Hadiya & Akeel

"I could stare at your face all night
Blinking is the enemy"
-bosc


This past weekend was the lovely wedding (actually, it was a vow-renewal.... they have been happily married for almost 5 years) of Hadiya and Akeel! Special thanks to Armin who assisted me. Be sure to check his blog for more pictures!

Some details



This is Hadiya's mothers dress! Just beautiful!





He is just too, too cute! AAaaah!

The amazing Brookside Gardens...





All the guests coming!



Look at his precious little nervous face :( Oh, its so cute.

Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought so!

Pure Bliss ;D

And a cute groom face...



Officially married - again :)

I really loved this one of the boys



They are very fun together!

I so appreciate how seriously Hadiya & Akeel take marriage, and that they still are very, very in love after enjoying marriage for almost 5 years! That is so wonderful!

Now, I must take a minute to highly recommend Samara of By Design Events. She is like a miracle worker! Her attention to detail, organization and just excellence in her job is outstanding! She and her team were flawless!



Ok, I LOVED this idea. Instead of numbering the tables, each table was "named" after special part of Hadiya and Akeel's relationship - a date, a story, a joke, a memory - it was very personal! And I loved hearing what each one meant!



Congratulations!

Favorite Tuesday!

This post is brought to you today byyyy: Facebook BumperStickers! Wooohooo!

Facebook has this really fun application where your friends can send you little "bumper stickers" for your page. It's honestly one of my favorite things on Facebook! haha

These are all the ones on my wall and I just laugh so, so hard when I get them. Almost all of these are inside jokes between me and my friends.

What does that have to do with my latest couple, Amanda & Paul?
Um, not really anything.
BUT, their shoot included a few of my favorite things, so I figured that they would be perfect to post on favorite Tuesday!

First of all, they got engaged on a swing set!
We had to go back to the very spot, of course.

Me: "Ok, so, do you remember which swing you were on?"
Amanda: "Ohhhh, um, I actually don't! Let me see..."
Paul: "It was the second one. On the left. She was right there"

I thought it was very sweet that Paul remembered it exactly :D

I couldn't pick between these, so they both made the blog


*Smooooch!*

Amanda is so so beautiful!

I can't wait to see her on wedding day!

Ok, these next three pictures are some of my favorite. There is such a "little-kid" feel to them. Just the two of them playing around in a school-yard. I think it captures them well and as Amanda said "I am basically five-years-old on my inside."





After the park and school, we drove to an amazing rose garden! Also a new favorite of mine. The place smelled fabulous and it was just gorgeous!

It's hard to really describe how hot it was that day. It was like the air of a bathroom when you get out of a hot shower. And then putting on a damp sweater, then going out in the sunshine! These two pictures "look" hot to me:




Last favorite part? Amanda wore a dress :D



Amanda and Paul - thank you for being so, so, so coorperative in the heat! (Even though you lied to me about being bad at modeling! haha) You guys were so sweet to me and I am just so happy that I get to shoot your wedding!

St. Mary's wedding!

"Don't ask me why I'm crying
'Cause when I start to crumble
You know how to keep me smiling"

Two weekends ago I was able to shoot with a very successful photographer in my area - Armin Defiesta. It rained and rained and rained and rained all day and about 15 minutes before ceremony time, it came to a complete halt. The sun came out and it ended up being a completely lovely evening!










I really do love this one :D

I love being able to second shoot and focus on lots of details!









"Huh?" haha He was such a cutie


Almost a wife!

Aw :D :D Happy groom :D :D





I love when the brides entire face smiles!

As much as I love the first kiss...

... I think its extra sweet when the give each other a big hug after :)

Yay! They did it!

I had a little incident with the battery and rain on the way in, so I couldn't shoot all night :( But that's alright - I am so glad that it wasn't mine wedding. And now I bring five batteries to all my events. Just in case :D

Thanks again to Armin for inviting me to shoot with him! Definitley check out his work!

The Story of Life :D

"Why don't we go
Talk about it
Somewhere only
We know"

Sooo, about a year ago I took senior pictures for Kate.

In the fall she wanted to surprise her boyfriend with pictures of them together, as a present. Hence the "boyfriend-girlfriend" shoot:

Now, they are engaged! So, of course, it was time for an engagement shoot :D

We had grand plans to drive all the way to beautiful, old, Georgetown, an adorably romantic little town that is the perfect place for couple to go on dates, or have engagement shoots :D
However, our area was bombarded with the worst storm I have ever seen here. All over the area "tornado warnings" were being issued. Clouds were spinning, rain was dumping and leaves were blowing all over the place.


As far as I was concerned, the shoot was off :D
Well, I got a text from Kate and she was asking to re-schedule. About a minute later she texted back and was like "Oh! The sun is coming out! I think we can still do this!" Not too be out-adventured by anyone, I told her we could definitely still do this.

