Monthly Archives: June 2012

It was nine years ago.  I was taking summer classes just before my senior year at Belmont and God called me to help start a youth ministry for a church plant in Franklin.  I was passionate about working with students and couldn’t have been more excited about this new calling on my life.  Little did I know how those 2 years of ministry would form and shape my heart and mind for the rest of my life.  It wasn’t just a job…it was my life.  My days were filled with setting up for youth group, planning bible studies, going to football games, and spreading the love of Jesus Christ to wonderful girls!  During those years I served along some dear friends and met some great families.  The Mahers, were one of those families.  I worked with Karen doing children ministry stuff and spent time with her sweet little ones, while her husband Dan played in the band for youth group on Wednesday nights!  They were such fun and I remember looking up to them as this young family with small children. 

Six years ago Karen and Dan, and the kids moved to Charleston.  We were so sad to see them go, but thanks to facebook we were able to stay connected and watch the kids grow up from afar.  I was so excited when Karen contacted me earlier this summer and told me they would be in town for a few days and wanted some pictures of the kids.  OF COURSE!  It was so great to see Karen, Sam, and Anna Grace.  The kids were WONDERFUL and so grown up!  I loved getting to catch up with them…even with my camera in their sweet faces.

now 12 and 9, Sam and Anna Grace are just growing up and playing soccer and loving life…and smiling beautifully for my camera! seriously, these two were perfect for me!

I LOVED LOVED LOVED getting to see this family and capture their sweet smiles!  maybe Josh and I will just have to take a trip down to Charleston and get Dan in on the family pictures next time!

summer time, more often than not, equals a good amount of family time!  kids are home from school, families take vacations together, reunions, etc.  that goes for the LaChapell family as well!  With Julie’s sister and family living all the way on the west coast they took some time this summer to travel and be together.  And I am so glad I got to capture these sweet moments of cousin time for this family. 

Scott and Julie have such a sweet little girl, Olivia!  Those eyes…that hair…too much cuteness and just a little bundle of fun!

seriously…one happy and cute kid! loved her!

and then Julie’s sweet nieces spent some time in front of my camera and were just adorable.  Precious faces!

 Then it was cousin time!  Leah and Lauren were wonderfully patient and kept on smiling even as Olivia was crawling on them!  I think we all had a great afternoon!  Thank you LaChapell and Clark families for letting me in on your summer time/family time!

can you believe I had never been to the Nashville Zoo?!  I know…me, who grew up here…crazy.  Well, I had been before they moved it out to Grassmere…so to be fair, I had never been to the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.  Until a few weeks ago.  My nephew silas turned ONE!  how can he be growing up so fast?!  It was just precious, Sara, his mom had matching shirts for the whole family to wear…you think I’m kidding…

so they all matched and had our “names” on the back.  names…as in what Silas would call us.  And silas had a very special one because he was after all, the birthday boy!

and some not so alive ones…

and then back to gran’s house for some cake action!

happy birthday silas!  hope you had so much fun!

Now I know what a perk  it is to have family or close friends be great photographers! And I LOVE being able to photograph my own family and capture sweet moments with  my nephews or for my friends with children.  So when my brother-in-law got engaged, I wondered if I would get to take any pictures for them.  Never in a million years did I think I would get to take their engagement pictures on ST. JOHN!  hello most beautiful place ever!

I recently went on a trip with ALL my in-laws (10 of us) to St. John, which is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been.  Usually when I travel and need a passport I’m going on a mission trip, so when I fly somewhere for just a vacation it seems a bit surreal. While we were there, I was able to spend an evening with Jacob and Emily and get some wonderful engagement pictures!  it was so hard for me to pick favorites, so there are quite a few!  I hope you like them as much as I do!

our first stop was wharfside village where there are tons of shops and restaurants right on the water…turns out to be a great place for some pictures too…

all the beaches are up the mountain and in the national park that makes up most of the island.  we parked at Peace Hill and hiked up an old sugar mill…it was gorgeous at the top of the hill! (overlooking Trunk Bay)

I know what you are thinking.  You take pictures in St. John and there are no beaches? oh just wait…these last ones are my favorites.  emily’s dress just pops and all the foliage on these beaches was unreal! so pretty! these were taken at Gibney Beach.

we had a great time with emily and jacob!…and a wonderful time in st. john (more trip pictures to come)! emily and jacob will get married next may and we can’t wait to celebrate with them!

saturday I had the privilege to be a part of Ashlan and Andrew’s wedding!  I LOVED being able to celebrate with this sweet couple and their families!  Here’s a preview…but don’t worry…lots more to come…especially of Ashlan’s gorgeous dress!

oh my goodness…just take a minute to look at this cute little guy…

That’s Jude and I had the privilege to meet him and his super sweet parents a few weeks ago!  Jude LOVES trains so naturally we tried to work in some train track pictures.  I think they turned out great and I loved our time together!

I just can’t get enough of his face…and his smile is just the sweetest!  Thanks Dowdle family for letting me spend the afternoon with you and precious Jude!

I’ll leave you with my very favorite…