Photographic Expressions

Hello everyone!!! Not to worry, I’m still here but I’m currently knee deep in moving boxes and wrapping paper, and moving exhaustion. My husband, two pups and I have journeyed back up to the mountains to our new home in Jasper. Bolingbroke/Macon will forever be my home and I still base myself in that area part time for weddings, photo shoots and get togethers. In the meantime I will be away from my computer until I can get internet set back up in the house but I’ll have my iphone close and can respond to emails and take phone calls.

Stay tuned for Melissa and Jay’s wedding! It was one fabulous evening that was truly special.

~C

Growing up with a mom for a teacher, it was always assumed that I would teach too. I was quick to squash any notions that I was going to teach, teaching school kids how to conjugate a verb was not my thing, I mean I have problems with comma splices. Though I do have a bad habit of correcting people’s grammar (yes it’s true-but only to close friends and family-namely my husband, haha) that is as close as I want to get to teaching. I would prefer to be the student.

I met my husband four years ago this month. Just days after meeting him I jetted out to Yosemite for a photography workshop for a week. Turns out cell phone coverage was nil in the valley of the Yosemite mountains (who knew?) but I certainly found time to talk to him. I distinctly remember sitting in my car, pulled over on a mountain pass, overlooking the valley and talking to this new guy that had captivated my attention. The conversation was full of me sharing the latest tricks and ideas that I was learning in Ansel Adam’s very own personal darkroom. I was on a contact high just by being there. Back then and even today, Josh would end the conversation with ‘be a sponge.’ The first time I heard it, I couldn’t figure out what North Georgia nonsense he was saying but he explained, ‘be a sponge and soak up everything you can.’

Four years and many workshops later he still to this day, continues to say ‘be a sponge.’ Tomorrow I’m heading into Atlanta with fellow photography buddies for a WPPI road trip conference. WPPI is ‘the’ photography convention in Las Vegas that is held annually but I’ super stoked that they put the show on the road with four stops including Atlanta. Love jump starting my creativity with classes, meeting other photographers being inspired, and being that sponge.

Below is an image that the ever so talented Corey McNabb captured of me a year ago at his workshop in Asheville.

~C

~C

I met Jessica and Tom on a recent Saturday evening in between Tom’s run on the bike in a local bike race throughout Midtown Atlanta. In between shoots Tom kept his eye out searching for his teammates just in case they sped by. Being active in sports runs deep with these two, after all it was a softball scholarship that brought Jessica down to the South Georgia campus where she met Tom.

Years passed and Tom realized they had been delaying the next step in their relationship as they waited for each other to finish their undergrad then later graduate school. Finally Tom didn’t want another round of school to stop him from asking Jessica to be his wife so they made a side trip to the jewelers. Jessica states that she didn’t see it coming on the actual day Tom proposed, but surprised she was when he finally popped the question.

This up for anything, fun loving couple enjoy spending time chasing adventure. Well, Tom will have chased it down the slopes and Jessica will enjoy the scenery as she sets her own speed but despite their individual pace, they have fun experiencing it together. Years, a few degrees, and two puppies; these two will be making their walk down the aisle in the next month.

Thanks for introducing me to the beautiful pocket parks that Midtown has to offer. It was so wonderful to meet you and get to know your story. I can’t believe you are getting married next month, see you soon!

~C

Over the weekend, in between rounds in a bike race, Tom and Jessica met me somewhere in Midtown for an impromptu engagement shoot Saturday night. Here is a just a sneak peek of their hotness.

More to come soon,
~C

I was always a planner growing up as a child. I enjoyed ‘checking’ off the next item on my Life Checklist. Finish my seventh year so I could enjoy my eighth birthday; boy did that seem to take forever. Finish high school and start college. Graduate college and take on the world. Basically, take on whatever life handed me running at full speed.

As life would have it, there were a few detours along the way and I could no longer speed through life. I met my husband and was soon swept up into a new family. This family was none that I have ever known; the family of a firehouse. It’s true when they call it a brotherhood and I certainly believe I have a sisterhood with the fellow wives. I have stood with this family as we supported each other during celebrations of marriage and new babies, and have shivered together on a cold December day as one of our fallen firefighters was laid to rest.

In a marriage, each spouse brings their own interests and passions to the table. Though my husband hasn’t developed an obsession for high heeled, peep toed shoes nor does he understand my fascination with anything on the HGTV channel; his passion for public service and the fire department has become infectious. In my husband’s hungry quest to absorb all things in his field, I was merely a bystander. I’m not sure where in my day to day life it will help to know the capacity of a 2 1/2 inch nozzle with a 50 foot hose on a particular fire hydrant but I do.

To all my fellow firefighter families, police and military families that support our family members as they put their life on the line every day; I honor you in your courage and support. To my husband, whom is working today on the anniversary of one of America’s tragic history, thank you for being the kind of man that unselfishly serves others. I love you!

~C

“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” ~ Ben Williams

~C

She has become a recognizable image of my company. In all her glory on the back of my business card dressed in her wedding gown, standing in the doorway of an antebellum house overlooking the sites of Macon. Stunning, beautiful, and one of my best friends.

Fast forward to earlier this year, Krista morphed me into sheer shock/joy/happy tears when she told me that she was pregnant. I’m always rooting for Team Pink whenever I hear that one of my friends is pregnant, because girls are fantastic, but it was different for Krista. If judging from her wedding images, you would never believe me, but back in the day Krista was more comfortable around camo than Gucci. Plus she is just plain goofy, see last picture as proof : )  So Team Boy all the way! What would she do with a girl and all their ruffles, ribbons and bows?

Well she is about to find out because Caroline will be making her debut early November. I can’t help but sing the ’sweet Caroline, ba da dum’ song in my head every time I talk to Krista to get weekly baby updates. I truly can’t wait to meet her. Judging from all the fun, pink and polka dot infused clothes, blankets, etc from her baby showers, I will be in love!!

K, I hate that distance doesn’t allow us to see each other often enough. I just absolutely love you and your Caroline bump. I can’t wait to come see all three of you in November! Thank you Joel for your patience when I know you would much rather catch up on sleep that the Army doesn’t allow you to get

Team Pink!
~C

So I have been working with the fabulous team at Three Ring Media on a project for the past few months. Just the other day I met up with Jeremy and Suzanne with Three Ring Media and Melissa and Jay, you may recognize them from the Savannah engagement shoot. We put the finishing touches on the project at the uber cool, fabulous tapas bar adjacent to the restaurant in Forsyth called Grits Cafe. (If you find that you are in Middle GA, do yourself a huge favor and stop in for a phenomenal meal or grab a drink at the swanky tapas bar) I’m not prepared to reveal all information but I will show you a behind the scenes look. Stay tuned!

~C

Bryce was welcomed into the world two weeks ago. Last week I was able to stop by and see how he was adjusting into this big new world and of course his new siblings, Stafford and Isabelle, who enjoy sniffing out their new brother. With the cutest nose, soft skin and curious gazes around the room, Bryce couldn’t be more content.

I know Britt and Lauren have waited so long for this little one to come around and I’m so happy for you guys. Bryce is beyond precious and certainly worth the wait.

~C