engaged | Janet & Andrew

I'm always blown away and honored when people call or email to ask if I can photograph them, whether it be a newborn, or to capture their family at this point in life, to document a graduating senior, or to photograph a wedding.  But, for some reason or another, when it's someone you know who wants you to be the one to capture them and their family, it's an even deeper honor.  I think it's something to do with how they not only love you, but they're saying they trust you and believe in you to capture this moment in their lives.  And having that honor blows me away.

I've known Janet for quite a while and I feel like she's a really close friend because her sister has been one of my friends that I've walked through some of life with.  Her sister and I were roommates after college and walked through the "single after college while all of our friends get married" stage.  So, during that time and ever since, I've gotten to know their family and just love them!  In fact, they were all at our wedding last month... it wouldn't have been the same without them there!  And I'm SO excited that Ben and I will be able to capture Janet and Andrew's wedding this coming April.  

A couple of weeks before our wedding, I met Janet and Andrew downtown for a beautiful (and WINDY) engagement session.  It was a lot of fun hanging out with you guys and I hope you continue to enjoy these images.  We can't wait to celebrate with you in the spring!

Y'all are adorable.

Remember that we did this session in mid-October... 

which made the pumpkin the perfect accessory for a ring shot!

Downtown Greenville... oh how I love thee!

Our last stop was where Andrew proposed and the light did not disappoint!

This one might be my favorite...

family | the Mozingos

It's really hard not to love this family.  Since I first started attending Grace and going through the membership process, Scott has remembered my name - which was impressive since it's a big church and there were 40+ people in the class... and since I missed two of the six classes!  Hmm... maybe that's why he remembers, because I was the delinquent that missed classes!  It was northing short of a joy to meet his wife and kids a few months before I went on staff at church.  Between the two older ones, who are a really fun set of twins, and their super sweet younger brother, they are just a JOY to be around.

I came into work last Monday to find a really pretty seashell on my desk and a handwritten note in pencil from their daughter that said, "Jesus loves you more than all the grains in the sand."  Her heart is so big and I love chatting with her when they come by the office.

They were wanting some family pictures this fall and we found a 45 minute window the Sunday before the wedding.  It was quick and light was fading fast, but it was that warm, amazing light that you want to put in a bottle and keep forever!  Thank you guys for laughs, the best jokes (Why did the duck cross the road? Because the chicken was on vacation!), and for letting me capture your life in photographs.

Just Being Me

There are several blogs and photographers and designers that I follow and so many of them constantly say the same thing to those out there who are trying to "make it" in their business of choice... BE YOU*.  Granted that business of choice they're speaking to is one in the artistic field, but that's where and why it makes sense.  I don't know that it would really fly for those trying to make it in say, the mechanical engineering field.  YES, it could work, but there are more rules and formulas in that area than are in the artistic world!

I've always struggled with the tension between my artistic side and my engineering side.  Even when I was younger and going through school, I was the epitome of the well-rounded kid.  Ugh.  I was ok/good at many things but didn't excel at one individual thing.  And this drove the engineering side of me crazy!  Do you know how frustrating it is to enjoy math as much as you enjoy playing the violin?  Yes... I'm a freak of nature.  BUT, I wasn't the best at either of those things!  I remember taking the SAT three times and getting the exact same score on math and verbal all three times.  Wait, I take that back... one time I was 10 points higher on math than I was on verbal. *sigh*  Still, I came out of each of those times asking, "What am I supposed to do with my life??"

Anyway, now that I'm all grown up and doing things I never thought I'd do (working in ministry and photography instead of being an astronaut), I'm finally starting to listen to those other artistic types and figuring out how to just BE ME.  However, that can sometimes change on a daily basis.  No, I don't have multiple personalities!  I just mean one day I want to wear jeans and a graphic tee and the next day I want to dress up like I'm stepping out of a J.Crew magazine.

The good news with all of this and what I find myself doing work-wise is that I am in a world that is constantly moving and adjusting.  Church activities and sermon series change each week and photography is constantly changing based on my mood, a location, my clients, etc.. 

So, it looks like I ended up in the right field(s) (no pun on my new last name intended... really!).  There's enough consistency and organization to fulfill my engineering side and enough change and creativity to fulfill my photography side.  And for once, maybe even the first time, I'm looking forward to embracing all of who I am and getting that out there and I'm going to encourage you to do the same!


Whether you're pursuing photography, teaching, art, ministry, music, and maybe even engineering... I'm going to repeat what "everyone else" is saying... just BE YOU and love it and have fun with it.

*Jasmine Star, Promise Tangeman, Katelyn James... to name a few

Sneak Peek and Being Married

Wow... we're MARRIED!  November 5 was THE best day and we've loved all 23 days we've had together since then.  I was so excited when Ben proposed and knew that I was going to marry this amazing man, but being married to him is even more wonderful than I thought.  We're partners for life, partners in crime, and partners in laughter.  Yes, I made that last one up but oh my goodness... sometimes we just get to laughing and who wants to ever stop laughing???

With Thanksgiving the week after we returned home from our honeymoon, it's taken a little while to get up and running again.  So, I thank you for your patience and for checking the blog for updates!  There's a downtown engagement session as well as a fall family session from the month of October to post so keep your eyes peeled for those... as well as honeymoon and wedding pictures!  I keep going back to look at the pictures from 11/05/11 and keep falling in love with them.  SO much fun.  And I can't wait to share more of Jana and Kim's talent!

So, in the meantime, here's a sneak peak from a quick family session I had with the Mozingos the Sunday before the wedding.  Love these guys.  More to come soon!

Best Wedding Ever

We've been to lots of wonderful and really fun weddings - as guests and as photographers and videographers - but Ben and I both agree that our wedding yesterday was the best one... ever.  Thanks to everyone's support before, during, and after this day.  We love all of you so much and we look forward to talking more about it and telling you about our honeymoon when we get back.

Until then, enjoy these pictures from yesterday... from our perspective!

The Sargents

I can't believe that in just a few days I'll be married!!  I'm so excited and so ready to be Mrs. Fields!!  But, there are still pictures to be shared... and I think you'll like this family.  We met at the Rock Quarry after work one day and raced against the setting sun.  Their girls are adorable, mom was great,  and dad, was the goofy one to bring out some smiles!

Thank you guys for letting me capture your family and the really fun surprise at the end of the session (see pictures below)!

I just adore this picture of these three sisters!

There's something about a family squeezing into a group hug that just makes me smile.

See... I'm hilarious!  ...at least that's what I told them to pretend :-)

Y'all are just adorable.  Thanks for being so much fun!

Pictures of mom and dad are a must.

Please note how everyone is wicked awesome at the "GQ look".
And how Brynn is looking straight at me. Love it.

Rylie, Ellis, and Brynn... y'all are amazing models!

Y'all are just adorable!

Ok, so here's the story.  As we were emailing back and forth about the pictures and times and locations, Kristy told me that they would be leaving for Disney World the next morning... but that the girls didn't know yet!  So, she had borrowed Micky Mouse hats from a friend to let the girls wear for pictures and then they'd tell them what was going on.

So, to not make it quite so obvious, we played it as though I was the one who brought the hats and wanted to take some fun pictures with the hats on.  So, the next several pictures are of their parents telling them that they would be leaving for Disney the very next morning...

Disbelief...

Getting into shock...

A little more disbelief from Rylie...

Then it finally started to set in...

Yep... they were excited!

I hope you guys had a wonderful time!!