2009, I loved you!

May your heart
be filled with
Peace, Love, and Joy
this New Years Eve.



Thank you to all of my wonderful clients of 2009. Happy New Year, Everyone!

Another season, another year...

...and another ridiculously adorable family this Christmas.

As Kyu and I pack our bags and head south for the holidays, we wanted to wish all of our friends, clients, colleagues & blog readers a very joyful and blessed Christmas. And because we love pictures so much, here's the team at b braithwaite whom we love dearly. We are toasting to another successful season and hoping all of the best for the new year. Happy Holidays everyone!

Essential Items for any Lady Photographer...

I received a couple of things today that I am JUST giddy over. My super sweet ordering consultant Meredith gave me a gift for my birthday, and in the package contained one essential item I can't go a day without. Post-it notes are THE best invention. Ever. She had them personalized for me, which (as Meredith knows) makes them a bazillion times better!

I also received a new camera bag from a new company in Australia called Crumpler. I discovered this crazy new company in New York during my last visit; my friends and I spent hours admiring their stock... If I listed every single thing I wanted in a camera bag, this would bag would ALMOST make it.... Almost. Still searching for the bag that takes it all, but for now, me and Sydney are enjoying it..

Awe.

Sometimes you just know...

...that you're meant to be friends.

Last week, I met with my dearest friends Sara, Whitney and Amy in New York City to celebrate the end of another successful Fall portrait season. We met last year at Learnfest, and since then - we've made an effort to get together at least once a quarter. That's incredibly challenging for 4 women who live on opposite sides of the country, run a full time business and love their families dearly!

Every time we get together, we pass the time with gossip, shopping & photo excursions around around town.

No exception in the big city.... We were in heaven!

Our first stop, of course - the big & beautiful Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center.



One of the main reasons we chose this city.... their flagship store is fabulous.



We took some time to explore the city, walk the streets, and play hopscotch!



Whitney flew cross country to see us, and we love her for that! We all got to see her depart....



...right before we took out our cameras for some fun! ...the beautiful Sara...



We call her Jansport. I wonder why?





And Sara snapped these silly shots of me, which I adore. Yes, Kyu is a lucky, lucky man...



I can't wait to see these lovely ladies again....in about 3 weeks in Nashville! Love you guys!

Come visit Santa at B Braithwaite!

For the next 2 Saturdays, I will be at photographing wee ones with Santa at B Braithwaite. I'm not sure if they are fully booked yet, but call Chaffee to find out for sure! 404-605-0963!

Out for a little break and some much needed girl time...

After an insane fall portrait season, I'm taking a little break from work and celebrating my 29th birthday (well, preview to it anyhow!) with my favorite girls in New York. I hear December is the best time to visit! Either way, I'm looking for a seeing these ladies, catching up on our gossip, shopping (of course) and taking in all that the city has to offer.

Kyu and I love each other immensely (it's scary!), but we're big fans of separate vacations, making time with our own friends & family, and allowing each other to have their own space every once in a while... I'll come back missing him more than ever (something that's GREAT after spending the last 30 days with him 24/7!).

I'll be out until Thursday, December 10th. Have a wonderful week, everyone!

My friend, client & newest member of the team!

Many of you may recognize Meredith below.

Two years ago, my uncle from Hong Kong introduced me to Meredith and her family and told me that I had to get to know them. "They are one of the most genuine families that I know...." That meant a lot to me, as I consider my uncle to have one of the kindest and sweetest souls.... Meredith and I became fast friends, and I've loved watching and documenting her family grow over the last two years.

A few months ago, an opening in our little company opened, and I quickly emailed Meredith about the open position. She totally ate it up.

Introducing one of the newest members of our team. Meredith is our new Ordering Consultant. She assists clients in the overwhelming process of narrowing down the images, recommending gallery groupings and large pieces as custom art in their homes, and ensures that they have fun through the entire process. She absolutely loves the job, and my clients absolutely adore her. Who wouldn't? Meredith is so wonderful!

Just sharing a few favorites from my recent session with Meredith's family. Logan and Summer.









And lastly.... Two of my absolute faves.

25 Reasons to Join NAPCP

We are JUST about to kick off NAPCP's December Membership Drive. Photographers: If you've been itching to join, this is the perfect time to! Join now & receive $25 off your membership fee.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletters for opportunities to win SWEET swag from our vendor partners (design aglow credit, strategy avenue business discs, shootsac, hipslip, free websites & more!) AS well as a chance to win a free lifetime membership into this incredible organization. If anything, signup for the newsletter to receive our pretty mailings. We put our heart & soul into the design of them. You won't be sorry!

Name


Email

Maya Angelou

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

— Maya Angelou

The perfect photo session...

...doesn't exist. But when you work with children like Eloise and Finn, it sure does seem like it could!

Finn had the imagination only that of a toddler with lofty ambitions would. We were playing with sidewalk chalk, then strumming the Beatles hits, then singing songs out in the yard like the world centered around our time together. I love the life of a two year old...and I love that Finn loved it too.

And Eloise was enduring and sweet and elegant. When she looks up at you with her beautiful eyes, you just want to melt.





I absolutely loved this family. Aren't they just so adorably perfect?

