Priscilla | Raleigh Photographer

It's always nice when you can go out shooting with another photographer and just have fun. That's what Julie Lindsey and I did. Her niece, Priscilla, was so funny and sweet. Her look reminded me a lot of Taylor Swift (especially in the 4th photo). Actually, when I was taking some of the last ones shown in this post, she was reminding me of Hayden Panetierre. And in the second to last photo, she reminds me of Claire from Lost. By the way, imagine I'm saying "Claire" with an Australian accent, like Claire's mum : ) So, perhaps we could just agree that she's versatile? And, obviously, extremely photogenic.

So nice to meet you, Priscilla! And, Julie, looking forward to getting together again soon!

Meet Jackson and Peyton | Raleigh Newborn Photographer

This was my first time working with newborn twins and Jackson and Peyton were so dreamy! You may be confused if you've seen any of the images I took when I visited Kelley Ryden and Tracy Raver in Omaha, but those babies were actually not twins. So...this was a new experience for me, and one that I truly loved!

Okay, on to the important stuff!

Jackson Lex

February 17, 2010

6lbs, 8oz

5:56pm

Peyton Olivia

February 17, 2010

5lbs, 2oz

5:59pm

Jackson...

Peyton...

More Posts Coming Soon | Raleigh Photographer

For those of you who have contacted me about not updating my blog in awhile, I promise I'm still alive! The last few weeks have been pretty crazy for the Arthur family. I'll explain more next week. For now, I'll say that I have more sessions to post very soon, including newborn twins that I'll be posting this week! In the meantime, here's an image of Talah from over a year ago that I stumbled upon accidentally tonight. When I saw it, I almost wanted to go in her room and wake her up to give her a good squeeze. Almost.

All You Need Is Love Contest Winner | Raleigh Photographer

Congratulations to Jessica and Joe Lieb! They are the winners of the All You Need Is Love contest and will receive a free photo session and three digital files.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the contest and to everyone who voted. I'm looking forward to sharing the results of the session with everyone!

Talah's Room: Crime Scene | Raleigh Children's Photographer

This is what I woke up to this morning. You know when something happens and you aren't expecting it and you're so confused that your mind fills in the blank with explanations? That's what I did. I heard Talah on the monitor saying, "Mommy, look at my toes!" As this is not something she normally says, I decided to go in. I walked in to what honestly looked like it could be a crime scene. Talah stood on her mattress, face and hands covered in red. At first, I thought, "Is she bleeding?!" Then I realized she was standing there smiling, so that wasn't likely. Was someone else bleeding in here? No, of course not. Duh. That takes me back to college when someone had broken into my car. I didn't know what had happened until I sat in the driver's seat and saw wires hanging down where my stereo had been. For a moment, I stared dumbly, wondering if I had somehow left wires hanging out in my car. In this case, it just took a moment for my eyes to wander over to the limp bag of frozen raspberries. It sat crumpled, looking ashamed for what it had been accessory to that morning.

Okay, let me rewind. Last night, I was trying to get Talah in bed and we were going through her whole "routine." I strayed from the routine a tiny bit because my friend Tory was waiting for me in the living room and I felt bad about taking so long. Talah did not appreciate straying from the routine. She got upset and started crying and accidentally walked into the bed and hit her head. I got the bag of frozen raspberries because she wanted something cold on it. I put them on the dresser by the door so I wouldn't forget to take them out of the room. Clearly, I forgot. By the time Talah woke up, they were nice and thawed. And juicy.

Sigh. Well, it looks like it is coming out of the carpet. The sheets and pillow cases are another story and we'll have to see.

By the way, Jacob was a real saint this morning. He was very forgiving when he found out all of this happened because I had left the bag of raspberries in there. I can't say I would have been as understanding if our positions had been reversed. I'm sure I would have questioned him to the death. So thanks.

Sorry for the poor quality of the above picture. I was in a hurry and just went ahead and used on camera flash since it was so dark in the room. I'm not sure if the picture fully shows just how messy everything was.

All You Need Is Love Contest Top Three | Raleigh Engagement and Couples Photographer

This has been hard. Really hard. I had a committee to help with the selection process...and it was still hard. After much deliberation, we have decided on the top three contestants as listed below in alphabetical order (by first name of the applicant). Please enjoy their stories and vote on your favorite!

Remember, voting ends on February 21 at 5pm EST. Here's what's at stake:

-One lucky couple will win a FREE photo session and three high resolution digital files. Digital files are normally only sold as a full set for $1200, so this is a value of $1350!!!
-2nd Place Prize: FREE photo session ($150 value)
-3rd Place Prize: 50% off session fee ($75 value)

Jessica and Joe Lieb

Our paths crossed many times over the course of 5 years before we actually met. We'd attended the same youth group, I'd seen his band perform, had many common friends but it wasn't until one Sunday morning after church (V21) that we were formally introduced to each other. Our first date was awkward as we were the only people dining in a Chinese restaurant the day after Thanksgiving. However, we immediately knew there was something special developing. He was my first kiss. I was 25.

We were engaged on Good Friday and married in September. Our wedding cake was topped with a lego Han Solo and Princess Leia. We honeymooned in England and had a baby 9 months later. We are big goofs with bizarre senses of humor, but we totally get each other.

Kelly and Michael Chi

In 2001, as a graduate student in neuroscience, Michael hired me to work as his assistant. Every morning, we put on our lab coats and fed mice, recorded data and did analyses over coffee. He began to bring muffins, and I would linger in the lab and tell him my aspirations to get into grad school. Do you know that person who you can't wait to tell the funny or sad story? He became that person to me.

I'm not sure if I was drunk on delicious muffins, but one day in the lab I told Michael I loved him. At the time we were dating, but it was early in the relationship. He told me that he loved me back. In 2005, he proposed to me at a neuroscience conference. Fitting, right?

In the past decade, Michael has been my mentor, my friend, my husband and soulmate. Now we spend our free time scoping out bargains at the grocery store, bickering about scientific studies and taking our pets to the vet. We hug and kiss each other, but these moments are never captured on film. Please choose us—the perpetual, fun-loving geeks — for the photoshoot!

Michael Clayton and Victoria Wood

More than likely, if you were to see us out on a date, you would think to yourself “hmm interesting.” Without going into too much detail, Victoria has four citizenships, she has lived in four countries, she is directly related to two men who were knighted by the Queen (that’s right, they have the title “Sir” permanently in front of their name), and her family in New Zealand has a lengthy Wikipedia page concerning them. I was born and raised in Wilson, NC. The end.

She came to NC State to study Fashion design (she has the prettiest, best sense of style) and I came to study Natural Resources Management (I wear plaid). Victoria and I enjoy going for walks around Lake Johnson together; we enjoy cooking dinner together, and making each other laugh. She took me whitewater rafting for my birthday, I gave her pretty things on hers, and I am taking her to go see Cinderella at the Carolina Ballet for Valentine’s Day (Shh, don’t tell her). Our relationship is beautiful in that we give to each other sacrificially in time, love, and laughter; it is this continuous giving to each other that makes life without each other unimaginable.

Best of luck to everyone!

Libby + Chris | Raleigh Maternity Photographer

Libby and Chris are expecting their first child in just a few short weeks. I can only imagine how much anticipation they must have right now as they wait for little JD. While they wait, we can enjoy Libby's very cute pregnant belly : )