portraits. Okay... so, it wasn't just the two of us. His mom and dad came too. But he was definitely the star of the show!
I've been fortunate to have been photographing Colten since he was a newborn, and I'm amazed each time I see him how much he's grown. He's no longer a baby... very much now a "big boy".
Here are some of my favorites from our session together.

Jillian & John Michael : Married

2010-05-02T15:03:00.001-05:00

Jillian and John Michael were a blast to photograph. Since initial e-mailing began around the holidays, Jillian and I were in sync about her vision for photography. Simple, elegant, and relaxed. I'm amazed that everything on their wedding day turned out to be exactly that! All of their family and friends did a wonderful job coming together for their Big Day!

Erica & James : Married

2010-04-21T21:03:00.003-05:00

Words cannot even begin to describe how moving Erica & James' wedding was a few weeks ago. They are such a beautiful couple (inside and outside) and I felt beyond honored to document their wedding day. I have to admit that I even became teary eyed during the ceremony, and again while looking through their images. The love that Erica and James have for one another is nothing short of God's amazingness. Enjoy these images!

Amber is One!

2010-04-18T21:00:00.003-05:00

It's hard to imagine how fast time goes by when you're a grown up. As a kid, time went by soooo slow. Time between holidays... until your next birthday... until summer break. As an adult, it's incredible to see time fly by, and as a photographer it seems to go by even faster when I'm documenting the changes of time.
You may remember Amber from THIS or THIS or THIS session. Amber's first birthday party was a few weeks ago, and I was privy to be her photographer. Amber's parents through her a cute little party at McKey Park. Excellent weather day, and great friends to celebrate with!

Cindylou

2010-04-04T16:46:00.004-05:00

Lazy.
Beautiful.
Curious.
Funny.
Mine.

Words cannot describe how much love I have for Cindylou, our boxer mix who has become my best friend over the past 7 years.
We got her from the Lowndes County Animal Shelter as a 10 month old puppy, after her owner turned his wife's two puppies because he didn't want them. When the man's wife came home and noticed the puppies gone, she went to the shelter to get them back. As an owner turn-in, the only way she could get the puppies back was to adopt them... and she only had money for one. Unfortunately (or rather, forunately for us) she chose to take home Cindylou's brother. She promised that she'd come back for Cindylou. But never did.

{Important sidenote} A few weeks later, my husband and I (boyfriend at the time) talked about getting a dog. He was in the market for a house, and thought it would be fun to have a dog. We never considered a breeder, even though he's always wanted an English Bulldog. Instead, we decided on adopting a dog from the shelter. We wanted a puppy so bad, a little one, that we could teach and train. We found one... a black lab puppy who was about 6 weeks old. Goodness, she was adorable. We signed the papers, paid our money, and waited until we could pick her up from the vet after he got fixed (it's required of all shelter animals, to help control the pet population). That night, I went to the store and bought everything we'd need for a puppy... including a cute color with a tag on it that read "Abby". The next day, I went to the vet to pick Abby up and take her home. The vet said that he needed to talk to me... that Abby was having problems. They'd ran tests, and thought that she had Parvo. Turns out, she did, and so did several of Abby's siblings at the shelter. It was a no-go for us... and they put them all to sleep (Parvo is a nasty disease).
I was shattered. I called Brett, and left sobbing messages on his voicemail. I went home, barely seeing the road ahead of me through the tears in my eyes. I was devestated. Later, I got a call from the shelter. They apologized for the problems, and said that when we were ready, we could pick another dog. The next weekend, we went back.{Important sidenote end.}

When we returned, we saw the cutest dog in a cage by herself. She wasn't an old dog, but she wasn't a small puppy like we had set out for. Still, she was beautiful... she had deep soulful eyes and a wagging tail. The sign read that she was 10 months (hey, in people terms that's technically still a baby... so she was technically still a puppy). Her name was Cindylou. We played with her, agreed to try it out, and took her home.

Truly, the rest is history. I love her. And she's one of my best friends. She wakes us up each morning on time, cuddles with us on the couch, and gives the best kisses.

The B Family

2010-04-02T22:33:00.003-05:00

Anna Grace is one of my favorite people in the entire world. Her parents aren't that bad either. :) I love whenever Jaclyn calls me for a session, and I was more than happy to do one for them the other weekend. Here are a few of my favorites...

Spring mini-sessions are here!

