Wrapping up the final days of summer with this sweet couple and their adorable son! Smiles and laughs were had by all as we enjoyed a sunny evening surrounded by trees and wildflowers.
Read moreFAMILY - FINAL DAYS OF SUMMER
One of the BIGGEST compliments is when families return throughout the years. Ironically, we were planning on using this field two years ago for a family photography session. Right before photo day, it was mowed! We revamped and ended up sharing a beautiful sunset together on a mountain top. If you want to see click here!
While scouting for the perfect spot for our session together this summer, my mom and I drove past this field. At first, not even realizing it was the same field from two years ago! It was in the process of being mowed that very moment. We got out of the car and jumped over rows of hay to flag down the gentleman working. He thought we wanted to buy hay and kindly stopped the tractor. :) Luckily, half of the field was still available for one more day! Perfect timing and a lovely evening was shared with this sweet family, capturing moments and making memories.
PLAYING IN THE LAND OF THE WATERFALLS
My friend Brooke found her person and I couldn’t be happier for her. In the midst of planning her wedding, she squeezed in a day trip to the mountains to splash in the waterfall and celebrate her engagement to Chris. Standing next to a waterfall is thrilling, refreshing, and mesmerizing. There is something about the sound of the water and witnessing such a marvelous creation of nature that rejuvenates the spirit. Combine that with giddy feeling of just getting engagement and there was a whole lot of happy at this portrait session!
Congratulations, Brooke and Chris!
FIELD OF GOLD ADVENTURE SESSION
I have it marked on my calendar when the golden rods will bloom. I wasn't thinking that since I'm in the mountains now, plants will be blooming at different times. I squealed when I pulled into the spot for a long awaited family session and saw a field FULL of golden rods blooming "two weeks early". If that wasn't enough to make for a beautiful photography setting, we also had the perfect weather, and an invitation to board a U.S. Army helicopter! What?!
This evening was a needed reminder that when things do not work out the way you had planned, something even better is in the works. We had been planning this family session since December of last year. Our vision was to meet on a snowy day, but it never quite worked out because of icy roads and calendar clashes. I'm so thankful how all the pieces fell together and for spending the evening with this most deserving family on the mountain side. Not only are they amazing parents, they also established a non-profit organization to help veterans heal holistically so that they can lead happy and healthy lives.
Addi's smile is the biggest when we are on the edge of the mountain or she's flying through the air into her dad's arms. She's not even two yet and has already jumped out of a helicopter. ;) With her adventurous spirit, I can't wait to see where life takes her.
SUN FILLED MOTHER'S DAY MINI SESSION IN BREVARD
You'd never believe the torrential downpour that took place prior to this sun filled Mother's Day Mini Session at Silvermont Park. I'm learning quickly that in Brevard, NC it can by rainy one minute and sunny the next! I'm so glad the sun came out for this beautiful momma. Her sweet little girls hugged on her and made her feel loved!
I'm grateful that I was connected with The Family Place of Transylvania County, an organization where families can connect and grow. I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful families and help support their wonderful cause by providing Mother's Day Mini Sessions.
WATERFALL ADVENTURE IN BREVARD | MOMMY AND ME
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!
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 moreTWINE AND TWIG | A VERY THANKFUL FAMILY
I'm very THANKFUL that I had the opportunity to photograph the beautiful families of Twine and Twig again. Their impeccable style, incredible kindness, and the cutest kids ever make them a joy to photograph! Check out the awesome behind-the-scenes drone video on @twineandtwigstyle Instagram that they put together of our session. Tom Petty's "Wildflowers" is the perfect song pick for the time we spent frolicking through the field.
These are a few of my favorites!
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!
ON THE FARM | FAMILY AT SUNSET
This family session = when everything just falls into place perfectly! Thank you to Jenny, for finding the perfect location! We had a warm, sunny evening together, chasing down horses and twirling in the field at sunset. It was a pleasure to photograph your beautiful family!
