Marissa and I met up in downtown Fort Lauderdale intent on taking some fun, fresh, beautiful photos - and we had THE. BEST. TIME. Marissa is a little fashionista by nature, so we dished on the best style blogs out there in between shots. Marissa is smart, witty, and a great chef, apparently. She even wants to go to culinary school in Pompano, FL. I can't wait to sample one of her delicious creations!

I don't love this picture. I luuuuuuurrrrrve it.

Marissa, you're going to rock the culinary world. Oh, and don't forget to call me when you need a taste-tester . ;)

(But no. Really.)

ox,

e

Tonight, we celebrated Keira's 6th birthday. SIX. Jimmy and I were celebrating our 1.5 year dating anniversary when she was born! She was a little love muffin then and NOW she's a beautiful girlie who has the BIGGEST heart. I even bought her gifts this year from Forever21. True story. WHERE DOES TIME GO?!

I'm so thankful to have beautiful family members to practice on, and also the opportunity to document our family's fun throughout the years. :)

Oh, to have a lifelong best friend at 6 years old. 

Keira and Lexi, you blessed my heart today <3 Friendship is a beautiful thing.

Malia & Maddie stepped in, too.

I love these boys so much. Landon and Caden... you have my heart <3

Cousins!!

You. The cuddler. The snuggler. The one who clings to the bottom of my pants to remain steady on her feet (for now).

You. The one who changed my entire life in one moment, with one glance at your writhing, discontent, little red body. The one who kept me up at night and pushed my exhaustion to the limit that I never thought I could reach. The one who I loomed over in wee hours of the night, just to watch you breathe.

You. The sloppy, wet kisses on my cheek and the clingy puff I found on my dress at the end of the day. The little toe prints on my kitchen floor. The mound of toys in the TV room I clean up every. single. night. All you. 

You. The strong-willed, sweet girl you are... I pray for you every day. I pray for compassion, kindness, and gratitude to be your life line, your go-to. I pray for God - Jesus Christ - to be so REAL and so tangible to you at a young age that you wouldn't even recall a day where you weren't a child in God's family.

I loved our first year together. I will love the next one even more.

I love you, Rowan Elisabeth.

I love YOU.

ox,

mom

I had a wonderful time talking with Rachelle through this whole process. She is in the middle of battling her second bout with brain cancer. Although she could feel defeated (and she has the right to be), she is the most positive, radiant woman in the midst everything going on around her. And doesn't she have a sweetest little family?

Caedin loves guns, sour worms, and skittles. He thinks his dad is the coolest. He's also a little comedian and says the funniest things! I loved hanging out with this little dude.

Rachelle, you're beautiful. Your heart is beautiful. Your family is beautiful. I am so thankful we got to meet.

Rachelle is currently trying to raise funds for brain cancer research by doing the "Angels Among Us" 5K family run/walk, powered by Duke Cancer Institute. Will you consider supporting her and help the fight against brain cancer?

Here is the webpage specifically linked to Rachelle and her team :)

ox,

e

Most people associate weddings with lots of stress and unwanted anxiety. And yes, there is some of that. However, the feeling of love, family, anticipation, adventure, and accomplishment overlaps all those feelings leading up to the big day. Yesi was a gorgeous, and I mean stunningly gorgeous bride. Watching her eyes light up and smile beam at the sight of her beloved is just confirmation that love - true, abiding, enduring, forever love - does exist. 

Go on ahead with your bad self, Yesi. Ow ow!

This photo proves that girls just need each other. And it's hard to explain why to people who don't get it.

So, after portraits were done, we partied.

all.

night.

LONG.

I was so honored to be a part of this day. Josh and Yesi, I wish you the best. 

ox,

e

{I would also like to give a huge shoutout to Laura W. for being my companion/assistant/second shooter - some of her photos are mixed in above :). Couldn't have done with without you, girl <3}

I was honored when they asked me to do their family portraits. I love photographing my family and my in-laws, because it allows me to contribute to our family history in a tangible way.

As I continue pursuing this photography journey, I am coming to realize that it is of the upmost importance that people take a break from their normal daily activities once in awhile and get a moment, a time in their family history, frozen in time to enjoy throughout the years. 

Marshall is five months old now, and he is expressive, curious, and loves anything that he can enjoy in a tactile way (he loved when the wind blew in his face). Most of all, if any kid has rockstar hair like Marshall does, it needs to be documented for the masses to view. Out of sheer jealousy. 

I love this family.

If someone asked me to show them a photo of what a joy motherhood is... I would show them this photo below. Chels, you're a breathtaking mommy. :)

Hope life has been treating you all well lately, like it has me.

ox,

e

Truth be told, she inspired me to pick up a camera again. I was on a three year hiatus from doing aything photography [can we say burnout?] and couldn't help but try again after I saw her beautifully crafted images. She inspired me to try again, and I love her for that. We have kept in contact through the years, and now I consider a wonderful friend. We meet up every so often and spur each other on to making ourselves, our businesses, better.

At the end of last year, we swapped. I needed some photos updated for my site, and so did she, so we charged downtown Hollywood. If you look at the top of my website, you'll see her take! Do you not LOVE them?

{I had some fun and added a filmy cross-processed feel to the editing of these, aside from my norm.}

Beca. I love you. And I was absolutely honored/flattered you asked me to do this for you. 

XOXO,

e

Bam. No specific picture, just a blank canvas for me. A FUN blank canvas.

Freedom.

Sometimes, we get wrapped up in pictures being absolutely perfect. We try to control our kids, we try to control the flyaways in our hair, we try to control the weather. Control, control, control. 

Let.

Go.

It's better that way.

Will, you have my heart. Thanks for showing me where your ears (ee-ohs), tummy, and hair (hay-ohh) are. 

XOXO,

e

nikon em, 16mm fisheye.

him bending down to kiss you

and you going on tiptoes to kiss him

BUT.

What if you're JUST thinking of holiday cards and it seems like it's just. too. late.

Honestly, I have never had a family photo done of my OWN family because there is just no time in the holiday season rush - but now that I have a little one, I want to. For (all) my grandparents who don't use Facebook... or EMAIL for that matter. So, I came up with a plan.

New Years cards!

...

...

...

...

And you're saying... what the what?

Yep. New Year's cards. For those of us who just can't beat the holiday rush, are forgetful, or are just way too busy to think about it enough in advance to make it in time. I will probably send these out early January. I'm really excited about this, because I've found a solution to my Christmas/Holiday card blues. And yes, there ARE websites that do these cards! I didn't even think it was possible to find them, but they're out there!

I've already started looking online at some templates, and I LOVE the ones on the Minted and Peartree Greetings websites. 

My theory is that the cards will stick around someone's house all YEAR (hence "New Year" cards), thus making my investment in the photo itself so much more worth it. 

Disclaimer: This is not -- in any way -- hinting that Christmas cards do not matter. I lurrrve Christmas cards. In fact, I have already started to display the ones I've received (see below).

p.s. - Sorry for the iPhone pictures. And the fact that this photo REFUSED to rotate. It's not my fault. But I figured your neck can get some exercise checking out my holiday card display ;)

Remember the DIY I posted a year ago for a Christmas card display? It's there all year 'round to collect the photos I love.

Oh, and do you not LOVE the Elswick's card this year? I took the photo on a glorious November evening, and Jon designed the template himself. Addi & Morgan designed and hand-knitted the sock monkey hat. Love. Love. LOVE.

Guys, I'd love your feedback. What do you think of this idea? Would you do something like this? Have you found any templates (holiday or New Years) that you LOVE? Share with the class :)

XOXO,

e