2010-03-12T22:39:00.002-05:00

Fine Print:
- Session fee due at time of booking
- Sessions booked first come, first served.
- Maximum of two persons included for single time slot (if needing to accommodate more than two persons, considering booking back-to-back slots)
- Sessions will begin and end on time in order to be aware of timing.
- Late clients will not be guaranteed their full shooting time.
- Due to limited length, sessions work best for babies who are sitting up or children who take direction well to make most of session time (children who take a while to warm up to the camera might be better suited for a full session)
- Session times booked in 30 minute increments between 8:30 - 10:00 and 3:30 - 5:00.
- Refunds are not offered if session is missed or rain-out occurs (see alternate date), but can be applied to a future session.
- If interested booking a mini-session, please e-mail me at thebondbetweenus(at)gmail(dot)com and include your preferred time slot.

Lindsey & Mark : During & After

2010-03-10T20:58:00.003-05:00

The other day I posted the "before" images of Lindsey and Mark's wedding. Well, I'm back for more. :)

Sianara babiness... Krista is a big girl now!

2010-03-10T20:49:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago (gah, has it been a month?!) I photographed Krista's 12 month portraits. Krista is my first graduate of my baby plan, and it's been an honor to photograph her for the past year. I'm amazed at how much she's grown. Remember this image from her newborn session?

We had tons of fun during her session last month in downtown Hahira. Here are my favorites from our session together.

Lindsey & Mark : Before

2010-02-27T21:34:00.003-05:00

Lindsey and Mark's wedding last weekend was amazing. One of the coolest things about them is that they're real, genuine, don't pretend to be something they're not, and they're not afraid to be who they are. Their families are the same. Their friends are the same. And shooting them all was a breeze. It was also fun. :) Let's start with the before... and then we'll get to the "during" and "after" later.

The Brewster Family

2010-02-21T09:53:00.003-05:00

I posted a quick image last week from my session with the Brewster Family, but figured that they deserved an entire post about them... so I'm back! :)
We met up a couple of weeks ago on what seemed to be the coldest day in history, and managed to rock out some awesome images in the short time we had together (babies + freezing weather are NOT a good recommendation... just in case you were wondering). Here are some of my favorite images from our session together at the Rose Garden in Thomasville!

Giveaway Winner!

2010-02-20T10:57:00.002-05:00

I admit it... I wanted everyone to win. Everyone's story was unique and wonderful. And I just couldn't do it. Thanks to random.org for taking out the "feelings" aspect of choosing a winner. Hahaha.

I guess it pays to wait until the last minute.
Here's #3's entry's story... "We were dating [during this picture capture], then I was 20 and he was 21. We dated for 6 1/2 years then married on April 29th 2003 which happened (not planned I promise) to be the late Dale Earnhardt's birthday! Go #3!"
And of course, the winning photograph.

Congratulations, Robin and Layton! As I was driving through town last night I found the PERFECT spot for our portrait session together. A little patch of nothingness... perfect for a lover's romance!

{Happy Heart Day... and a Giveaway!}

2010-02-14T11:32:00.005-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone out there in blogland! I have to admit that I'm a sucker for Valentine's Day, but I try not to limit myself from expressing my feelings of love for everyone only on this day. Friday, I was greeted by a gift certificate for Lemongrass Day Spa from the hubby... who unfortunately is out of town this weekend. In the spirit of love, I wanted to offer a giveaway to my blog readers.
The other day, I realized that I hardly have any awesome portraits with my husband since our wedding day. (Isn't that terrible?) Sure, we have snapshots like the one included below, but no real images that I'd proudly display in my home or at my office. And I'm wondering if other people are like that too. So, if you find yourself nodding in agreement in front of your computer screen, keep reading! Or, if you don't, consider anyone you know who might nod their head in agreement that you could tell about this offer!

The Bond Between Us is giving away a portrait session to couples who have been married at least two years. (It was at about the two year mark for me that I didn't look at my wedding portraits as much.) But don't think for a second that you can't win this giveaway and be married for 10...20... or even 50 years!
The winner of this giveaway will receive an on-location portrait session for two in the Valdosta area. In order to be eligible, entries must be sent to thebondbetweenus@gmail.com by Friday, February 19th at midnight. Please include your names, where you are located, how long you've been married, why you would like to win this giveaway, and a snapshot of the two of you (it can even be as bad as the one I have posted above). The winner will be chosen, and their entry will be posted on this blog, on Saturday morning, February 20.

