Matt & Kaylee: "The Notebook" Inspired Engagement Shoot

I will always remember the phone call I received at around six o'clock at night on February 15th, 2012. I had just come off of a high from learning of a childhood friend's engagement only to be bombarded with some more good news: Matt and Kaylee, two of my closest friends from back home, were engaged as well. I cried immediately. I remembered Kaylee telling me a couple months earlier that she had overheard Matt talking about buying a ring, but neither of suspected anything to happen as soon as it did. Although I have to admit, both of us secretly hoped it would. After all, they were visiting me in North Carolina within a matter of weeks and Kaylee and I hoped I would get the chance to do their engagement pictures in this beautiful state. Needless to say, we were both extremely excited when that became the official plan.

Ever since she first saw The Notebook, Kaylee has wanted to have her engagement pictures done in New Bern, complete with Notebook-themed outfits and poses. Words can't express how thrilled I was to be the one she chose to be behind the camera. This was honestly one of my favorites shoots ever.

I think the coolest part of it was that we were able to explore downtown New Bern at the same time. We spent the day walking around and when we found a good spot for photos, we would stop, take some shots, and then be on our way again. One of the employees at The Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola even let us take photos in the store and use a vintage-style glass of Pepsi-on the house! Southern hospitality, you know? By the way, if you're in New Bern by any chance, make sure you check out that store, as well as the Cow Cafe; both places are absolutely adorable and the Cafe has food to die for.

My first engagement shoot will always be a cherished memory, especially considering the people I was with and the places we went together. I wish these two all of the happiness in the world; they deserve it.

Matt & Kaylee: Vintage-Themed Shoot

Ever since I started up my dream to becoming a photographer, I've always wanted to do a vintage-themed photoshoot; there's just something so attractive about that theme. Lucky for me, Kaylee and Matt were on board with helping me out. Two days before my flight back down to North Carolina, we met up in Lewiston, they did a quick outfit change at Kaylee's in Lisbon, and we were off to one of my favorite childhood places: my family's old house on Ferry Road in Lewiston. Kaylee and I both found my old backyard to be a perfect setting for the shoot.

Unfortunately, we all forgot that around this time of year, the sun sets quicker than we realize. Before we knew it, it was nearly pitch-black and we were all pretty cold; I had a hard time controlling my shutter finger. Despite the setbacks, however, I was still able to pull out some pretty fantastic shots. Even Kaylee falling through an old platform of wood didn't stop us (don't worry, she's okay; just a couple scratches).

We are definately setting up a rain check to continue this photoshoot the next time I venture up north again.

Oh, and the outfit that Kaylee is wearing? Her grandmother's wedding dress from 1953.

Sibling Time Once Again

Once again, it's that time of year: every autumn since 2008, my mother has had me take my siblings' school portraits. I certainly wouldn't blame her; I'm much less expensive than the photographers their school hires. My mother helped put a roof over my head and food in my stomach for the first 19 and a half years of my life; that's payment enough.

This year, I was finally able to take some photos by the ocean. My family and I had plans to go to our church's annual ocean-side service in Waldoboro; my mom brought up the idea of doing school photos while we were right there by the water. Why not? Don't they say it's always better to kill two birds with one stone?

Unfortunately, everything didn't go as planned. My brother and other sister both "forgot" to dress school-picture-appropriate, but, thankfully, my youngest sister was prepared and ready for her close-up.

I absolutely adore this photo because it's my sister "in the raw," so to speak. Every year, mom always says that her smile looks a little fake, so this year, I took a different approach: I made my sister laugh as much as I could. That's how this shot came about, and I love it.

I just hope my other siblings' photographs come out just as, if not more, successful than this.

Back again.

I had to share this school photo of my other sister. This is one of the best I've ever captured of her and I'm definately in love with it.

Vanessa

One of many good things I can say about Vanessa is that she's committed. This woman trudged through the mosquito-ridden woods with me on a day that we thought was going to be nice and cool, yet we were both sweating by the time we reached our location. Despite all of that, however, it was still yet another successful photoshoot in the world of S.M. Photography.

