holli's maternity session!

There's always a fun element of surprise when I show up for a session with someone that I have yet to meet. I'm used to working with unfamiliar locations, but people are a little different than places. I had been communicating with Holli via phone and email and expected to see the word "adorable" tattooed across her forehead. However, until we finally met, I had no idea of the full scope of her awesomeness. She was so welcoming, kind, and has a rare balance of exuberance and calmness.

I could have spent all day laughing and taking photos of Holli. She was such a pleasure to work with, and I know she's going to make such a wonderful mommy.


I had to snap a few shots of Holli getting ready in her fabulous blue curlers. I'm so glad that I got to meet her talented makeup artist, Alyson. Her company is called Authentic Beauty, and I LOVE her philosophy. She's all about acceptance of who we are naturally, which she and I discussed a bit. I've been wanting to start a project working with people who have body/appearance issues to discuss them, photograph them, and learn to appreciate them. Alyson is working on a similar project. Now I know there are probably some folks reading this who are like, "wait a minute, makeup artists and photographers are in the business of making people look good....isn't that the opposite of 'natural'?". I won't speak for Alyson here, but I feel that there's a huge difference between making someone look different to look good, and making someone look like themselves to look good. My job is never to change, always to enhance (more by using light and angles than photoshop tricks). So, there's my 2 cents....or maybe more like a buck and some change.

Now, back to the fabulousness that is HOLLI!

Holli's home is unlike anything I've seen before. It's a gorgeous three-story loft that's decorated in a way that's both unique and comfortable. Sadly, my decorating aesthetic veers more toward the "cheap and unbreakable". I'm glad that two things worked their way into this photo: her sweet doggie, Sampson, and a pic of her hubby, who is currently on the Amazon. The actual place, not the website.

Since pointing out the obvious is on my list of favorite things...isn't Holli ridiculously pretty??? If having kids makes you look this good, I'll take 7.

This next shot isn't super "maternity-ish", but I really like the un-posed quality of Holli's expression.

Holli has a framed photo of her little girl's sonogram, so we had to work that in along with her first baby, Sampson.

Here's a little layout I put together just for fun...

Holli, thank you for being so fun and gracious. All my best to you on your exciting journey into parenthood!

To see a slideshow of more images from this lovely maternity session, please click HERE

cassi & david!

They may not realize it, but there are several things I need to thank Cassi and David for. I'm completely grateful for things such as: the fact that they trusted me to photograph their wedding, that they are such absolutely lovely people, and for getting married at Fernbank!

I was excited about this day on so many levels. Cassi's sister Carribeth has been a good friend of mine for many years now, and I know what a fantastic family she has. I think the last time I saw Cassi before the wedding, she was only about 14 years old! It's amazing I'm not already wearing dentures and orthopedic shoes. Anyway, it was so cool to see Cassi marry her long-time sweetheart, David.

I was thrilled that the wedding was held at Fernbank Museum. I love that place! Weddings held there satisfy both the right and left side of my brain....the scientist and the romantic artist. Hooray! It really was beautiful, and I couldn't have asked for a more charming couple than Cassi and David.

Cassi is just downright stunning.

David is one handsome fella. At one point before the ceremony, Cassi was giggling about how cute David is. Is that adorable or what?

The next pic finally proves that Nate is not just a carbon copy of his dad, Brian. This expression on his face is 100% Carribeth. Yay!

These ladies have a lot on their minds.

The only thing cooler than dudes in a wedding wearing classic Chucks is dudes in a wedding wearing classic Chucks with purple argyle socks! Aw yeah! Man, I wish I could have worn mine!

There is one bridesmaid missing in the next photo. Amber was scheduled to be in the wedding party, but decided to give birth that morning instead. Woo hoo! I hope someone saved her some cake!

If every woman watched "America's Next Top Model" like Cassi and I do, then everyone could learn to "smile with their eyes" like Cassi is demonstrating expertly here. Tyra would be so proud.

Here's Cassi and her dad, trying not to get choked up right before walking down the aisle.

I have yet another reason for having a blast at this wedding. I've been mentoring a lovely lady named Christa Paulston Lovato, and she came along to snap some wedding pics for the first time. She did an awesome job, and here is one of her super shots! Thanks, Christa! She's working on setting up her website/blog, and I'll be sure to post the link when it's ready so you can check out her work.

David and Cassi did one of the coolest things I've ever seen during a ceremony. They played rock-paper-scissors to determine who got to put the ring on first. Cassi won the best 2 out of 3 with this rock.

I just realized that in the next image, you can see the shadow of the giant dinosaur bones. I love happy accidents!

I've said it a million times, and I'll say it a million more....I adore couples who have a sense of humor! Of course, I don't know how they managed to pose for a funny pic, AND look this hot. It's really not fair.

So many thanks to Cassi, David, and all the sweet folks who made this evening truly unforgettable!

To see a slideshow of more images from this wonderful wedding, please click HERE

sara and gerard!

What a sweet and adorable couple. I feel so lucky because I'm convinced that I have the best clients in the world. I don't know how it happens, but instead of questioning it, I choose to simply be thankful for the magical arrow that somehow points wonderful people in my direction. Sara and Gerard are thoughtful, clever, down-to-earth.....and they know how to throw one heck of a party.

These two fine folks were recently married at the Trolley Barn in Inman Park. It was a beautiful, sunny fall afternoon, and every guest seemed to be having a great time and their support for Sara and Gerard was blindingly evident.

Let's just pretend that I had to do something really dangerous to get this next shot. Okay?

SUCH a beautiful couple!

You can't go wrong with classic roses. I couldn't get enough of all the red deliciousness!

A little pre-ceremony peek from the groomsmen.

Did I forget to mention that these two are FUNNY??!!

Okay, there's a little story for the next shot that makes me giggle. When I was editing this image, my Dad (who was over for the afternoon) saw it on my screen and asked "Who is that?". I explained, "That is Sara, a pretty bride from one of the recent weddings I shot". His response was, "GEEEEZ....she could be a friggin model!!!". Yes, Dad. Well put.

There was a very emotional father-daughter dance....

...AND a very emotional mother-son dance. Don't they know I cry easily??

Apparently, Sara's father and I are kindred spirits.

I LOVE when toasts/speeches elicit reactions like this...

Man, there was some fine dancing goin' on.

This shot of Gerard getting his cheeks pinched is one of my favorites.

Sara and Gerard...all my best to you in what's sure to be a fantastic life together!

To see a slideshow of more images from this lovely wedding, please click HERE