Layla + Charlie

Layla stopped by our booth at the Bridal show back in February. She took the time to fill out an info form which made her eligible for a free engagement session and 25 'save the date cards'. Well, she won and decided to bring along her fiancee, Charlie, too. I think that Charlie would have rather watched paint dry than have his picture taken, but in the end . . . I think we won him over . . . he even started smiling. We had a blast with both of them. I love it when our clients let us try some of our whacky ideas.

For the picture, bottom left, we told Layla to give us some "sas". She was a natural in front of the camera. I love the lighting in that picture.

The picture in front of the tires is my favorite. There's just something about being in Eastern North Carolina where there are certain things people get excited about: Trucks, Football, Nascar, and . . . Tires.

Kim says this picture is, "Good old country lovin. In a field, blue jeans, and your man's hands in your back pockets." Maybe all we were missing was the General Lee.

Charlie and Layla laughed a lot and we LOVE that. Like we've said before, we aren't really funny, we're just easy to laugh at.

To Charlie and Layla: We had so much fun getting to know you both. We hope these images help capture a special time for you both. We were glad to have been able to play a part in your special day.

Landscapes

This is probably not what you expect to see when you visit our blog. However, taking photographs of landscapes is what got me interested in photography years ago. In fact I have a separate portal on my website dedicated to 'everything else' that I like to photograph. It's my 'Artsy' stuff'. Check it out. I've always been drawn to an interesting view of a sunset, a mountain ridge, the wide expanses, and beauty of this planet in general. So, when I passed by this home I had to stop and grab a quick photo. I thought it was a perfect image of what I see regularly living in eastern north carolina. It was also a tad creepy. Can we say Freddy Krueger?

Jordan

Jordan is the type of girl who has always been very outgoing and initiative with everyone she meets. She is such an "easy going, up for anything, loves to laugh" kinda gal. We had a blast with her. She let us try some new things and was SO patient with us. I thought that was very cool. So, we hope she digs these.

Did I mention she likes to laugh? {FYI: When you look at images like these where people are genuinely laughing and seem to be having a great time having their picture taken; we can't help but assume that the photographer must be really funny. For other photographers that's probably true. Not so much with us. We're not really that funny, we're just uncoordinated and people can't help but laugh at us.}

There's nothing like an antique fire engine that says 'welcome to simpler times'.

The image bottom left . . . thats a fav' . . . it rocks. The one bottom right . . . well, it makes me think of Top Gun. I doubt Jordan was even born when that film came out, but some things live forever . . . like aviator shades.

The image bottom right . . . fyi, that was Jordan's idea. It made us nervous . . . but she was right, it looks pretty cool.

Jordan, you might consider this photo an attempt at sabotaging our friendship with you, but we seriously thought it was a cool picture.

To Jordan: Thanks for being so cool and patient with us. You totally rocked it.

The Progression of Happiness

Caleb is my bud. As the men of the house we stick together. He awoke from his nap, came to find me and gave me a hug. He laid his head onto my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my neck. Without looking at me, he said, "I love you daddy." I told him I loved him too. Then he pulled back looked me right into the eyes and asked "Can I have a cupcake?" {Kim had made some earlier and he noticed.} Now, I realize he was totally buttering me up. But honestly, there aren't a lot of things in the world much better than getting a hug from your son and hearing the words, "I love you," even if it is for a cupcake. Of course I gave him the cupcake. But you have to watch his facial expression change from getting up on a rainy day to the display of pure joy over a sweet a delectable cupcake. Can you even remember when the thought of a cupcake made you this happy? Ohh, the beauty of children. Enjoy the evidential progression of happiness.

Waking from a nap. Waiting for the cupcake.

"This is Awesome!"

"I'm going to pack it all in. Chew later."

"chewing . . . with a slight overbite"

"yeah!"

The Progression of Moodiness

Having a little girl is rocking my world. She's turning two this month. I seriously thought she'd be laughing at my funny faces, playing dress-up, and thinking I'm the best thing that has ever existed until she turned 12. The other day she crawled into my lap, looked me dead in the eyes, grabbed my face with her two hands and said 'Holla, Holla". Folks, It doesn't get much sweeter than that. However, she has also discovered that she likes the thought of being in-control. I have documented the progression of a recent mood swing. Enjoy, and witness 'the progression of moodiness'.

Waking from a nap. "Lydia, would you like a cupcake?"

"Wow, Daddy, this is delicious."

"Daddy, that seriously made my week . . . you're the BEST!"

"Let's have another!"

"What do you mean 'no'? I thought we were friends."