Sweet Caroline

Introducing the newest member of the Doll family. Madeline has just been waiting for new baby doll to arrive, so that she can love her and play house with her. Even in her first few days of life, Caroline is enjoying being cared for by her big sister.

It's begun...

Anthropologie just launched their first line of kids' wear online. They're still testing the market to see what the interest is, but from the looks of it, I am thrilled for what's to come. I will certainly be sending my clients here for creative wardrobe pieces to use during our sessions!

Speaking of which, a SPECIAL thank you to the Browns, Gastleys, Katzes, Munns & Sanfords for the AWESOME gift card to my favorite store.
You ladies ROCK!

Hello World.

Sorry for my lack of posts lately! It's that time of the year. Blah, blah, blah...you've heard me talk about it before, so I won't bore you with my excuses. :)

I don't photograph a lot of subjects over the age of 5. Children are my specialty; I love working with children and I always have. However, every once in a while, a favorite client or friend will ask me to photograph their teen & well, I love it when this happens!

We scheduled Alex's senior session on a beautiful fall day right before sunset. He'll be graduating this Spring, hopefully attending Georgia Tech in the Fall. As you can imagine, we had a lot to talk about....

I loved the images from our session. Alex totally rocked it. Not that I had any doubt, but ya know. I can't jump up and down to make him laugh like I can for a 2 year old....

Just sharing a few. Thanks for working with me, Alex!

I heart Beaches

Just a few favorites from one of my sweetest little clients. I can't believe this little boy is a year old...



Taken during my one of my beach sessions in Charleston this past weekend. If you missed out, be sure to join us next year!

Happy Birthday, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas!

...to ME!

My sweet husband surprised me with two boxes of lush, decadent stationary this morning. I LOVE him for this... He knows of my love affair with paper, letterpress Vera paper specifically, and remembered this while we were out window shopping one afternoon. Each pristine piece feels so good in my fingers... I can't wait to use these babies this Fall for my clients!

In other news, our Family Day images have finally come back from production and are ready to ship out! FD 2009 clients, be on the look out for your beautiful images this coming week!

A beautiful cause...

A few weeks ago, Melissa contacted me about a charity gala she was volunteering for... Kyu and I love giving wherever we can, especially when it's for a cause we really believe in. The Ronald McDonald House Foundation held its first gala last weekend, and it was such a huge success! We were so pleased to hear that Melissa (the silent auction chair) was also the recipient of our gift donation. Her parents knew she had been eyeing my work, so they generously outbid the others and presented it to her family as a gift that evening. How amazing is that?!

Today was SUCH a beautiful day. I LIVE FOR DAYS LIKE TODAY. Fall never looked prettier...

I met with Melissa's beautiful family of six for our Fall session, and I am so pleased with the results...

Melissa's gorgeous family...



Colby, Tatum, and Phoebe - the sweetest girls you'll ever meet.





A future football star like daddy?



As sweet as his sisters.



3 Sisters. Reminds me of my my family... Love this one. SO. much.

Melissa, I can't wait to show you the rest! Thank you for opening up your beautiful family to me and my camera this afternoon!

Cheers to a successful gala & all of your committee's hard work!

Family Day 2009

I have some of the most amazing clients. Year after year, I get to take their family photos.... I watch their little peanuts grow into little lady bugs, I watch them multiply into 2 and 3 and 4! ...and in the meanwhile, I feel like I don't skip a beat in all that happens in their worlds...

It was so wonderful catching up with all of my old clients last Saturday. We met at Ansley Park for a beautiful day of mini sessions... Here are some of my favorites from the 20 or so families I photographed that day!

Thank you for all that came out this year! Can't wait to see your little ones again soon!

Four Generations

I have been photographing the Amos family for years now... The boys always ask their mom, "Is Miss Alice gonna bring us the marble drinks this time?" And of course, I always do.... (it's my secret weapon to getting great expressions out of the boys).

Mom wanted to schedule this season's photos around capturing a timeless image with all four generations. I loved the sentiment and traveled to Columbus for the challenge.

Lovely images of a lovely family.

And four generations together. I love this image of Baby Knox and his great grandfather, Paul Amos. Paul is an incredible yet very humble individual. He is the founder of Aflac, a thriving Fortune 500 company, but you would never know it from his humorous demeanor. He is, no doubt, an amazing role model to the children in his life...

After the "formal portraits," we ran out into the fields for some fun family candids. It was such a beautiful day out!



They put on some play clothes, and we captured some less traditional family photos...



And at the end of the day, they had dinner and gave thanks for another perfect day with the people they love most...
It was a good day for the Amos family....

The cutest baby in New York City

It's really a toss up. I love all of the babies I photograph up there, but Ajax has GOT to be at the top of the list. Look at his beautiful curls! How insanely adorable is he?

Ajax and his lion costume this Halloween! His parents are big supporters of serengeti wildlife, so I thought his costume was really appropriate.
Although mom thinks she loves seeing him in this costume more than he loves being in it :)



It was a very windy day in the city, but the light was beautiful and the buildings were amazing.
These were some of the last shots I took before running off to catch my flight.

More images to come! Just finished a whirlwind weekend shooting 20+ families on Saturday and a family of 20 on Sunday!