Safe

Many of you who follow my blog are aware that my personal life is a bit of a mess.  Okay, that may be understating a tad.  Through all of the tough stuff my faith has been shaken.  But this last week the tables were turned a bit and I was refreshed and renewed and carried.  I looked behind me and saw only one set of footprints and they weren't mine because God only knows I wasn't able to walk... I was carried. {{tears}}

Here's a song that reminded me who's been looking after me....

SAFE

Phil Wickham

To the ones whos dreams have fallen all apart
and all your left with is a tired & broken heart
I can tell by your eyes that you think your'e on your own
but you're not alone

have you heard of the One who can calm the raging sea
give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
with a love so strong and never let you go
no you're not alone

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
because the hands that hold the world
are holding your heart
this is a promise He made
He will be with you always
when everything is falling apart
you will be safe in His arms 

Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
is the very same voice that calls you now to rise
So hear him now, he is calling you home
You will never be alone

You will be safe in His arms

These are the hands that built the mountain, the hands that calmed the sea, these are the arms that hold the heavens, they are holding you & me, these are the hands that healed the leper, pulled the lame up to their feet, these are the arms that were nailed to a cross to break our chains & set us free!

You will be safe in His arms...(repeat above)

Safe in His arms...
Safe in His arms..

You will be safe, you will be safe, when everything is falling apart you will be safe in His arms

Thank you to all of you who were His hands and feet.  Who loved on me and rushed to my side when things were scary and overwhelming. You supported me, prayed for me and encouraged me. You reminded me that I wasn't alone and that everything was going to be okay. You know who you are and I love you all and will forever be grateful for each of you.

Morris Family Antics...

I've been shooting the Morris families portraits now for roughly 5 years. Joy (the sassy matriarch) is a close friend who I love and adore and has been by my side through the good, the bad and the ugly. We can happily inhale a slab of chocolate cake together at P.F. Changs then spend the next 3 weeks whining about our enormous booties and have no problem returning to commit the same crime as soon as our schedules allow. I've watched her children grow to enormous heights and she has been my number one fan and MANY of you who follow this blog are here as a result of her marketing and promoting the beast that is this business of mine today. I love her and her family as if they were my own.

Now because we are all so well aquainted you think it would be relatively easy to capture a quick portrait... HAHAHAHAA! Well let's just say that is a bit more tricky than you might think. They are TOO comfortable with me sticking a camera in their face you could say and silliness abounds. It's not really like working when I'm with this crew. We basically screw off for a couple hours then pray that something turned out alright.

Here's some examples of the nonsense that ensues when I'm with the Morris clan....

I love the look on Joy's face in this one "Please help me Aly"

Anyone who knows Austin at all can see the irony in this... and yes he stole that sign from a church.

Love me some Annabelle

Success! Aren't they GORGEOUS!

Brand New

Here is the most precious baby 'P'. The first born to a pair of wonderful parents. The proud new papa called me from the hospital after finding my website on his laptop and scheduled a session for his beautiful baby boy upon their return home. I arrived camera bag in tow to a peaceful house and a wide awake baby boy who, no matter how hard we tried, would NOT go back to sleep! So we rolled with it and I think we got some beautiful images. Here are a few of my favorites....

Ireland

Coumeenole Beach

I know, I know.... all TWO of you who follow my blog have been wondering where the heck I've been. Well as you can see I was out of the country for a while and upon my return all heck broke loose, personally and professionally. I'll spare you the details of my personal drama and just say that this is a busy time of year for family 'tog's... seniors and families seeking to have some stuff shot before Christmas.... PHEW!

Before I get into work stuff I'd like to share a few snaps from my amazing trip to Ireland. A few details about my trip... landed in Dublin, Ireland at 8:30 am, which is 2:30 am CST and traveled straight through to Dingle, Co Kerry and stayed in a lovely little B&B overlooking Slea Head and Coumeenole beach. After a few days there I traveled up to Galway and then back to Dublin a week later to catch my flight home. Was a whirlwind and I so wish that I'd had at least 10 days just to help recover from the jet lag and to take my time a bit more. But I'll be back!

Here's some stuff from Co. Kerry and Dingle. I'll put up my Galway stuff in a few days... Enjoy!

Turning Two...

Recently did some two year old portraits for this handsome devil. He was precious and so much fun. Definitely ALL boy. He had a good time climbing all over the tracks making a mess of his new white shirt which mom handled so well with a lot of grace and patience.

Baby A - 9 months

Recently met with the darling Miss A for her 9 month shoot. Some of you may recognize her from her 6 month pics. She is one of THE most expressive babies I've ever photographed as you'll see. Her mom put in a special request for specific print with all of her expressions and hair bows taking center stage. Many thanks to her mom & dad for contacting me and to Niall Fennessy for all your help with the print!

Some Recent Cuties

Many of you know or may have SEEN some of the work I do for the most fabulous children's boutique in Goodlettsville called 'Lizard's & Lace' here's some images from my most recent shoot with the gorgeous kids who get to wear all the clothes from there.

Sammie 2011

Had a fantastic time a few weeks ago with Miss Sammie shooting her senior portraits. She was super fun and we were lucky enough to have a semi cool evening in the middle of all this heat. We were all over Hendersonville shooting for a few hours and had some laughs. Isn't she GORGEOUS?

Independance Day

I'm behind..... waaay behind on posting these. But here ya go.

Headed out on Old Hickory Lake to watch the annual show over Fairvue Plantation. I didn't remember my tri pod but we were on a houseboat so not sure how much it would've helped. It was a lovely evening....

Rocky Wisdom

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"
- from 'Rocky Balboa'

Moss Wright Mini Sessions

Okay.... I know I know. Where have I been? Well the kids are on summer break so I've been a bit 'distracted' and blogging has fallen to the bottom of the priority pile. I've got loads of great photo's to share though! Yaaaah! Here some stuff I got from a recent mini session I did at Moss Wright Park last month.....

This is Drew and I have a crush on him.... so precious!