Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am NOT working at all (no, not one bit! ) I thought I would write my “thanksgiving” post today instead!  I was thinking this morning in the shower (that is where I do all of my great thinking!) that I have so much to be thankful for this year.  I am so thankful for my family and friends, and how my life has turned out this past year.  This has been quite a year of change for me!  I cannot believe I actually took the leap and quit my job to pursue my photography full time. I honestly never thought this would happen, and it did (thank to my awesome clients!).  I never thought that I could actually support myself doing something fun and inspiring, something that I actually jump out of bed in the morning to do!  (ok, well I don’t actually JUMP, but I’m happy to get up and start my day!)  

 The only thing I regret is how long it took me to actually believe in myself and trust God.  It’s funny how things work out, that you never thought would. If you’d had asked me earlier this year if I thought I would be doing my photography full time, I would have laughed!!  I have no idea how I was working two full time jobs.  I remember it was my second day being self-employed and I said out loud to myself- “how in the world was I doing this and working all day”.  All of that work and constant stress had made me a crazy person- I totally lost sight of what is important in life- like my family! I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to be able to go to lunch with my dad, spur of the moment, or run an errand with my mom, or hang out with my husband when he is able to leave work early - just those little things  make me so happy now.   And I realize how much I was taking those things for granted before.  

So that is a little about what I am thankful for.  What are you thankful for this year? Feel free to leave a comment with your “thankful thoughts”!

Happy Turkey Day Everyone!  And because every post is better with a picture- here is Sam doing what he does best- sleeping and SNORING!!

Since Whitney is now married- I can show off some of her fabulous bridal session shots!!! Like I said in her wedding post, Whitney is the most fun and loves to goof off and laugh!! I had the best time shooting her portraits! We went to Charleston- all around Charleston, it was great!  We even stopped two girls that were riding their bikes and asked if we could borrow one for a shot- it was so cute!

Ok- so once the weather starts getting chilly- I turn to the cappuccino……like everyday!! Not the best diet strategy, but i feel like I make up for the calories if I have a cappuccino INSTEAD of breakfast! haha!! Anyway- just thought I would share my own personal recipe for the best cappuccino eva:  Go to the gas station by Stanley Welch (don’t laugh- gas station cappuccino is the best!!) , across from Ozzies, and get the Pumpkin Spice cappuccino.  Now only fill up your cup about 3/4 full- because next you add a little bit of coffee- whatever blend you want.  But leave just a little bit more room, because then you add some whole milk and maybe some french vanilla too, if you’re feeling extra crazy - stir and ENJOY!!   Mmmmmmm…warm, sweet, yummy goodness-makes ya feel good all over!   Just thought I would share that, while I sit back and enjoy my pumpkin spice cappuccino right now! Have a great day everyone!!

My friends, Jennifer and Jeff, brought their little Jacob to the studio Tuesday for some Christmas pictures!! Jacob is 3 weeks old- and was the sweetest thing!!  Jennifer had found the cutest little Santa hat on ETSY.com for Jacob- and she was even nice enough to give it to me afterwards to keep for a prop!!  Enjoy your first Christmas Jacob!!

Oh wow- cannot tell you how much I loved this session!!  It is going to kill me to have to wait until May to show them! haha!!  Anna chose to go down to Beaufort for her Bridal session- to Sheldon Church Ruins.  However, she also had access to a true southern mansion as well!  Her fiance’s family owns the “Tomotley Plantation” right down the road from Sheldon, so Anna was able to use the house to change into her dress, and get ready - and to get a few shots also!  It was beautiful!  Amazing old oak trees lined the long drive all the way up to the most beautiful old Southern home- just like in a book!  I was driving down the driveway with my mouth hanging open!  When I saw it, I was thinking “forget Sheldon”- haha!!!  

Anna is just electrifying in front of the camera! She has the most amazing blue eyes and red hair I have ever seen!  She was beautiful!  Plus, it just seemed like the lighting was perfect everywhere we went- thanks to Anna’s friend and future mother-in-law for holding the reflector!! 

Anna’s makeup was done by Savanah Davis of N Salon and Spa.

Here are a few pics from the session…. headshots basically, since I can’t show that dress until after the wedding!!! Thanks Anna- it was so much fun!!!

Ooops- I forgot to post some of Becky’s beautiful bridal session images when I posted her sneal peek!  Becky- you were such a beautiful bride!!

Makeup by Savanah Davis of N Salon and Spa

My friend Paula Skinner, brought her little one to the studio Friday for her very first pictures! Katelyn Austin is 4 weeks old and looks just like her big sister, Anna Lyn- so cute!!  Kate did so good during her photo shoot, and even got some pictures with her big sis!

Little Addison dressed up in her Christmas best for her pictures! And her mommy even decorated a tree to use !!  Addison is always such a sweetie - I think she likes to be photographed! haha!

Little Piper had her first photo session earlier this week…..and she was not very thrilled with it- haha!!! I did manage to get some “non-crying” pictures of her, but when you’re this cute, you can just cry all you want!!

When you see this little one’s smile, it just makes you want to smile!! He was so happy, and just smiled the whole time we were taking pictures….until he fell out the chair and bumped his head, that is!!  But after a good cry, he got interested in the Christmas balls again, and was good to go!