But, I had no idea how bad the roads were. Her house is a little less than 20 minutes from mine, and the plan was to meet there. Wellllll, about 45 minutes later I was still on the road, trying to get there. It was a single file line of cars allllll the way to her house. All the lights were out on the road. Power lines were knocked over. Trees were lying everywhere. It was a mess. BUT, the engagement shoot must go on!
The rain stopped, and we were blessed with beautiful post-rain light! It ended up being just perfect! Since the roads were awful, we decided to just walk around her neighborhood and do the best we could there. I think it all turned out wonderfully!

And of course it helps that they are super, super cute together!







We had to play the face game, cause I love it haha

"Awkward"

"Excited"

"Annoyed"

"Little Kid"

"In Love"






If you know me at all, you know my deep love of swings. Plus, they look awesome in pictures!



"The only thing I see is you"

So pretty.... so, so pretty





He "won" the prize hahah





That's a right they were! These objects were MUCH close than they appear :D

We had to get that truck again!



And one last stop to Starbucks, a special place for them :D
(can you spy a photographer? hehe)

Congratulations Kate and Ryan! So excited for your future!

Val and Jimmy

I am not even going to give an excuse for my 8-day-blog-break. Let's just get right back to regular planned activities:

" When you smile that way
I know...
That's when I love you, when I need you...
That's when I know without a doubt
That I can't live without you"

Val and Jimmy! I have been truly looking forward to this wedding since the day Val called. She left the cutest little message on my phone and I just had to shoot her wedding. Had too. I was in love with her. The perkiest, squeekiest, cheer-leader-iest of girls there is.

I was so sad when I found out that her wedding was in North Carolina, on Sunday the 25th. I had Sarah's here on the 24th and I was sure that there was no way any bride would be comfortable with me flying into her state the day of the wedding.

But, Val is no ordinary bride :D We bought a ticket for 5:30 am, and by 7:45 wedding morning I was at her house! Praise God! No travel complications whatsoever. I might have been a little sleepy, but was quickly energized when I saw Val. And met her family!

Val is one of twelve (I believe - it might be eleven). They were also hosting a huge handful of bridesmaids and out-of-town guests. Children, adults, dresses, suitcases and sleeping bags were everywhere! I felt SO at home and was just like "Oh man, this is how a family should be." I loved it!

Shortly after arriving we headed off to the hair-dresser with the first "wave" of girls. This hair-dresses was straight out of a movie. Classic southern, country shop! The lady who ran the place recruited her sister and granddaughter to help with make 12 heads of girls "pretty." They talked about how the met their husbands, how the fell in love and one lady even said "We've been married for 30 years next Tuesday, and, my goodness, to this day when I look at that phone and see his name my heart skips a beat." AAaaaawww!!! I felt like I was in a real life chick-flick!

And then, Miss-soon-to-be-Mrs.-Head-over-heels-Valerie came in. It was just a love mess in that hair salon! Jimmy called her while she was having make-up done and I thought she was going to explode from happiness. She went in another room to talk to him, but I snuck a few shots of her. She was just magnificently happy talking to him. When I picture in my mind what "madly in love" is, she is what I picture.

As if life wasn't mushy and terribly cute enough for me, when Val returned home, we found her dad in the kitchen making hotdogs for an assortment of kids.
"Dear, you look beautiful"
Val grabbed a handful of goldfish "Oh thank you Daddy!"
"Valerie, I don't think we ever got to practice our dance together."
She offered to practice with him right there in the kitchen, amidst highchairs and potato chips :D
It was the sweetest :D

Part of the reason I didn't blog this week was because I couldn't pick which things to blog about! I would start going through pictures, then I would end up with 150 that fit into the story! I still try to do another post of these two, cause I love so many of the pictures, but here is a condensed version of the rest of the day.
(ps. Um, I really, really, really loved Val's dress. I felt like Cinderella just looking at it!)

Happy eyes!

Happy mouths!


I thought this was cute... he put his hat on her - it looked like a movie (the perfect end to a chick-flick perhaps?)

Ugh, it just drives me crazy when the grooms are so gloomy and un-smiley. Sheesh ;D



After this wedding, I think I figured something out about me. I love memories. I love "little moments." I love the stuff that "you just had to be there" to get. And wedding photography, unlike almost any other kind of photography, gets to capture that.
Each wedding is different, each wedding is romantic and amazing in its own way. Each wedding is someone's BIG day. The day of their dreams. And it will never happen again! And I get to capture it!

For example, the flower-toss went different at this wedding.. I passer-by caught the bouquet hahah SO funny!

And three cheers for embarrassing toasts! I loved their faces as Val's sister told a pretty awesome "dating" story with these two haha

Oh, Val and Jimmy, thank you for welcoming me into your life for such a big day! Jimmy, thank you for being Prince Charming to Val. She really adores you :D And Val, you make me so happy. I wish that every bride was as happy as you were on your wedding day!
Congratulations!

ps. This song by Phil Vassar called "When I Love You" yeah, its so, so cute and I think it was written for these two!

Sarah and Joe!

"I'll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold....
All I wanna do is be the man who
Grows old with you."

