Best Friend.

I've known Marsha since I was in 9th grade.  Well... actually a little before that but she claims to have no memory of it.  Perhaps its better if she doesn't remember... I recall I didn't like her too much.  I mistook her shyness for snottiness.  Turns out you can't always base your opinions on the first impression.  About a year later we were put on the same basketball team in high school.  I decided to give her another chance and we've been best friends every since.  She is one of the few people I have met who is just truly genuine.  She is my best friend because we laugh about the same dumb things, we tend to agree on most anything--and even when we don't really care, and she helps me figure out the random thoughts that are always in my head.  Basically, she's a great friend and a great person.  Her fiance, David, tends to agree with me on that fact.  I know this because I have seen them together.  I remember when they first met.  We were getting ready to go on a camping trip with some friends and Marsha saw David for the first time and turned to me and said, "WHO is that?!"... and the rest is history.  Being her best friend, I got the privilege of taking engagement pictures for them.  The time we did them was back in June, so it was quite hot, but we were able to get some good ones out of it.

I thought I would share them now because Marsh and I were supposed to hang out tonight, but I had to postpone it because of the random cold thats come over me.  Also, I am trying to keep this blog thing going... so humor me.

Anyway, here are some of my favorite pictures from that day.  I hope you like them! :)

Thanks for reading! :)

Absolute Favorite.

I get asked all of the time what my favorite picture is.  There is always a one that comes to mind without fail.  I wish I had a name for it-- but I think the fact that I can't come up with a name for it pretty much says it all.

I remember the morning I took it.  It was Saturday and I was staying at a church camp for a fall retreat with my campus ministry.  My friend, Jen, and I decided that we would get up early to see the sunrise.  I had been awake before a sunrise before but I never really took the time to actually watch the sun come over the horizon.  It's an experience I would recommend to anyone.  It's so spiritual and unique and raw and stunning and awesomely beautiful... if that makes any sense.  Do you ever feel like God did something just for YOU to see? That was how that moment was for me.  Jen and I got up out of bed and walked out side to the dock with in our jammies.  We sat there in the dark waiting... and freezing.  It came so quickly but it was just the right amount of time we needed to appreciate it.

It's the only picture I've truly loved without doing any kind of editing to it.  I couldn't believe I got it... I still can't believe I got it.  I believe this is the moment I decided that I wanted to commit to photography.  If I can get a moment like this even if it takes 6000 shots, it's so worth it.

Anyway, enough with the suspense... here it is. :)

Thanks for reading. :)

Jeff+Heather=Brayden

Sometimes, I don't know why I am so blessed--I don't really think I deserve it.  Recently, I have been given the opportunity to try something new and rediscover my love for photography.  I wish it happened more often.  It's almost like I forget who I am until I pick up a camera and push the button a few times.  I consider myself lucky when people ask me to take pictures for them.  It's usually me thanking them more than they are thanking me--I'm pretty sure I am the one having more fun.

Meet Jeff and Heather.  They are expecting their first child, Brayden, at the end of February.  These two were really fun to work with.  They were willing to try anything I asked of them and were able to show me a little patience when I needed a minute or two to come up with some ideas.  Jeff and Heather met at University Central Florida so they decided to use that as the scene of their photo shoot.  Being a UCF alum, I was perfectly fine with that  idea--and of course the fountain is always a beautiful backdrop.
Anyway, thank you again Heather and Jeff for giving me the opportunity.  Here is just a preview of some of the pictures--I haven't finished editing all of them but I couldn't wait to show them to you.

Enjoy. :)

Favorite.

Have a good night everyone! :)