- Louis L'Amour
Meet Maddie and her twin brother Keifer. They are simply awesome. As we roamed around Davidson, where they have grown up, I marveled at these high school seniors who have already lived through so much adventure and who seem so much more mature than their years.... I marveled because they are coming to the end of their high school experience... they are finishing something HUGE, but it is only the beginning for them.
There are lots of college applications waiting to be confirmed or denied, and they will be launched out of this picturesque small town and into the beginning of creating a life that is all their own. These 2 will, no doubt, have amazing journeys as they go and I am proud and honored to have captured a little slice of who they are in the here and now.
But, something happened on Friday afternoon as I was driving to gather my stuff and meet them.... I realized that I had been gone from my hubs and my dog since about 5am on Tuesday, and goodness gracious I was aching to be home with them. So instead of heading west for the mountains, I pointed my car back towards Fayetteville and sped home.
It was a strange moment of clarity for me, because I feel like I'm constantly facing a choice between multiple "good" things which makes choosing quite tricky for me. Often I am asking myself, "How do I know when to say yes and when to say no when I really WANT to do both?" And this was just one of those times when my heart spoke out loud and clear for what I needed to do.... go home. Spend a surprise quiet weekend with Ross. Slow down.
Because I was home with Ross, I got to take in the lights of the Cumberland County Fair (which is another story all together), but thanks to my iphone, you can take in the lights too. I'm always greatly entertained when I feel like I get take a picture with my phone that is just as good as what I could get with my camera!
So, to the many fabulous ladies that I was supposed to hang with this weekend - know that I missed you all desperately, and thank you for understanding and loving me despite this last minute change of plans. I can't wait to hear all about it!!I've got LOTS of great stuff from last week to share, so stay tuned...
You took these with your PHONE?! You have talent coming out of your EARS, Amy! Hope you are well!
(09.14.09 @ 11:30 AM)Girl...I can SO identify with you ....it takes so much work to find balance b/w photography/friends/and family....GOOD for you for making a great decision!
(09.14.09 @ 12:02 PM)Girl...I can SO identify with you ....it takes so much work to find balance b/w photography/friends/and family....GOOD for you for making a great decision!
(09.14.09 @ 01:07 PM)i loved this post& i love fairs!! :) way to go making a great change of plans for you & your hubs.
(09.14.09 @ 01:36 PM)Ohhh, I love these pictures!! I am determined to make it to a fair close to me this week... hopefully I'll get some pictures that make me as happy as seeing yours!
(09.14.09 @ 04:32 PM)
Oh yes, and the other part of what made my day was spending several hours at Amelies (oh how I've missed you in Fayetteville) drinking earl gray tea and having a rasberry croissant twist. I highly recommend going and sitting in that delightfully charming place with a friend. It is quite simply... lovely.
your photos are always so beautiful and you can see the joy in them all! i wanted you to know that i follow your blog and really appreciate all the heart you put into it, you are an amazing photographer! (also wanted to say I LOVE AMELIES! i was there on friday!!)
(09.10.09 @ 10:45 AM)"As of right now I think we're planning on spending this Saturday with you in Fayetteville and I'm under the impression that we'll be doing a cool photo shoot with you.... One thing about it that I wanted to run past you first. Since I trust your judgment on where we would be doing the shoot and the fact that the photos would turn out gorgeous, I was wondering if you think that moment would be a good opportunity for me to ask Lauren to marry me :)"
Which of course I replied with a HUUUUGE squeal of excitement and and overwhelming, "HECK yes!" So then, it started sinking in that I was going to get to document, frame by frame, this life changing moment for them and I started getting a wee bit nervous. Deep breath. What a sublime surprise for Lauren!!!!! I wanted it to be perfect for them and out-of-this-world in my camera too, and I must say that I believe it ended up being both.
So here it started out as just a perfectly adorable shoot. See, I told you they were hot.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Seriously?!?!
