The Neill Family Photos : #braveryforavery

There are certain moments in photography that feel sacred. Opportunities to document that hold the highest honor. One such moment came this past Sunday as we met with the Neill family in North Raleigh to take some family photos. We gathered on land where we have shot many times before. Beautiful acreage in North Raleigh owned by a family from our church who have graciously allowed us to use it, time and again. This was one such time that they were more than happy to open up their property to us and even decorate their beautiful barn for the session we would have that afternoon. The Neills include Emily (mom), Andy (Dad), Bekah & Avery (Twin Sisters) and James (the youngest of this crew). Teran and I have known them for a while and Teran has been blessed to be part of their small group for the last few years.  They are a close knit small group that has lived life with each other, grown their families together, and figured out parenting (and its accompanying highs and lows) side by side, along with the rest of their community at Bay Leaf Baptist Church.

That is why Friday came as a heavy blow to everyone when we heard the news that sweet Avery had been diagnosed with a brainstem tumor known as "DIPG," which is sadly incurable and for which there is very little treatment. The average prognosis is 9-12 months.

Emily reached out to us that afternoon asking if we might take some family photos prior to Avery beginning treatment this week, a request we were honored and humbled by, and which we were more than willing to fulfill.

On Sunday, Avery was already showing symptoms from her diagnosis though her main struggle was with dizziness and nauseous from the double vision they believe she was experiencing.

Yet there on a cloudy Sunday, with the Neills and their extended family driving in to join, we were able to capture a few images for this sweet family before their life enters a new season of treatment for Avery. For a few short hours we were able to focus on the smiles and joy of this incredibly brave family and we were able to document Avery and her family as they enjoyed being just that: a family.

We love the Neill family and can only imagine the weight of this season they are entering. We are heart-broken but not without hope. We are amazed at the grace and courage of Emily, Andy, and their entire family as they begin to navigate this road.  We are touched by Avery's sweetness throughout this all, and we continue praying for strength and courage.

It was our joy to offer this session to the Neills and we are actively looking for other ways to walk alongside and support them during this hard season.  We were able to donate to Avery's YouCaring page, and we would encourage you to do so as well if you are able.  You can find the link here.  Avery's diagnosis will significantly alter the lives of the Neill family, including financially.  One way they can feel our love and care is through donations that help ease the financial burden, which is only one of the many difficulties they face ahead. Perhaps even more importantly, please pray for the Neills--for strength, encouragement, faith, peace, comfort, and healing.   Finally, you can follow the Neill's journey by joining their Facebook page where friends and family will be adding updates regularly about Avery's journey.  You can even post messages and help connect others in encouraging the Neills with the hashtag #braveryforavery.

Somber moments like these can take our breath away and leave us speechless.  But where words fail, pictures speak loudly.  Avery's smile and hope-filled gaze; her sister's calm sparkle; Emily's passionate embrace of her daughter; her Daddy's protective grin.  These moments are perhaps more real than the words to describe them and will endure as memories of God's goodness in creating and uniting the Neills as a family.  Even in the midst of sorrow and anticipated loss, the beauty of these moments reminds us that the sovereign author of them all endures far beyond, holding for us a joy that cannot fade or diminish.  We pray that these realities will be a comfort to the Neills in this difficult time.

kayla & jonas :: raleigh, nc :: engagement

We want to introduce to you all Kayla and Jonas! We are excited to be photographing Kayla and Jonas' wedding in August of this year, and had fun a few weeks ago getting to spend an evening with them for their engagement shoot. We had their session at Jonas' family property and it was so meaningful. This property is where Jonas' was raised, where he proposed to Kayla, where they will one day build their house and where a family members Golden Retriever just had a litter of puppy's, that Kayla may or may not want to kidnap! :) We had so much fun with Kayla and Jonas. The love they have for each other was so sweet and the excitement they shared for their upcoming wedding was contagious! They showed us the barn that Jonas and his dad restored, the hill where they are going to buy their house, and we just spent time getting to know them!

We hope you all enjoy these photos as much as we enjoyed getting to take them and we can't wait to share Jonas' and Kayla's wedding with you in August!

brinkley family :: maternity :: coats, nc

We love shooting in new locations, we love it even more when it's the family's property! The Brinkley's were absolutely adorable and their property was a photographers dream. Laura and Nick have a 2 and a half year old little girl, Madison, and are expecting twins this Spring. It was a bit of a chilly afternoon the day of their pictures, but Madison didn't seem to mind and neither did the cows that followed us around during the session! Getting to take pictures of expecting mothers and their families is one of our favorite sessions. The anticipation and excitement of everyone is always so fun to photograph and it was no different with Laura and Nick. Madison was cute as a button and is going to make a great big sister. The property had beautiful pastures, a quaint little pond with a blue boat as well as a barn that was catching the sunlight perfectly.

