Vacation! | Raleigh Family Photographer

I've been out for a week and will be out for another week. After that, I'm back to business as usual : ) This has been a great (and much needed) time of rest and fun for me and my family and friends. I'm grateful to be able to have these moments.

Oh, and if you're a burglar, please know that my very tough and strong brother-in-law is still at the house, so don't even think about it ; )

Senior Spotlight: Maria | Raleigh High School Senior Photographer

Meet Maria. She's a rising senior at Cary High School. She's fun, she's artistic, and she's got a great sense of style. Her clothes were all of my favorite colors, so I have to assume that she also shares a love for the tertiary colors : )
I asked Maria to answer a few questions for me, so here we go!


JA: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
M: I would travel to India because the culture and people are fascinating to me.


JA: Who are your favorite bands/singers?
M: I cannot name a single band or singer but a few of my favorites as of now are NeverShoutNever and Dispatch.


JA: What is your favorite meal?M: My favorite meal is a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel.



JA: If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?M: I would meet Ashton Kutcher, because he is simply amazing.

JA: Who is your biggest role model?M: My biggest role model would have to be my mom.


Can we just pause for a moment to appreciate how beautiful Maria's eyes are?


JA: What are your favorite clothing stores?M: American Apparel & Urban Outfitters (& Target!)


JA: What is your favorite book? M: Go Ask Alice


JA: What is on the walls in your room?M: I don't have much on the walls of my room, but I have magazine/posters collaged and covering my whole ceiling.

Just look at this pose! I told Maria to play with her necklace and this is what she did. So editorial!


JA: What is your dream job?M: My dream job, as of now, is to be a glassblower and have my own studio.

JA: Where would you like to go to art school?M: Hawaii


This little field was full of grasshoppers. Every time we took a step, a swarm of them would go jumping : ) This rocking chair has been in my family for years. I was happy to be able to use it in this shoot.


JA: If you could do one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be?M: I would rid the world of child labor and mistreatment.

As you may have noticed, Maria is an artist, so what better way to celebrate that than to capture that on camera?













Maria, I had a fabulous time with you. Your gallery will be ready soon!

Boudoir Album : ) | Raleigh Boudoir Photographer

I'm afraid this is all I'm allowed to post from this fun and classy boudoir session. Mrs., I'm positive your Mr. will love his anniversary gift! Best wishes for many more happy years!

Spain Part III (Final) | Raleigh Fine Art & Travel Photographer

Okay, these are the last of them (I think)! After Barcelona, I spent the rest of the time in Madrid with Joanna, although I did take a day trip to Toledo. The day before I left, which was also Joanna's birthday, my other sister Julie and friend Johanna arrived! It was such a great trip and I'd love to go back someday!

This shot was taken from the window of my sister's bedroom. I loved this tiny patch of wilderness with it's bushy yellow flowers.

Plaza Mayor

I had chocolate con churros here (you can see them in the foreground).

The next few pictures are of interesting buildings, doorways, and windows in Toledo.

The bridge and walls around Toledo. This is the kind of place you read about that has winding alleys and stone and hills and laundry hanging out the windows. Oh, and marzipan.

This was outside the walls of Toledo, near the train station. It doesn't match the rest of the scenery, but I loved all of the texture and contrast of the wall.

For Joanna's birthday, she wanted to take it easy and hang out in Madrid. We did just that. The next few pictures (Julie, Johanna, and Joanna) are of us relaxing in the grass near the train station while we waited for our train into the city.

Johanna brought her polaroid (R.I.P. Polaroid film). Love 'em : )

I'm a convert. I'd had octopus before and was never impressed by it's rubbery texture. I changed my mind in Spain. I don't know how they cook it over there, but it's tender and has delicious seasonings. We shared this as a little snack (tapas, if you will). And this is off topic since I don't have a picture of it (darn!), but anyone in Madrid should run to Casa Labra and get the croquettas de bacalhau. You'll die.

What an amazing day with amazing people! Joanna, thanks for having me! Can't wait to have you back in the USA!

Beautiful Nebraska | Raleigh Fine Art Photographer

I was excited to go to Nebraska so I could work on this session. What I didn't know was just how beautiful I would find Nebraska to be. I was staying in Blair, so I had a pleasant drive to and from Omaha a couple of times. To me, it was like driving through a Dale Nichols painting. It felt truly American to drive past rolling hills and open fields, to see deer walking through the grass or horses running just past a weathered barn. The roadside was dappled with clover and the sky was dappled with clouds. To me, it was perfect.
I was fortunate to have a quick trip to the Joslyn Art Museum so I could see the Little Golden Book exhibit. Walking past the original drawings gave me the feeling of wrapping myself in a warm, much-loved blanket. It was instant comfort and contentment. It reminded me how much I loved some of those books (I certainly didn't read all of them--there were hundreds) and I have already purchased a few for Talah's birthday in August. Shh! Don't tell her! I also had a few minutes to walk through the American section of the museum, where I saw Grant Wood's, "Stone City, Iowa." I was reminded of some of the early Disney animation that featured sweeping landscapes before honing in on the main character. It made me want to watch Dumbo, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Johnny Appleseed.
Here are a few examples of the beautiful things I saw during my very short trip.

Newborn Work in Omaha | Raleigh Newborn Photographer

Last week I flew to Omaha to work with and learn from the amazingly talented Kelley Ryden and Tracy Raver. We were able to play quite a bit and I'm thrilled with the shots we were able to get!