This weekend I had two beautiful weddings. The first, on Saturday, was for Sarah and Joe - the coolest police officers around! Special thanks to my excellent second-shooter, Peter Bang!

This song, sung by Adam Sandler nonetheless, is pretty much the perfect one for Sarah and Joe! They had this playing when they cut the cake, and it honestly captures them perfectly. A little sarcastic, a little whimsical and very, very real at the same time.

When I arrived, Sarah already had her hair done. Her make-up was done in about 5 minutes. Pop that veil on, jump into the dress and she was set! Honestly, the fastest bride ever to get ready!
Police-officer-brides are efficient that way, I guess :D



She is way too pretty.

Loved her flowers!

She is the like strawberry's, lemonade and sunshine in a face :D haha

This was a fun one right outside the church...

Poor flower girl... they switched baskets on her last minute, and it was quite disappointing :(

Joe was nervous. It was pretty cute!

Happy and ready to go!



Precious moment:

The wedding went perfectly, and the new husband and wife rode to the reception in a horse-driven carriage. How romantic???

The reception was in Joe's parents backyard. It was like something straight out of a movie. Absolutely beautiful!

Sarah loves, loves, loves purple!



How cute are they? Like, really.

He was my favorite. I hope that I am as happy and kickin' when I am the grandparent at a wedding!

When the announced the first dance, Sarah gently grabbed Joe's pinky and led him to the dance floor. He smiled a quiet little smile and the music began to play. It was probably the sweetest moment of the day.



Sarah looked so elegant dancing with her step-dad. But, she couldn't keep her eyes off Joe for long...

And he was pretty content to just watch her, too :D

I also thought it was so sweet that she danced with her grandpa. I hadn't seen a bride do that before, and it was such a great time!

So, I am kind of in love with her rings....

A happy toast moment:



This is Sarah's twin sister, who is due with her first baby in less than a month!

During the reception I grabbed Joe and Sarah for a few more pictures, because that light was heavenly!







Congratulations! I loved being there for your big day! I had so, so, so much fun!

I love her so.

"If home's where my heart is,
Then I'm out of place"

It was so, so cold. I was tired of it being cold. February was being mean and it was painful just to be near an open door.
I was starting to get to know Nadia and we walked through her door together - well, I walked and she rolled.
"You know what? I am pretty sure that the house God is preparing for me in heaven is a beach house. I really hope I have a beach house" I optimistically said.
"Ha! A beach house? I am hoping for my own island!" Nadia practically yelled. She leaned back in her wheelchair and closed her eyes. "A warm island and I am going to run in the sand." She smiled. I blinked. She sighed. I got shivers. Her eyes twinkled. And mine teared up.
There are some people God puts in your life that just absolutely, completely blow you away. My dear, dear friend Nadia is one of those people.
Being disabled since birth, Nadia hasn't had an easy life. She told me once that when she was growing up she always thought she would get better. She was sure that by the time she was 13 she would be like the other kids. Ok, maybe by 16. Or 18. I was crushed to dust listening to her talk.
Nadia's body never became like "the other" kids. Actually, I would go as far as to say her character and personality aren't like "the others" either.
Because I have never met any other person in my 18 years that is so happy. Oh man. Nadia is such a happy lady.

Most of my friendship with Nadia has been spent laughing and laughing. Laughing at Brian Regan, laughing at my (really, really funny) jokes, laughing at Jon & Kate + 8, laughing at stories from her work, laughing when I break her house, laughing at everything and nothing.

And Nadia longs for heaven like no one I know. As much as she has done in her life - graduated from two schools with two degrees, owns her own apartment, works at the Department of Labor in Washington DC - she is so not satisfied with this world. She honestly beams at the thought of heaven.

And Nadia isn't just happy. She is filled with a joy that comes only from God. And I know it comes from God. Because there is no way that anyone could go through what she does daily, and have such an amazing attitude about it. Just a few months ago she broke her leg right in the midst of an extremely hard time at work, and people had said some very, very unkind things to her. I felt so helpless watching her be in so much physical and emotional pain. I couldn't believe that all of that was really happening. We cried and cried together. I was at a loss. And I watched this hero of a woman turn her tears into a crying out to God. She "presses on toward the goal for the prize." She works and works, and jumps hurdle after hurdle, and sprawls out in her Father's arms.

Nadia, being your friend is seriously one of the best parts of my life. I look back on so many memories - singing in your kitchen, falling off your couch ("Your couch is a stinkin' roller coaster!"), taking photobooth pictures, falling asleep watching TV, being llama's, using your GROSS milk ;) and not painting your room a sea-foam green.

Thank you for letting me rattle on and on about my life.
Thank you for giving me godly advice.
Thank you for opening up yourself to me.
Thank you being such a prayer-warrior.
Thank you for being a light - a bright, bright light - for God.

God is using your life, Nadia, in so many ways. I don't know how to thank you without being cliche. But you have impacted my life more than you will ever know. I daily - even hourly - think about you and things you have taught me - both in your words and actions.
You are an unbelievable woman, my friend.

