I am totally drawn to pictures that show ordinary life in a beautiful way. I'm also drawn to portraits of people who have walked this earth a long time. I think I love both the ordinary and the elderly because they are compelling to me. Pictures of ordinary days help me see the beauty of daily life. What often feels dreary or boring is so much more; it's the kind of stuff I will one day really miss. And I love the elderly for lots of reasons. One reason is because I have a huge growing respect for elderly people. Each day that I attempt to love my husband, parent my children, clean the house, fix dinner, learn how to fix broken things, keep up with bills, maintain friendships, I realize that growing up is hard to do, or at least hard to do well. So people who have done all of those things and more throughout the years are like superheros to me. I just want to hug them. And cherish their wrinkles, because I think for many they've been earned. Lord willing when I am 70+ I will have good stories to tell and someone will take my picture. So today I took pictures while at our close friend's house, the Woodards. I could write a lot about them, how they have been such a big part of Jared and I's story, how they have loved our kids and us with meals, babysitting, phone calls, and lots of chocolate chip cookies. So today I took Ethan and Andy over to their house to visit, and I brought my camera along in hopes of taking pictures to capture our daily life. Bapa was there visiting from Minnesota (i.e. Kenneth Rocky, Alice's dad, but known to us and the grandkids as Bapa) so I got to see him and asked if I could take his picture, too. He just celebrated his 86th birthday. Bapa is a neat man with lots of stories and quick wit. He's traveled a lot, lived in India, raised 2 children, and given a lot of himself and his resources to help others. I think Alice told me that he sailed at 17 and lived in South Africa for a time. I'm sure there is so much more that I haven't heard. This man has had many ordinary days, and I felt lucky to capture this one. I was able to get some pictures of him doing his crossword puzzle, and some of him and his little girl, Alice. I thought I'd include some of my little people, too. Andy sat on the couch watching TV while Ethan played the piano. Oh, and some of Ethan making cookies with Alice. This ordinary activity happens a lot more frequently than you might think, and anyone who has had Alice's cookies knows why Ethan asks to have them EVERY time he goes over there. I am learning to enjoy my daily life, and somedays pictures help me to do that more. Here's a toast to the ordinary, knowing that someone day it will be the very thing that was most precious about my life... 
here's my little andy. he is precious to me
notice the necklace in the above picture and the below painting. same one- it is generations old...
Mr. + Mrs. Dykes//Atlanta Wedding
I think Kelsey's dad said that Bryce and Kelsey met in 3rd grade, and have been dating since high school... I have a special place in my heart for high school sweethearts considering that was my parent's story, too and I think love that has been tested over the years is the best. Their wedding was beautiful in so many ways, and maybe most especially in the heart that was behind it all. Kelsey and Bryce love God lots. You can tell by the way they treat each other, the way they planned their wedding ceremony, and by the people they surrounded themselves with on their wedding day. The ceremony was a real worship gathering where songs about the greatness of God were sung and Kelsey and Bryce actually stepping to the front pew to sing a few songs in the midst of the ceremony. Bryce and Kelsey gave each other gifts before the ceremony: Bryce gave Kelsey a Bible with her new name printed on it, and a glass vase (that I later found out Bryce gave to her for their new life together, and that it would always have flowers in it:). Kelsey gave Bryce a super nice watch (it was time to get married!) and a journal that she had been writing to him for awhile. These were such thoughtful gifts and really said a lot about their relationship and character as a couple. I love weddings that are meaningful, and this day was so rich in thoughtfulness and love. I also love having fun (which means dancing for me:) and there was LOTS of dancing at this wedding. Young and old were gettin' down together, and the band was incredible. I hope some of the reception pictures do a fair job telling the story that this was an uber fun dance party. The band also played some great Journey songs, which is one of my favorite bands of all times, so it was hard for me just to keep to my job of taking pictures without wanting to get out my air guitar or better yet, keytar, and start playing! One last note before the pictures... I loved hearing the bridesmaids and moms pray for Kelsey and Bryce before the ceremony. It was really special to hear Bryce's mom pray for them. She mentioned that she had prayed for Bryce's wife since he was born and how thankful she was for Kelsey. I think that meant so much to me because now I'm a mom of 2 little boys, and we pray that God would bless them with a spouses who will love and understand them well. It will be a very sweet day if/when (God willing we get out of diapers) I get to hug my son's wife and tell her that she is an answer to lots of prayers. All that to say it must have meant a lot for Kelsey to hear that from her new mother in law. So here are some pictures from the day, including a little polaroid (well, actually it comes from a Fuji Instax camera that I have and love to use to get instant low-fi pictures). Notice the GA Tech groom's cake... Bryce played football at Georgia Tech (as a quarterback) so it was fitting to have this kind of groom's cake. Even though I live in Athens & I'm a graduate of UGA, I can appreciate our smarter counterparts from North Avenue. Thanks so much,Kelsey and Bryce, for asking me to photograph your wedding!!
Mr. + Mrs. Hester//Augusta Wedding
Lacey and Jordan got in touch with me last year about photographing their wedding and were so on the ball with all things of the planning process. We met at a coffee shop and I mentioned I hoped to get pregnant some time in the next year so that might factor into the whole booking the wedding date thing. Funny enough, husband and I planned on trying to get pregnant around this wedding date so that I would be able to fulfill my commitment... and sure enough I got pregnant and had a baby between that meeting and their wedding date! Too much information I know, but it's kinda crazy to know how much can change from one meeting to a wedding a year later. So almost a year passed and Jordan and Lacey got married on New Year's Eve in the Augusta, GA area. They are a great couple, and really go super well together. There ceremony took place in Appling where Jordan's parents are pastors at their church, and Lacey's grandfather officiated the ceremony (he, too, is a pastor... they are all over this family!!!). These two families were incredible. There was such a good family feeling that I kinda wished I could be part of their family photos:) The reception was at the incredible Sacred Heart Cultural Center (ironically the same place I shot a wedding the night before!). The band (Stephen Lee Band) at the reception was awesome (check out their site here). I knew when I saw a harmonica and heard them playing Rocket Man I was going to like them! Side note: I may sound like a oldie but I love that song... it makes me feel like I'm an astronaut who's life is lived partly here and partly in some cool other place. So anyways, the reception was such fun. Both Jordan and Lacey have lots of great personalities in their families so the floor was full of young and old dancing together, which is a rare sight. Lacey had an incredible dress and looked beautiful, and you could tell Jordan adores her by the way he looks at her (especially when he saw her walking down the aisle!). Oh, and how could I forget to mention Grandma Sandy??? I posted her picture earlier on my blog, but she was a trip. And Lacey's grandfather might have been the coolest pastor I've ever met. Everything was so special and great except for finding out that Lacey's family were big University of Tennessee fans. But at least they weren't Florida fans. Jordan and Lacey are proud University of Georgia Bulldogs, so their marriage is still untainted by the orange that runs in Lacey's family. I'm only kidding (i have orange in my family, too- my brother is DIE HARD UT graduate and fan). The groom's cake was an amazing copy of Sanford Stadium (home of the bulldogs) and every stadium detail was on the cake! I wanted an end zone piece but go tied up taking pictures on the dance floor of all the fun guests. At any rate, thanks Jordan and Lacey for asking me to be a part of your day and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to meet all the people who are special to you- you have such great family and friends!! 
