abbeydeerest
Fireflies | First Day of Summer
happy first day of summer kids! its hot. its humid. all i want to do is sit in a creek but i am finding all sorts of things to be thankful for during this muggy season! one of those thankful things is watching my nephews as they run crazy hooligan style all over the yard and catch fireflies. i was not aware that the west coast did not have these pretty little bugs until my friend jared told me he didn't think they were a thing. now every time i see them i'm a little bit happier i live in these southern states and get to see the twinkles dance along the tree line each night.
summer is not so bad.
Noelle Maternity | Oregon
you can say it out loud. she is perfect. i still can't believe i got to work on the west coast. at cannon beach. i've been dreaming of seeing this place for years and to get to fly across the country and shoot on it. gosh, i'm just happy.
this is the second half of our pnw maternity session from march. if you missed the first half you can see it here. i am constantly torn between washington and oregon. which do i love more? how could you pick?!
we laughed about the fact noelle matched her surroundings perfectly on both shoots. without even trying! she is a gem that one. here are a few of my favorites from our time on the beach!
Noelle Maternity | Washington
my friend noelle is beautiful. my mother calls her, "she of the big brown eyes." i appreciate how lovely she is not pregnant. but her loveliness shot over the top when she started showing a baby bump and as we talked about her maternity photos and what we wanted to do, she said she wanted her little boy to see where he came from. (the west) and so we photographed in two incredible west coast spots. Mt Rainier and Cannon beach.
this project was honestly my dream come true. i was freaking out the entire time we were working with that mountain right next to us. and every shot i kept squealing. it was such an amazing experience and i am so so proud of the way these photos turned out. praise God from whom all blessing flow man.
here are a few of my favorites from washington.
Elizabeth & Pete | Married
april 11th 2015 was probably the most perfect spring day in marlyland. crisp with a beautiful breeze coming off the water, it was the day to get married indeed. elizabeth and pete exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony with their closest friends and family there to witness. the day was full of laughter and big smiles and precious ring bearers who were stealing the hearts of everyone in attendance.
the light was glorious but my favorite part of the day took place when hand in hand pete and elizabeth walked up the stairs and one of her shoes came off just like Cinderella. to say i freaked out would be an understatement. the very best moments are always the unplanned. congratulations again pete and elizabeth!
Jon & Hannah | Married
Hannah & Jon were married on January 17th in the hills of Madison Virginia. the weather was beautiful, the people were beautiful, the wedding was beautiful. it was my first wedding of the year and i couldn't help the tears that popped into my eyes throughout the day. i love weddings and the symbolize behind them. this was such a good wedding to be a part of, and the Lord was truly glorified in the day.
music was definitely a theme on this special day and i felt like i needed a recording of the day when i left. the bride stood with her sisters (and sister in law,) and maid of honor (her brother!) and it was so sweet to watch the closeness. the groom stood with an assortment of (silly) friends and the best man his brother. i loved watching them interact and cut up!
both sets of parents were so kind and truly honored by their man and woman they raised. i love seeing that at weddings! it makes everything a bit more special.
i loved this wedding so much! i love the way these images turned out and i love the people in them!
(also megan be my best friend forever okay?)
want to see some?
"okay guys, make a really manly face..."
Hanna | Maternity
yesterday i rolled out of bed, drank some coffee and headed out the door in my pajamas. i stopped by the donut shop and then drove the hour and twenty minutes to my sweet friends house to spend the day doing pedicures and having girl talk. my friend is a week late with her first baby and everyone keeps nagging her about having it already. news flash, its not like pooping duh.
anyway, we had such a good time giggling and doing her toes. i worked on the pressure points in her feet/ankles and we even went for a (cold) walk. we ate mexican food for lunch and looked through old photo albums. today my hands are tired but i am happy that i live close enough to be able to go down for visits like that. i thought today i would share sweet Hanna's maternity photos since she will be having little baby bean any time now!
i love the way these turned out!
Wednesday Sessions | Simon
i've heard a million times, "you can't meet people on the internet." there is danger there for sure, but in the business i'm in, that's where you meet most people...
Simon was no different. he emailed me about booking a session and after thorough stalking (hehe sorry buddy.) i determined he was a real person and even better, that he loved Jesus. after booking we assured each other neither of us were axe murderers and coffee in hand we (and also camera in hand...my hands were full...) we started a walk. while shooting we talked about all kinds of things, nashville, coffee, orphans, placements we are in the family line, (yay fourth kids!) where we went to college, and the list goes on.
after that chilly day i can assure you i'm keeping him as a friend, anyone who shares a love of donuts and crazy socks is someone you need in your life. Simon is the first official "new" friend i made in Nashville and he's neat, just like nature.
also can we talk about how fantastically winter ish these are. love that winter light so hard.
life lately according to my instagram
i feel some fresh topics are needed here.
i was going to write and tell you ten reasons you should not participate in no shave novermber, but i'm feeling less snarky now so i'll save that for another time. autumn is moving too quickly for me and i am doing my best to stop and smell the roses, er...leaves. keeping busy with projects and planning shoots and editing. i even got to dog sit this week.