What Photography is all About...

For me, photography is about capturing moments in life that you want to remember forever. Whether that be a tennis match, a birthday party, your child's first day of school, or one last family photo session.  My photographer friend, Ashlee Culverhouse, introduced me to her favorite photographer, Wildflowers Photography out of California.  To say their work is awesome is an understatement.  They posted a blog today about a little boy they photographed back in November named Jarren.  He had cancer and died 7 weeks after the pictures of him and his family were taken.  Today would be his 5th birthday. I wanted to share this story with you so that next time you start to complain about something you will hopefully see that you could always have it a lot worse. The family started a foundation to help other families of pediatric cancer in memory of their son.  If you would like to donate to this wonderful cause, please see the link in the attached blog below.  Please remember to keep this family in your prayers and also families who are effected daily by losing a child.
This to me, is what photography is all about....

http://wildflowersphotos.com/blog/missing-jarren-sharing-hope/

From Bridal to Baby {Showers}

My mom and several other ladies from Hawkinsville gave my long time friend, Sarah Lamar, a bridal shower Saturday.  I had been looking so forward to this day for a while.  I couldn't wait to see everyone, especially Sarah (she lives in Birmingham).  The shower was beautiful!  From the decorations, to the flowers, to the gifts, everything was perfect!  It was held at Ms. Vicky Griffin's house and the catering was done by Ms. Pat Coody.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day.

Friends since diapers!

Drink recipes for our mimosas, bellinis, and rossinis.

Hawkinsville friends-Rebecca B, Rebecca Henry, Me, and Sarah.

The bride with her bridesmaid.



The yummy lemon blueberry parfaits we had for dessert made by Ms. Vicky!

The spread! :)

Saturday night, we had a yet another shower to attend.  During my "youth" days, my family and I attended FUMC in Cordele. I became really good friends with Bonnie Turton and she is expecting her first baby in July!  We were so happy to be invited to this shower to celebrate with her and her husband, Trevor.  The shower was held at the beautiful home of Liz Forehand.  It was so nice to catch up with our "Cordele Friends" as we call them. Bonnie and Trevor live in Tennessee now so we don't get to see each other very often.  I was sad when it was time to go home.  Here are a few pictures of my Bonnie with her cute baby bump!

Sweet girls I grew up in the youth program with.  Bonnie, Katy, and Carson.

Baby "Z"'s loot!

Love these girls!

Best low country boil dinner I have EVER had!  To top it off, we had
strawberry shortcake for dessert! :)

Bonnie and Trevor loved the cowboy hat and boots mama gave them!

My sweet Bonnie and baby "Z"!

Fun Finds!

Recently, I have found some very cute home decor items that I would love to put in my home.  One problem...I don't have my own home.  This is one of the things that stinks about still living with my parents.  While it saves money, it sure would be fun to have a whole house of my own to decorate!  I am hoping after I graduate in December, to buy that house and fill it with all things fun!


Check out these beautiful glass floor lamps I found at TJ Maxx. There were 5 of them when I went two weeks ago. This weekend when I went ( I go there TOO much), there was only one left. They were on clearence for $39.99.  A far cry from their original price of $159.99.  Of course I snatched it up and crossed my fingers it would fit in the back of my car.  And it did! Success!

  

Ok...so I am in love with this bench! It would look great at the foot on my bed. I love the fabric and the $79.99 price tag.  And yes, it's at TJ Maxx. I just may have to go back and get it.  It wouldn't fit in my car with my floor lamp!

I love turtles and these super cute bookends were begging me to buy them. This is where the not having a house problem comes into play.  They are at Two Friends in downtown Perry. I REALLY want them! My birthday is coming up in 2 months mom...hint, hint!

FUN with Couture Photography!

As most of you know...I love, love, love photography! I love being able to capture moments that will allow people to re-live them for a lifetime.  My favorite pictures are of my brother and I as children.  We were just the cutest kids and  I'm so glad my mom always had a camera in our faces.
I have recently had the opportunity to help the talented Ben Eckles of Couture Photography shoot a few weddings.  I serve as his assistant carrying his awesome cameras, getting things together (rings, garter, handkerchiefs, etc) to photograph, and getting some important shots during the wedding.  I have not been comfortable doing weddings just yet on my own with KT Lens Photography and I am hoping this helps me with my insecurities.  I have already learned so much from helping Ben.  He is so talented and works very hard getting his photographs just right.  I am very fortunate he lets me tag along and learn from him.  I couldn't think of any other way I would rather spend my weekends!

The wedding I helped with Sunday was in Macon. The reception was held at the beautiful Blacksmith Shop downtown.  The bride and groom had a photo booth there and it was so fun! They had awesome props for every one to use.  Here are Ben and I being silly.  I took a picture of the picture with my phone so it's not the greatest quality. The pictures were put in a scrapbook for the bride a groom.  What a sweet idea!

Check out Couture Photography at http://www.shotbycouture.com/. I promise you will fall in love with his work!





Disney {Royalty}

I know the Royal wedding was a month ago, but I had to share this picture with you that has been floating around facebook.  I think it's so cool!!  I love Disney and anything to do with the Royal family so this was super neat to me!

Pretty cool, huh?!

Good Reads!

I'm usually not a reader, but here lately, I have stumbled across several books that I couldn't put down.
My favorite author (like so many girls my age) is Nicolas Sparks.  I get so wrapped up in his novels that I usually finish them in a couple of days and I'm always sad to see them end. "Safe Haven" has been my all time favorite and "Dear John" is my 2nd favorite (it's also a movie that is def worth seeing!).

Right now, I am reading "The Help" and "Something Borrowed".  "The Help" is about the lives of 2 maids in Mississippi during the 1960's and 1 young socialite who is trying to find her nanny who unexpectedly left while she was away at college. It's interesting to see how they lived and how they felt about the people they worked for.  The novel is the author's first book and is a New York Times Bestseller! What an accomplishment! This book has been recommended by so many people and I can't wait to get more into it.  "Something Borrowed" is about a girl who sleeps with her best friends fiance.  The girl that sleeps with the fiance is a girl that you would never suspect of something such as that.  I have only read the first chapter, so I am anxious to see how things unfold.  This is book has also been turned into a movie.  I am super excited that it stars Kate Hudson. I have to finish my book before I see it though!

After watching Opera this past week, I have found 2 books I hope to read soon.  I love bibliographys and usually can't put them down. I find something so interesting about getting a peak into other people's lives.  Shania Twain was on Opera early this week introducing her book, "From This Moment On".  You would be suprised at all this wonderful woman has indured through her lifetime.  The other book, "Stories I Only Tell My Friends" is by Rob Lowe.  The actor talks about his career which took off during the 1980's and also his life at home. 

I hope you decide to read one or all of these!  Enjoy!