Giveaway Rules:
- Winner chosen must complete their session between April 1 and June 30
- Winner chosen must agree to have their story and images shared here on the blog
- Session must be photographed in the Valdosta area (within 10 miles)
- Winner will receive a complimentary session only... no prints or products are included

Just one for now.

2010-02-10T21:37:00.004-05:00

Wind. Cold weather. A chilly family. A frozen photographer.
Why on earth would you ever combine these things? For some insane reason, I combined them together... and a portrait session took place last weekend in Thomasville. We survived, thankfully, and no limbs were frostbitten. :)
While I'm editing the rest of the images, I wanted to share this one that makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside! The fact that I'm in my warm house underneath a blanket right now certainly helps.

Jillian & John Michael : Engaged

2010-01-31T12:06:00.003-05:00

Jillian and John Michael are an adorable couple I have the privilege of shooting this April. We met up a few weeks ago for their engagement session. Engagement sessions are complimentary with every wedding package, as a way for couples to get exposure in front of the camera and to chit-chat about wedding plans. Engagement sessions help to calm a couple down so that on their wedding day, they're more relaxed and have fun.
For Jillian and John Michael... they were amazingly relaxed, and we had a blast together. We started out at the north campus of Valdosta State University, and then moved to downtown Valdosta for some urban shots. I have a ton of favorites from their session, but here are a handful to share!

A hard day at the office...

2010-01-23T12:26:00.006-05:00

... or not. How about the complete opposite. How about having an awesome time with laughter and girl talk. This is what I've been doing all morning. I can't wait to keep going all afternoon!

George & Lauren are Married!

2010-01-08T22:04:00.004-05:00

George and Lauren are a match made in heaven. They're incredibly adorable, have dated for EVER, and it was truly my honor to be their photographer. Lauren was calm on her wedding day morning, George was full of smiles, and their families were so excited to be joining one another. I told you... a match!
Get comfy. I'm sharing a lot of favorites. There are a ton. But I can do that. :)

I loved Lauren's bouquet. Simple, but beautiful.

I also loved the empty sanctuary. George and Lauren's families have been attending this church for many years, and their ceremony was an unbelievably moving worship service!

Seriously... George was so excited to get married!

George and Lauren chose to see one another before the ceremony. It was so sweet to see their first glimpse of each other on their Big Day!

A few portraits before the wedding

Again, the ceremony was amazing.

After a church reception, we headed over to Primrose Cottage for a fantastic party! If you're getting married in the Atlanta area, I cannot begin to rave enough about EVERYTHING that Primrose has to offer. The food was delish, the facility was beautiful, and the wedding coordinator was fan-frickin-tastic. She was a photographer's dream!

Love this!

Yes. The groom's "cake" was a chocolate fountain. With marshmallows. And graham crackers. And Nutter Butter cookies. And pretzels. And anything else that goes with a chocolate fountain. YUM!

George and Lauren, thank you so much for allowing me to document your wedding day. I feel honored to have witnessed your marriage, and I am confident that you will grow happy and old together. To the Kinsella and Newberry families, thank you for your hospitality. I feel like I gained an extended family!

Love. Sweet Love.

2010-01-07T23:26:00.001-05:00

Just to let you know...

2010-01-04T15:58:00.004-05:00

... there are a few spots open in the January Boudoir Marathon! On Sunday morning, January 24th, I've got a few spots open and would love it if you joined me for a session! See my post HERE for more information. The location has changed to Tallahassee, but Valdosta and Thomasville ladies can certainly make the short trip. I promise that it will be worth your while.
Because the date is quickly approaching, please e-mail me pronto to ensure that you can grab up the time slots. All boudoir albums will arrive in time for Valentine's Day, and would make a perfect gift for your special someone. Or, it would be perfect if you're getting hitched this spring or summer. Or, it would be perfect as a "Happy Wednesday" gift. Really... do you need a reason to show off your amazingness?! I think not!

Betsy & Paul, Engaged

2010-01-03T21:01:00.003-05:00

Betsy and Paul are the CUTEST couple. They're totally in love and compliment one another so well. We met up on Christmas Eve for their engagement session (yes, Christmas Eve)! It was FREEZING cold outside, but you can't even tell in these images. They made a good effort to keep each other warm. We met up at Valdosta State University's north campus, which provided a convenient location since Betsy worked on Christmas Eve at the hospital. :)
Here are my favorites from our session. It was difficult to narrow them down!

