Julian + Emily//Athens Engagement

This engagement session is close to my heart for a number of reasons: because (1.) Julian is a friend of mine from college and happened to be a very close friend of Jared's (my husband), and was a groomsmen in our wedding 8 years ago (2.) he waited on God to provide the right person for him for what felt like a long time... finishing medical school and his residency and still waiting until last October when he met Emily and it became clear that she was the one (3.) to see how much joy Emily brings Julian, and vice versa.  When Julian smiled at Emily for pictures, it was the smile of a guy who his head over heels in love and more than overflowing with gratitude to God for bringing this amazing girl into his life when he did not expect it.  Emily is in PA school to be a physician's assistant at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta where Julian graduated and now works as a medical doctor.  Emily is spunky and smart and deep all at the same time, and I'm sure so much more than that.  Julian is wise and funny and intelligent (I remember when he got into both med school and law school and he was trying to decide which he would choose... that's a smart guy right there) and so helpfully honest about life and all the joys and sorrows of it.  They hope to do medical missions in a Spanish speaking country, serving people through medicine and bringing the good news of a God who loves us and is for us because of Jesus to people who haven't experienced it.  I couldn't be more excited for Julian and this upcoming marriage.  I also couldn't be more excited about the wedding reception they will be having for multiple reasons:  (1.) it turns out Emily LOVES to dance and especially to fun popular rap songs (i.e. "white girl pretends she ghetto" at dance parties- ME!) (2.) Julian doesn't know what to do when Emily pulls out all her crazy dance moves, and that's just like my husband!! (3.) husband Jared will be at their reception and since he would do anything for Julian the word on the street is that my own husband will bring back a college dance that has been put away for too many years called, "Little Horse" where he calls a horse out of a stable and proceeds to ride on the pretend horse around the room.  This reception is going to be the highlight of my year.  Emily even showed some dance moves during the engagement session and it was amazing.  Love it.  This couple is such an example of the goodness of God to bring people together who are just so right for one another, and I'm thankful I have the opportunity to document this great gift.  Praise be to God for fun music, making our bodies in such a way that we can do awkward dance moves, and being so kind to give us best friends to marry.  You guys are great.  We went to eat at Ted's Most Best pizza before taking pictures so we could all catch up and introduce our wee ones to them.  I'll include those pictures too because it's part of the story, and because I think my kids are cute.  Quick story about this restaurant: the pizza place is named after a guy who worked at the Grit named Ted who has since died.  Supposedly Ted would tell his waiters and waitresses when he was in charge at The Grit to do their most best every time everyday.  So this restaurant was named in his honor- Ted's Most Best.  I thought that was a pretty awesome statement. Just had to post some pictures from our time together with the kiddos... now to just Julian and Emily!! Emily's awesome dance face came out- amazing...

incredible ring. good job, Jules.

emily this is your señorita modeling face for sure!!! (see pic below:)

i think this is a dreamy picture; you guys are such a cute couple... can't wait for October!!

Jimmy + Anna//Athens Engagement

It's really fun to photograph people in love.  I get to meet couples, hang out with them (i.e. be a third wheel on an awkward photo shoot date), and hear their story.  The story part is my favorite.  It's also fun to see how the couple interacts, what types of things make them laugh and how the camera captures these interactions.  It was funny how after a few pictures Jimmy said it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be! That's my goal:) Jimmy and Anna are an uber sweet couple... they can do a good model serious face and then 2 seconds later break out into the biggest goof ball smile (my personal favorite).  Jimmy and Anna will be moving to Athens where Jimmy will be opening his own store (a Jimmy John's restaurant) on the Eastside of Athens so I'm excited that this Atlanta couple will dig some roots here.  And because I have a 6 year old sense of humor I think its awesome that his name is Jimmy and he is opening a Jimmy Johns with his brother, Joseph.  I think I've decided among friends that we will name the store Jimmy Joe's... I had such a good time hanging out with you guys, and I'm glad nothing scary happened to us in that warehouse! Thanks for letting me third wheel it and be a part of your story- looking forward to your wedding! and here's a quick shot to show some Jimmy John's love:) a little promo-->

and now for the awesome/scary building we took a few quick pictures in before it just became too creepy to stay... I am glad we got a few because I LOVE this lighting. you guys were brave:) and in honor of Beyonce and her encouragement to the male population that "if they like it they should put a ring on it" Anna made a heart chalkboard showing that Jimmy took Beyonce's advice...