Someday can I come play on your island with you?

:D

"I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
...
I will lift my eyes to you."

I have been studying Philippians for the last few months, and there is this one verse that has just encouraged me time and time again.

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."
chapter 3 verse 12

God is using this verse in basically every area of my life, including photography. It is so easy for me to see where I am failing, where I am not good enough, and where "everybody" is doing better than me. And I love when God just "wow's" with me with His words.
It's not about me.
It's not about me "obtaining" perfect photographer business-women-ness. It's not about me being a "perfect" photographer. God has blessed me with this job that I adore. He knows me so well! He knows how much I love my work! He knows how hard some parts are for me. He knows where I am doing well, and where I am falling short. And He will never, ever leave my side. I can press on because at my side there is a loving Father who calls me child.

Happily, I can truly say that my job is much, much more a joy and love then a struggle. As my business is growing and getting bigger, there are going to be some changes coming soon.... sit tight and you can look forward to a newer and more improved Kristen Leigh Photography very soon!

Favorite Day.

Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week. On Tuesday I have small-group with my friends from church. I love, love, love going to it :)
So, in honor of small group Tuesday is going to be "favorites day" on my blog. A favorite song, favorite pictures, favorite things, favorite food, favorite humans... whatever I feel like talking about :)
Chris Brown's "With You" is actually one of my sisters favorite songs, and its pretty old now. I used to hate it, but for some reason when it was on the radio last week I loved it! I have been singing it all week and it's my favorite for today haha
I dedicate this song to all the couples I have shot so far this year!
"You mean to me,
What I mean to you
And together, baby,
There is nothing we won't do!"

"Cause if I got you
I don't need money
I don't need cars
Girl, you're my all!"

"And, Oh! I'm into you
And girl, no one else will do"

"Cause with every kiss
And every hug,
You make me
Fall in love!"

"And now I know,
I can't be the only one!"

"I bet their's hearts all over the world tonight
With the love of their life who feel what I feel
When I am with you, with you, with youuu!"
Oh, and California is also my favorite and I am particularly missing it today.

Natalie and I "heart" the ocean :)

photo credit: brienne michelle, who is also my favorite

Dan and Debbie!

"I will give you my heart
Be all that you need
Show you you're everything thats precious to me

If you give me a chance
I can love you like that"


The high-school sweethearts from January were happily, happily married yesterday :)






It was so touching to see all of Dan's friends rally around him - they are all such goofballs, but they were so supportive and genuinely happy for Dan

And then Steve found Dan's student Id.... hahah They all got a kick out of his face :D

Iiiiii got a kick out of Debbie's face when she saw herself as a "bride" for the first time. Just so precious, thats all I can think to say :) :) :)

I took Dan down to the very spot where he and Debbie met. I was just light checking real quick and I honestly didn't even see him do this pose, but when I got home I was so happy! It is SO highschool to me!

The lovely little lady ;D

Debbie was STUNNING.





I also thought her flowers were beautiful!

I thought Debbie was going to pass-out she was so excited!!! I have to say, the last few seconds before walking down the aisle are some of the most emotional ever!

A pastor, a father and a very, very, very happy man seeing his bride for the first time:



Muuuuah!



Aren't they cuties?





And we'll close with a happy first dance!

Congratulations Dan and Debbie!

All-American...?

"Aaand now it's time for love songs with Mr. Lunt... the part of the show where Mr. Lunt comes out and singsALove Song."

This post has a bit of explaining to do. If you have followed by blog since the beginning, you know about the "Annual Kelley Park Shoot" that Lyds, Court and I do when school is done :) We started in 11th grade and this shoot pretty much marks our full start of summer. 
This year I am proud of my two friends who finished their first year of COLLEGE!!! yeAH! They worked so hard and I missed them many days, but they did it!
We have had this shoot on the calendar for a few weeks now. Finals are done, the warm weather is (mostly) here - it was time to hit up Kelley Park again. We asked Bryce if he would come help us take pictures, as Lyd and I helped him buy his first camera yesterday (woot woot!). However, during our shopping trip yesterday, Bryce called us "his cheeseburgers." He will deny that story like anything, but he did. He called us cheeseburgers. What eeevery girl wants to be called :)

So, in honor of our photographer, Mr Bryce Lunt, here is our 3-year-update and the Veggie Tales "Cheeseburger Song."



Her laugh is exactly the same haha

The stages of my hair. Never let me cut it again.... never.

Aw :) My favorite :

Thank you for tagging along "Bryce Joseph Photography" (Oh! I have it! Mr. Larry Kay Lunt! hahahahah) I hope you have a wonderful, blessed time in Mexico, Cambridge and Isreal!

And to my girls. What can I say that hasn't been said before? I just love you and honestly cannot imagine my life without you. You both are incredibly gifted (Lydia, YES, your gifts are useful!), fun (Courtney, YES, you are sooooo much fun), beautiful (Lydia. You are beautiful, shut up.) and funny (Courtney, you have grown BIG time in the humor category - three cheers for you! haha).  And, goodness, you two are so, so godly. I love how God made us so different and how He makes it work together in this friendship. We are differently perfect for each other...?