Thank you Brinkley family for allowing us to capture these photos for you!

caitlin & jarrod :: raleigh, nc :: engagement

You couldn't have asked for a better afternoon then the one we had with Caitlin and Jarrod...well other than the 20 mile gusts of winds that kept coming! The wind made for some pretty funny outtakes, but also for some pretty awesome pictures. Winter pictures can be challenging because the sun falls so fast and the cold sets in just as fast, but the light you do get is usually so crisp and beautiful it's all worth it. Caitlin and Jarrod were so cute together. Their love for each other, books and Penguins (ok, maybe that's just Caitlin) was evident through out! We loved walking around the park getting to know them as a couple, hearing about how he proposed, and just watching the two of them interact. It's always the best to me when a couple can have fun together, they can just be themselves and let the photos come naturally.

Capturing couples, families, kids when they are in their element being who they are is why we love doing photography and making those memories. Caitlin and Jarrod were no different and we are so excited for them and their future together!

travis & catherine :: franklin, nc :: engagement photography

Franklin, NC :: Engagement Photography

Though it is long overdue, we are excited to post these sweet photos of our dear friend, Catherine, and her charming guy, Travis! We had the privilege of enjoying a mountain weekend with them this past fall as we all headed to Franklin, NC for a weekend of fun! Ironically, we took these photos just a week before many of the major fires broke out in Western North Carolina. We were treated to beautiful weather and gorgeous fall colors while we were there! Travis & Catherine will be getting married this coming April and we are thrilled for these two to begin their life together!

raleigh wedding videographer :: kenny & jen

family reunion :: ocean isle, nc

When Chelsea reached out to us and told us that their extended family would all be at the beach for a week celebrating their grandparents 65th wedding anniversary and wanted a family photo there was no doubt we would make it work to get there! 6 hours round trip is nothing for this incredible family. Not only were they one of the easiest sessions we've had...21 people in 30 minutes, that has to be a record! But they are so sweet and generous hosting us for dinner after and welcoming us into their home. Not to mention how perfectly the weather cooperated and gave us a slight cloud cast till we were done then the rain came in. Paige couldn't have put it any better than she posted this on our facebook page....

"What is there to say about this incredible family!? Though I've only been around them a handful of times, the Bergland family holds such a sweet place in my heart! We've had the pleasure of documenting two of their weddings and we couldn't have been more thrilled when they asked us to come take a few photos for them as they enjoyed a family vacation at the beach. It was a quick trip to the coast and back but so very worth it!! Bergland Family, we adore you guys! Thankful our paths crossed a few years ago and hopeful that they will do so again! Thank you for your encouragement, support, & friendship! Also, thank you for being an incredibly photogenic and beautiful family!"

marion :: maternity :: raleigh, nc

Jade and Travis are not only awesome friends, but awesome clients! We first photographed them in the fall when they wanted some photos at their home where we shot a few top-secret pregnancy announcement photos! Fast forward 6 months later and we got to go back to their cozy place situated on some beautiful family property for a maternity shoot! It's so much fun watching new parents await the arrival of their firstborn.  Travis, always a good sport, was an adoring soon-to-be father and Jade was absolutely glowing! We can't wait to meet baby boy and we look forward to his very first photo shoot! Keep an eye out!

powell :: family :: raleigh, nc

There is nothing quite as beautiful as a cool, crisp, Carolina morning. Then you add in a gorgeous location and an amazing family and you get a fantastic photo session! We love the Powell family and when Paige was raising money for the 12x12 Initiative they were so nice to come along beside Paige to support her by pledging toward the trip and receiving a photo shoot in return! It's always an honor to have repeat sessions with a family and we are grateful for clients like the Powell Family!

