2012′s Best of My Best Image | Maternity: “Thoughts Aloft…” The Redux | Buck Bald, Tennessee

Ever see a sky so absolutely beautiful it makes you cry? I have…
Ever had an idea that turned out better than you expected…and then later you re-do it, and it’s even more amazing than the first? I have…
Ever captured an image than you didn’t know how powerful it would be until you saw it, finished, on your screen? I have…

May 2010 I shot a maternity image for some dear clients and friends after a brainstorm idea I had after rediscovering some very ooolllld fabric…but for a little girl, and thus pink that was used in the original.

A few months ago I was introduced to Buck Bald, and I knew then I’d have to re-create my masterpiece up there. Little did I know what God had in store.

We journeyed the almost hour drive on a gloomy day, and along the way we were seeing the most insane, amazing, breathtaking clouds….waves, dips, peaks, valleys, all in seamless and endless ripples and rows. (If you know me AT ALL you know how much I LOOOVE Clouds, so this had me almost as giddy as Snow!)

It started to sprinkle when we were almost there, but I urged them on….knowing somehow deep within that it’d be even better “up top”.

It started to pour as we crested the hill, then quickly slacked off. I hopped out to grab some pictures in the then lighter rain, and left the momma to be and my mother in the vehicle to keep warm…and dry!

After the rain picked up again my awe turned into the realization that my camera isn’t waterproof! Thus I headed back to the van to dry off and warm my red, freezing hands, and check the radar…it was rain all around. :/ And I prayed…again…for just even 10 minutes to get this view AND these clouds WITH my brainchild.

He heard my prayers….the rain soon left, the wicked cool clouds were still throwing down some ridiculousness, and the wind was just about right.

We literally hopped out of the van, climbed the stairs, and positioned just right with the wind. I didn’t get many “keepers” as one tail would fly and the other wouldn’t, or they’d both immediately flop, but this one…well…it was more than I could’ve hoped for!

So, here’s to the brave Gerri Le who went along with me on a COLD, windy, rainy, dreary day to let me re-create my own brand of “magic”, my mother, of course, who I couldn’t have done this without her help, but mostly to God…for the beautiful miracle of life…and for the insane beauty He gave that day to make THIS image possible….

And YES…the sky really did look this AMAZING!

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Meet the Browns | Newborn Lifestyle Photographer | Huntsville, AL

I first met Cheryl while visiting a mutual friend at MTSU.  Then only a few months after I moved to Middle, TN, to Murfreesboro, we became fast friends…and lifelong friends.  I met Chris in Sunday School at New Vision Baptist Church a few years later.  I still remember the night I KNEW they were made for each other.  After a cookout at Cheryl’s house he stayed and helped clean-up with she and I.  She stood there washing dishes (though he took his turn in the dishwater too and he was giving her a shoulder massage.  As I turned to leave I remember still looking back in to the kitchen and thinking “I see them growing old together…just.like.that!”

Fast Forward to April 17, 2010 and they became my second wedding ever to photograph. When I stepped in to their Huntsville apartment to shoot Mr. Nathaniel’s newborn portraits I was so happy to see my work, their wedding photos, all over their walls, and to know that soon more of my work, Mr. Nathaniel Hardy Brown’s first time in front of my camera, would be on those walls too.  Since I can’t be with them all the time now that they’ve moved I feel somehow connected still through those images!

Born at 5lbs even and 18.5 inches of sheerly tiny perfection I fell in love with him the moment I knew he existed.  Another “nephew” to add to my ever growing collection of kiddos to call me “Aunt B”, and I couldn’t have been happier! He’s such a happy little fellow, and his mommy and daddy are completely smitten and working this new parenting thing like old pros.  I brought different props, backdrops, and lighting tools, but we opted to call an audible and go “natural”…or “Lifestyle” on it…and I could not be happier!  Using available light and nixing the flash as much as possible yields some of the most breathtaking results…just so you know.