So from there, they were pretty much floating on cloud 9, and I just followed them around and tried my best to capture their giddy excitement and crazy love for each other. The sun was setting just right and they seemed to have a glow of their own (oh gosh, that sounds cheesy, but I'm sorry... it is TRUE!).
Told you.
Absolute gorgeous. You caught the genuine MOMENTS in the proposal and that is priceless... fabulous job, Amy. I know Lauren and Matt are thrilled to have these.
(09.06.09 @ 08:25 PM)WOW Amy!!! WOW!!! I am crying just from the emotion in these!! I'm blown away!!
(09.06.09 @ 09:03 PM)Congrats Matt and Lauren!
(09.06.09 @ 09:16 PM)unreal YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! love, love, love. so happy for these two lovebirds and amy, you are unreal amazing. these pictures are seriously gorgeous!!!
(09.06.09 @ 10:11 PM)Unbelievable photos! Congrats to the brand-new couple!
(09.06.09 @ 10:19 PM)AMY!!! I have goosebumps all over...you can feel YOUR love and excitement for these two in the amazing, gorgeous photos you got of the whole thing. And WHAT A FREAKING ADORABLE COUPLE!!! :) It's a good thing they're getting married because they are too cute not to. ;)
(09.07.09 @ 12:10 AM)why am i crying? this is just beautiful Amy...and how special that YOU, her best buddy, got to be a part of it. YOU definitely did this shoot amazing JUSTICE!
(09.07.09 @ 08:56 AM)how AWESOME - love this amy. the couple is freaking GORGEOUS!
(09.07.09 @ 11:39 AM)Hi Amy - This is Matt's mother thanking you for the most amazing photographs. I have looked at them time and time again and of course, have cried each time. Are they not the most GORGEOUS couple? You captured love, beauty and emtions at such a level that is speechless. These are picutres that will be remembered for a lifetime. Thank you for such a fabulous job. I am sure that as Lauren's friend, it was so special to be a part of this. Again, thank you for sharing that love and talent with everyone.
Frankie Costner
Amy. This is Matt's mom thanking you for the amazing photos you took. Are they not the most gorgeous couple? Ihave looked at the pictures time and time again and of course, have cried each time. I can tell that you are a true friend and had the most wonderful experience of capturing one of your friend's most special moments. Thank you for taking such beautiful photos. You have captured the love, excitement and emotion of these two on that most special day. Thank you for sharing these.
Frankie Costner
Amy, This is Matt's Dad and all I can say is WOW, what an excellent job of capturing a moment in both Matt and Lauren's lives that will be cherished by them and all who love them. They are a beautiful couple and great people. I am both happy and proud. My boy did it right, and Lauren is just beautiful.
(09.07.09 @ 02:57 PM)Crazy!! What an absolutely amazing shoot!!- tell Lauren CONGRATULATIONS!!
(09.07.09 @ 05:23 PM)oh, amy free, how you make my heart do leaps. love them.
(09.07.09 @ 07:25 PM)seriously...could this have gotten any cuter/sweeter/precious!? such an amazing idea, and hottt couple! these look so greattt!
(09.07.09 @ 08:43 PM)these are amazing Amy!!! i am so excited for you lauren!! gorgeous gorgeous!!!!!!!!
(09.07.09 @ 08:57 PM)No way!!!! how precious. i feel tears in my eyes. this is the cutest story every & you captured it just perfect!!!! :)
(09.07.09 @ 09:00 PM)Amy - Love this shoot. So very cool that you were able to capture this moment for your friend and her hubby-to-be. Too sweet. xo Em Garvey
(09.08.09 @ 12:47 PM)Ames - I can't express the gratitude for your help in this. You capturing the moment so that I can share it with my friends and family is PRICELESS. You & Ross preparing your home, a champagne toast, and dinner afterwards is PRICELESS... and you being my friend is extra PRICELESS. can't wait to celebrate with wedding photos galore!!!!!!! hugs & kisses, The Future Mrs. Jackson!
