Oak Island │The Steele Family
The Steele Family was due for an updated family photo shoot, seeing as our last family shoot was at Fort Fisher for Kristen's maternity photos! Time flies when you're having fun, and the next thing you know you've done Marshall's newborn shoot and over a year or so passes... Kristen and I decided to set a date and head out to Oak Island for a sunset beach session with her boys!
The Steele Family was due for an updated family photo shoot, seeing as our last family shoot was at Fort Fisher for Kristen's maternity photos! Time flies when you're having fun, and the next thing you know you've done Marshall's newborn shoot and over a year or so passes... Kristen and I decided to set a date and head out to Oak Island for a sunset beach session with her boys!
First up: Marshall!



Next is big brother, Monroe!
Joey & Kristen were great about just letting the kids be kids, even though I know the sandy clothes and windblown hair probably made them a little nervous about how the photos would turn out in the end, ha! I'd say, we did just fine!
#sendmealltheprettypeople
As the shoot got going, we let the boys play in the ocean, set up the bubble machine and may have even throw a bunch of popcorn at the seagulls ;)
Kristen, Joey, Monroe & Marshall, I had such a blast with your family! Until next time xoxo
Kure Beach │ Katie
So, I've decided that if Julia Roberts and Lea Michele from "Glee" had a lovechild, Katie would be that gorgeous offspring. Now that I've mentioned it, I know you'll see it: beautiful hair, that Julie smile, an absolutely stunning Mama-in-the-Making! Unbelievable skies and near perfect weather, this maternity shoot is one to remember....
So, I've decided that if Julia Roberts and Lea Michele from "Glee" had a lovechild, Katie would be that gorgeous offspring. Now that I've mentioned it, I know you'll see it: beautiful hair, that Julie smile, an absolutely stunning Mama-in-the-Making! A few weeks following her ridiculously cute Reveal Party (where we found out she is having a little girl), Katie and I headed out to Kure Beach for her maternity session, which we ALMOST called on the count of rain. Oh, friends, I could not be more happy that we decided to press on and see if the weather would hold out! Unbelievable skies and near perfect weather, this maternity shoot is one to remember....




Katie, you are perfection!
Katie, the next time I photograph you will be when I get to meet your little girl.
I could not be happier for your little family! xo
Hope Mills │ Joaquin
Keally and Chris are clients who hold a special place in my heart. You can check out their wedding, their beautiful sunflower field maternity & their newborn sessions with just a teeny little mouse click :) Last week, I was able to spend a little time with their ADORABLE six month old baby boy, Joaquin, and my camera and I are in love!!! This session was great because we didn't do a ton of poses, we simply let Joaquin enjoy the sunny day in his front yard with his parents and I snapped away at their family spending time together, my absolute favorite way to photograph family moments!
That. little.face.just.kills.me.
Keally and Chris are clients who hold a special place in my heart. This is their fourth photo shoot with me now and I've watched their lives progress from excited bride & groom to proud parents! You can check out their wedding, their beautiful sunflower field maternity session, & their newborn sessions with just a teeny little mouse click :) Last week, I was able to spend a little time with their ADORABLE six month old baby boy, Joaquin, and my camera and I are in love!!! This session was great because we didn't do a ton of poses, we simply let Joaquin enjoy the sunny day in his front yard with his parents and I snapped away at their family spending time together, my absolute favorite way to photograph family moments! Looking back at these images, I hope Keally & Chris remember how content Joaquin was to just sit in the sun, I hope they see his excitement at holding a leaf in his baby hands, or they can hear their own chuckles at fishing said leaf out of his mouth point two seconds later! Prepare yourselves for a whole lotta cute coming right at ya....
Thank you, Fowler Family!
Southern Pines │ Katie & Justin
When one of your oldest friends invites you to her baby sister's Reveal Party to photograph the happy couple finding out if they are having a little boy or a little girl, you jump at the chance and click happily away with your camera... so that's just what I did! The party took place in Southern Pines, NC, in a cute little courtyard next to Katie's salon, (Bamboo, a boutique salon) and we had perfect weather for the event! Katie, you are one GORGEOUS pregnant mama, and it's crazy to even type that because I still see you as Franny's fourteen year old kid sister! You wear motherhood well, Katie and I could not be more happy for you & Justin!
When one of your oldest friends invites you to her baby sister's Reveal Party to photograph the happy couple finding out if they are having a little boy or a little girl, you jump at the chance and click happily away with your camera... so that's just what I did! The party took place in Southern Pines, NC, in a cute little courtyard next to Katie's salon, (Bamboo, a boutique salon) and we had perfect weather for the event! Katie, you are one GORGEOUS pregnant mama, and it's crazy to even type that because I still see you as Franny's fourteen year old kid sister! You wear motherhood well, Katie and I could not be more happy for you & Justin!
IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!
Cannot wait for our maternity shoot & newborn shoot to follow! So exciting!!!




