Has it happened yet?

I am not sure what qualifies someone as a professional wedding photographer.

After 100 weddings? When you consistently get 30+ comments on your blog posts? When you are bff's with David Jay? When you have shot in Europe or Cabo? Iiiii'm not sure really.

But, I do know this. Everybody who I deem "amazing" uses the Totally Rad Actions and the infamous Kevin Kubota "Magic Sharp" action. I think these little actions have saved the photog world.

All I ever see on blogs these days are "Totally Rad this" and "Magic Sharp that." I had had enough and decided to get my hands on these masterpiece tools.

I think I like it :) I guess "the professionals" were right!


The picture on the left is straight out of camera, and the right is Magic Sharp, Yin Yang, ProRetouch, and Magic Glasses. I am really impressed with the skin tones in all these actions! Three cheers!


I am looooving these tones! The right image is processed by "Derelicate" - probably my favorite one in the whole set :) Left: SOOC, Right: Derelicate 100%

One of the most famous Rad Action is the "Super Old Skool Fast" action. I adore how it makes pictures look like my Grandma's wedding pictures. Like, the first picture is a lovely girl looking out the window, but the second could be a wife anxiously awaiting her husbands return from World War I!

Left: SOOC, Right: Super Old Skool Fast at 80%
This bride, from the wedding with David Jay and Jessica Claire in February, is hard to improve on, but I wanted to try something really old and "film" like. Since I have no clue what I am doing with mixing layers, the editing on the right kind of came from an accident, but I love it! I am in such a vintage kick right now in normal life (just try to listen to Bobby Darin without melting) and it's spilling into photography!

So, I made the leap and feeling like I am ever inching towards being "proffesional" :)

Mommy Lovin!

I feel like if I even try to say something "short and sweet" its going to end up being boring and impersonal. I feel like if I expound, I won't be able to stop. 

But, Mom, I.LOVE.YOU.

I probably do not tell you enough. I know I don't thank you enough. I am sure I will never understand how much you have given of yourself to raise your crazy kids. But, oh, God does and, man, when He gets to reward you in Heaven I will be the loudest, clappiest, most excited person there!

You are truly a woman to be honored! I see so much of your mom in you. The way you love to laugh. That is something I cherish. When I think of Grandma, I think of her laughing - mostly with you and your sisters - and I love that as you have gotten older and grown in maturity, you have continued to laugh. At the same time, I love how you are so sensitive to God. I love how you take His word seriously and how you really, really want to do the right thing! You so inspire me! 

I remember one time when I was in middle-school, and we were driving home from Old Navy. It was kind of rainy, then all of a sudden the weather changed into that weird, eery sunny yet dark post-rain weather. The clouds were big and golden, the sky was denim blue and there were beams of sunlight everywhere. 

I remember you just gasped and put your hand on your heart and said "OOooh, Kristen. Oh! Look at that! Can you believe that someday that sky is going to open like a scroll and Jesus will come down! Oh, Kristen! Look at that!" You just gazed at the sky, breathless. 

And I definitely remember feeling very stupid, because it did not seem all that impressive to me. I saw honking cars, highway signs, cloudy wetness and I probably felt fat. But I also remember thinking "I wish I was like that. I wish I saw the sky I thought 'Someday that will open up to the doorway of Heaven."

I feel like that is consistently how you live, and I cannot thank you enough, Mom.

Thank you for going to lunch and movies with me yesterday! I had so much fun :) :) :)

Contest Winner #4!

The timing of this shoot could not have been better! Janet wrote to me in the fall, and raved about her husband, Seth (story at end of post.) In Janet's letter she emphasized what a hard worker Seth is. It was so sweet to me read this letter from a wife who loved her husband, and a husband who worked hard for his wife.
Janet and Seth - you are an example to the watching world! Thank you!

When I was driving to their house yesterday, I was listening to (what else?) country, and Alan Jackson's "Small Town Southern Man" came on. I know that Seth is not a farmer, and that they don't live in the country, but I love the way this song talks about a hard-working man!

"And he bowed his head to Jesus
And he stood for Uncle Sam"

"And he only loved one woman
Was always proud of what he had"

"He said his greatest contribution
Is the ones you leave behind"

"Raised on the ways and gentle kindness
Of a small town Southern man"

Janet and Seth are QUITE the little lovebirds - its very sweet :)

Carrying his bride over the threshold!

"You can break the back
But you can't break the spirit
Of a small town Southern man"

Because forehead kisses are the best...?





We just had to take some pictures inside their lovely first home. They are doing an amazing job in it! It looks soooo good!







And one last outside one:

You guys were wonderful! I had a really great time with you :)
And, Congratulations!

Here's the letter:

What could I say about this man who has changed my life so much?