I’m not a crier really, but there are several images that literally brought tears to my eyes. May they do so to you as well! So, enough of me let’s get to the sweetness that is The Brown Family!

"Milk Please"

Christmas | The Patty Girls | Riceville, TN Photographer

I photographed them and their wonderful parents back in the summer (You can see those images HERE), and so when they needed last-minute Christmas portraits their momma called me in a panic! No sweat though.  We got them in the next weekend when they came in to visit their Grandparents, Angie’s mom and dad, who live not far from my house in my hometown.  Their mother, Angie, and I went all through school together. Riceville Elementary and McMinn County Highschool where we both graduated in 2001.  I hadn’t seen her since Graduation until one day I was living in my first apartment in Murfreesboro about 6 years ago and another friend we went to school with was sitting on my front porch swing talking and we see this girl, slightly pregnant, walking two little dogs.  We both turned to each other and said “Angie?” Low and behold it was!  Living in our same complex just a building over. Small world!  So, that was the first time I met the eldest little bit, Rowan, before she was born.  And little did I know 5 years later I’d be the professional photographer taking her pictures.

You see back then I was still only planning weddings and arranging floral designs on the side of my full-time job with a cellular provider.  Photography was only a hobby, and to my friend’s I was “the Paparazzi” as I ALWAYS had my little 5MP Kodak Easy Share in hand.  I still love that little camera! It took some pretty amazing shots…proof now that it’s not the camera…or the lens…but the eye behind it!  That eye has been faithful to me, and on a chilly Saturday morning I invaded the childhood home of an old schoolmate, and now friend, to snap her and her husband Chris’ little girls…AND the whole Weese clan and their babies, which shall come in a another few posts! :0)  It was wonderful chaos! The parents always get stressed, and it’s normal and expected as children are most unpredictable creatures, but amid total chaos is when I find my “zone”.  Nothing else matters, and honestly I believe pictures with tears (as you’ll see here) are some of the most precious images you can capture, and I tune everything and everyone out to where it’s just me and the kiddos.  I know the parents are going nuts behind me making funny faces, jumping up and down, petting their babies and calling their names to get them to look at “me” but I’ve grown good, (hey, I had too…if I didn’t I’d be cracking up at the scene the plays out behind me…maybe one day I’ll record them…with their permission of course! HA!) at blocking all that out!  Because with children you have to always be in your “A-Game” zone ready to grab whatever face, gesture, movement they make.

Emery, the baby, wasn’t feeling it at first…hey, most kids usually aren’t…but out came the candy cane and all was right with the world!  Dear Spangler Candy Canes,  Thank You and You’re Welcome! And later outside my Christmas Ornaments…plastic of course   I’m all about BRIBES! HAHA!  Rowan, however, is my little posing buddy as you can see from her Summer Session photos.  Her momma has trained her well!  I ADORE Christmas as many of you know, and I absolutely LOVE children so combining the two makes me ever so happy.  Well, enough of the blabbing for now… I give you Rowan + Emery’s Christmas Portraits.

P.S.  No studio lighting was used, no flash either, as I wanted these to have a bit of a “vintage” and “homey” feel so I only used the available light.  Maybe it’s just me, but I adore them and the “feel”!

Those dresses + those coats! I mean I want one of those coats! Sheesh!

Ahhhh! Those candy canes were LIFE SAVERS! And how about those little eyes and teeth? Really? Babies are so PRESH!

LOVE these! The focus on that candy cane, and Emery's little teary eye...just timeless!!

Rowan.... girlfriend...I will shoot you any time. any.where! Can you give posing lessons to all the children of the world? LOL!

I told you…she’s a great little poser! Plus, I think she likes me!

Sisterly love! Ain't it sweet?

Don't you just want to eat.her.up? I mean those little perfect lips, and those whispy little curls! Adorable!

MY favorite!!! That ornanment in the tiny perfect hand, their coats, the pop of reds from the headband...and of course sissy kissing her forehead...well...It's just plain MAGIC!

