I'm working feverishly to finish up several things on my oh-so-lovely to do list before I head out to Charlotte tomorrow for a whirlwind of sessions and a wedding on Saturday... and I just could not resist sharing a few more photos from Lora and Phil's wedding. Mostly because I'm pretty sure that our nieces, especially Stella (top left corner) were convinced that the wedding was just as much (if not more) for them than it was for Lora! They treated their responsibilities with the utmost respect. For example, Stella wanted to be 100% sure that she remembered to toss the flower petals as she walked down the aisle this time since she forgot to at our wedding, and then proceeded to stand at the front and throw a big clump of them at my grandmother, ha! Good news is that she did toss the petals this time and she looked quite like a princess while doing so. She also wore those pink foam curlers to sleep the night before the wedding and managed to keep them in until she got her hair done in the afternoon... yes, that means she wore them down to the beach to play before she got ready. Memories.

Now, I know that having kid participation in a wedding isn't something that everyone chooses, but it could not have been more perfect for Lora and Phil. I feel like these images really celebrate them, and for that reason they make me happy.

Ross was sweet enough to help me drag one of our huge chairs outside into our backyard so that I could set up some stuff for another project that I'm working on. So once I was done, I really wanted to snag some shots of Bristol's sitting up there since every now and again she gets the privilege of claiming it as her throne. I can't help it, I love this pup.

Having a baby is like falling in love again, both with your husband and your child.
-- Tina Brown

Well hello there little Paul Lovin. Yes, this little guy has one of the coolest last names ever.

So that being said, Paul was less than 2 weeks old when we enveloped him in fuzziness up and brought him outside for his first photo debut. I wanted to capture his handsome tiny newness, so it just seemed right for the images to feel snuggly, close and intimate. It's clear to see that this little man has opened up a new world of love for his parents and I know that they will continue to bind together as a family with each passing day.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
- Michael Buble

We met for our session despite the fact that it was a gray misty evening... because it was essential that we got the photos. There wasn't any wiggle room since John was deploying the next morning. So, we all bundled up and walked and talked and laughed. I love that I usually start a session with strangers and end up with friends... it is one of the most beautiful elements of my job.
Both Sarah and John claimed that they weren't photogenic, yet I was convinced otherwise as I watched them interact and banter together. Their obvious affection for each other is beautiful, and I think that his impending departure made it all the more sweet. And I hope that these images of their love will somehow, someway make the next 6 months apart a little easier. And I'm so excited that I get to look forward to photographing them together again next fall when they get married!

"Some of the best things in life are impossible to define. Our attempts to demystify them fall short...And the meaning of the best photographs is almost always the most elusive. Sure we can theorize about composition, the rule of thirds, color theory, subject matter, but it all falls short. For the best photographs make us FEEL and THINK. They captivate and take our breath away....

That's what good art does; it sneaks up on you and changes how you think, how you feel, and ultimately who you are." - Chris Orwig