I had the pleasure of photographing my sweet friends last evening and their growing family in downtown Florence, SC! Two more boys will be gracing this family in April-ish of 2018...and our ever growing friend circle couldn't be more excited!!!! Happy sneak peek Heather-Grace Gardner & Nicholas Blake Gardner!!!! Many, many more to come!!!!
Samantha, it was such a pleasure being with you this weekend!
Your little angel is absolute perfection! I simply can't get enough of his sweet little smile!
The fun has just begun! Look out world, I'm turning one!
I'll tell you one thing,
it's always better when we're together.
Jack Johnson
This sweet little angel is turning
the BIG ONE
in just a few short days!
These three sneak peek images from this morning's session could not wait a second longer to be broadcasted to the world. I know I always say I'm so excited to show an edited gallery..but oh my gosh...this is why! Just look at this little bundle of one year old perfection!
I've been doing some reflecting on why on Earth am I so passionately engaged into this whole other world of photography while I am I busy mom, wife, and school teacher. The answer came to my simple question, came rather quickly.
Why Photography?
MY LOVE OF THIS MOMENT. This perfect and fleeting moment.
Many years ago, I never would have thought that I would be clinging on to any and every image I could find of me with my father. I'm so grateful that my mother was an avid photographer and took pictures of every part of our lives growing up. But as I grew up, those images with me and him became fewer and farther between. High school years came and then college and my memory books filled with friends and moments I thought I would cling to forever. And still our images stretched thinner and thinner. My favorite to this day is the one on a very important day in my life, and it is one I will treasure forever and I hope my children will cherish it and the memories with it for generations to come. It's when my first born came into the world that I wanted to capture it all and savor every single breath that he took. Because now I know all too well that today (this moment right now) is really our most precious gift that we have.
Today is truly God's gift to us and I honor Him by using the talents He has placed in my hands and my heart by capturing His glory. Looking back into these moments with friends, family and complete strangers that have become friends, I see His grace and His love for each and every one of us. Savoring the moment and seeing the beauty in the present (even the messy, chaotic, mountain in your way moments) is how I can honor Him. Yes, I may be praying to win the lottery and not ever have to worry about finances and bills again...but I'm pretty sure I've already hit the lottery of life. Knowing Him, and seeing Him in the love of all these amazing people all around me. From complete strangers to fast and furious friends, we are all wanting to hold on to these moments He has given us.
To God be the Glory.
Sarah Reese and Seth Percy are engaged to be married! And I was lucky enough to be along for the ride for their incredibly sweet and absolutely perfect engagement session in historic downtown Durham. All this laughter and all this love was pouring out of every shot. All I had to do was ask one of them to look at the other and this is the magic that I captured. Pure joy, pure bliss, and so much fun!
Check out more from the love bird's session. You'll see shots from their impromtu game of corn hole. Some fellow Durham Bulls fans couldn't help but see the love these two shared and wanted their engagement photo session to be even more memorable. They stopped their game just so Sarah and Seth could throw a few rounds. This soon to be bride and groom certainly know how to stop and enjoy the moment.
I'm simply honored to have been there to capture all that JOY.
I have to take a minute to brag on this AMAZING little family. Meet the Glass Family...well, the Glass family one year ago. Could these little angels get any sweeter? Could your heart burst with joy anymore than seeing a loving family and just overjoyed children?
Flash forward a year later and this amazing, God loving family who is more full of love than ever, has just melted my heart once again. Their newest little angel was just a few days old when we captured this moment. And the love that their children had for little Liam was undeniable.
Now it's my confession time. I was so worried that whole drive that the weather wouldn't cooperate with us when their session time arrived. 90% chance of rain as the day started turned to 0% and full sun by their evening session. I was terrified I would miss these moments for them. Too bright of a sky is just as bad as a totally wash out. I literally prayed all the way to Topsail Island. And these images of their session of perfection were the result. Thank you Lord for allowing me to capture these perfect moments for their family. I can literally tear up knowing they have these memories to cherish for a lifetime.
I have loved every minute of sweet Clara's session this week. Her amazingly talented and kind hearted grandmother (DD as Clara will call her) is someone I have been blessed to work with. I'm honored to have the opportunity to photograph my friends children and their families. There is simply no greater joy than creating something that will be cherished for years and even generations to come. My prayer before each session is that the amazing family I'm about to interact with feels the love that I have for our time together, and that they will be able to walk away with warm memories of precious moments!
Introducing Amirah Blake Cone. Born June 21st, 2017 at 8:56 in the morning light.
She is seven pounds, ten ounces of pure joy and perfect bliss.
Oh happy day!
Cone family, you all are truly blessed.
May this sweet moment in time last forever in your memories. May the late nights, early mornings, tears of joy and happiness be the ties that bind your iron strength family even tighter together as you live in love. Enjoy these precious moments that make life worth living.
God bless you all.
Love,
Kristen
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together
This little slice of heaven had her 18 month milestone pictures today. It was such a joy spending quality time with this family of 3, finding happiness in these little everyday moments. It was an honor to be there for them, and capture this little princess in all her glory!