A Little Something Personal

Today's post really starts over a year ago. 439 days to be exact. Last year our church did a study of Mark Batterson's Draw The Circle, a 40 day devotional book about specifically praying and believing God for big things. Mark said, "the shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory", and challenged us to start a prayer journal- a way to track our walk with God. This stood out to me, because... well... I forget everything unless I write it down.  So, I began my prayer journal. On Day 5 of the book he tells a story about a young woman with dreams of becoming a journalist. Her words seemed to leap off the page and stick right in my heart. 

"Dare I ask for my dreams? Dare I see the imagination of the soul? Dare I risk? What if I ask and receive? So then, I risk.  I ask of my King, "May I impact others with news and knowledge?""

Her words are so beautiful... I read them again and again... "Dare I ask for my dreams?", "What if I ask and receive?" I wrote those words in my own journal on February 1, 2013, and I asked of my King... I poured my heart out to God with the dreams He already knew, for He was the one who put them there.  I told God how I longed to photograph children, to capture those fleeting moments for moms like me- who wish for their children to stay little just a little longer.  I asked for a space with  beautiful light to work in... At the time these requests seemed so beyond what I could imagine... 

But, God is good... and He is faithful... Today I can share with you how I asked and received.  I have been asked to join Zoë Photographic Group as a portrait artist specializing in children and family as well as maternity and newborn photography.  As I look back over the pages of my journal, I feel so certain of God's fingerprints on each page... on each step I've taken over the last 439 days. 

 I have had the opportunity to work with my dear friend Kim, of Zoë Weddings on many wedding days, as well as joining with Kristen and Cheryl on several community events in the last two years.  And I am so looking forward to working with these lovely ladies day in and day out!  So, now I need each of YOU to come follow me at my new blog and my new Facebook page! 

I want to thank each and every one of you for letting me photograph your loved ones.  I am so blessed to have the best clients and I am so looking forward to showing you all off to my new friends at Zoë!  Please head over to their blog here and check out the special deals I am offering!!! 

Peter and Lisa

Have you ever known you were going to like someone before you even met them?  From the first email I received from Peter about his and Lisa's wedding, I KNEW I was going to love this couple.  Peter is from England and met Lisa while studying missions at Harding University- the story of how they met had all the guests in Cone Chapel laughing! They plan to move to England after graduation to train missionaries.  They are two incredibly giving people, and after spending a day with their families, I know where those traits came from. David and I are so blessed to know you, Peter and Lisa.  I know that God has big plans for your future!  

Lisa and Peter's August wedding day was a mix of thunderstorms and abundant sunshine, raining one minute and blue skies the next.  But, it seemed that every moment we needed to be outside the weather miraculously cooperated!  What a beautiful day it was for this beautiful couple! 

Peter and Lisa chose not to see each other before the ceremony, but wanted to pray together.
So they met on either side of the Cone Chapel door, where Peter surprised Lisa with a gift!

Since they could not dance at Harding University, Peter, Lisa, and their families met at a park after the reception
so they could celebrate the traditional first dance as husband and wife.

Peter and Lisa- Thank you so much for having David and I be a part of your day!  We so enjoyed getting to know you and your wonderful families.  We know you two will be blessed!

Spring Mini-Sessions: Cleveland Family

Here's a peek at another family Mini-Session!  These good friends of mine were so patient as we rescheduled their session due to rain, only to have rain again on the day we rescheduled for!  We managed to squeeze our session in before the storm started.  And I'll tell you- those kids were troopers!  It was surprisingly chilly that afternoon, with overcast skies and a biting wind.  
Matt and Kim- I so adore your precious family!  Your children are so sweet, thank you for allowing me to photograph you all! 

Spring Mini Sessions: Allen Family

Wow! Has it been a LONG time since I've blogged... Such a crazy spring flew by, and between the end of the school year, my mom moving in to recover from surgery, and our family vacation I guess I've gotten even further behind in sharing my recent sessions.  So, I plan to spend the next few weeks getting caught up (again!).  

When my Spring Mini Sessions got rained out, we rescheduled each family for the weekend of their convenience.  For my friend Amanda it ended up being even MORE convenient because the day we had scheduled just happened to be during a surprise visit to David's family in Hardy, AR- a much shorter drive for her family than coming to see me in Searcy!  And I was thrilled when we pulled up to the location Amanda had chosen- a covered bridge with gorgeous trees budding and wildflowers growing.  The location suited this country family to a tee- the kids were right at home climbing on the large rocks and log fences- I'm actually surprised no one ended up in the creek!!! Here are my favorites of this sweet family :)

MariGracyn

As I said in my last post... I'm a little behind on blogging sessions.  So, today I'm going to share my favorites of my favorite 4 year old!  I've had the joy of knowing MariGracyn for almost 3 years, and have been honored to photograph her 4 times.  I adore this family, and I love having this sweet child in front of my camera!  I loved this session.  Beside the fact that she is so cute, and happy... she had the cuuutest dress!  The colors just pop perfectly :) Hope you enjoy!

I couldn't help adding this one, just for fun :) I told her mom, "This is when you know the session is finished :)"

Sarah and Daniel's Engagement

I am terribly behind on blogging sessions!  Between the holidays, sick kids, sick me, 2 weddings in December, and finishing out my 52 project from last year... I somehow neglected so many sessions :( So, I'm planning on catching up over the next few weeks.  

I'm going to start with Sarah and Daniel.  Yes, I know I photographed their wedding in December... and I've already shared those images... but I had a few from their engagement session that I really wanted to share!!!  So, here is a peek at our evening together.  It was so hot and muggy... so unlike today! But, they were troopers, and Sarah looked gorgeous despite the humidity.  Here are my favorites :)