I guess I should start in the beginning (so you might here some of our story with this, bear with me. I hope you like love stories). When I first knew of Seth, we hadn't even met. I was too proud to talk to him and he thought I was "too good" to talk to him (he was prob right). Yet in spite of my resistance, I was always drawn to the way that he cared for people. I loved to watch him from a distance and as time went on I wanted to know more about this guy. How he took the time to stop. To ask questions and to listen. To really take an interest. I'll never forget the many occasions I would go in the Flower Hill Starbucks and watch him share the Gospel with this guy and talk to him for hours. I'll also never forget watching him passionately pray for people after church on Sundays down front so faithfully. I'll never forget seeing his smile and his joy. I'll never forget wanting to know him more because of his love for Jesus. I'll never forget his love for and desire to serve God's people. And this was all before he became "my love."

In spite of being drawn to him, Seth was a surprise. I didn't really "like" him (or so I told myself, I always thought he was super cute!). It grew out of a friendship and it grew out of another thing that I would honor him for: he is a servant. About 1.5 years ago, we were out with friends on the weekend and one of our friends side swipped my car that we both happened to be in. Seeing the damage he offered to fix it for me. I was rejoicing that it was going to be taken care of, but I didn't expect him to call me so soon. It was a Monday and I was working and he called saying he could fix it that night (I almost didn't go over because I was getting sick) and we ended up going out to dinner together and started talking, and we haven't stopped since. We both weren't looking to get into a relationship and God blessed it anyways. It was never about us. God had a plan and he was writing our story!

Since being with Seth, life with him has only gotten happier, my love for Jesus and my passion for his kingdom has only grown deeper, and experiencing his love has only been sweeter. Now every rosy picture has a rough side. I'm the passionate one, he's the patient one and he is always so faithful to care for my soul when we don't agree or when I am struggling. And I can say with confidence that walking through those things together, there is no other person I would rather have stand by me in the hard times. I'm so grateful for him and God's perfect timing in bringing Seth into my life. We have been through it all together. It is the hard times when the "whats really in there" comes out. He has trusted God, loved me, and encouraged me when it just seemed like it was only going to get worse. Never did I see Him question Gods character or doubt that God was going to be faithful and deliver us through it all.

He is worthy of much honor not just in those ways, but in how he takes his role as a husband, leader and provider seriously. He works so hard for our family. Working for ARI(he fixes cars) he works outside every day, come heat or cold, he is there fixing bumpers, painting doors, and often putting in many 12 hour +days with the commute to and from. But he has NEVER complained and he always greets me upon his return home with joy in his heart and always asks me how he can serve me even though he is so tired! He is a faithful man. Faithful to his job and to his church. Every Tuesday he comes home, tired. Instead of leading our family in a way of comfort and leisure, he loves Gods people and we get to serve a group of singles and be their leaders. It isn't always the easiest, but he loves to serve for and care for God's people so much that he lays down his life to do it.

All of the things that I got to see from afar before God drew us together, I have only gotten to see more of. Its real. It wasn't just a facade and the list of things that I love and respect about him has only gotten longer. The story of God's unending faithfulness to him and to us has only been sweeter to both of us. God is good. He is kind. He has drawn our lives and hearts together for His glory and for His kingdom. That makes the way he loves me so much better.

This is a very short version of a very long story of all the things I could say about the man that God chose for me before there was time. What an amazing blessing he is to me.

It came yesterday.

When you are writing a blog post its hard not to use words like "favorite" and "awesome" all the time. "This was my favorite wedding!" or "They were such an awesome couple" or "One of my favorite songs/families/friends/etc"
But, really really. When I say favorite today, I mean favorite. Summer is my FaVoRiTe.Also, "Sweet Southern Comfort" is my favorite country song. I like, and even love, many of them. But this one is my favorite. Ok, glad we got that cleared up :D


I don't know why it is that I love summer so much. I like it when its crazy hot. I like the relaxed, carefree-ness of summer. I like how everything seems more colorful, and bright (and in my photographer mind life is "over-exposed").
I like swimming pools, barefeet, sno-cones, fairs, sunshine, tans, shorts, beaches, the smell of sunscreen, watermelon's, fireflies, long nights, vacationing, and dreading the return of school.
Country music is at least three times better in the summer.Vanilla ice-cream makers step up their game.Ferris wheels are made for the summer. Can you imagine riding one in the winter? Not fun!
I decided that my summer started yesterday - spring finished in my mind, and yesterday marked "summer" for me. It was such a summer day.



This one reminds me of old film and makes me happppy!



I spent most of the early evening at Kelley Park for Dude's baseball game and a senior picture shoot. I am not sure what reminds me of summer more than kids finishing school!






We were interrupted during the shoot :) Oh, children riding their bikes to the park - so summer.



Riley, my awesome (and I really do mean awesome) friend, hung out with me at the park. He brought his brand new 20D and telephoto and we took pictures of Lauren and flowers :)



This picture totally sums up Lauren: dirty fingers from making more mud cupcakes, dirty nails from playing in the dirt, yet they are partly painted pink and she is in a blue dress picking flowers :D









Then we went to go watch Dude play. Watching The Littles play sports never gets old. Actually, I think its cuter every time.