Daily Life//chickens, family & transitions

I love photographs of people's daily lives.  Usually we take pictures at a formal event and have our hair fixed and wear our best clothes.  But the majority of my life is not spent with nice hair, long dresses, or even a frozen smile.  Better yet I love to see where people live because it is an expression of who they are, what they love and the setting where the magic of the ordinary takes place.  I recently got to take pictures of my friend Elisha's family and wanted to make sure and capture some of their life here before they move to Florida in the next few weeks.  Living in Athens means that many families you grow close to will often move after finishing their doctoral studies... leaving a little hole in that place they use to fill in your life.  It is a bittersweet place- lots of friends and excitement but usually it has a 3-4 year life span.  So I wanted to make sure before Elisha left we had some pictures of this stage of their life.  Elisha's husband, George, helps lead worship at our church and Elisha and I have gotten to know each other over the past two years through different bible studies and playgroups.  We were both pregnant at the same time and waddled around together.  My son Ethan (who is 4) actually has a big crush on Amelia (Elisha's oldest child and only little girl).  Ethan randomly tells me that when he gets big he wants to marry Amelia because, quote, "she's a good girl."  Who knew little boys talked about marriage and planned out their future, right? Next thing I know he will have a Pinterest wedding board.  George Wilder is the same age as Ethan and I think he actually may be part monkey and part boy.  Matter of fact both Amelia and George Wilder seem like they could easily live in a tree.   Just days after I took these pictures George Wilder fell and really busted his nose and face and teeth, so Elisha was so glad that we have pre-fall pictures.  And baby William is 5 months old, with precious reddish hair and a clear resemblance to his siblings.  I could say so much about this family, about what I have learned about joy from them, how I've watched them trust God in the midst of  a fire that took so many of they possessions, or courage in the face of pregnancy after a miscarriage.  I have seen them chase after their sheep down all roads in Athens (including the police getting on to George for having sheep that walk on major roads), feed their chickens in their back yard and Amelia telling me all about the reproductive system of these egg producing birds.  I have loved getting to know them to say the least and only wish there was more time to grow together.  I will having them over and how they take off their shoes all the time.  Their next door neighbor, Mr. Bill, has been an important part of their life in Athens and they wanted to get some pictures of him, too.  Mr. Bill lives by himself since his wife died, and the Boggs family has grown close to him over the past few years.  I could tell even from the small time I spent with him that he was a jewel to have as a friend and he talked about how much he is going to miss this family.  Last thought before pictures- at church on Sunday I sat next to Elisha and her children (George was out of town).  I was exhausted from the wedding I photographed the night before and was daydreaming about sleeping for hours on a blanket somewhere quiet.  Elisha and I stood with our babies in the back of church during communion and she told me about George Wilder's big fall that happened after her husband went out of town, how his face was so bloody and his teeth are really loose.  Elisha was saying how everything seemed to just go crazy and straight to chaos right after she told George she could handle the 3 kids while he was out of town.  Then she said, "the sermon was so good today to hear in light of this weekend... how my home is in heaven."  Our pastor talked about our need to get home to the one who deeply loves us (King Jesus) and our time here on Earth is a time as travelers on our way, elect exiles more specifically.  There was such a peace that came to me from Elisha's words about remembering our limited time here is preparing us for our eternal home.  It just freed me from trying to make everything perfect here or desperately grabbing for rest or escape.  I can love my children and spend my self for my family and others because this isn't all there is- there will be a time of perfect rest and love and perfection with God and man in heaven that frees me to live fully here.  I had just read an article about life and death- how 110 years from now this Earth will be populated with a total new set of people and none of us will be here.  The rulers of the most powerful countries will be gone and yet God will still be as he has been from eternity past to future.  I am thankful that Elisha has helped me remember to be a good traveler, to love fully and creatively and with joy in these passing days.  So grateful.  Ironically and sadly,  in light of passing days, one of their favorite chickens (Tess) died an hour after I left.  Tess had a special place in their hearts... I got some pictures of Amelia loving on her and posted one below.  Here is a little window into their transitioning life and a good reminder to me that all of life is transition.