HOLIDAY CHEER | FAMILY IN THE FOREST
Oh deer! Christmas is right around the corner and I'm excited to share my evening with this beautiful family.
I have LOVED receiving Christmas cards in the mail and seeing which pictures are chosen to adorn them. I have them all displayed in my office, and when I glance at them, they bring me back to the time we spent together.
We had a warm fall evening together, and Annie and Lacey looked like Christmas fairy princesses with their tutus twirling in the sunlight. Thank you for the opportunity to photography your family for holiday! Here are a few of my favorites.
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?
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER AT SUNSET | CARMELLA + NATALIE
Natalie had a vision - to capture the bond she shares with her beautiful doll of a daughter, Carmella. Everything came together perfectly for our sunset in the field. The fall light danced through the tree line and this mother and daughter duo twirled and blew bubbles with George Ezra music playing in the background. That was until I found out Carmella is a Beyoncé fan, so we switched it up. ;)
I am forever grateful when given the opportunity to capture a vision and fleeting moments of life.
BERKELEY | SUNSET IN THE FIELD
Berkeley celebrated turning one with photographs in the field at sunset! She is the sweetest little girl and such a princess - she even wore a crown. This was the first time she experienced bubbles, and she was in awe! Thank you to Berekely and her beautiful mother for the opportunity to photograph this special time.
ELI + FAMILY | NEWBORN LIFESTYLE
This family = family goals! I was so impressed with how Aundrea and Michael manage parenthood with such ease. They welcomed the cutest little guy, Eli, to their family. Eli's siblings, Samuel and Hazel, were an absolute joy to spend time with! They built a fantastic pillow fort while I was there, and I enjoyed a private concert from Hazel. She's quite the performer!
Photographing a family in their home is such an intimate experience. I love how the images will always bring the family back to not only the day the photography session took place, but remind them of other memories that happened within the walls of their home.
Eli is lucky to be part of this special family! I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to photograph him during his first week.
INDUSTRIAL STYLE | THE FOLEY FAMILY
A smile filled my face so far my cheeks hurt, and my heart filled with joy. That's how I felt when I received a text from Teigan after sending her the gallery of images from their family session -
"Jenni, these are incredible. I cannot thank you enough! This is ten million times more beautiful than I ever could have imagined!"
We spent a rainy evening together running through empty halls, peeking through oversized windows, dancing with bubbles, story time, and puddle jumping. The girls are free spirits and their awesome parents invited me to capture this fleeting stage of their lives.
"Some people feel the rain - others just get wet." The Foley family embraced our rainy evening and weren't the least bit worried about getting wet. Letting go and embracing the elements makes for the best memories.
SENTIMENTAL BRIDAL PORTRAIT | DAUGHTER WEARS MOTHER'S WEDDING DRESS
Nine years ago on a hot summer day, I had the privilege of watching a dear friend of mine marry her sweetheart. When she reached out to me with an idea for me to photograph her six year old daughter wearing her wedding dress, I jumped at the idea! Ironically, the day we chose to photograph Ali was almost just as hot as the wedding day was! It brought back so many special memories. Ali was the perfect little model, so excited to play dress up in her mother's wedding dress. Ali will display one of these portraits on her wedding day.
UPTOWN CHARLOTTE FAMILY PORTAIT SESSION AT THE WESTIN
A morning with this fun, extended family at The Westin in Uptown Charlotte! Filled with beautiful light, giggles, and snack time.
Thank you for spending the morning with me!
OWEN ON THE FARM | FAMILY OF THREE
Owen was a joy to spend the evening with at Aw Shucks Farm! He looked so handsome with his suspenders, and his hair styled perfectly :) We had the farm all to ourselves and he was able to explore the soda shop and run back and forth through the empty train car. I loved capturing his excitement over straws and apples, and watching his face light up with the sweetest smile! It's always a pleasure to photograph this sweet family.
