So Grown Up

This is what I was doing when my Canon 5D broke tonight. I was clicking away and then the viewfinder went black. I took off the lens to investigate and the mirror had slipped out of place. I knew immediately it was not something I could fix myself. With my Mark 2 in the shop already, I knew our session was over. Fortunately I captured some lovely images of my Katie-girl before it came apart in my hands. I did some reading about it on a couple sites, and evidently this is a known manufacturer issue and I am hoping Canon will fix it at no charge. I could blame it on her incredible beauty but that probably isn’t covered with Canon.

I have very much enjoyed my girls being home over Christmas break. Katie and I had a girls day out today and got our make up done. I don’t remember the last time I did that. I have to say it was good for us both. Just what we needed. Then we had a sweet photo session when we got home. She is leaving to go back to Wake Forest tomorrow and I wanted to capture her one more time before she left. Isn’t she lovely? The best part is that her heart shines just as beautifully. How did I get to be so blessed?

Sophistication

We also captured her with her guitar at sunset. I am so proud of my Katie. She has become quite the songwriter, like her dad.  She has an amazing song on the new Playchase Christmas album, called “Nothing I’d Rather Do”.(If you click on that link, don’t click on her name. It comes up with another artist. Just click to preview the song.) It is really beautiful. Makes me cry because she wrote it about her daddy and me

Here are a few of her at sunset with her guitar.

Lovely Katie

Sunshine and Melodies

Joy

Country Girl

Singing the Sun to Sleep

Freedom

Magic

Fly

With both camera bodies officially out of commission, it might be a little bit before I get to post again, but you can bet I will be back as soon as I get one in my hands. I miss this piece of sunshine on the internet.

Blessings everyone. Happy Monday.

Just Sterling

Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8 L, 8.0 aperture, 1/160th shutter speed, 100 ISO, Alien B to camera left in large soft box at 1/8 power and one to camera right in a 60″ umbrella at 1/16 power

It is not often that I meet a young man like Sterling. He is a man of character, conviction and great talent, and he is still a senior in high school.  He is the owner and operator of Andrew Sterling Photography and has probably shot more weddings than I have during his first year in business.  Sterling wrote me on Facebook when I was still in the early stages of my 365 Project and asked if he could call to interview me for a school project. We set up a time to chat and I answered his questions the best I could about my photography business, my favorite things about it and the reasons why I chose it for my career. It was a brief conversation that he now says impacted the way he would run his own business.

” I take it as my place of worship, behind the lens. I love creating memories for other people and share Christ through my work,” he told me today after our session. I was so blessed to be a part of that. I am so deeply honored to be part of the life of someone like Sterling. He loves the Lord Jesus, and is not afraid to tell anyone. In fact, it is his desire that everyone he meets comes to know Christ as well.  This is a rarity among most adults, but even more so among young men Sterling’s age. I am so proud to be his friend.

Here are a few more of Sterling. I think he is so aptly named. He shines.

Matthew 5:16~”If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (The Message Version)

Sophistication

Red Skippies

Just Act Natural

Playing It Cool

Bokeh

Getting His Sinatra On

Standing by the City Wall

Canon 5D Mark ll, 16-35 2.8L, 2.8 aperture, 19 mm focal length, 1/80 shutter, 400 ISO

As promised, I took several portraits of Annie today at her college here in Oxford. There are 38 colleges as part of the Oxford University system. Annie attends New College. She took me on a tour there today and I snatched up every opportunity to photograph her. I wanted to gather memories for her to keep and also to show everyone at home who loves her where she is spending her days. She is so blessed to be where she is. As you will see from the images below, Oxford is indeed beautiful and she looks like she belongs here.

I leave early tomorrow morning to begin my long journey home.

Here are just a few things I will miss once I am gone:

1) The sound of my daughter’s voice and laugh. I especially loved hearing her count off  ”two!” when her rowing team was calling out their numbers as they began the race. She is in position two and when she counted it off, I laughed with joy. How I love my Birdie’s voice.

2) The sound of the train that passes by her window at night. Soothing.

3) The sights and colors of Oxford. (which I will continue to share once I get home.)

