There are benefits in working from home. This is one of them. Those moments you might otherwise miss as a mother, if you have to spend time away from home. Rief was taking a sink bath with his sitter. I had just finished editing a bridal shoot and I wanted to take a break. Naturally, when I heard the splashing I grabbed the camera. He tasted the soap, enjoyed flooding the kitchen, brushed his teeth, and loved his drinking fountain! Here is the result of my break time. 
My sister Melissa is due with her second child the end of March. I THINK (as in they may change their mind) her name is going to be Noel. Aunt Lissa’s (as my kids call her) cute son is named Noah, so Noel it fits ! They were visiting from Raleigh two weekend ago so we decided to, of course, take some photos of her belly and her family. We had fun for sure !
Thank you guys and we will see you soon !
Anyone seen Noah ?
Nice diaper ! 
What a ham !
I think this is my favorite shot of the day 
So I have finally gotten around to sharing my family’s Thanksgiving. It is the old expression: “the cobblers kids have no shoes”. The photographers personal photos are never seen. ANYWAY, I wanted to share our traditional family Thanksgiving at my Aunt & Uncles home in Wentworth, NC. My uncle is an amazing woodworker. He builds beautiful furniture (none to photograph). The gathering is held in the wood shop. There are all these old and new tools, wood shavings, nick knacks, and …a boars head?
Our family is a mix of hippy, square, artsy and business. We all get along and encourage each others endeavors. Photographers, musicians, craftsmen, artists, authors, entrepreneurs . Enjoy
How cool is THIS camera. My cousin Ben is in photography school in NYC.
Beach kids that don’t see wood shavings that much- look mom !
Wood shavings soup (this is the stir stick)
The jello trifle… not as innocent as it looks (spiked)
Random. I liked the frame 
Clay pigeon earmuffs 
Marley taking a photo of me
Back at cha’ Goose
Sisters (my mom on Left)
Not exactly the “formal” photo they had in mind
Someone took a photo of me ? Thanks mom !
Hmmm, a strikingly similar to “The Predator” ?
There is our newest photographer, Rief
Daddy doing his usual
James Dean ?
” Look mom, I blew a bubble !” (that’s good Jude)
A true childhood moment
What big sisters have to put up with…
Our arsenal for a group shot
A rare Aliah family group shot. Thanks again mom. You didn’t chop off our heads this time! You are learning grasshopper
There are times as photographers we are pushed emotionally when called upon to photograph events in peoples lives. Most of the time it is for joyous occasions. The birth of a child, an engagement, a marriage all are under emotionally uplifting circumstances. Saturday was a bit different. Also seen as joyous but for another reason.
When Susan, a personal friend of ours, called us to photograph a memorial garden dedication for her daughter whom she lost last year, we were honored. Rory was an amazing young woman. She had the world at her fingertips. She was loved by all who knew her. A wonderful daughter, student, friend. She gave back to her community and never asked for anything in return.
Last year Rory graduated from UNCW with a degree in Special Education. She performed her internship at Gregory Elementary where she gave so much of herself to the children and staff. She so loved the children she worked with that it was there where her mother decided would be a perfect place to honor her memory.
When their family tragedy occurred, the staff and students at Gregory decided they wanted to build a garden in Rory’s memory. The family was honored and asked if they could help… Gregory graciously allowed them to do so and a joint planning effort began last spring. With the help of Wrightsville Beach Landscape, Wrightsville Beach Elementary, Harbor Island Garden Club, Rudy Rascals, staff of Gregory, friends, professors, family & neighbors, a vibrant , happy memorial garden was planted and dedicated on Saturday morning November 20, 2010. There are benches with tiles decorated by her brothers class from Wrightsville Beach Elementary, beautiful flowers, young trees and a beautiful wandering path.
In planting the garden, there was a sense of community, caring and togetherness. Harriett Coe, Rory’s internship teacher at Gregory gave a tribute at Rory’s memorial service when plans for the garden were announced. It was a beautiful, moving tribute, and Harriett closed by saying, “Rory loved teaching, she lit up when students did well and she was immensely proud of her students. Rory was a blessing sent to Gregory and we mourn her loss. In her memory, Gregory’s staff and students are planning on planting a garden in her memory. Rory was a natural teacher, she was loved and she will be missed.”
There is color & life in Rory’s Garden. That is exactly the way it was intended and the way Rory would have wanted it.
Thank you to the Michaelson & Finley family for allowing us to be a part of such a special day !
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Late afternoon at the beach (as I have said before) always provides beautiful amber light. In this case, some long shadows were fun since it is getting dark earlier now. Truitt and his mom Abby and dad Gene are family friends. We had a great time on Wrightsville Beach. Truitt was throwing sand, shells, getting wet and having a blast. Abby and Gene did their best to keep him happy and out of the water until the end of the shoot. Gene was an excellent assistant as you can see from one of the pics below Thank you guys ! See you soon.
Truitt is still a bit unsteady so he reaches for mom & dads hand. Always a sweet photo.
Weeeeeeeee !
Tickle monster strikes !
Sneaking a quick kiss ( I love the look on Truitt’s face)
Some fun with color (or lack there of)
Gene was doing a GREAT job helping me keep Truitt engaged ! Thanks Gene, you’re hired !
The “bull horns”
