Fun fact, the first photographer blog I ever followed and wanted to be like when I grew up was Shelly Paulson - an equine photographer! The way her images captured light and the love between people and their horses inspired me over a decade ago to pursue a career in photography  so this was a very full circle moment. 

I hope you will savor the sweetness radiating from each image and that it will bring a smile to your day as much as it did mine! Scroll to the end for the best silhouette! 

The Cokers tied the knot on October 1st just as a change in weather was beginning to make its way into South Carolina. Their venue was a fun, family clubhouse on beautiful farmland and the vibrant shades of fall colored every part of the special day. Tyler and Kelsey's two daughters were a central part of this wedding and  they will absolutely melt your heart. So much tireless work went into preparing for this day and making it a reflection of Tyler and Kelsey's relationship and it accomplished just that. Every carefully planned detail came together to make a celebration of the love they share. Shout out to my lovely second shooter, Brittany Briley, for her amazing photos and assistance with this wedding! 

Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Coker! 

Bridal Gown: David's Bridal

Florist: Garden House Floral Studio

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Buck and Bull Farm - Manning, SC

Wedding Planner: Becky Weaver

Hair and Makeup: Destinations Spa

DJ: Pitch Perfect Entertainment 

Videographer: Brent Chappell

Cake: Jessica Cheek

Catering: Fancy That Catering

Bridesmaid's Dresses: Azazie

Groomsmen and Groom Attire: Azazie

One of Kelsey's special requests of the day was to have a moment with her daughter trying on her wedding dress. It truly was heart melting!

Meanwhile, the guys were having too much fun getting ready ;) Brittany did a fantastic job with these photos!  

Always one of the most emotional moments of the day!

I first met Anne and Jarrod in 2021 when the Air Force stationed them in Sumter and a friendship soon formed.  It was a joy and honor to capture this unique time in their marriage before their first child arrived. Originally from Nebraska, it was only fitting that we take these photos in the country with hay bales :) The best thing about this couple is how much fun they have together and the love you see between them has carried right over into the love for their girl. Congratulations Anne and Jarrod! 

It was a humid, hot afternoon in SC and there isn't anything quite like sweating under a wedding dress, but Kelsey was a terrific sport and we were able to capture these dreamy images ahead of her big day.

I know you will agree, her gorgeous chocolate eyes stole the show even above the beautiful gown. Wedding post coming soon! 

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! Fall of 2022 was a busy one in all the best ways and I was thrilled to capture so many memories for my clients. Christmas cards have been mailed and displayed on mantles and refrigerators everywhere and the coming few weeks I will (hopefully) be getting up to date on blogging and look forward to sharing them with you! 

First up is a family that I can't wait to post every year because it features some of my favorite people in the world. I met up with them at the beach in September to capture a very special session. My sister and brother in law have recently expanded their family through fostering therefore I am sharing photos of a precious child that for his protection, must keep his sweet smile hidden. Know that it is one of pure joy and happiness. He is dearly loved and is, as you can tell from everyone else's faces, a treasure to this family. 

I look forward to every chance I get to photograph this little lady! Lilly is an absolute ray of sunshine and I loved capturing her world of imagination for her birthday session. From tea parties to getting lost in a book to dancing in a meadow - four is just the best age. 

Happiest of birthdays sweet girl! 

Every photo will absolutely melt your heart. It was too hard to pick favorites so you get to see most of them :) 

Congrats Thompson family! 

This cutie is one! I first met Whaylon when he was 5 months old and seeing him grow has been so fun. When his mom told me his first birthday was going to be a camping/fishing theme, I knew these would be adorable! My favorite thing about photographing Whaylon is getting that occasional smile out of him as his expressions are normally very serious :) 

Happy Birthday sweet boy! 

Congratulations Joel! 

And that wraps up my 2022 Seniors! Now booking sessions for the class of 2023!

Another precious baby girl is about to make her appearance into the world and she is already so loved by her parents and siblings. This session was extra special as these beautiful people are also family. Lindsay is my cousin and I was thrilled to capture the season of anticipation as they await the arrival of another daughter and sister. After our first attempt was rained out, we were relieved to squeeze these in before her July due date! These photos are sure to melt your heart as much as they did mine. 

Congrats Cook Family! 

Another high school graduate of the class of 2022!

I so enjoyed spending the afternoon with Drake several months ago. The last time I had photographed him he was just a young boy and now a very handsome gentleman that is so smart, kind and thoughtful. And this guy has great style too! I also love it when parents get in on the photos at the end of sessions and you will want to scroll to the end to see some of my favorites :)

Congratulations Drake on your huge accomplishment! 