4) Morning hugs and kisses from my daughter. Her sweetness lights up my world.

5) The incredible architecture and structure of this town, from the buildings to the cobblestone streets to the colorful and carved wooden doors.

That is just to name a few. I have loved this gift and will savor it for years to come. I am grateful for my time here, and now grateful to go home to see the others I love so dearly.

Here are some more portraits of Annie at her college here.

Psalm 126:1-3 ~ “When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.”

Lamppost Beauty

So Lovely

Alcove Cutie

New College

Autumn in Oxford

Gotta Make a Call

Oh the Trees

Lovely View

Under the Ginkgo Tree

New College Gate

Classic Oxford Beauty

Walking in the Rain with Ty

Coffee Shop Cutie

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 3.2 aperture, 1/60 shutter, 640 ISO. The table beneath her served as a reflector for the window light that was coming in behind me.

I was blessed to run into the lovely Jamie Wyckoff at Boulder Creek Coffee today. I walked in and she was sitting there working at her computer. The window light was shimmering in those beautiful browns of hers when she looked up to say hello. My camera practically jumped out of my hands to photograph her. However, I did ask her if I could first. She sweetly acquiesced and you can see why I simply had to take a few portraits of her.  She is stunning, and such a lovely person inside as well.

Smoldering Eyes

Jamie owns and operates Julia’s Poppies, where she designs all things beautiful, including classy stationery and wedding invitations. She also has a delightful blog where she discusses fashion, cooking and crafts. I don’t know how she does it all. Best of all, Jamie is just Jamie. She is a genuine person who loves God and people, and also happens to be amazingly beautiful inside and out.

I am glad I got to see her today. You can check her Etsy store out here at www.etsy.com/shop/juliaspoppies.

You never know who you might meet at Boulder Creek Coffee. I hope to be talking about them on here soon. They are the coolest new shop on the block.

Fun Loving Jamie

Feeling It

Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8L, focal length 200mm, 6.3 aperture, 1/125 shutter, 100 ISO, Alien B800 to right of subject in larger soft box at 1/8 power

I have been after Johnny for weeks, yes weeks, to get his hair cut but he successfully avoided it until now. Interesting how something as simple as a haircut can make all the difference in your attitude. I was crouched over a slightly irritated butterfly in the front flower bed when he got home and stepped out of the car. I thought a crowd of high school girls were going to rush the yard at any moment. He had swagger, smolder and style. Even the butterfly I was photographing stopped trying to avoid me and looked at him.

Handsome young man, this one. I think we may have some model material, here. Thanks to Tracy Brandenburg of Artistic Expressions in Braselton for bringing out his best side. I think he may make her website!

And now, for more of the smolder…

Sophistication

All This and More!

Intensity

Good Grief, Mom

Hi There

Thinking of You

After This I Am Cutting Down a Tree, with My Bare Hands

Beautiful Maiden

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.0 aperture, 1/250 shutter, 100 ISO

Sometimes I think she is from another time, my Katie girl. In fact to really enjoy these photos, you should click here to listen to the soundtrack from Pride and Prejudice, the 2005 film. She looks to me like she stepped right out of that period in time, or at least off the movie set. She truly is a classic beauty.

This is what we decided to do with the lovely flowers that were left over from my Parbella shoot. My friend Denise Myers of Truso Weddings procured them for me. They were so lovely, and quite unused. Seems little girls like bubbles better than flowers.:)

I envisioned my romantic daughter Katie holding them at sunset in a long flowing dress (that she brought back from Spain), and that is  exactly what I got!  I hope you enjoy these of my lovely Katie.

But first, my favorite line from Pride and Prejudice ( the 2005 movie). If you will, envision Mr. Darcy coming up out of the fog, in a long black overcoat with great intention. His focus is on his Elizabeth.

Mr Darcy:  ”You must know… surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I’d scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”

After he speaks his peace with her, the sun rises and shines directly between them as they kiss. Sigh. Perfection.

And now, a few more of my own 18th century beauty.