New Portrait Collections

2010-01-02T22:57:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited to announce the arrival of portrait collections. Each year as I update my pricing and policies, I also try to add something new to the mix. Last year, it was coffee-table albums. This year, it's portrait collections. See below for more details. This post also brings you a fantastic deal! If you book a session between now and January 15 to be completed before the end of April, you will receive 15% off any portrait collection. That's up to a $164 discount on session fees and product. Amazing! E-mail me with questions about available dates.

See How Fast I Grow: $560
- $640 value
- Maternity Session
- Newborn Session
- Two Sessions during baby’s first year (six months, twelve months)
- Set of 25 birth announcements
- 8x8 leather covered coffee-table album featuring images from each session
- $50 print/product credit for each session

A Year In the Life: $390
- $ 465 value
- Four 30-minute mini sessions
- 8x8 leather covered coffee-table album featuring images throughout the year
- $50 print/product credit for each session

Mother and Child: $350
- $410 value
- Maternity Session
- Newborn Session
- Set of 25 birth announcements
- 8x8 leather covered coffee-table album featuring images from each session
- $50 print/product credit for each session

Twice Is Nice: $195
- $ 230 value
- Two Sessions during the same calendar year
- $50 print/product credit for each session

Becky: Class of 2010

2009-12-28T22:03:00.003-05:00

In November, I was up in Atlanta for Thanksgiving and had an opportunity to shoot Becky's senior portraits. Becky and I have known one another for a while (almost 10 years, in fact)... she happens to be my sister-in-law. :) I was so excited when she finally got old enough to graduate, because I knew she'd come calling for portraits. We had a blast walking around downtown Stone Mountain together. Here are some of my favorites from our session together.

Anna Grace

2009-12-26T19:28:00.003-05:00

Anna Grace was my first client ever. Actually, her parents were my first client ever... my first time photographing anyone was her mom's maternity session. In 2010, Anna Grace will turn four. I'm amazed at the awesome opportunity I've had to watch her grow into a delightful little girl. Her southern drawl had me giggling the entire session as we walked up and down the rows of Christmas trees at Hambrick's Tree Farm in Hahira. Dressed like Santa, we had a wonderful time taking pictures for her family's Christmas card. With Christmas over, it's safe to hope that everyone has received the card... so I'm able to share her images on here.

Dillon

2009-12-26T18:45:00.003-05:00

Every time I see a newborn, they become the most beautiful baby I've ever seen. Parents always laugh and say "I bet you say that to every one." The truth is, I do. It's because it is. :)
Dillon is the second grandchild born into the Burgess family that I've photographed. I consider myself lucky to be their exclusive photographer. Hahaha. Here are some of my favorite images from Dillon's newborn session. As just 4 days old, Dillon was the youngest baby I've ever photographed.

Giving is Awesome WINNER!

2009-12-23T15:36:00.002-05:00

I am soooooooooo excited to announce the 2009 winner of the Giving is Awesome contest. If you're new to my blog and have no idea what Giving is Awesome is, head over to THIS post for more details.
I was overwhelmed by the responses this year, and I'm beyond excited to share with you the winner. One of the nominations came from Beth Baker. Her entry tugged my heart strings from the first sentence. I'm thrilled to announce that her nominee, Carolyn Dow, is the winner! Carolyn, congratulations and an early Merry Christmas to you. Beth, this also entitles you to some goodies! :) E-mail me, and we'll talk!

Jannett Family

2009-12-18T14:15:00.001-05:00

I always love photographing families and finding out what makes them sync... what makes them laugh... what makes them unique to themselves. The Jannett Family was awesome. Our session from start to finish was 34 minutes, and I was blown away at how many images I was able to get. I was amazed that a 6 year old and a 4 year old could cooperate the way D and A cooperated. It's like they were sworn candy or staying up late as a bribe for good behavior. :) Whatever it took, it worked. It also might have helped that a crazy photographer kept making silly faces or had mom and dad stand behind her to make strange faces.

Colten is 11 months!

2009-12-17T21:51:00.003-05:00

Actually... he's almost one. But at this session last month, he was still a baby. :) After next weekend, he'll be a big boy. Hard to believe, right? Our session almost didn't happen, though. It had to be re-scheduled a few times due to weather. And on the day of the session, we almost had to cancel again. It was dark and rainy... not something that a natural light, on-location photographer enjoys. At the last minute, Colten's mom thought to use her business's lobby for our session, and it turned out to be wonderful!
I love spending time with clients who purchase my baby plan. I love nothing more than hanging out with them, playing silly games, and hearing little baby laughs. (I also like being able to give them back to their parents when we're done... haha!) Here are some of my favorites from Colten's session.