I am sure most kids would be so embarrased if their big sister came to their games, with a huuuge camera, and waved to them, and said "AaaaWaaawW" every time they went up to bat. Not Dude, though. He made this cute little face when I walked up:

I loved watching this kid. He was the stereotypical child placed in right field.
It's hard to focus for long time, I totally understand

Even though he looks kind of awkward, this was actually a really nice hit.

His run to first was even better - he pumped his arms, got his little knees up and left the catcher in a cloud of dust. Look at his precious "game face."

So, I know that there is nothing terribly special about this picture, except that it is straight out of camera. The light was SO pretty last night! I wish that I could have done an engagement shoot!

After the game, the Littles and I met up with some friends to surprise Katie for her 20th birthday!!! I love you Katie!

And they were pretty much worn-out after their first summer day :)

Sarah, the lovely one :)

Sarah is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. So genuinely happy, so content and so in love with God! Her sister and I are good friends (and I did her other sisters' wedding in March), so when they wanted to do a photoshoot for Sarah's birthday, I was thrilled!

All of her friends are complete sweethearts :) And we had much fun in the parking lot of Target hahah

They even happily agreed to play my "face" game. These are "normal faces", "awkward faces", and, of course, "getting proposed to faces" hehe

This one is probably my favorite from the shoot

Or this one. Except its kind of gloomy-er :(

And these girls are NOT gloomy!









I made them race shopping carts - it was SO funny! I love to ride carts in parking lots, and even in stores. It was a little scarier for some girls though ;)

Thanks for letting me join the party! You ladies are wonderful - and Happy, Happy Birthday Sarah!
ps. Deejam - it didn't rain :)


Oh! And when I was asking Sarah which song she wanted, she said "Something girly and Disney." Well, Cinderella is one of my top 3 movies of all time, so I jumped on the chance to use this song :) It really has nothing to do with them, except for the fact that its WAY FUN haha

Sam and Jennifer

"Forever always seems
To be around when things begin
But forever never seems
To be around when things end

 Give me your forever
Please your forever
Not a day less will do
From you"

Yesterday I had the complete honor to shoot Sam and Jennifer's wedding on Capitol Hill, with the ever-so-lovely, Lydia.

Here are some pre-wedding details:

(I completely loved her dress! It was amazing!)





Jennifer's first moment inside her wedding gown, and some bridesmaids reactions :) Too cute :)

I have no words for the happiness this brings me:









Sam and Jennifer decided to do a "sneak-peak" before the ceremony, which is becoming more and more common! As a photographer I especially love it :) It's nice for the bride and groom to have a special moment together, and it's nice to have all the pictures done before you are even married!

The very first time I met Jennifer - way back in January - I saw this little room and I could.not.wait to get her down there for some pictures!










The bridal party was awesome as we walked all around The Capital area, keeping up with me and my 15-minute-time to do ALL the pictures! 

Just so, so beautiful



Me taking the picture....
And my picture!
Cuteness










I think this picture makes Grace Kelly jealous - look at how classy Jennifer looks!

Could she be happier?

Best moment of the wedding:



The reception was an awesome blend of Jennifer's southern-North-Carolina-roots and Sam's home in Hong Kong

This band was rocking! They were so funny and kept the whole evening so upbeat!

"Yummy" details that pretty much made my day



Yay! They are goooone and marrrrieed! Fianllllly!!!!

ps. I need to dedicate this little end section to someone who caught my eye....
I was oblivious that Friday night, the night of the rehearsal. As I was working, I had no idea that someone was watching me. It was one of those "you had me from hello" moments people only dream about.I got to ride with him to the rehearsal dinner. He tried to play hard to get, but I knew he couldn't look away for too long. We had an instant connection, and because it's hard for a mom to use chopsticks and hold a baby, I got to hold him :)

His mom said "He is so tired, he'll probably fall asleep and be happy as a clam." He did fall asleep in my arms, and then I was happier than 12 clams :)

Will, you made my weekend extra wonderful!

Where honor is due...

At the wedding in Atlanta, there are two women who I need to particularly honor!

The first is Heather's "mommi," Debbi.

Debbi was a super-hero-mother-of-the-bride! I have seen some hard-working mothers before, but, wow! I think Debbi wins the award! I heard that over the whole wedding weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) she got around 5 hours of sleep. The night before the wedding she was at Kinko's until 6 AM! She slept for an hour and then was up again!

Caring for out-of-town guests, tending to details, and just wanting to bless her daughter was her number one goal. She was so incredibly selfless and without her I don't know how this wedding would have happened!

And besides the bride and groom, I don't think there was a happier person there :)


It was so lovely to meet you Debbi! Thank you for loving your daughter so much - you are an example to me!