Across the Moors

As the Sun Sets

Waiting

Soft Beauty

Contemplative

Happy

Just Annie

Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 6.3 aperture, 1/125 shutter, 100 ISO, Alien B800 in large square soft box to camera right at 1/8 power.

I love her hands. She uses them with great animation when she tells stories about her day or about anything she experienced when she was away from us. This is part of the wonder that is Annie. She loves to bring other people into her most treasured experiences, be it a story about one of the kids at the day camp where she works, or something funny that happened with one of her roommates at school. (Like the new pet tortoise they share). The best part of all of that is her hands. They are a significant part of her expression. Often, I will find her with her hands to her face as she is thinking about something important to her, or when she is just cold. Sweet, beautiful hands.

I wanted to get a portrait of her tonight for a couple of reasons. She will be leaving in a little over a month to go to Oxford University in England for a semester. England. That has still not settled in my heart just right. I know she will do just fine. I will just miss her. She is, by nature, a carrier of sunshine and light where ever she goes. The house is never the same when she is gone. When I was young, I was called Mary Sunshine by my family and others as well. I was also told that I carried light with me into a room. I can only hope she is like me somehow in this way, or rather, that I am like her. She does shine.

I also wanted to practice my portrait lighting. We tried a couple different scenarios, but I think the one large light to one side is my favorite. I love the definition it brings to the face. I also love her hands in the frame. I think hands bring so much vulnerability to a photo, especially hers. When she touches her face with her hands, her heart opens a little more. I love that.

My beautiful Annie Sunshine.  I will miss you so much. Here are a few more of our time together tonight.

Contemplative

Beautiful in Black and White

High Key Smile

Up Close

Favorite Journal

Softness

Fresh from the Beach

In the Groove

Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8L, focal length 145mm, 8.0 aperture, 1/160 shutter. One Alien B-800 to front/right of subject using a 86″parabolic umbrella modifier at 1/8 power.

Love this of Katie as she is just being herself enjoying the music. One of my favorite things about Katie is her consistent ability to rest in who she is. She is rarely intimidated by others, as she dances her way through life.  She is funny, graceful, a gifted singer/songwriter/worshiper of God, compassionate towards others, and will always take the side of the underdog. Chris calls her “justice” because she is always taking up the cause of the oppressed. I love all those things about her.

I think the best feeling a mother can have is the desire to be like her children. They all inspire me to be better, more disciplined, more carefree, less anxious and more joy-filled, living in the present. We have prayed that our children will surpass us in relationships, spiritual growth, excellence in their craft, and the list goes on. I feel my children are well on their way to outshining me in these areas and more. I am so grateful to be able to able to say that I want to be like them when I grow up.

Here are a few more of Katie shining, as the beat goes on.

Glamour Girls

Katie-Girl Shining

Bringing Joy

Breaking It Down

Brilliantly Blue

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 1.6 aperture, 1/1600/ 100 ISO

Sometimes the most beautiful flowers do not grow in a garden. Yet, they shine with the brilliance that the other flowers cannot match. I found this one today, beaming at me from my porch steps. She smiled modestly while I photographed her in her element, both alone and with friends. Her countenance changed with the breezy summer air, sometimes laughing, sometimes pensive, but always beautiful, as all flowers are.

I hope she stays around for awhile.:)

Beaming

Kisses From a Friend

Sweet Countenance

Sparkling

In Her Element

Portrait of Friendship

Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200L 2.8, 135 focal length, 6.3 aperture, 1/160 shutter, 100 ISO. Alien B800 to left at 1/4 power in a 50″soft box, Alien B800 to right at 1/16 using a 60″  shoot through umbrella.

This is Kate and my Annie together. They were kind enough to model for me at 1:00 a.m. so I could have my shot for the day. I love the lighting on them here, and the soft expressions on their faces. They are so natural and graceful. I love their friendship. They have so much fun together. They fall so naturally in together with their sense of humor and the things they enjoy. Both are avid readers and have a keen appreciation for well-written literature. Best of all, they can be goofy together and allow each other to be themselves. Kate can come live here if she wants to. She fits right in.

We did several silly portraits but the one above was my favorite. So simple and graceful. Beautiful friendship.

Natural Beauties

Just Being