Derek & Katie // Norfolk Navy Military Photographer

I sat and talked with Katie for an hour over coffee, and in that time I knew that I wanted to be there when Derek came home. Katie is full of life, laughter, and love for her husband and her dog Abby, and it's evident both in her and in her friendships. Getting to know people I never would have met is the reason I got into this business, and meeting people like Katie reminds me how wonderful this job is.

Katie & Derek made it through their first, long, 9-month deployment! I have an amazing respect for military spouses who can create a joyful life with each other from a long distance, for a very long time. It was so obvious that Katie and Derek have maintained a friendship and a love that few people ever experience. Their joy overflowed when they saw each other and in the midst of it all - with all the stress, chaos, and craziness of a military homecoming - Katie was her sweet, calm, excited self, ready to be reunited with her husband and continue their lives.

Katie, I am so blessed that you came into my life! I'm so excited for you and your life ahead, and the many adventures you will go on. Derek, thank you for serving our country, and thank you for letting me witness your sweet homecoming. Have a WONDERFUL time on your vacation!

Katie had half of the necklace (left) and Derek had the other half on his dog tags while they were apart. Now that they are reunited, so is the necklace! 

Fox Hole Kingdom Press Photos // Hampton Roads Photographer

Something I've learned over the past few years is how important it is to take time to do things for yourself. For me, that's much easier said than done. I think a lot of you can relate. Every time I sit down to do nothing I end up thinking of something else to do. Running a small business is a never ending project, and there is ALWAYS something I could do instead of resting. So I have a long ways to go on learning how to just stop and be for a little while.

One thing that has become important to me is personal projects. Whether that's working on something around the house other than cleaning (I've got a little project in the works now!) or taking pictures of something outside of my comfort zone, these are things that stretch me both creatively and personally. If I didn't take a break from the normal every once in awhile, I know I would get stuck in a rut. This definitely applies to my photography!

Even though I haven't been in business too long, I know that it can become easy to start going through the motions and doing the same thing that you did before. You KNOW you can do something well, so why not just do it like you did last time? However, this is not how I will ever become better or serve my clients as well as I should. For that reason, I try to do things that expand my horizon of creativity.

In the past year, that has involved taking cover shots & press photos for the band Fox Hole Kingdom. I do take pictures at all their events I can make it to, but what has really pushed me outside of the box I can find myself in is taking posed shots, trying new editing and lighting techniques, and working with a larger group of people than just a guy and a girl. Honestly, this is so enjoyable to me. I really have to think through each picture and how each individual person looks. I have to put a LOT of thought into every pose, and my editing techniques are drastically different with band photos than with an engagement session.

I thought I'd share some of these today! I always have to keep these under wraps until FHK releases them first, and now I can finally share! Side note - check these guys out. They're awesome! Right now they're on a mini tour and I'm so excited to see where their music takes them.

One of my favorite pictures that I've ever taken! The light was just amazing

Justin & Mary Lighting Intensive // Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

I have had the absolute privilege of being able to learn from Justin and Mary twice in the last few months! I first attended their posing workshop back in October (you can read about that here), and last week I made it up to Richmond for their lighting intensive.

Let me tell you, this was an absolute game changer for me! I feel 100 times more confidence using both on and off-camera flash, which is so important whether you're shooting indoors or outdoors. Something can always go wrong, and I needed to be completely confident in any situation. Now I feel like I am!

This workshop stretched me a ton. You're about to see a lot of pictures that are outside my normal style, and I'm ok with that. I love natural light and sunrise/sunset shoots, but there's something extra magical about being able to completely control where your light is coming from and how strong it is. I really hope to incorporate both natural and artificial light this coming year in my weddings and portraits.

I'm so thankful that I'm able to learn from people like Justin & Mary, and grow in ways I never could have by myself. HUGE shout out to the models, Ryan & Ahren and Abby. I can't wait to use everything I learned this year on my amazing brides & grooms!

Abby...a photographer and model ;)

Isn't she gorgeous? She's got that Old Hollywood glamour look going on!