Valentine Love | Wilmington, NC area photographer

There were some cute kids in my studio on Friday! We had so much fun with the Valentine Mini-sessions.


First two kiddos - Miss M has gotten so big - it's hard to believe it was 2 years ago when I did her newborn portraits!


Everytime we tried to get big brothers shots - she had to be right there - I mean right there! Made for some great captures!

I managed to get big brother alone for a moment - and he gave me this amazing look. I couldn't resist black/white for this one.
Little sister was BUSY - but she was stalled slightly while playing with my umbrella!
And then the next set of cuties!!!! Mr. V also made his debut here - about 6 months ago. Anyone remember a super cute green hat - or a baby in a hammock? That was him!

I love, love the way the two boys are looking at each other in the middle picture.

Ummm - I did mention there were cute kiddos in the studio, right?

Ahhh - and then Miss A - she was 8 months old on Friday. If you've seen the most recent Wilma! magazine - you might recognize her in there with my ad. Usually - she is so smiley - I mean - super smiley - but today, ummm, not so much. She wasn't feeling well, and didn't get her normal afternoon nap - so we got moody Miss A pictures this time.

But she is still cute as a button!

And really - I feel inclined to post a more smiley Miss A.....this was from our mini-session back in the fall. I don't know that I ever posted them here because we ended up doing the session after my blog. So, here's what Miss A is normally like. We'll see her again soon for her 1 year portraits - and I'm sure she'll be back to smiley again!

Thanks for a fun day everyone! Keep watching the blog for more information on my next mini-session series - sometime this spring!

A mother and her son | Wrightsville Beach Family Photographer

I try to celebrate life every day, and I love being able to do that for others through my lens. Sometimes it's harder than others, because sometimes, well sometimes that celebration only comes after lots of heartache and grief.

Last February, Molly was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell Lymphoma. She was 5. In kindergarten. And just 5 short months she lost her battle with cancer. Like her dad, Buck said, "life is cruel."

Yet, this family, this amazing family, still finds reasons to celebrate. If you aren't familiar with Molly's website http://mollyrowlee.com/ please bookmark it now. Check it often. It will change your life. I think Buck said it well on the site:
"Her battle with cancer sparked the love of a community and thousands of people have rallied behind Molly, as well as our family, throughout this entire ordeal. Molly has taught us many things throughout this journey. We understand too well how very precious life is and we have come to redefine the priorities in all of our lives. Suddenly, we are able to find more time to spend with our families. We hug each other more tightly, kiss each other more passionately, and we're focused on being better parents....better people."

Now that's something to celebrate!

Meg and K are spending the month in NC - and while they were here I really wanted to capture some of their strength, energy, love, and laughter. I had such a great time and could have spend the whole day with them. K is the same age as my Silas - and their interests are the same - so it was fun to talk about Batman, Transformers, and Bakugans.

They started with a puzzle - and it didn't take long before the sillies overtook!
I love K's concentration while putting this puzzle together. I also LOVE his eye lashes here! Oh, and the hands in the overalls - perfect!
Then we headed for the beach. We were hoping for a beautiful warm January day, but, ummmm, well, we just bundled up and went for it! We stopped at the playground first - and K was too cute. He was so proud of himself jumping up to that monkey bar and holding on!

This boy makes me smile!!!!! So silly and so full of energy!

They were looking at how the birds were standing - and the K had to try it out!

I just liked this one!

K was telling me about how his mommy is such a good artist! They love drawing hearts in the sand with Jesus on the cross. I wish I could have recorded K telling me about it - it was a great story.

A little spinning fun - that made Meg very dizzy!!!! I love the shot.....

But also love the fall down afterwards. This makes my heart smile. I know that was a lot of pictures for a blog - but this is one of those sessions that can't be summed up in 4 or 5 images. So thank you for looking.

I hope the support for this family and the Molly Fund can continue to be as strong as it is right now. Meg would like to thank all those that have contributed to the Molly Fund. She knows there are so many that they don't even know and can't thank personally.

Celebrate Life!

