Monthly Archives: October 2008

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Like The River

I recently did a model/salon shoot for Like the River Salon in Atlanta. Najah and Lateefah Aziz are sisters and owners of this hip, stylish salon and they have huge hearts as they have made a point to give back to the community. Four times a year they give free services to battered women in the downtown area and also breast cancer survivors and troubled teens. How awesome is that? The shoot was designed to showcase the work of the stylists and update their website. Here is a first hand look at their style. You guys rock.


The awesome jewelry pieces that the girls are wearing are designed by Tracie Howard ( shown below ) You can check out her beautiful work HERE.

This style is my favorite. If i could make my hair do that sideways wave look like the 40′s, I would cut it short in a second.

Am I the only one?

OK.  I have to put this out there and I would really appreciate your response.  I just spent the last 20 minutes having a not so fun conversation with my darling 11 year old daughter about why I’m not getting her a cell phone.  This is not the first time we’ve had this little chat and for some reason, she thought it was time to have another go at it.  Parenting is hard!  It would be so much easier to just give in and give her what she wants so that she would be happy and think that I was a great mom and peace would return but I just can’t do it.  I mean, is anyone out there reading the news about porn being sent around on cell phones?  I don’t think she has friends that would do that but dang it, it’s not just a phone any more!  Its another way for the world to grab ahold of my daughter at the age of 11.  ELEVEN!  Her biggest reason is “because all my friends have one” and while I understand wanting to be accepted by your peers, I think it’s so much more important to realize that following the crowd doesn’t really make you more likeable.  It doesn’t change who you are, it doesn’t help kids find their identity….by that i mean a realistic view of who God made them to be, not who everyone else thinks they are.  And she just plain doesn’t NEED one.

I asked her if all her friends were doing drugs, would she want to do that too so she could be like them?  Of course she said no and I realize it’s a different situation but really, it’s crazy how much we do things or want things becuase of what someone else says or does.

It’s a sheep mentality. We will do anyting to feel accepted. we follow the crowd, even when the crowd is going nowhere. we embrace it’s values as our own, even when it has none.

I really want to be her friend but God put me in charge to be her parent. Last time I checked , that meant I had to set some boundaries even if they’re not the popular vote.  I told her I wan’t the only mom who wasn’t going along with t’he cell phone for your kids craze’ and she asked me to name someone else.  I can’t be the only one, can I??

Cheryl + Rusty { 10.12.08 }

This wedding was a very special, very non-traditional wedding and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it.  Rusty and Cheryl exchanged vows next to the Chattahooche River at the warm and beautiful Canoe restaraunt where the weather was perfect and the outdoor atmosphere was intoxicating.  The wonderful Amanda from Ashley Baber Weddings did a fantastic job of bringing it all together.


The room where the bride was able to dress was a very warm and cozy wine cellar type of room. I like the contrast between the brides’ boquet, which is delicate and temporary and the many wine bottles that are old and better with age.

Cherly had some beee-u-tiful accesories that went perfect with the fall colors and warm feel.

Cherly had her best friend Jan stand up with her for the vows.

I love ring shots and I was happy to find a red ti leaf plant to use as a backdrop.

A Beautiful Ceremony

I love a good toast and both the Matron of Honor and the Best Man gave exceptional ones.

This is the groom’s daughter and son in law, former clients of mine and I’m so glad that they wanted to get a picture of us together. I think I’m going to start to get a photo of all my couples with me in the middle. It might make a great 1 year anniversary card. Ha ha. Thanks Lindsey and Will, it was great to see you both.

I had such a great time with you, Cheryl and Rusty. I wish the very best for you and your new family.

                    {{{{{{ENJOY YOUR SLIDESHOW!}}}}}}

                                      

Julia + Matt {10 eleven 08}

This past weekend was a busy one with 2 weddings in 2 days. I always say that I’m not going to book myself like that but I couldn’t say no to the second one so it was a bit of a blur. I’ve managed to get some sleep so I’m back at it now. Saturday’s wedding was held at Sacred Heart Cultural Center in Augusta, Georgia. Talk about a BEAUTIFUL building!  Julia and Matt had this enormous runner made that really added a personal touch to the setting. 

I love dresses with lots of crenilin. There’s something so princess/fairytale like about the layers and layers of poofy stuff that makes a gown even bigger. I can almost hear that “swish swish” sound as she walks onto the dance floor.

Anyone who follows my blog at all, knows that doorways are one of my favorite places to shoot. Add a long veil to that and I’m a happy camper photographer.

We had a lot of fun shooting with this old car. Matt and his best man Derek.

The alter inside the cathedral was amazing.

Matt has parents that are so in love. You would have thought they were the ones getting married. I think they said 27 years, and they are happier now than they were when they started. That’s so cool. I love this shot. They were laughing and hugging all night long and Matt and Julia managed to squeeze in the middle of one of those moments.

I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of pictures with the bride and groom under the viel together. It’s way too over used and it’s become quite cheesy if you ask me, but I thought that maybe with her extra long viel and the catheral ceiling in the back, it just might look romantic and sexy…without the cheese. What do you think?

