mcmillin kids {rowan county children's photographer}

Tracy approached me quite recently to capture some shots of her kids but warned me that they don't particularly enjoy being photographed, and especially challenging would be Finch who doesn't like to smile for the camera.  I LOVE a challenge so I couldn't wait to meet this trio.  We met at a park on a glorious Saturday afternoon and after speaking some time with the kids about their favorite subjects and hobbies I started snapping away.  Mom and dad were wise and decided to stay in the car during our session and I really believe it's why the kids were so natural with me because they weren't being watched or corrected.  Smart move!  I hope you enjoy the McMillin kids as much as I do.  They are charming, bright and ADORABLE!!!!

I couldn't have asked for prettier sunlight.  How natural they look.  Love Finch's Nikes!

And now for the beauty shots…..

This is Miss Emerson, so pretty.

How handsome is Mason?  Love the warm, bokeh background bringing all attention to the subject.

Finch, do I see a smile?  Success!!!

And a laugh?  Wow, lucky for me Finch finds his older brother Mason hilarious!

You know how much I love Black and Whites?  

Finch, are you smiling again?  LOVE this bro shot!

How cool is this old door?  A perfect backdrop.

One of my favorites!  Miss Em looks like a J.Crew kids model.

Love this old stone, so lovely for photos.  Another sweet trio shot.

Thank you, McMillin family, for inviting me into your family for the afternoon.  A special thanks to Finch, Emerson, and Mason~ I will always remember our hike to find the old graveyard, the tree almost snapping under you, and for sharing your personal stories with me.  You are the BEST!

the Wetter family {rowan county family photographer}

I was so excited when Lauren contacted me about her family's Christmas card shot because she has two little girls under the age of 4.  Too cute!  

Lauren also wanted her mom, "Mimi" to the kids, in some of the shots which caused huge smiles!  Those girls love their Mimi!  

Enjoy these sweet shots!

Let's just cut to the chase and start out with some major cuteness.

So sweet!

Such a beautiful family!  I love how Lauren coordinated the family without being matchy-matchy.

Love this reaction as Mimi pulls up.

Cameron was off to greet her Mimi!  Look at Sutton, pure excitement!

Just precious.  What a pretty grandma.

Love me some tenderness between daddies and their babes.

Of course, Mommy shots are great too.

Always have to have a closeup beauty shot.  Look at her eyes! 

Love Cameron's sparkly eyes in this shot.

This child posed herself like this, I swear.  Isn't she a natural?  Just beyond adorable...

I try to get action shots too, especially while they're young.

Oops!  We fell over.  Love some footsie shots!

LOVE the drama and lighting of this shot!  One of my favorites.  Sutton is happy because she knows I'm packing up to leave and now she can have Mimi-time!

Thank you Wetter family for inviting me into your family for the afternoon.  

I just adore your sweet girls.

the rowell-hake ladies {rowan county family photographer}

I love being part of a sneaky, covert operation, so when Teresa asked me to take portraits of she and Julia for Daddy's surprise Christmas gift, I was IN!  The Hake-Rowell family lives right next to Catawba College which is just a beautiful campus,  and they graciously gave me a private tour.  We had to sneak around campus so Professor Hake wouldn't see us which only added to the fun.   The leaves were losing their brilliant colors and falling everywhere so it made for some beautiful shots.  Afterwards I was invited back to their home for some freshly baked homemade bread as an added bonus.  Mmm!

 Please enjoy.  

This was one of our first shots under a japanese maple tree.  I adore japanese maple trees!

 This is nice too, no?  

Love Julia against this enormous old tree.

Aren't they just gorgeous?

So warm, so pretty.

Gotta love the timeless Black & White shots.

Very last shot of our session, Julia falls into a huge bed of leaves.  Just gorgeous.

Thank you, Rowell ladies!  Maybe next time we'll let Daddy into our session.  Oh, and your homemade bread ROCKS, Teresa!

the Moss family, or a.k.a.- the Aiden shoot {rowan county children's photographer}

Penny contacted me back in October because she wanted a few shots of Aiden for their Christmas card.  We decided on a quick mini-session.  With mini-sessions a client usually gets a few beautifully edited shots; mini-sessions are just a taste of what a full session can be.  You will see below that I got WAY more than a few great shots.  Aiden just kept bringing it!  He was such a natural in front of the camera and he had some really great ideas himself.  I love collaboration!  

Enjoy these shots of this GORGEOUS little man!

Look at these blue eyes!  And lashes too! 

I love the depth and drama of this shot.  He was so easy to direct too.

When I first scouted this location I saw these old bottles in the window and knew I wanted Aiden up here.  He was the perfect size for the window and ledge.

This one is so cute too.  Penny had hard choices to make as to which one made the yearly Christmas card.

This shot in black and white looks timeless to me.  Could be the 1950s even.  

Look at him.  I did not pose him at all, this is all him!  Isn't he a natural?

I always love to catch reactions to the approaching train.  

Isn't he the cutest?  I adore this shot!

Thanks, Aiden, for one of the most productive shoots I've ever had is such a short amount of time. 

You're a bright light! 

the Dees family {rowan family photographer}

When the Dees family contacted me for a portrait session I was thrilled!  I love me some Dees kids!  You see, I'm a part time art teacher so many of my clients and their kids are near and dear to my heart.  Also, Meg wanted to shoot at her family home where she grew up on Fulton Street in the historic district.  These homes are stunning and Meg's childhood home did not disappoint, plus we had permission to shoot next door at the Wallace mansion…. SCORE!  It's nice to have permission because many of you know I like to trespass, anything for a good shot.

Enjoy this beautiful family.

Aren't they casual, yet elegant?  It must be a southern quality.

One of my favorite sibling shots ever.  Look at this perfect lighting.  We were blessed with great weather this day.

I had to post this so you can see what happens between shots.  That's when real life happens and this is Maggie!  She is graceful, beautiful and a total NUT!  

Gotta have a "beauty" shot in each session.  Archie is a real cool cat but I'm glad he wasn't too cool to give me relaxed, warm smiles.  Such a sweet guy and quite the dancer.

LOVE this beauty shot of Maggie.  Could work as a head shot for acting.

I'm sensing a great comedic actress coming out of our historic Salisbury someday, aren't you?

Archie blocks a kiss from sis.  Love it!

I mean, why do some people get this amazing skin?  They are glowing.

Some of you already know from my post on FB some time back that this is one of my favorite shots EVER!  I cannot believe my fortune of catching this sweet moment.  That's why I love photography, I get to capture special moments in life and those images live on forever.  It's so much more fulfilling than working in TV.

I hope you enjoyed this peek at the Dees family.  

Jay, Meg, Archie and Maggie, thank you for your warmth and charm.  I got to relive our session all over again while blogging, and that made me happy!