Lovely Baby Bumps | Brown

Miracle in the Making | Awaiting Their  First Born

 

We had talked in the car on the way to the shoot about some ideas I had. One was that I wanted to Put Psalm 139: 13-16 on a profile of her belly. So I sought this spot for the lush greenery and thought it’d be a gorgeous backdrop for the bump in the foreground! It was a few seconds after I knelt down shooting the foreground shots of her bump that I noted the trail was shaped similarly to her…almost perfectly actually! I didn’t say anything, I just did my usual “OH MY” or “YES!” accompanied by a sly grin and laugh! I knew I had GOLD!

I pushed the focus beyond her and shot this beauty…see…God took my plan and made it so much more than I could’ve dreamed! He even chose to reflect the miracle of the life giving process in this little trail…and no…it wasn’t an accident! As a wise preacher once said “there are no accidents…Only God-cidents!”

Just like this seemingly un-spectacular little trail, everything has a reason and a purpose! When He breathes life there’s a plan and a purpose, no matter if we planned for it or not, and we are the receivers of tiny, miraculous, blessings for however long He chooses to leave them in our care here on Earth!

It was right about this shot that lil man decided he wanted me to "see" him for the first time....he kicked or punched the B and it jumped! At first I thought momma had laughed again but nope...it was Baby Boy Brown making his presence known to "B"

Lovely Baby Bumps | Burger

Baby makes three…BOYS! | The Burger Mini-Maternity Session

I’ve known Tammy and her wonderful family for what seems like ever. I’ve photographed all of the grandchildren now, you may remember the Hudson 4 a few months ago…3 girls and then the new boy, and it’s time for another little fella to be added to precious brood!

It takes a while for Javen, the current youngest, to warm up to you, and there’s always a bunch of bribing involved, I’ll say it…I BRIBE the lil childrens and I’m not ashamed!, but once he does warm up to you that smile is as good as gold! It doesn’t last long though so you’ve got to be fast…having an “itchy trigger finger” is my best friend

Isaac is seriously one amazing little big brother! He’s just so loving! It’s clear that no one will mess with his brothers when they get older! He’s just precious and has a smile that’ll melt your heart….when he’s not “pose” smiling that is! The kid likes to ham it up! hahaha!!

It couldn’t have been a more beautiful evening for their shoot at a family member’s house. The evening light was just breathtaking and more than I could’ve asked for! It was God showing off of course. He seemed to be shining down on his marvelous creations and showing us all that every little life He breathes in to existence brings a new light, a beautiful light, in to this dark world and reminds us that, if only for a little while, life is a precious and miraculous process and never a mistake. Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world….afterall…He created them!

I saw something I’ve seen numerous times, but that evening it really hit me as I watched life unfold behind my lens. Have you ever watched a soon to be new sibling talk to, stroke, kiss, and just love on “their” baby in momma’s tummy? It’s something so sweet! Watching how much they just innately love the growing baby they will soon meet is something that blesses my heart every.single.time! May we all always remember to cherish life like a child; to await it with wonder and excitement.

I am blessed to get to witness these seemingly “little moments” and capture them for the generations to come, and I thank Tammy for choosing me to document this wonderful time in all of their lives! I can’t wait to meet the 3rd brother, and Tammy you are one beautiful momma! Inside.and.out!

I know, I know…don’t say it…MAGIC!!!! The light, that fence, the tree, and my ROUGH, made in the field, bow…it’s just perfectly perfect! You saw it here first folks…a gift from God wrapped just as all gifts should be…with a big.ole.bow!

I absolutely adore this photo!!! It’s like they’re looking in to the light, the glorious light, and awaiting what the future holds!

You can’t help look at these 2 shots right here and just GRIN! I mean seriously…if you aren’t grinning ear to ear there’s something wrong with you…no really…seek help!

What! You think I’d let a maternity session slip by without a silhouette?? I.think.NOT! It’s my thing…I’ll do what I do!

absolutely GORGEOUS!