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Herring

This was the grooms cake, I thought they did a great job using the wonderful name “Herring” throughout their details. Guests were given a fish cookie cutter with a yummy sugar and spice recipe. It was fun seeing the name on everything. For those of you wondering, we’re not related, but I’ll take some of what Mr. & Mrs. Herring Sr. have any time.

To see more of their Wedding and Reception, check out the slideshow.  That’s where the best pictures are!

Congratulations Matt & Julia! Thanks for letting me be a part of it all. 

{{{{{{HERE’S YOUR SLIDESHOW}}}}}}}}}

Courtney + Jeff {10. four. 08}

I love fall Weddings. Especially when the weather is perfect and there is some kind of water involved. This was the case with Courtney and Jeff’s wedding. Courtney’s Aunt Leighann met Jeff at his brother’s wedding a little over a year ago and that night called her sister Tammy ( bride’s mother) and announced that she had just met Courtney’s future husband. ( I am unable to write the response from both of the bride’s parents at the report of this as it is a family blog. ) They were introduced shortly after and the rest is history. Her and Jeff have the kind of love that makes everyone a little jealous. They are 10 years apart which made daddy Tony hold on a little tighter, ( actually, a LOT ) but when he really got to know Jeff, the only thing that held him back was the ache in his own heart. Courtney is the eldest of 3 girls and the first to go. I think everyone heard the sound of the break as he walked her down the aisle.

Sniff sniff.
So here are a few of the highlights and details that made it so special. 

The girls all got ready at a new salon called Studio Red in McDonough.  The Groom’s cousin, Rachel, is a stylist and co-owner and also the mother of the handsome ring bearer.  The salon has 2 hand painted murals that I just love.

We took some great shots of the bridesmaids while they were getting ready. It was actually really easy since they are all beautiful in their own right.  The top two are sister’s of the bride, Chandler and Kristen. ( here is where you let out a big ‘sigh’ for dad)  Bottom left is cousin Peyton and below right is beautiful Rachael, who had 7 stiches removed from her chin the same morning.  That girl can dance!


The ceremony took place at the Groom’s parents, David and Dawn Wilkerson. They put in months and months of hard work to spruce up their already beautiful property. David and his 2 sons built this great “guys shack” years ago and it make a perfect bridal suite for a country wedding.

This shot was taken a second after her dad opened the door to check on his darling. He didn’t last long before he had to excuse himself and go and re-compose.   We love you Tony!

Darling Rachael Bennett.

Courtney is great in front of the camera.

The soon-to-be-married Jeff Wilkerson.

This is David, Jeff’s twin brother  I mean dad.  Giving a loving papa pinch.

Little kids always add a certain amount of entertainment at weddings. Especially when they are in the wedding party. Tyler was no exception. He stole the show as he walked down the aisle with the flower girl and made a right turn as soon as he saw his dad. Forced to go onward, he cried and covered his face with the ring pillow. Awwwwww…so cute!


Jeff has a Scottich heritage that he is very proud of. He is also a devoted follower of Jesus. This ring is perfect for him. She likes hers too.  I should also add that Courtney made the ring pillow herself.  Love it.

The view from the alter.

The processional music was awesome. {vocalist extrordinaire Lori is missing in this shot but she’s in the slideshow.}

Sweet ring bearer being comforted by uncle Jared. (I heard that sound you just made, its the same one the lady on the bottom left is making.)

One of the hardest things a dad will ever do.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Wilkerson


I love the colors. Yellow, green and orange. Sweet tea and lemonade were served in mason jars along with some aweome southern cooking.


That’s homemade ice cream and peach cobbler too! Leigh and Ray Jackson did an awesome job cooking all the food.

If there was anyone who hadn’t shed a few tears up to this point, they were done for sure. As a surprise to her husband, and as a deeply meaningful act of service to him, Courtney knelt down on the saw-dust spattered dance floor and washed his feet while the band sang. There wasn’t a dry eye in the land.


Get him, Courtney!


Ok. this was the most serious boquet grab I have ever seen. I thought security was going to have to be called. LOL. There’s a great sequence in the slideshow and it looks as if a punch could have been thrown. The truth to the story is this. The two in green are the bride’s sisters and the girl in black is like a surrogate sister. (sort of) She is also a single mother and she was dead serious about catching that bouquet. What isn’t visible is the broken finger that Kristen (top left) suffered the night before as she took off her brace for the wedding. Well, her finger got confused as a flower in the bouquet and the fight for who gets married next was really a painful fight to recover her own finger with as little pain as possible. ( You have to watch the slideshow to see who wins.)

Here we have the responsible party, Aunt Leighann on the right, and her sister Tammy. MOB They are also 2 of my closest crazy friends.

As with most of the other slides, this one has a story too. Sparklers were passed around before the exit and the bright light happens to be an entire box that was accidently lit. Made a great shot though. OOps

It was such a joy to photograph your wedding, Courtney and Jeff. I love you both and I wish you all the best!!

{{{{{HERE’S YOUR SLIDESHOW!}}}}}

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