(09.08.09 @ 02:09 PM)A wonderful job, Amy...these are just beautiful and how amazingly creative too ! what a treasure to have "proposal pictures" to cherish and enjoy - our hearts are filled with gratitude that Matt & Lauren found each other..........blessings, the Kisers >
(09.08.09 @ 02:26 PM)Congratulations to not only a gorgeous looking couple but 2 genuinely nice people. Best wishes to the both of you. How exciting and what a romantic idea you had there Matt. Way to go..... Nevada & Hollis Brannon
(09.08.09 @ 09:36 PM)LK, OMG soooo amazing!!! I love it!!! He is adorable!!! Can't wait to catch up!!! Wish I had these taken of me while proposed to!!! Miss you! love you
(09.09.09 @ 03:03 PM)WOW! I have chill bumps and tears! Amy, these pictures are so so amazing and I know they will cherish them forever! I would love to have pictures of the moment my hubby popped the question! Seriously, these images are nothing short of amazing!
(09.09.09 @ 07:07 PM)Amy, Thank you for being a great host, an awesome photographer, and an amazing friend. I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to ask the girl I love to marry me with you there capturing the moment. We will cherish these moments forever. Again, thank you!!!!
(09.10.09 @ 08:35 AM)Is this not every girls dream? These are absolutely incredible.
(09.10.09 @ 09:00 PM)I just died over this. Seriously, I don't know these people and I am in tears. What an awesome proposal and shoot for you!
(09.11.09 @ 03:02 PM)OH MY GOSH! That is one of, if not the best, proposals I have ever heard! And the best part is that is was all documented through beautiful photos! Amazing! Love it!
(09.17.09 @ 12:12 PM)we chicks could not be happier for lauren and matt! she is so very sweet and deserves someone thoughtful (and hot!) like him!!!
the photo shoot was awesome! good job!
Oh my goodness this is the first shoot in a loooong time that has brought uncontrollable tears of joy and unexpected emotion. This is perfect. How crazy ridiculous special!?!?!
(09.24.09 @ 02:57 PM)Oh my goodness this is the first shoot in a loooong time that has brought uncontrollable tears of joy and unexpected emotion. This is perfect. How crazy ridiculous special!?!?!
(09.24.09 @ 02:58 PM)Oh my goodness this is the first shoot in a loooong time that has brought uncontrollable tears of joy and unexpected emotion. This is perfect. How crazy ridiculous special!?!?!
(09.24.09 @ 02:58 PM)Oh my goodness this is the first shoot in a loooong time that has brought uncontrollable tears of joy and unexpected emotion. This is perfect. How crazy ridiculous special!?!?!
(09.24.09 @ 03:00 PM)Amy, I don't know these people from Adam's house cat and I am in tears! Wonderful, sweet, intimate...special. Thanks for letting us share their joyful moment. I wish them love and a lovely life together!!
(10.10.09 @ 03:19 PM)I was in a car hearing about this after being at the Getty in LA today and looking at Photos. Amy, awesome work. Honored to say I know you. Your talent is really really solid. Great use of colors, textures and angles. Awesome. Congrats on the surprises and the steady hand to make it all happen. Well chronicled and with great balance bw documentary and art. Cool.
(10.17.09 @ 09:32 PM)Part of that fun was getting to celebrate Luke's 9th birthday last weekend. I mean, wow, I can't believe that he is 9 years OLD! Luke's pool party gave me flashbacks of my childhood pool parties and he is just as much in love with the water as I was at that age. I remember thinking that a pool party was the coolest kind of party to have and after watching all the kids last weekend I'm pretty sure that is still true.
Here is a shot of the birthday boy in his element.
I hope he had a special birthday! What a blessing you could share in the celebration!
(09.03.09 @ 10:35 AM)how cool to be there for it! give them love
(09.03.09 @ 12:06 PM)
not only are they extremely good looking, but you should hear them speak spanish. great pics amy!!
(09.14.09 @ 03:08 PM)Lauren, you are overly kind.
(09.14.09 @ 04:00 PM)Fabulous pictures of two beautiful young people related to me! The B&W are especially nice.
(09.14.09 @ 09:34 PM)