Family Portrait Time!

Remeber a few posts back when did a session for Julie? In return, she did a session for us! This time we met in Crossville so my whole family could be involved...only my mom got a migrane that day, so she and my dad aren't in them, which is a bummer. But I am still excited that we got Jared, Haley and I, my grandparents, and my sister Jessica in them! Here are a few...you can check out more on Julie's blog!

We hopped an electric fence (that wasn't on) and braved cow patties for this shot!

Isn't my little cute?!

I think Haley was thinking about giving Dada a kiss here...

Solo shot against the fence...

I think this was Julie's favorite...posing on the tractor!

You'll probably be seeing a few more here and there peppered aorund Facebook, the website (which is about to get a face lift!) and blog...so keep your eyes out!

Thanks again, Julie! You rock!

Portrait of Ability...

is the title of my dream assignment. I entered to win a contest that would allow me to use my skills and talent for a great cause: to promote awareness of the abilities of individuals with special needs.

I ask all of you who read my blog to support me and vote for my cause, and I ask you to tell friends and family and ask them to vote as well.

To vote you have to:

1. register with a user name, password, and email
2. check your email for a link, and click the link
3. log in and either search for "portraits of ability" or copy and paste this link
4. vote by "pic"ing it in the upper left hand corner

Thank you so much for your support!

This is what I wrote on the website:

I would like to travel the US in search of those with special needs who have risen above and beyond what others thought was possible in hopes of inspiring others with and without a disability to achieve greatness.

I have a twin sister that has cerebral palsy. Growing up as a sibling to a child with a disability, I witnessed countless times where she would be told she could or couldn't do something because of her special needs. I think that a majority children (and adults) with disabilities hear a contradictory message of what they are capable of doing and because of this they don't achieve what they are fully capable of.

My project would consist of contacting organizations that work with children and adults that have special needs to find those that have risen above what others thought they were capable of in whatever area of life they are in now. I would like to document "a day in the life" of those that are followed as well as photograph the people in their lives that have made a difference and have been a positive influence to help them become what they have today.

I would then exhibit the portraits in hopes to encourage those with all levels of abilites that they are capable of more than what others tell them and that they can achieve greatness if they will allow themselves to do so.

I would also hope that the exhibit would encourage those that have individuals with special needs in their lives to be a positive influence and an advocate for them, helping them to achieve their best.



Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post and supporting me in this endeavor!

One of my favorite photos ever...

is of me and my Little on the beach in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was her first trip to the beach, and we specifically went to do a little mini-shoot with Jared's sisters and brother-in-law. It was really windy and kind of chilly that day, but she didn't care, she had a blast! She explored the rocky sandy beach, ran away from the waves, and had to have multiple hand cleanings. :)

Toward the end after we were all ready to leave and the sun was begining to set, I called her to come so we could go back to Jared's brother's house. Jared had the camera and grabbed this shot.

I love it because of the memory I have of her running to me with her arms wide open and big smile. I love it because I now have this memory forever. As a photographer, I don't always get to be in the photos since I'm behind the camera.

That's why I love being a photographer, because I get to do this for my clients. I get warm fuzzies just thinking about it!

Julie, did you know you're beautiful?

Julie has been my friend since we met the summer of 2001 as two members of a five college student mission team traveling Tennessee (in a red minivan!) running youth camps, vbs, painting walls...you name it, we did it!

In 2006 I was planning my wedding, and I happened to remember she enjoyed photography...turned out she was starting her own business. In 2007 she photographed my baby belly, and in 2009 she photographed our family (which is to come on her blog!)

A few weeks ago I had the priviledge of photographing her. The day was overcast and windy, perfect for our shoot, but definately chilly...I was wearing a fleece pullover! But being the brave model she is, Julie wore short sleeved shirts, and even a skirt! She is gorgeous, both inside and out, and it shows. :)

See what I mean?

I love all of the angles we got.

Here, the wind worked for us!

Baby blue eyes...

All smiles!

One of her requests was to include this gate in some shots...one of her favorite spots in Chattanooga.

Beautiful.

And don't forget the red shoes!

Can you say va-va-voom?

Last one, the camera takes center stage.

Julie, I had so much fun with you. I can't wait to do it again!

The Hughes Family - round two!

A while back I got the chance to visit the Hughes family once more and do some fun shots inside. :)

Isaac takes pirates seriously.

Tickle time with Allie and Daddy.

Ethen explores Daddy's face!


And the show stealer, Canaan.



Look at those BLUE eyes!


Sweet Canaan and Mommy. :)





The whole crew!


And last but not least, a request from Meaganne...a fun feet shot!

A Bunch 'O Cousins :)

Chattanooga, Tennessee Children and Family Portrait Photographer
In December Jared, Haley, and I went to George West, TX to visit his family. While the adults were preparing supper I took the kids out to a nearby field and took advantage of some great light and energy the kids had!

This is Steven...he can be a ham, and is tons of fun :)

Next in line comes his sister Darla...she is extremely photogenic...

even with her eyes closed!

Wyatt is next.

I like his name...it is my maiden name. :)

And the oldest of the bunch is Tyler.

He looks tough, but he's soft around the edges, especially with Haley. :)

Dane starts off the other set of cousins...a very inquisitive young fellow.

Followed by Christian..I think the other kids were trying to make him laugh here...

And Mason rounds off the second cousins set.

We did everything from blow bubbles with bubble gum...

To see how high...

they could jump!

We even played follow the leader and built pyramids! But one of my favorites

is from when they all laid down and somebody told a joke...and not even Tyler

could keep a straight face. :)

Next time I see them, they'll be more grown up than they already are.

Why do kids grow up so fast?