This session was particularly special and unique because I had to get on a plane and fly to Oklahoma to capture this precious momma who is also a dear friend. Becca and I met the first week she moved to Sumter via the Air Force several years ago and became fast companions - even tackling Europe together during her first pregnancy. Needless to say it was an honor and delight to photograph this sweet season in the Mattes family as they prepare to welcome another son any day now. Already planning my next visit for baby cuddles! 

Congrats guys! 

Shoutout to my amazing brother and second shooter, Caleb, for holding my umbrella as I shot in the rain and capturing some amazing shots.

Then, right before the ceremony, everything cleared and it was such a beautiful setting. I will never get over how this couple looks at each other. Melts my heart every time. Enjoy this glimpse of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant's wedding day! 

Abbe is an incredibly gifted violinist and has put in years and years of hard work and practice. She is headed to North Greenville University in the fall to continue her passion for music. I could listen to her play for hours. As the sun set during her spring session, she made that violin sing into the sky resulting in one of my favorite silhouettes ever!

Congratulations Abbe! 

Abigail is 3! This cutie is as lovely in person as she is in these photos. I love her sweet spirit and the fact that she is one of my little friends that I have photographed since birth. She is always 100 percent herself in front of my camera. 

On the day of her birthday session, the dark clouds had rolled in, but we decided to try to beat the rain. The winds so characteristic of March were blowing strong, but Abigail was a good sport trying to keep that balloon in the air, haha. In the end, one of my favorite cloudy day sessions to date! Enjoy this gorgeous girl's fancy afternoon at the park.

Happy Birthday sweetie! 

Josh and Bailey are getting married in just a few short months and this gorgeous, dreamy engagement session in downtown Sumter has got me beyond excited for their special day coming up. This couple is so natural in front of the camera...there is a tender romance about their relationship that is like a breath of fresh air to witness. Looking forward to sharing their wedding this summer! 

I have the joy of calling these two friends and serving alongside them in our church. I can honestly say that this couple is a perfect match. They keep each other laughing and the love you see in these images is genuine. They radiant life and kindness everywhere they go and I look forward to how God is going to continue to use them as a team for His glory. 

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Courson! 

These high school sweetheart's wedding day was full of love, emotion and joy. They are surrounded by family and friends who love them well and have stood by their side through thick and thin. Seeing these relationships through the camera lens caused me to tear up all day.  Brendan's tears started flowing the second Lyndsay appeared on her daddy's arm and didn't stop until after they had walked back down the isle. I hope you will enjoy the story these images tell as much as I did. Oh, and grab the tissues - you will need them! 

Daddy/Daughter first looks are a personal favorite - hard to keep my own tears back, but so worth it! 

Pass the tissues!

Daddy/Daughter first look - take 2

Ok, at this point there wasn't a dry eye anywhere...

The look of a man in love with his bride.

Shhhh! Haha, this tiny aunt and niece duo seriously couldn't get any cuter! 

Lyndsay has the best smile!

Are they adorable or what? 

Forever his little girl.

F

These two are so much fun to watch. A special relationship between mother and son.  

Just out of reach for this little one! 

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Brady!

Another high school graduate to celebrate!

Took a trip out to the farm to capture some fun images for Dalton (who knew tractor tires could make such cool senior photos??) This guy has a great smile and I loved having his parents along to encourage it! We even had to take a few masked photos to document what a crazy senior year he experienced in the middle of a pandemic. Last, but not least, what South Carolina boy's senior photos are complete without some truck photos?

Enjoy and congratulations Dalton! 

I remember meeting Jonathan's mom when I was in middle school and she was pregnant with him. Fast forward 18 years of seeing him grow into a kind, hard-working, talented young man. I was so honored to be asked to capture his senior pictures last spring. The setting was perfect for Jonathan - his grandparent's land, his truck and gun - ready for a hunt! I hope you enjoy this country boy session as much as I did! 

Congratulations Jonathan! 

This lovely senior has graduated high school and is officially in nursing school! I am thrilled for Caitlyn as she enters the next chapter of her life in pursuit of helping others. This session took place on a very bright, gorgeous spring afternoon on a hidden gem of SC countryside. With only a few trees, the sunlight literally flooded everything, but this girl was even more radiant. 

Excited to finally share them with you!

