whew... Happy New Year!

I spent the day catching up on the last of my work for 2008 and whew... it's been quite a year! After looking back on every wedding and photo session finished, all while keeping a full time job (and squeezing in a little ole' house remodel), I can't help but be proud! ... and I can't go without thanking everyone who has supported me so far. To all my 'big fans' who have more confidence in me than I deserve and have patted me on the back and spread the word... I couldn't have had one drop of success if it wasn't for you! To all my assistants who help keep my sanity and captured so many great shots in mean time! :) Thank you, Will for your patience and support while I fill up half of our weekends! I'll try to control myself in 09 and learn to say 'no'. haha.

Thank you God for blessing me with a gift, and on top of that, turning it into such a FUN and rewarding job! A dream job really... and I can't take one bit of credit on my own.

Happy New Year, my precious ones! (insert mushiness here)
I'm so excited about 09 and all the changes to come!

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel

Amanda and Brad's wedding was a very special day for so many. I was so honored to be there for their engagement photos, Amanda's gorgeous bridal session and of course their big day (and wedding #25 for me!) ... I've seen her grow up next to my sister and turn into a beautiful woman! Brad couldn't have been a better match for her. A very precious couple. :)

I guess I can finally post Amanda's bridal photos! Mrs. Cooksey and I dragged the poor girl from Strawberry Alley to Madison Street Methodist to a farm in Sango... in her dress! :) But it was so worth it!





The light was so yummy in this last shot, and with such a beautiful bride?! ugh ... my favorite of the day.

THEN, we started the wedding day at Prodigy Salon where little sis, Lindsey, broke wedding hair poof records...

and my other also super talented sister, Sara, followed with makeup on Amanda and the bridesmaids. This was the first wedding that all three of us got to work on and it was just so fun! Nothing like the Halliburton VIP wedding package, eh? ;)




I LOVED the flowers... peacock feathers were tucked in the girls' boquets and many of the arrangements... complimenting all the turquoise accents.

Brad requested this one above... a favorite of mine.
and I loved this one below of the flower girls during prayer...




I love this shot Margo snatched up during the father-daughter dance. :)




Yes, we can even squeeze in a little participation in the wedding activities... good job, Poohead.


It's always good to see the parents having a blast.:)
Be sure to view more wedding moments here. Best wishes to Amanda and Brad!

Hannah and Will

My little buddy is getting married! :) I met Hannah when she moved in... and have loved her ever since! I was pumped to get to photograph their engagement session and after lunch and a few drinks (to get Will loosened up for photos) we had THE best time running around downtown Birmingham. My cheeks hurt after spending the afternoon cracking up with these two. Hannah and Will were so fun to watch together and compliment each other so well. They couldn't keep a straight face all day and you can tell their marriage will be no different. Watching their slideshow is a must. Congrats to both of you! I can't wait for the wedding!

The Metcalf-Hopson Wedding

Congratulations to Rebecca and Dale! It was such a fun morning photographing the wedding party at the beautiful Wallace home... and on to the Madison Street Methodist Church and Riverview Inn for a fun reception. It was very special to photograph their wedding after knowing Dr. Hopson since I was small. The day couldn't have been more perfect! View more of the Metcalf-Hopson Wedding photos in their slideshow here...






and thanks to Margo Keene, who captured this gorgeous angle of Rebecca (and tons others) for all your help throughout the day! I couldn't have done it without you! :)

Santa Babies...

Many of you may have already received these Christmas cards in the mail, but I was so excited about how they turned out, I just have to share my shots from such a fun day!

Avery was such a little trooper while we shot the Russell's first Christmas family photos. These are just a few of my favorites... be sure to watch their slideshow to see all her precious shots!






Just a couple of hours later the Balthrops showed up for their Christmas session.
Little Charlie thought he was so big up in the hay bales and wanted to do everything his cousin Grayden did, making my photo direction alot easier! I love this series we did on an old scale in front of our barn... so many goodies hanging everywhere.





This one is just so precious to me. :) See all of Charlie and Grayden's Christmas session here. For their cards, I came across this GREAT site for photo cards, announcements, etc... 'In a Baby Carriage' ... the quality was great, I'll definitely be using them again!

I must post 'The Jackson Five' Christmas quick session, too! Ashley and Steven are good friends of mine, and I actually shot some coverage of their wedding weekend... but for this session: second time's a charm. :) We did one pretty tricky shoot with the help of Ashley's mom. (ever tried getting 2 people + 3 dogs to look at you, much less sit still and face the same direction? and not step in poo in the process?) But my hard drive crashed after our first session (SCARY!) and we lost all our efforts. Ashley and Steven are troopers, though, and so understanding! So with the help of the neighboring girls holding treats above my head, we finally got it! :)