Meet Elsa - just 8 days old

You saw the maternity pictures of this family not too long ago - mommy was absolutely glowing and the kids were so excited http://danajacksonphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/yep-shes-beautiful-wilmington-nc.html. Well, she's here - and beautiful! Born at home - to one awesome family that has been so patient waiting for the blog! I photographed her 2 days before Christmas - and then took some time off. But I'm so glad I got in early - newborns really do photograph best in their first 10 days of life.
When I got there she was ready for a nap - perfect for me!

Do you see her sweet smile?

Then she woke up - and mom was feeding and settling her - and I turned around and saw big sister. It has to be hard to have a new baby in the house and to no longer be the only girl. I had to snap and share this picture!

And then - I turn around - back to mom and baby - and sweet Elsa has the biggest grin!!!

And now, in daddy's arms - she is gazing right at him.

Getting 2 siblings with a newborn isn't always an easy task - but these kiddos were so good. Normally I wouldn't try this with a baby that was awake - but Elsa didn't seem like she was going to sleep anytime soon. I'm glad I tried!

Meet Julia - 2 weeks old | Wilmington, NC newborn photographer

She may have been the best newborn ever. Really - simply amazing. She was asleep when I got there - so I was able to get right to work.
She didn't sleep long - but I quickly found out that she was just fine hanging out. I moved her around, and around, and around - and she just looked around at her new world! I've never had a baby awake that long and be so content.

Still awake!

Then, finally - she decided she needed to eat - so we took a break - she got a little snack - and then -well, you can see what she thought.

Could she be any sweeter?

Meet Vivian - 10 days old | Wilmington, NC newborn photographer

I've known the M family for a couple years now, so I was so excited to hear they were expecting #2. Mom told me that big sister loves to have tea parties - I couldn't have been happier! I look forward to photographing the two sisters having a tea party in a couple years!!



This one just melts my heart.

In case you were wondering.....she's going to be a strong girl - she's just making that clear right now.

Big sister giggles right before I left!

I knew I loved this image right when I took it - I don't know what it is about it really - maybe the way the light is coming in - maybe how peaceful she is sleeping - I don't know - but I could look at it all day long!

Congrats to you on a healthy, beautiful, baby girl. Can't wait to watch her grow.

Cousin Fun | Rocky Mount, NC Children's Photographer

Since I know my sister-in-law is stalking my blog - waiting for this post - I figured I better get it up! Over Thankgsiving - Silas and his cousins got together to work on their Christmas present for Meme. These kids LOVE being together - it's so fun to watch them. Meme is blessed with 5 beautiful grandchildren. It was a tough session - starting at noon - sunny with spotty clouds here and there - just to throw a kink in things. No the most optimal shooting conditions -but we made it work!

I'll start with the youngest - Jefferson just turned 1 a couple months ago - you guys have seen him on my blog several times before. He has the best smile!


And then Emma

And her twin brother, Jacob

And Silas even cooperated with me for a few minutes (which is a lot to ask of him - he hates me taking pictures of him!)

And the oldest, Jackson - I love, love his expression in this one - I had to go black/white!

And believe it or not - this was one of the first pictures I took - right out of the car. I went into this shoot thinking that I might not have much success getting all 5 of them in one portrait - but, they proved me wrong!

I miss everyone already - and so does Silas - it was great seeing everyone.

My Rocky Mount Family | Rocky Mount, NC Photographer

This session was so full of laughter - I hated to see it end. My husband's Aunt asked over the summer if I would be available to photograph her family over Thankgiving holiday. Both her boys are now married - and they need a new family portrait in their living room. The weather couldn't have been more perfect!

So, Aunt Pete -here's your portrait!


And of course I coudn't just get the one family shot - I had to spend a little time with everyone! The oldest son with his wife and beautiful daughter. And the younger son with his new beautiful wife. And she couldn't be any more perfect for Justin.

And since S is the only grandchild right now -I had to spend some extra time with just her. Actually we were getting ready to leave - and I saw these beautiful colors surrounding her. I had to change lenses and start snapping. I'm glad she wasn't a toddler that would have been bored with this area by the time I got all my stuff together!

I really had a great time - and can't wait to share the rest with the family.