Dear Bloggers,

2009-12-16T14:38:00.002-05:00

Hi. My name is Kelly, and I used to post images here of my rockin' portrait and wedding sessions. Thanks to spam mail, I unluckily received an awesome gift... in the form of my computer crashing. Merry Christmas to me. I do have a few things to be thankful for, however. (1) My images are all okay. (2) My husband is a computer rockstar. (3) I hope to get my computer back soon.
Just because I haven't been able to post anything, doesn't mean that I've been staring at the ceiling or picking my nose for the past few weeks bored out of my mind. Actually, it's anything BUT that. I still need to share with you images that I quickly shared about in THIS post, still need to share my favorites from Colten's session referenced in THIS post, still need to share with you baby Dillon's arrival, still need to share about the most fun maternity session I did in Atlanta... right before photographing Lauren and George's wedding this past Sunday. Not to mention the fact that in the next month I'll be shooting two engagement sessions and a boudoir marathon.
So, yeah, I've been a tad busy. Did I mention that I also work full time, have a husband, and a rockin' sewing store on Etsy?

Thank you for your patience. As I get client Christmas orders together, deliver holiday cards, and send quick e-mails... know that I appreciate each and every one of you.

ANNNNNNNNNNNNND, do you remember THIS post about Giving is Awesome 2009? All submissions are in and I'm reading over the responses. I'll be announcing a winner next week on the 22nd!

Down for the count.

2009-12-09T23:53:00.000-05:00

I feel terrible that I haven't shared pictures in a bit. It's not because there isn't anything going on here at The Bond Between Us. It's because my computer... with all my editing software... is currently sick. Thankfully, my images are safe and sound. But my desktop is sick. So no sharing. :(

Gentry is ready for the Holidays

2009-12-02T20:43:00.003-05:00

After the Barton family session (posted below) Gentry and her mom stopped by the Hambrick Tree farm for her holiday session. Decked out in the CUTEST holiday outfit, Gentry played hide-and-go-seek with me all through the rows of trees. To see these pictures two weeks later, I can still hear her giggles as she caught me sneak around the corner to find her!
Here are some of my favorite images from her session. I can't wait to see what her family christmas card looks like this year!

Here's what is coming soon...

2009-11-29T21:12:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving was filled not only with fun times with family, but tons of portrait sessions too! Here's what will be coming up on my blog in the near future.

The Jannett Family
Becky's Senior Portraits
The DeWitt Children

Madeline is 8 months!

2009-11-29T20:58:00.003-05:00

Madeline turned 8 months a few weeks ago... but we'll pretend it was right on the money for our portrait session. Madeline is one of my baby plan clients, so I get to see her adorable face four times out of the year! Next up will be her 12 month session... yikes!
We incorporated Hambrick's Tree Farm into our session since the holidays are upon us. I took pictures of the whole family too, but I'll keep them a secret in case you're on their holiday card list. :) Here are a few of my favorites from our mini-session together!

I have to include this one of Madeline's big sister, Emma. It was difficult for her not to steal the show from Madeline. Their parents sure do have beautiful genes! :)

I'm thankful for my clients.

2009-11-28T17:00:00.003-05:00

What are you thankful for this year? Among friends and family, I need to include my awesome clients who have made 2009 amazing!
Which got me thinking. Stores offer after-Thanksgiving sales for the whole weekend, right? Why should I limit the savings to you for only Black Friday?! I'm going to extend the accordion albums below through Sunday at midnight. You know... because I'm thankful for you!
If you're intersted, see the post below, paypal me the money, and I'll get in touch with you next week about details.

Black Friday Sale!

2009-11-25T08:30:00.002-05:00

I'm SUPER thrilled to introduce a new product that I will begin offering officially in 2010. However, since Black Friday is so awesome for shopping at stores around the town, I thought I'd offer a little sneak preview! This Friday only, from 4:00am - 12:00noon take advantage of my Black Friday opportunity!
Accordion Albums are wallet-sized and perfect for storing in your bag to show off your favorite session images (up to 13, to be exact)! Available in sets of two or three, they can even be that extra little something for Christmas this year! What grandparent wouldn't want THAT for the holidays? Or mom... or dad? Accordion albums also have an awesome feature of a magnetic closure, so there's no worries about getting it damaged in your purse!