Congratulations, Katie & Justin!
Fort Fisher │ Oakes Family
You guys!!! Amazing light, incredible scenery and a beautiful family to spend a little time with? Oh yeah, I was a happy camper at yesterday's Fort Fisher family photo shoot with the Oakes Family!
You guys!!! Amazing light, incredible scenery and a beautiful family to spend a little time with? Oh yeah, I was a happy camper at yesterday's Fort Fisher family photo shoot with the Oakes Family! While photographing a family of six is no easy feat (insert the added fun of my toddler along for the ride, haha), I think we ended up with such lovely photographs of the day.
Let's start off this unapologetically long blog post with Mabry! Absolutely gorgeous...
Jaxon and those big hazel eyes just drew me right in!
Oh, Kate. That tiny ponytail? I die... so cute!
Harlow, you are the girl of a million expressions and I love every.single.one. of them!
Nothing like a little sibling bonding, look at Harlow squishing Jaxon's poor face when I asked her to give him a hug!
Jessica & Frank, thank you so much for inviting me out to photograph your family, I had a blast.
Thank You, Oakes Family!
Wilmington, NC │ Valentine Note to my Hubby
For so many reasons, big and small, wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day, Babe. Thorsten Rick Abruzzo you have made our lives. I don't say it enough, but I think it about a million times a day: I love you and will love you for the rest of my life. You have made all of my biggest dreams come true.
Because you sacrifice so much to provide for us.
Because of the lost hours of sleep.
Because of diaper duty.
Because you are The Baby Whisperer.
Because you see so much on replay.
Because you humor every request for family time.
Because her eyes literally gleam when you make her laugh.
Because you trust her with bigger pieces.
Because you taught her "Jets! Jets! Jets!"
Because you are Daddy.
Because you are still here even though the baby weight still is too.
Because we drive each other nuts.
Because I cannot imagine for one second this life without you.
Because you are my rock.
Because you are my life.
Because I love you every day without question.
xoxo


















Happy Valentine's Day, Babe.
(and you too, Babycakes)
xoxo
Wrightsville Beach, NC │ Family Session Revisit with Stacey
It's so awesome to look back through an older photo session and find a new favorite or two that somehow stands out to you more now than it may have originally. These photos were so sweet when I first posted them a few years back, but looking back through them now and seeing how TEENY her kiddos were, and those "mom looks" that I see on Stacey's face as she looks at her beautiful babies, full of pride and love... these photos are so worth a little revisit. Stacey and her little tribe are some of my favorites and frequent the blog, and I may have a few adorable photos of her sister & niece when Baby Jay was soooooooo new for a little added bonus :)
It's so awesome to look back through an older photo session and find a new favorite or two that somehow stands out to you more now than it may have originally. These photos were so sweet when I first posted them a few years back, but looking back through them now and seeing how TEENY her kiddos were, and those "mom looks" that I see on Stacey's face as she looks at her beautiful babies, full of pride and love... these photos are so worth a little revisit. Stacey and her little tribe are some of my favorites and frequent the blog, and I may have a few adorable photos of her sister & niece when Baby Jay was soooooooo new for a little added bonus :)
Thank you, Windham Family!
Fort Fisher │ Isabel's Maternity Revisit
During the bitter cold winter months, I love to go back through my memory cards and revisit a favorite photo session or two. Over the years, Isabel has become not only a client but a friend and I loved going back through these images today. Bagwell family, I hope you enjoy this look back at your first moments as a Party of Three during your Fort Fisher maternity shoot!
During the bitter cold winter months, I love to go back through my memory cards and revisit a favorite photo session or two; sessions with warmer weather and sun-kissed clients is a big plus! Isabel reached out to me to take her maternity photos after we met on her sister-in-law's wedding day while I was photographing all of the magic of The Bagwell's wedding. Over the years, Isabel has become not only a client but a friend and I loved going back through these images today. To be the photographer chosen to capture the joyful, nervous energy filled moments that go hand in hand with being pregnant with your first child, it's really such an honor. Their little boy, Liam, is such a gorgeous little soul and it's easy to see where he gets that from. Bagwell family, I hope you enjoy this look back at your first moments as a Party of Three during your Fort Fisher maternity shoot!














Thank you, Bagwell Family! xoxo
Wilmington, NC │ 2016 Weddings & Engagements
Love is in the air, my friends! It's Engagement Season and we are currently booking 2016 weddings and engagements. If you book our Signature Wedding Package between now and February 24th, 2016, you will receive $200 off your fee. We are able to shoot in not only Wilmington, NC but love to travel as well! Let's take a look back at a few of my favorite wedding & engagement photos from my most recent couples.
Love is in the air, my friends! It's Engagement Season and we are currently booking 2016 weddings and engagements. If you book our Signature Wedding Package between now and February 24th, 2016, you will receive $200 off! I thought it would be fun to look back at a few of my favorite wedding & engagement images from my most recent couples. I love my brides & grooms and feel so lucky to have been able to share these beautiful moments with all of you. xoxo
Now on to some of my recent wedding & engagement favorites!
So many happy couples! I love you all and could not be happier for you. Excited to get 2016 underway, contact us today to find out more about our 2016 Wedding Packages & $200 off Signature Package special!
Fort Fisher, NC | The Davis Family
Fort Fisher is definitely one of my top three favorite local shoot locations, hands down! The setting is absolutely gorgeous, the light never ceases to amaze as it peeks through the trees in the most beautiful of ways and it's just a great way to spend a family photo session because the little ones have so much fun as we explore the property! The Davis family and I spent golden hour there a few weeks ago and I am in love with the images of their lovely family of four!
Fort Fisher is definitely one of my top three favorite local shoot locations, hands down! The setting is absolutely gorgeous, the light never ceases to amaze as it peeks through the trees in the most beautiful of ways and it's just a great way to spend a family photo session because the little ones have so much fun as we explore the property! The Davis family and I spent golden hour there a few weeks ago and I am in love with the images of their lovely family of four!











Thank you so much Davis family for spending a little time in front of my lens! I hope the new year is wonderful to you!