Can a newborn smile? Absolutely. Can a newborn smile and really MEAN it? After meeting this little guy and seeing the way he looks at his momma, I definitely believe so. He’s only 3 weeks old and smiling like this!

Everyone has beauty! They didn’t “become” beautiful as soon as I got them in front of the camera. Nothing changed in that hour and a half of shooting except that the person in front of the camera became more confident and more aware of how it is OKAY to give yourself permission to say, “I am beautiful!”  And this is even before they see their images! How luck am I that I get to be a part of that process?! I literally get to see people blossom in front of a camera lens. Going from the beginning with warnings of things they hate about themselves and what to “watch out for” to big hugs at the end and genuine “Thank you so much!” exclamations.

Recently, I stumbled upon someone who had a really bad experience with a photographer. This person was a fan of the photographer’s work, who mostly worked shooting professional models. She simply wanted some nice pictures, knowing she wasn’t a “model” (notice I use quotation marks there), but wanted to just feel beautiful. What did she end up with? She received some poorly shot and very, very badly edited photographs. When she confronted the photographer (which she had a right to), he publicly berated her and even resorted to name-calling on his Facebook page. Personally, I was outraged. I don’t even know this woman, but it hit my heart hard. I reached out to her, hoping to try and make some sort of positive from her negative experience. And I’m so, so glad I did:

I really can’t put into words how much this made my heart fill with joy. I was expecting maybe a “Hey, thanks!” email, but instead I got this. Thank you, Alexis! For really making me realize my roots as to what I do and why.

I only wish I could have photographed their October wedding at the Hickory Street Annex. Silly me, I was all 40 weeks pregnant and junk. Boo!

Oh, and to those who wonder at the last couple pictures, “Is that a Lambo?!” Why yes, yes it is.

When she contacted me after my move to Texas, she gave me the great news of her engagement and also her wishes for me to fly back out to the east coast to shoot her wedding! Would I? UM, YES! Her family was so amazingly hospitable during my stay in Aiken, SC. Everyone was just the epitome of southern charm and manners. I was in absolute love with the town and all of her family by the time I left. These two are so great together, and to have such fantastic families on both sides to support them, they will indeed go far in life!

Eliza and Dan choreographed their first dance. It was amazing! Everyone had a huge smile on their face. Lots of laughs and also sweet little Ooo’s and Aww’s! What was equally impressive was Eliza’s dance with her father, also choreographed! You have to tell me how you got these guys to enjoy this so much, Eliza!