Holden - 1 Year Photos - Raleigh, NC

There is nothing better than getting to do a newborn session and then a year later get to celebrate with the family and their little one with a 1 year old session! It's amazing how much a baby changes in a year. During the newborn session they are so still, and usually sleeping. They comply with everything we ask (for the most part) and wear whatever it is mom and dad want them too. The 1 year old session can be a little different, or a lot different. It can be more of a game of chase and usually whatever cute outfit or accessory mom and dad have picked for the session gets taken off! Holden is such a sweet boy. He was amazing during his newborn shoot (we took advantage of how sweet he was and the Blackburn's gorgeous home) and was even more precious at his 1 year old shoot. Though he's on the move, and moving quite well for a one year old, he had so much fun with the camera. Now that doesn't mean he wanted to sit still, but he was having a lot of fun so of course we took advantage of their gorgeous home (again) and a cute park by the neighborhood lake!

We love the Blackburns and their little boy and can't wait to watch him grow!

Project 52 - Brothers [30:52]

We went to the OBX.....in December.

This year for Christmas JJ and I decided to give each other a family trip to the Outer Banks. His family has a timeshare on the Outerbanks and their week in December was available. Going during the winter is drastically different then going in the summer. Not only is the weather completely different, but there are only 25,000 people on the OBX compared to 1/2 million visitors a weekend during the Summer. Many of our favorite restaurants and outings were closed, but thank goodness for The Kill Devil Grill and an indoor pool! Both boys ended up getting sick and there was a noreaster off the coast that made going to the beach impossible, but we had a great time resting, swimming, and exploring! We visited the Currituck lighthouse and the wildlife museum and saw Christmas lights at a local house that were like nothing I had ever seen before. It was the best present we could have given each other and the boys. We will never forget it!

Richie Family - Raleigh, NC

We met the Richie family on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in December. When Kari first contacted us about a 1-year-old session for their son, Foster, they were hoping to have the session at the site of their wedding. Unfortunately, the location was booked that day, so we were planning to meet somewhere else. As the day approached a cold rain was predicted and that's exactly what happened, so we rescheduled. We were all glad that we did because it ended up being a beautiful day and we were able to use the location of their wedding! Foster is an adorable little boy and with the help of his aunt, was full of laughs and smiles the whole time! The property was beautiful and it was fun to hear them talk through their wedding day as they stood there now with their son. Thanks, Richie Family, for allowing us to capture this special time of life for you and at such a special place!

Gibbs Family

Let's just say... Gibbs family = FUN! Kendra, also known as "mom" of the Gibbs crew, is one of those people that no matter what the situation, if you're with Kendra, you are going to have a fun time! After spending a few hours with the Gibbs during their session, I can see now that the entire family is the same way! Even with 3 men in the family and it being a fairly chilly afternoon, we still had a lot of fun... well most of us did, we won't name names!

We've been so privileged to work with all of our families throughout this past year and the Gibbs family was no exception!

Powell Family - Raleigh, NC

I have known the Powell family for a few years now, and it has been a pleasure to watch George and Lilly grow up. Gary and Alison are so much fun to hang out with and George and Lilly, both hold a special place in my heart. Lilly is full of spunk and reminds me of myself when I was her age and George is a total sweet heart. A few months ago we were at a friends cook out and Aiden wanted to hang with the big boys even though they were all twice his size and three times his age. George came along beside him and followed him around making sure he didn't get into too much trouble, while allowing him to think he was just as big as the rest of them. We met them on a beautiful afternoon at the NC Arboretum. Gary wasn't all that excited about the idea of pictures, but he was a great team player! Glad we could capture just a glimpse of the love this family has for each other!

Sellek Family - Wake Forest, NC

We had a great time with the Sellek Family in Wake Forest, NC. We couldn't have asked for a better session, it was full of beautiful light, good weather, and lots of love! There is something special about the excitement of new parents and it was a privilege to be able capture the joy of Chris and Stephanie as they loved on sweet Audrey!

Katy's Senior Session - Raleigh, NC

We couldn't have had a nicer session then the Friday evening we spent with Katy & Heather. These two friends contacted us about doing their senior sessions and they were excited to do them at the same time. We met up with these two seniors on a beautiful summer evening. We shot on the lovely property of Heather's grandfather and we were in for a treat - between the open field and an old rustic cabin - it was such an ideal setting for these ladies! We'll be sharing Heather's session soon but until then, here is the gorgeous Katy! Congrats Katy on your senior year - hope you enjoy every bit of it!

Bay Leaf Missions Site & "Send Me" Series

I have been honored to assist the Missions Ministry of Bay Leaf Baptist Church  in building and launching their new site. Check out the new site and watch the video we created to launch the "Send Me" series. A special thank you to Oak City Studios for helping me shoot the promo! [vimeo width="875" height="500"]http://vimeo.com/102403511[/vimeo]