The next lady is Lauren Wright - of Lauren Wright Photography.
I am based in DC and had never been to Atlanta before - sometime in the winter I realized that I needed to find a second shooter! OSP to the rescue! I posted that I was looking for a second-shooter in Atlanta, and within hours I had a whole bunch of people who were willing to help me! After checking them out, and checking their work, I decided that Lauren be perrrfect!

{Photo by Anne Almasy}

She is a lovely lady, who is such a strong Christian - and, um, and AMazing photographer! She is much better than me and I was honored to shoot with her!

You can check out her pictures from the wedding here :)

And in "Jasmine Star" fashion, I am posting some "action shots" that Lauren got of me. I must comment on how cool I was getting a matching dress and ShootSac just for Heather's bridal party ;)
It ate me.And there is another little lady I just had to post about :)
Nyah is one of my favorite all-time subjects - she is full of personality and too cute for her own good. Nyah came to the wedding with her pregnant-mom, grandparents and aunt - it was a long trip and long weekend for her... but she did so good!

Some moments were harder than others :)

Ok, but this picture is now one of my favorite ever. All the girls were getting organized, helping Heather straighten her dress, and following my directions. As soon as they were ready we pulled the flower girls in. I start taking pictures and then I notice this little hand pop up.

"Um. Um. Etxcuse me. Idon't have flehwers. Etxcuse me."Nyah was not pleased that she didn't have her petals in her basket for the pictures and she walked out of the rest of them, but I just adore her little face and raised-arm :) :) :) It's so cute...


But, she was a magnificent flower girl who deserved her nap!

Heather & Michael

"And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday"


"And I know
That I am...
The luckiest"

I keep typing and then backspacing this first line. I don't even know how to sum up this whole weekend.

It was just lovely and joyful and so, so romantic. Heather and her friends are beautiful women - and they all love Heather so much. Seeing these girls rally around her made me so excited for me friends when they get married! I hope that I can be like Heather's friends are!

The day went off perfectly (actually, that would be a lie - there was a big bustling disaster but it did get worked out haha - other than that the whole day went perfectly!). For months the weekends have been beautiful in Atlanta, however, everyone was worried as the weather forecast called for 3 straight days of rain. It rained the night of the rehearsal, it rained wedding morning - but in the afternoon it all came to a halt and Heather had the outdoor wedding she had dreamed of. And it was spectacular!

But, lets start at the very beginning...










You might remember the flower girl this post back in the fall - her mom recommnded me to Heather after their family shoot. Three cheers for Jess and the Smart family!



The ringbearers had Braves flatbills and Vans - SO adorable!











The difference between girls.....



and guys.... :)



I love the vintage feel in both of these


And the stunning bride, of course!








Heather and her dad have such a good relationship - which made for some very sweet moments on wedding day!





Heather's older brother and and performed a beautiful song specifically for the bride and groom



It was very, very touching - he did an excellent job!







Best part of the wedding! Woot woot!



All of the girls were so excited after the recessional - it was adorable!



This is the awesomely huge bridal party! Heather and Mike have wonderful friends - I couldn't speak more highly of them :)











Of all the pictures, I think these sum Heather and Mike up the best haha





And I couldn't resist one more "daddy-daughter" moment :)



Heather and Mike ended the night by dancing under the stars all alone. Their friends watched from a distance, Ben Folds sang "I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you..." and it was the PERfect end to the fun, romantic day :)

Atlanta Day 1!

Well, I must say it again. Because it's true. MY JOB IS AWESOME!

I started my Atlanta journey at Dulles International Airport. I got my boarding pass, went through security, bought a taco, found my gate and read a book. I was being a very good little traveler. On time, not lost, organized and even met some nice people. "This is a happy little trip" I thought. It was time to board, and I grabbed my polka-dot carry-on and waited to get on the plane. "I hope you have a nice flight and a greaaat day!" the ticket-taker said. "Thank you - you too!" I walked through the little hallway that goes onto the plane and I felt wind. I came around the corner and I was outside. "Ummm."All of a sudden I realized that this was the kind of plane you get to walk on from the runway! Aaaaaah! I got SO excited! I was searched through my bag for my white sunglasses, because I just felt much cooler in them. "This is how an actress would do it." The breeze was gently blowing, the lady in front of me had on a sundress. I started playing a Regina Spektor song over and over in my head - like my personal sound track for the moment. I was just so excited to be outside the small, 12-row plane.

Well, if you think that was exciting - just wait to hear about the rest of the night :)I finally got to meet the beautiful bride-to-be, Heather. From the airport we headed straight to the Bacherlette Party. All the girls met at California Pizza Kitchen for laughter, memories, encouragement and tears, of course - they're girls. It was so sweet to listen to all these different people talk about Heather's impact on their life. Heather is just FULL of spunk, fun and joy.After dinner we went to the-Ashton-Kutcher-owned bowling alley. The place was so fun, so classy and so craaaazy loud! The girls had a fun time :)There was a real old-fashioned photobooth. I was madly in love.This whole bridal party is quite fun, terrible beautiful and such good friends to Heather! I love them!We are leaving for another full day of pre-wedding stuff... should be incredible!

Be back way late!