Moving to the mountains has always been a dream of mine. I feel incredibly fortunate to call the beautiful town of Brevard in Western North Carolina home! Pisgah National Forest used to be a place we would visit for a vacation - to get away from the city, to enjoy a slower pace of life and set aside time to soak in all the goodness. Now, we are lucky to have waterfalls galore practically in our backyard, and mountain views around every corner.
With the move, came the scary realization of moving my photography business to a new place and working from home. How would I meet people? Where do I start? As it turns out, Brevard is an amazingly welcoming community. I've had the pleasure of meeting many incredible people who have offered suggestions, encouragement, and friendship. Shannon invited me to meet her for breakfast at one of our local favorites - The Sunrise Cafe. She shared with me that when she moved to Brevard, people in the community made her feel welcome, and feels led to pass that on. I intend to do the same because I can't tell you how great a feeling it is!
Shannon has the most precious little girl, Myrick. The two of them joined me for a waterfall adventure! Mommy and Me sessions are special and intimate. I strive to capture the bond you share with your little one, showcase their personality, and document the way you interact together. I made a flower crown for Myrick to wear with local flowers and greenery from my backyard. I made sure to include some fiddlehead ferns because a mountain girl deserves those in her flower crown!
BABY ALICE IS LOVED! | NEWBORN LIFESTYLE WITH TWIN SIBLINGS
Baby Alice was eleven days old the chilly spring morning that we met. She was determined to not miss a thing during our Newborn Lifestyle session together. Her bright eyes stayed open and I was able to capture some of her sweet little personality while she watched her brother and sister giggle and play close by. They absolutely ADORE her!
I met Alice's mom at East Carolina University and had not seen her in years. I was so excited to see her again and meet her beautiful family. Being welcomed into someone's home is always an extra special experience. Lifestyle sessions allow for natural moments to unfold in the comfort of your home, with dreamy natural light shining through the windows. After a little snack and some snuggles, Alice dozed off in her adorable nursery while I photographed her tiny features so her parents will have those memories forever.
TWIG AND OLIVE IN THE DESERT
I pretty much floated back home on a cloud to North Carolina from my visit to Arizona! I soaked up desert sun and buckets full of knowledge that I can't wait to apply to my photography practice. From elevating my client's experience to technical camera tips, a 14 hour day spent with the photographers of Twig and Olive went by in the blink of an eye. Investing in education to continue to grow in my craft is a yearly goal that I set for myself. Having the North Carolina Arts & Science Council* choose to invest in this opportunity for me is truly an honor! North Carolina is home, and being able to bring back what I learned at the workshop and contribute to my community is one of my biggest takeaways.
Read moreBLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN VIEWS | WINTER FAMILY HIKE
I had the pleasure of meeting at Andi at Hawkesdene when she photographed a wedding with me. I couldn't wait to see her again and meet her family! Her husband, precious little boy, and a new boy on the way, joined me for a short hike to a stunning view! They ignored the winter chill in the air as we laughed and explored, taking photographs along the way. It was a privilege to capture this special time for their growing family! I LOVE exploring my new area in Brevard, North Carolina. Having these stunning views mere miles from my backyard is such a blessing. Sometimes I have to pinch myself! I feel so fortunate to call these mountains home.
Read moreMOUNTAIN TOP | FAMILY AT SUNSET
Exploring mountain tops and reuniting with friends are perks of my career that I do not take for granted. We waited for the perfect evening to meet at the mountain top summit. After exchanging hugs and meeting my friend's beautiful children, we shared laughs and took in the view. Aside from an awesome evening spent together, one of the things that I will hold close to my heart from this session is one sentence that my friend told me after receiving her gallery - "If for a second you ever second guess what you are doing, DON'T." I can't wait for my next mountain top adventure, and capturing memories for another beautiful family!
SUNSET IN THE TREES | JENAE + FAMILY
I love that photography provides me with the opportunity to meet wonderful new people. This sweet family recently moved across the country. Everything came together perfectly for our sunset in the park. We had a beautiful evening with the sunlight shining through the trees. Jenae rocked her flower crown and showed me her favorite spots in the park. And how perfect is mom's dress twirling in the rays of light?