Don't they look awesome?!!!
So. Between 4:00am and 12:00noon, if you're interested in having your own set of accordion albums, you'll need to pay me through paypal. A set of two albums is $30. A set of three albums is $45. My paypal address is mrs.kelly.williams@gmail.com. Only payments made between 4:00am - 12:00noon will be accepted for this awesome deal! Get a start on your holiday shopping right here at The Bond Between Us Photography. I guarantee your recipient will LOVE it!

Special Note: Your image selections don't have to be decided upon at time of ordering. Next week I will send an e-mail to everyone who made a purchase with detailed information.

A weekend of portraits!

2009-11-24T08:45:00.002-05:00

While preparing for Thanksgiving, I haven't had a chance to fully edit any session images from this past weekend. My camera was insanely busy taking pictures, and I'm loving what I've seen so far. I promise to come back next week and show off more of each, but I wanted to quickly post a favorite from each session.

Madeleine:Gentry:
Colten:
Krista:

Be sure to come back to my blog later this week... I'm going to be having a Black Friday sale!

Giving Is Awesome... 2009!

2009-11-19T11:16:00.002-05:00

Last year (in this post) I mentioned an amazing opportunity that photographers across the world started in order that they might give back to their communities. The 2008 version of Giving is Awesome gave over $565,000 worth of custom photography to families across the globe. Can you believe it?! This year, their goal is to reach even more people.
I am definitely getting involved again! Last year's session gift was humbling for me as a photographer, and being able to give back like that is awesome!

Here is how it works -
You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy or illness, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone might not be thinking of themselves, but who would cherish the moment this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.
You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $450 worth, to be exact. The winner will receive a portriat session, a CD of all edited digital files to fully decorate their home and be able to share with friends and family, and a 20-paged 5x7 custom album featuring images from their session. It’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season!!
Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a FREE portrait session too (prints are not included)! What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules -
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be worthy of this gift. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside in the Valdosta area. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.
* You must e-mail me the full story : thebondbetweenus@gmail.com The deadline for submitting entries will be midnight on December 15th, with the winner being announced on December 22nd. Get nominating... I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Can boys be beautiful?

2009-11-16T23:31:00.005-05:00

I'm not sure if it's an appropriate description for a boy. But, if they can be... these two are! I met up with the N family on Sunday afternoon. We wandered around their grandparent's land and had a bunch of fun. Here are some of my favorites from our session together!

And one last image... because it makes me smile, and because I swore I'd put it on my blog, and because it encapsulates what it means to be a boy!

Back in the Day Bakery

2009-11-16T21:44:00.003-05:00

During our trip to Savannah a few weeks ago, my friend Lindsi and I found this AWESOMELY delicious heaven-on-earth shop named Back in the Day Bakery. We had gone through a huge ordeal of getting to Savannah after hitting a deer and being stranded in Brunswick the night before, so we figured that we deserved something sweet. :)
Little did we know, however, that it was Happy Hour when we went! Buy one, get one half price... you don't have to ask me twice! Here are some images that I took in between bites of our amazing treats!

If you are ever in Savannah, you must.stop.here. It might be even more important then visiting Forsyth Park. :)

The G Family

2009-11-11T07:43:00.004-05:00

Beautiful location.... check.
Beautiful family.... check.
Lots of laughter.... check.

A few weeks ago, I met up the G Family. The first part was just for Kristin and Joey, but the second part was for Mr. and Mrs. G to get portraits taken with their grandchildren for holiday cards. We spent a lot of time walking around the pecan fields and hanging around the old family house. Here are my favorites from the session!

Out of Town

2009-11-05T08:59:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note to let you know that I will be out of town from today through Sunday afternoon. I'm headed to Savannah with my friend Lindsi from Lindsi Jones Photography, and I'll be assisting her in a wedding on Saturday.
I should have internet access this weekend, though my time available might be sparse. Feel free to e-mail with questions or inquiries on sessions, but realize that I might be a little delayed in responding.
Make sure to head back next week for more posting though. I've got a great family session from last weekend to share, as well as images from this weekend's wedding and random images from Savannah while I roam the scene. :)

Some people have kids.

2009-11-03T21:57:00.003-05:00

Smarter people have dogs. Bwahahahahahaha!
No offense to parents out there. I know my day will come when a flutter in my heart will be present and lead me down the path to parenthood... but until that time, I will give my love to my dog.
Kristin and Joey are the cutest twosome ever. She's sweet and kind, and he's so energetic and spunky. And they make me smile!