Vanessa and I have known each other for a very, very long time; almost 15 years to be more precise. Because of that, there was a great level of comfort between the two of us, which made this day even easier. We even collaberated on ideas when my mind went blank (which was a few times, honestly; it had been a long weekend).

All of her shots came out absolutely gorgeous, but this is definately in my top five.

Kaylee: Boudoir

Earlier this summer, I myself had "bikini boudoir" done for my husband when he came home from Afghanistan. I was so extremely excited about them that I absolutely had to show Kaylee, who then became inspired to get some boudoir photos done herself. Who did she go to? Well, it's quite obvious isn't it? :)

I have to say, I was a little nervous going into this shoot, especially since I had never done one before, but Kaylee was so comfortable with everything that it made me feel comfortable as well. So there we were in the middle of the woods, listening to music from the Burlesque soundtrack, throwing up victory-V's (you would have to know us to understand), and getting eaten alive by mosquitos. It was such a successful photoshoot that neither of us could actually believe it; it was also some of the most fun I've had.

I never thought I would do a boudoir shoot, but Kaylee's enthusiasm and high level of comfort helped both of us breeze through it easily. It also helped that we're pretty close friends; I think that's what made me the most comfortable that day.

More boudoir sessions in the future? We'll have to see what the future holds, I suppose.

P.S. I'm crazy about this shot; it's definately one of my favorites from the bunch.

Carolyn

Working with Carolyn was a true treat for me. She's the type of child a photographer dreams to work with; she didn't complain once, she was willing to climb rocks and trees (though I think that was more for her mother than my), and she was just overall fun. It was certainly a breath of fresh air, especially since the only younger kids I usually work with are my siblings, and working with them is like pulling teeth. No teeth-pulling necessary here; Carolyn was fantastic.

If you look through all of her shots, you would notice that there was a lack of smiling-with-her-teeth. Her mother, Pam, stood behind me and tried to make her laugh, but it didn't work most of the time; oh, she would laugh, but those teeth were imprisoned behind her lips. Despite it, however, she was still adorable in every shot. She was prepared, as well; she brought along two or three other outfit changes-something that rarely happens in my shoots. It was definately a fantastic surprise.

Together, Carolyn, Pam, and I pulled together one fabulous photoshoot; a photoshoot that, I believe, we were all pleased with.

Time to Gush

Yes. It's that time: the time when I have the sudden urge to gush about my husband. This urge was most likely prompted by the spouses deployment reunion brief we had last night; this deployment is almost over! While I was sitting there listening to all of the advice the Marine Corps Family Team Building director was giving us, I couldn't help but daydream about the day I finally get to wrap my arms around that man again (I think all of the wives were daydreaming as well, so I'm not the only guilty one).

I also started looking back at all of the wonderful times we've had together so far...and looking forward to all the times we'll soon have.
One of the things that really jumps out at me about those past times is the amount of support that Clayton has given me through everything. I know I already did a little bit of gushing in my opening post, but I just have to do more. He really has been my rock, through both good times and bad. On the days where I wake up and wonder where my photography is going to take me, if anywhere, and on the days where my confidence has been shot, he is always right there, cheering me on, saying, "You can do it, hun. And even if things don't work out, just remember you will always have me to fall back on." HE'S the one in the middle of the most dangerous place in the Middle East, yet he still sets his problems and worries aside to listen to mine and make me feel miles better.

Clayton isn't exactly the "artsy" type of person, but he IS the type of person to support my career choice, no matter how much he doesn't understand it sometimes. When we first started dating in high school, I warned him that I had a "photography-oriented mind." His response? "That's okay. I think it's cute." Even to this day, he still says it. Those simple, yet sweet things he says drives my motivation even more. I want him to be proud of me (though I know he already is). Someday, I want my work in photography to be able to pay off, especially financially, so that I can try to pay him back for everything he has done for me.

I know every wife says this, but I really do have the most fantastic husband. We're a young couple, that's for sure, but we've been through more than most people have in a lifetime, and we're still going strong.
I can't wait to be in his strong, protective arms again. Not too much longer, and I will be. =)