Growing...

I love how the people at our church are prodding me and growing me - pushing me to excellence. While also ... humoring me! Most of the pictures (ok - ALL but one of the pictures) I've have taken lately have been of our church members. Who have seen potential and are giving me experience. Were it not for them - I would not be on this journey. Really - they planted the seed.


This past Monday I got to "work" (like that Huguley's?) with Kevin and Malerie. They will celebrate their 5 year anniversary, May 21st. Malerie was SUPPOSED to wear her wedding dress but with the rain and the weather she chose not to. She wanted some "plain" (and by plain I mean "normal clothes") pictures. So, before I took ANY pictures I made her promise to get that dress out next time. BUT WOW... I shocked myself at this photoshoot. I feel SO amateur, and I am. I'm shocked every time someone asks me to take pictures for them. I'm shocked at some of the shots I get. I can't figure this picture taking thing out. I will do a shoot and feel like the whole thing was not me - MOST DEFINITELY GOD and the people - really every time I pray for days before and then all the way to the shoot! I think I've told them all..."that was a God thing!" And I truly feel like every time it has been! I feel like every shoot I've done - I can't do again!

In this case, Kevin and Malerie (really Malerie *wink*) are SO beautiful. I love when people aren't shy of the camera. At one point Malerie said, "Are these even turning out?" Because they were so laid back and natural! I had a blast and y'all would have cracked up laughing at me while I edited them. My heart was racing - I had a HUGE smile on my face - even laughed out loud a couple of times. Every picture made me think of the fun we were having out there! And when I was pleased with them I got even more excited. I love that as a gift, I can give these to them - it's not a gift that can be put in a yardsale or one that will be put in the trash, eaten, worn for a short time, it can't be outgrown, or even given away. It's a gift that even if it is put away for a time in the top of a closet - it will be found again and bring back a memory of days gone by - a time that even when life was hard, and God's will seemed unsure, they could laugh and enjoy each other, and realize - Love Remains! They are truly a beautiful couple! And I love them both so much.

Here are a some of my personal favorites the others can be seen here:

This was the first shot and WOW...It is one of my all time favorites!

Told ya...She's beautiful!

I wish I staged this one...BUT NO...the boy LOVES his phone! AND, he made the phone call!

I LOVE THE TRACKS...It's my new favorite picture spot!










And the Jail...Is Kevin's "new favorite spot"


Thanks so much for giving me the pleasure of working with y'all! It truly was an honor for me and I hope I did not disappoint. Thanks for letting me use the funky colors and washouts in my editing too!

You're Beautiful...

pictures taken for HIS glory!