Porch-raits for a Cause

I didn’t set out to start this big of a project, but it has been such a blessing as I’ve gotten to get to know so many new neighbors! My own two children are also learning the value of giving back and volunteering. Some amazing essential workers on the frontlines of the war this country is fighting know they are appreciated. And many families and children will be fed. During a time of great difficulty and isolation, this project has given me a mission, but most importantly, it has given me and so many others hope!

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Willow's Drive-By Birthday Party #QuarantineLife | Clover, SC Family Photographer

I rode my bike up to the house and hid behind her dad’s truck while Willow’s friends and family lined up their parade of cars, minivans, trucks, and golf carts down the street. Some of the cars were decorated with streamers, balloons, and posters, and occasionally, I saw an excited little head poke up out of a sun roof. Willow was playing in the driveway with her sister and had no idea what was getting ready to happen. At 1:05, the party “guests” started driving by Willow’s house, honking and waving! Many handed a very surprised little girl birthday gifts through car windows. Willow’s face registered her complete and utter joy and excitement at seeing all of her friends and family in such a special parade! It was definitely a birthday to remember!

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Our Spontaneous Stranger Things Tour

It’s no secret that I am a huge Stranger Things fan. I even help lead a Stranger Things Fan Club at my middle school! Stranger Things is my childhood (minus the scary monsters). I remember riding through the neighborhood on my bike with my friends, our parents having no idea where we were, having adventures until the setting sun drove us home. I didn’t grow up with a cell phone, hung out at the mall for hours with only $10 in my pocket, and wore scrunchies and baggy clothes before it was vsco. Now, as a Language Arts teacher, I love having conversations with some of my students about the well-developed plot, characters, conflicts, setting, and themes of the series. So when given the opportunity to visit some of the locations where the series was filmed, of course I was all in!

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Maggie & Zach's Christmas Wedding at Pecan Ridge | Clover Wedding Photographer

A brand-new, family owned barn. Christmas trees and poinsettias. A surprise visit from the Grinch, and a sentimental gift that beats all gifts. Maggie and Zach’s wedding was one of the most memorable weddings I have ever photographed, for so many reasons!

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How to Love on your Photographer

It’s Valentine’s Day! And yes, I still have Christmas cards hanging up. The ones my clients sent me with the photos I took for them are my favorites, and I just can’t bear to take them down! I love, love, love this job, and the love my clients show me fills my bucket in a way that sometimes even my own family can’t. So instead of a typical “Happy Valentine’s Day” post, I thought I’d share something a little different! Whether I am your photographer or you use someone else, here are five ways that you can show your love for us!

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Bridget & Daniel's 1932 Barn Wedding, a.k.a. “The One Where Bridget Gets Married” | Charlotte Wedding Photographer

From all the “Friends” nods to the Hot Sauce Band’s fantastic covers of 90s music at the reception, this was a wedding that had a ton of personal touches and even more fun! Bridget even wore a gorgeous two-piece dress that had a removable skirt, making dancing at her reception a breeze! And there was a LOT of dancing! Her SIX flowergirls almost stole the show all day long and danced the night away until they dropped.

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Jessica & Mitchell's Walnut Grove Garden Wedding | SC Wedding Photographer

Jessica and Mitchell got married on a perfect, crisp Fall day in October under a grove of beautiful trees at Walnut Grove Farm & Garden Center. Their friends and families, spread out across the Carolinas, Florida, and up North all converged near Spartanburg, SC for a truly fantastic celebration! What struck me most were the obvious close friendships that both the bride and groom had with their wedding party and guests. The photographs show just how close everyone was and how much they all cherished being a part of Jessica and Mitchell’s big day. There is so much laughter and joy!

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Christmas Card Craze

It’s almost that time of year for the CHRISTMAS CARD CRAZE!

When I was a child, I loved looking through the stack of Christmas cards my mom piled on our coffee table in the den, especially the ones that came with photos! I enjoyed seeing how all my cousins and family friends were growing up. But that was back in the day where having an actual printed photo card was insanely expensive, so there weren’t that many to look through!

Nowadays, we have a plethora of companies out there who have made it suuuuper easy to design Christmas cards with your photos, and there are so many beautiful designs to choose from! What do YOU do with all these beautiful cards you get in the mail each holiday season? Here are a few ideas!

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How to Dress for Fall Family Portraits

Everyone LOVES Fall…Pumpkin Spice, cooler temperatures, Fall colors…not to mention CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Fall is one of my busiest times of year as a photographer, and family portraits are a huge part of this season for me. Read the tips below to help you plan your family’s outfits for your portrait session, and then take a look at some of my favorite Fall Family portrait sessions and the outfits these awesome families picked!

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"May you Always have a Shell in your Pocket and Sand in your Toes" | Carolina and Kure Beach Family Photographer

My little family has found a summer refuge at Carolina Beach, NC. A couple of years ago I found out that one of my friend-clients has a vacation/work home in Kure Beach, just five minutes up the road, and this summer, the stars aligned and her whole family was there while we were, so she asked me to do some family portraits on the beach! Of course I said yes—even though photography is a second job for me, it doesn’t always feel like “work!” (Plus it was a nice little break from all the boy-wildness that is my family!)

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Love Knows No Age | Clover Wedding Photographer

Mary and Kenneth Love were married at Bowling Green Presbyterian Church on the afternoon of June 22, 2019. Just before the ceremony, a strong storm blew through and knocked out the power to the church, but they were able to get a few lights on in the sanctuary and reception hall, and that’s all that was needed! It was one of the sweetest weddings I have ever been a part of, with mostly family as guests. Mary carried some flowers atop her Bible, and Kenneth wore a coordinating boutonniere. Ken’s daughter sang “O Perfect Love” beautifully. In fact, they didn’t really need many details because everywhere I looked, there were references to “Love.” ❤️ It couldn’t have been more perfect!

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Fairytale Wedding and Reception at the White Home | Rock Hill Wedding Photographer

“It truly was the best day ever!”

That’s how Savannah described her wedding day, and I would have to agree! From the subtle nods to Disney, the four ADORABLE flower girls, and the beautiful, historic White Home in Rock Hill, it truly was one for the books!

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Ten Thousand Strong at SCforED Event!

Today I went to the South Carolina State House to join my teacher voice with 10,000 others in support of public education across our state. It's hard to put into words what it was like. It was empowering, amazing, awe-inspiring, and one of the most historic events I have ever had the honor of being a part of. I often found myself just looking around in awe at the crowds, the creative and witty signs, the determined faces, and the never-ending sea of red, so much so that I didn't take nearly as many photos as I thought I would!

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