I met Kat a little over three years ago at a tanning salon she used to work at when I was trying (keyword: TRYING) to get some type of color before my wedding. She said "you look familiar, are you engaged to Brad's brother?" and I still laugh thinking about it because if I had a dollar for every time someone told me I look familiar, I'd seriously be rich. But, she recognized me because my husband and his brother look A LOT a like despite a 7 year difference, so luckily it wasn't that I had a 5th (or 40th) sister somewhere - not this time at least :)

This was simply to say thank you. Thank you Austin, for risking your life for me so I don't have to. For my son and future kids to grow up with real life heroes working to keep them safe. For very little pay, no respect, stupid hours and a lot of time away from your own people. Thank you Kelly, for being a Godly wife that the world needs to see more of and supporting Austin when it's hard and when you maybe didn't want to. Baby Landon seriously has two of the most selfless and incredible parents this world has ever seen and I cannot wait to meet him.

Kathy is actually a long time friend of one of my sisters, so when she won I was ecstatic. They brought their fur baby along and we started the session with some family pictures, which can I just say, is a really good way to get everyone to loosen up! I got the usual disclaimer from Dave that he is no model, but we ended up having a great time together, and even got him to model solo for me for a split second. I'd say that's a win!!

It’s been a long time, or at least it feels that way, since I’ve poured my heart out on my blog.... If you’re sitting behind your computer day in and day out, feeling like you’re stuck on an emotional rollercoaster ride, all the while looking at what others are doing and thinking whatever they’re doing is the only way to success, here’s relief: it’s not.

...It had poured down raining the whole day prior and all morning, and thankfully meteorologists aren't always correct because the chances of rain were high all. day. From my perspective, I knew we'd be okay with enough clear, bubble umbrellas, rain boots and some plastic camera bags, so I packed all my things and headed to the venue an hour early to make sure I was well prepared, with plenty of extra time, in the event we got a break in the rain. To all of our surprise, it didn't rain a single drop from the time I got there until I was laying in my bed to go to sleep, and the day truly couldn't have been more stunning.

There's something about a mother-daughter bond, especially when the daughter is in her wedding gown for the first time. I have a one year old, so I can only imagine the pride and bittersweet feelings a wedding for your child must bring. But one thing I do know for sure is that I love capturing those emotions from my side of the camera and I'll never be anything but immensely grateful for that.

Grace was one of many people who entered my 2017 giveaway in celebration of my website launch back in January. It's crazy to think it's already been four months and at the same time, it feels like SO much has happened in four months. I ended up choosing two couples because SO many people entered and it just felt right.

"Trevor and I met in the sixth grade at Bailey Bridge Middle School, and throughout our years there we exchanged young, awkward flirting and love notes. When we finished the eighth grade, we ended up going to different high schools and kept in touch for a few months, but eventually lost contact. A few years later, by fate or an act of God, we ended up working at the same grocery store when we turned 16. We exchanged conversations for a few years while we were working together, and all of our young middle school feelings came flooding back. In our senior year of high school, after work one night, he asked me to prom - and the rest is history."