Monday, November 18, 2013

God's Not Done With Me Yet by NC Wedding and Portrait Photographer

How do you pray to God and ask Him for more when He saved your life in car accident that you shouldn't have walked away from?

This morning as I sit on my couch doing my normal morning routine: eating breakfast, checking my email, trying to respond to everyone who expressed concern about me on my Facebook, it all seems so surreal that yesterday around 1:45pm I was in a life changing accident. As the accident was happening I didn't see any white lights (my mom asked me) or anyone else in the car with me, the last thought I remember having was "oh so this is what being in an accident feels like." At first yesterday I didn't think that I ever lost consciousness, but I now know that I did. The state trooper who investigated my car crash scene came to see me in the hospital and asked me how many times I thought my car rolled, I said," 2 or 3." He looked at me very seriously and said,"it rolled three times and the last time it rolled head over end and when that happens people's necks snap." My neck didn't snap and remarkably I walked away from the hospital with only a slightly swollen forehead from where my head hit the steering wheel, a carpet type burn on my neck from the seatbelt, and soreness all over my body. I don't remember the last roll and I think that that was God sparing me the memory of something so terrifying as that. The next thing I remember was coming to in my car and feeling like what you see in those war movies, where soldiers are fighting in battle and it's almost as if everything is happening in slow motion and their ears are ringing.  As soon as I came to the first thought I had was," well I guess God isn't done with me here on earth yet."

I am nothing special or out of the ordinary. I know that many wonderful people have been in terrible car wrecks similar to mine and that they didn't walk away from the car wreck ok like I did. I'm not sure why God spared me yesterday or what plans He still wants me to carry out, all I know is I was in a situation out of my control where all the cards pointed to me not walking away unharmed, but my heavenly Father stepped in and intervened on my behalf. Right before my car crash happened I was singing worship songs and hymns in my car because I had a photo session yesterday and didn't get to go to church, so I figured I could have church on my own just by praising God where I was at. I know without a doubt that God's presence was in my car yesterday and He guided me to safety.

God is our safety net, our Strong Tower, our Helper, our Deliverer, our Father, our Fortress, our Guiding hand and so so so much more. Life is not meant to be taken for granted, every day we have on earth with our family and friends is a blessing and a gift because in the blink of an eye it can all be gone.

Psalm 107:28-31 Lord help! they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as He brought them safely into harbor! Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.

I sit here with the most thankful heart. God guided me safely into the Harbor and His praise will forever be on my lips.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

The Ballard's Fall Family Session by Asheville, NC Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Fall is one of my favorite seasons, it's right up there with Spring as far as I'm concerned. For me, Fall evokes a feeling of cozy nights spent snuggled up in a blanket, drinking lots of hot tea and cocoa, baking and who could forget playing in the leaves. Today's family session is of one of my favorite families, The Ballard's, and it is just so quintessentially Fall! The Ballard's have been coming to me since I first started my business and I treasure the fact that they continue to come to me year after year. I shot their family session at The Cliffs and I quickly fell in love with the stone bridges, natural waterfalls, and fenced in pastureland. Make a cup of hot tea and enjoy this family session!

Family in front of waterfall.

Family siting on stone bridge in front of waterfall.


Brothers sitting on stone wall in front of waterfall.



Family standing on big rock in front of waterfall.

Family standing on bridge.

Two brothers leaning on bridge.



Family leaning up against fence in pasture.

Family walking hand and hand in pasture.

Family standing with mountains and pond in background.






Mom with two sons posed closely next to her.


Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Jordan's Weaverville Senior Session by Asheville, NC Wedding and Portrait Photographer

I LOVE LOVE LOVE shooting senior sessions!! I so enjoy the fashion aspect of them and getting to know the seniors who are excited about college and the future ahead of them.  I met Jordan and her mom in downtown Weaverville, NC for her session and I just have to brag about what a trooper Jordan is.  On the day of her shoot it ended up raining and even though it rained for part of her session, she braved the weather and had the best attitude about the whole situation. The result is a super cute senior session that I am so excited to share with everyone today! I couldn't help but fall in love with the print of Jordan's cute red and tan dress and the fact that she paired it with tom's high heels made it even cuter and her second outfit was the perfect mix of casual yet fashion forward!! Jordan has the sweetest personality and she isn't just beautiful on the outside, she has a heart of gold to match her beautiful smile and warm brown eyes. Jordan runs on the cross country team at her school and hopes to attend Liberty University in Virgina!! I know Jordan will go far because of her positive attitude :)

senior girl standing in field.


senior girl in cute printed dress.


senior girl looking at camera.

senior girl with hands on face smiling at camera.

senior teenage girl sitting on bench.

senior teenage girl leaning against brick wall.

senior teenager girl leaning against brick wall with hand on face.


senior teenage girl sitting on teal bench leaning head on hand.

senior teenage girl sitting on teal bench with head in hands.


senior teenage girl sitting in distressed white windowspace.



senior teenage girl standing on pavement in downtown area.



senior teenage girl leaning against white wall.




senior teenage girl sitting in brick windowspace.




senior teenage girl sitting against cobblestone wall.






senior teenage girl sitting on stone steps.