I honestly cannot think of a dreamier location for a girl who loves horses than this stunning farm. I met with Nevaeha on a gorgeous fall afternoon last year to capture some photos for her senior year of high school. Her quiet, sweet personality and natural beauty on this peaceful spot with gentle animals was the perfect blend. The stunning natural light in this barn had me internally squealing with delight as I shot image after image. Literally could not choose a favorite!!

Congratulations Nevaeha! I am excited to see where God takes you in your future! 

I met Steve and Lynn a few years ago and was delighted to photograph the love they share with each other and their son, Ian. He was such a fun little guy to work with and kept us entertained the whole session. He even through out some of his own photo ideas and they couldn't have turned out better!

This session is a great example of how even though a sunny day is my favorite - a cool, overcast January day can still yield beautiful photos. 

 I was incredibly honored that, despite this fact, the Mahr family asked me to capture their beautiful family last year. It was a perfect December afternoon in SC and one of my favorite locations to shoot - downtown Sumter. Even the family dog got in on the fun and was born to be a model it seems!

I think my favorite part about the shoot is how this wife and mother just glows surrounded by the handsome men she loves so deeply. 

In the last decade, I have become an aunt to 9 nieces and nephews. Each one has brought their own measure of joy to our family that I am so grateful for each time I look into their faces. My sister and her husband are doing an amazing job parenting their four kids and despite the long, hard days and nights that come with having young children, I know they wouldn't trade them for anything. They are smart, funny, creative, kind, compassionate and just all-around fun to be with (like their mommy and daddy). 

I shot this session on a perfect October afternoon and as the golden sun slowly dipped its way to the horizon, it was hard to contain my excitement over these images. Couldn't have asked for a better setting for this precious family. 

This boy has been so brave through many obstacles in his short life and I could not be prouder of the young man he is becoming. 

He is every bit the personality you see here. It took quite a few marshmallows to get him looking this sweet, but once satisfied, he turned on the charm ;)

I wish he would never grown out of this stage or lose his little boy voice, but very much looking forward to watching who he becomes! 

Celebrating 10 years of marriage in 2021. What a blessing and wow how the years fly! 

My little Shirley Temple...she brings sunshine into every room with this smile. 

Looking at this young lady, I'm taken back to the moment I first photographed her in the hospital when she was just minutes old smiling up at her daddy.

That smile has only gotten more beautiful. 

I took a random snapshot of my sister and her children standing like this at the beach a couple of years ago and she asked me to recreate it so she could see how they have grown. I love it so much! 

Unfortunately, the kids didn’t get the memo about her vision and how much it means to her and they are determined to make this Mission Impossible. After an attempt to flood the bathroom, missing shoes and a few tantrums thrown in, she finally gets everyone dressed and in the car. Success! 

However, the weather didn’t get that memo either and the wind starts to pick up as they arrive for pictures, blowing their clothes and hair in every direction. Still, she is determined to stick it out, hoping things will settle down. 

Just then, the unthinkable happens. Her young daughter, who is looking adorable in her white and pink outfit, trips and lands in the mud. “Could this get any worse?” she asks, any lovely vision she once had now being replaced with a nightmare. 

As a photographer, everything is determined by my response in that moment. 

This exact scenario played out for my dear friend, Bekah, a few months ago during a visit to their mountain home. 

I looked at her and smiled. “It’s going to be ok. These pictures are going to be beautiful. We will just have to be a little more creative with posing and find some shelter from the wind.” As I continued to shoot, I didn’t see the mud or the stress of the day. I saw love and joy and laughter - all the things that make this family a treasure. So moms, on picture day, remember that all we as photographers ask is that you show up, relax and let us simply capture what was there all along. 

Hello again! I have been blessed with a very busy fall season of photo sessions. Now that Christmas cards have gone out,  I sit here with my lit tree and mug of peppermint chocolate tea and I'm so excited to begin sharing them with you.

It's only fitting to start with a family I love so much! The Wilson's are some of the most genuine and fun people I have the privilege of knowing and capturing them is not only exciting, but so heartwarming at the same time. We incorporated the grandparents this year and if you have followed me for any length of time, know how much I treasure these generations of family. We laughed our way through this session and at the end, I came away feeling as though I received a gift. I know you will feel that too as you enjoy their images. 

This girl is two-ty fruity!

Lilly had her second birthday a couple of weeks ago and celebrated with a fun, tropical themed photo shoot. I can always get a smile out of this girl when food is involved. She ate, laughed and danced her way through the session, showing once again how carefree it is to be a toddler. Lilly, you are a ray of sunshine! Happy Birthday sweetie!