Knightdale Station Family Portraits | Prieto Family

“Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold”

— Zelda Fitzgerald

Oh my goodness, I have been photographing this incredible family since these two beautiful twins were still in their momma's belly, and have followed with all the kiddos now. It has been such a blessing to watch them grow up and see how they care for each other. Marsha and Christopher are amazing parents and their love overflows through their girls. They take such good care of little Henry and were so happy to carry him around and help him walk. 

They invited me out to their beautiful new home to capture these images and while we were surrounded by construction, we managed to sneak in a few spots that made it look like a dreamy forest instead. The girls were a little hesitant about the bugs, but once I showed them a few photos they were eager to run through the tall grass. When it came to their parents kissing for photos though, they weren't having it! Haha! Kids are so funny. 

I hope you enjoy a few of these images from our session! Thank you guys for always being such generous hosts! 

The Jaworski Family on Beech Mountain

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.”

— Helen Keller

So, I must say, hangin at the cabin with the Jaworski's was incredibly fun. From the moment I walked in it was hugs all around as if I'd known them forever. (Technically Stephanie and I went to undergrad together *gulp* TEN years ago, but I hadn't met the rest of the fam yet). I immediately felt at home though, Matt was offering me coffee from the get go and when I told him I didn't actually like coffee he went out of his way to find and make some hot chocolate and brought it out to me while I was adventuring around with Steve and Ashley's family.

THEN there was this location! I know I was 'born and raised' as they say in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but this view never gets old. There were so many great spots around the cabin and when we found a hidden teepee in the middle of the woods I knew a serious adventure was about to begin.

I loved every one of these kiddos right away. Each set of siblings and the cousins had great relationships, happy to snuggle and inviting each other to participate in the adventuring. Tyler was so sweet as he consistently followed instructions and helped each of his siblings over the rocks. I'm also pretty sure Jensen and Luke must be related to me somehow. Never without a stick or paper airplane at the ready, they were the first to jump into each next adventure, unafraid to scale the rocks and walk right into the teepee even though we said it might have bears in it. Then Jensen gave me a hug before I left and I melted. I'll telling ya, the more little people give me hugs on photo shoots, the more they grow on me.  

You guys thank you so much for letting me participate in your holiday adventure! I hope you enjoy some of these favorites from the day! 

Fall Sessions

“Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future”

— Corrie Ten Boom

I don’t typically blog my smaller sessions because I can get the images delivered to my families faster without it, but when you have several in the same weekend it seems reasonable to me to just have a Mini-Party and blog them together! That said, here are some of my favorites:

From Saturday afternoon’s session at Historic Yate’s Mill: The Brown Family

From Sunday morning’s session at Lake Crabtree: The Polin/Hescock Family

And from Sunday afternoon’s session at Pullen Park: The Hutchinsom Family

The Fleming Family at Fred Fletcher Park

“When love is a habit, joy is a reflex.”

— Bob Goff

A.J. and I met Gorden at our gym a couple months ago and instantly knew we liked him. You know, some people you just like right away and you can't explain it. When he asked me to take family portraits for them, I couldn't wait to meet the rest of his family and they did not disappoint!

Kelly was quick to welcome me with a big hug right away and by the end of the shoot inviting us over for dinner. They both have such big hearts and you feel loved immediately in their presence. 

That is not unnoticed by their 4 amazing kiddos. Ware and Caroline Gray were both quick to help their younger siblings get into place and make sure they adjusted Hunt's hair and Bess' cute dress. They helped them when they wanted to climb the stairs... and the tree...and the wall...and the porch... you get the idea, love came effortlessly. 

Hunt and Bess are little fireballs of energy, never without a huge smile on their face, and always ready for the next adventure...very much my kind of (little) people. 

I had so much fun exploring Fletcher Park with you guys! I hope you enjoy looking back through some of my favorites from the day!