growing like a weed

it's been six months since stacey and kelly welcomed baby eli into the world, and eventhough i'm lucky enough to get to see this cutie pie quite often, i still can't believe how much he's grown. he'll be a big boy before they know it!

with fall in on the way, the pumpkin patch seemed like the perfect place to play. eli wasn't quite sure what was going on, but he warmed up eventually.

back at home with his favorite two buddies, mom and dad, he was definitely ready to play.

Until next time!

cynthia & raymond...and kids

it's always exciting when i find pet parents who want to include their furry family members in their engagement and family portraits, but i've never had a family-to-be quite like this one. one dog, two dogs, no problem. but FOUR dogs, well...i learned that with cynthia and raymond as their parents...no problem!

this happy happy couple will be getting hitched next summer in a ceremony that will represent both local and chinese wedding customs, and i can't wait! while i don't think these sweet boys and girls will be there, i'm so happy that i had the chance to meet them. my CAT isn't this well-behaved!

gotta love a happy couple. :) thanks cynthia and raymond for such a fun shoot!

another favorite...

i met reagan and addison more than a year ago when i photographed the two little ones at the jc raulston arboretum. i couldn't believe how much they'd grown up in only a year when we got together a few months ago for a fun backyard session. can't wait til next year ladies!!

the crawfords

for most, labor day weekend marks the end of the summer and one last chance to hit the water before the sun cools us off a bit. for me, it's the beginning of the best time of year to hit the beach - the calm and quiet time. :)

alan and i took a trip back to the obx to hang with my family for the weekend and this time i was able to mix a little business with pleasure. well, when it's this much fun i can hardly call it work.

i met the crawford family for the first time when i joined them at milepost 9 in kill devil hills for a family session. they'd just arrived for a week-long vacation from maryland, and these two wild ones were ready to play! it was absolutely one of my favorite beach sessions. it's more fun when i get to chase 'em.

thanks so much to michele for allowing me to sneak a snap at your vacation! i hope to see you all again next year!

courtnie & brad

oooooh so much fun! i had the exciting honor of hanging out with courtnie and brad last week in raleigh for one of my favorite engagement sessions of all time. these two will be having a big shebang in june, and if the fun runs as high on their wedding day as it does on a normal day with these two, i KNOW it'll be a blast!

courtnie and brad met at city limits saloon, one of raleigh's favorite hot spots (that's right, sometimes you really CAN meet the love of your life at a bar). actually, they met right here...

...and that's also where this groom proposed. (no, not on a normal wild night at city limits, but during a private date where he arranged for a little music, a little dancing on an empty floor, and a big question that was met with a YES!)

big thanks to city limits for letting us drop in!

one more stop...that's right. :)

congratulations to mr. & mrs. gaylord. can't wait to do it again on the big day!!!

lindsey & brandon...finally

unfortunatley i wasn't kidding about being behind on my posts. before i bring you up to date on more recent adventures, here's another one of my summer favorites that never made it up...better late than never!

lindsey and brandon were one of my favorite couples to work with this year. they're full of laughs, extremely easy to get along with, and absolutely meant for each other. (it doesn't hurt that they're both so pretty either.)

the bride's day began at her parents' home in cary with hair, makeup, food, and family galore!

waiting for the ceremony to begin, lindsey's awesome bridesmaids broke into song with a little "lean on me." (one of those moments when i wished for audio.)

and the groom...

after the sweet sweet ceremony, the crowd headed to brier creek country club for a beautiful and wide open reception.

joe bunn himself from the always exciting joe bunn dj company kept the crowd on their feet all night long!

thanks so much to mr. & mrs. hart for giving me another wedding to remember! i hope your first few months as husband and wife have been as much fun as your first day!

kelsey

it's back to school for students and teachers - exciting right?! i'm sure some kids are moaning and groaning, but for now-seniors like the beautiful miss kelsey, there's a lot to look forward to! i had a blast with kelsey at her home in oxford. she's a natural in front of the camera - a photographer's dream subject! her smile says it all. :)