This year, we won't be ringing in the new year the same way we have in the past... well, I will be... at home in my pj's - probably asleep by 10 pm. So really, 2020 isn't changing this for me! But for some of us, there won't be big parties and celebrations. You don't need me to remind you that 2020 was nothing like we expected. 2020 was hard in a lot of ways. It caused more stress and anxiety in my family than we've ever experienced. By the grace of God, we overcame those obstacles and learned how to persevere in the midst of so much uncertainty and we are coming out stronger + closer because of it. Gathering in groups without fear, photographing weddings, CHURCH, small group, date nights, indoor dining, handshakes, hugs, people... are all just some of the things I missed most in 2020. We tried to make the most of them but with so much fear + limitations -- it just wasn't the same! I really believe my family tried to make the best out of an unprecedented time, and there are many things I'm thankful for. Extra time with family, lots of summer days in our backyard eating popsicles, home projects (thanks, babe) a very slow + relaxed beach trip, no hot summer weddings while 35 weeks pregnant 😉 and most of all -- our greatest gift of 2020 - our third BABY, RYLEN. Which also meant a very long maternity leave with her! She is pure sugar + magic to our family! We made unique memories, we enjoyed things we never had time to enjoy before. We learned the importance of family and the gift of a hug. I will forever cherish all that God taught us this year! 2020, I would give you a goodbye hug, but we're supposed to stay six feet apart😆 
I haven’t posted in almost a month, a whole month! Sometimes I honestly just like to take a breather, a step back from this little world. It’s so easy to put pressure on myself to post daily to keep my business running, to keep “my doors” open — but you know what?! I’ve had a steady flow of inquiries and even a few bookings during the last month! It’s such a reminder to me that God controls this business. His hands are on it. He sends me the exact couples I need to work with. It’s amazing what relinquishing control can do. Freedom. Rest. Joy. Social media is absolutely wonderful in so many ways. But it can also be draining as a business owner and the expectations and comparisons are real! I truly believe that we are all given unique talents to be used for His glory and His purpose. This is mine. I enjoy telling your story in an organic and authentic way. I love capturing and finding the beauty in a broken world. Thank you for letting me share my work and for following along on this journey!✨ 
The cutest mother-daughter duo! Lacey and I cheered together at @wcucheer and she has given me the great honor of photographing her family every year for like 6 + years?! I remember our first session together at Beaver Lake before they had Nash. Goodness, time flies! Nash is now inviting me to family Thanksgiving dinners and asking if I will take his family photos next time 😂! I love the Holland family and I'm so glad our days at WCU brought us together! Go Cats! 
Kylie + Brett planned a big wedding for 2020 and like so many couples, they had to postpone to 2021. However, they just couldn't wait any longer to seal the deal and I don't blame them! They decided to have a very small elopement at Lake Toxaway with their closest family over the weekend and it was so magical! Kylie was breathtaking and Brett was so nervous waiting to see her for the first time. It was such a sweet moment and I'm SO happy for these two! Next year on their one-year anniversary we will celebrate again at @chestnutridgeevents with @mingleevents and I am so excited about that. Covid has been devastating for so many 2020 Brides but I must say - I love that I get to spend more time with my couples and photograph them twice in some cases :)! What a treat! Congrats to Kylie + Brett!! I adore you two!! 
Last night was so much fun with Kinsley + Dusty! Goodness, they are some of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. I’m so honored and excited to be capturing their big day next year at @chestnutridgeevents and can’t wait to work with Kinsley next year since she is now one of the amazing @chestnutridgeevents ladies!! Dusty and Kinsley didn’t hesitate when I asked them to throw leaves a million times, to skip down a hill, lay in the grass and more! I love it when my couples trust me and we create magical images👏🏻✨ 
This season is .h a r d. for a lot of reasons. 3 babies, two demanding jobs, a newborn, covid, and just plain 2020. But God. Sometimes I feel like I just need some relief, but God doesn’t always give that, he makes me more dependent on him instead. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Life is crazy and it's far from perfect. We're two sinners trying to raise three little sinners to love Jesus. I could write a novel on why we don't have it together but I hope you know these little squares may look perfectly curated (or not)🙃 but our life looks a lot like grace + forgiveness, successes + failures, suffering + triumph. We stand on His word and truth and that's why we are here today. I love this man. He's never given up on me and I won't on him. I love this family we've created and these babies we're raising. I know we're gonna miss these years so I'm holding onto them tightly. Thank you @rachaelmcintoshphotography for the beautiful photos! 
“Wisdom begins by viewing your life from the end and acting in a way now that you know then you’ll be glad you did.” - JD Greear 
Our family had a quiet weekend embracing the beautiful weather and enjoying quality time together. Slow weekends are my favorite and being a wedding photographer, they are hard to come by✨ what did everyone do this weekend?! We went on a hike and made s’mores by a fire! 
Reminiscing on the incredible Fall season we had here in the mountains! Michaela and Chris wanted a variety of water and mountains and I love the outcome! These two are SO sweet and fun to be around. I can’t wait for their wedding next summer at Lake Junaluska (where their love story began)! 
HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY to our sweet Haddon!! You have an incredible imagination, a sensitive heart like Mama, a sweet spirit, a contagious laugh, a love for your baby sisters that runs deep, a fearless-bravery from daddy, and a family that loves you fiercely. You made me a Mama. You changed our world. You have brought limitless joy to everyone you meet. We are SO PROUD of you. I still can't believe you are f o u r !! We pray you continue to grow in wisdom and stature, and favour with God and Man. Keep shining my sweet boy! 
“That’s when we lean on God and constantly seek his face and heart and thoughts, because there’s no way we can ever swim in the deepest part of the ocean unless we know the one who holds the seas in the palm of his hand.” Louie Giglio 
I had so much fun with Kristen + Brad tonight for their engagement session! The colors this year are blowing my mind — I don’t recall the previous years being this vibrant and I’m loving it! Can’t wait for these two to make it official next year at @chestnutridgeevents ✨ hmu: @flawlessairbrush 
My all time favorite picture of my favorite people! Who knew a simple “hey girl” when leaving my college dorm in 2006 would eventually put me here! So glad those two words came my way from this handsome man😉! Photo: the amazing and so kind @rachaelmcintoshphotography 
I'll never tire of the Fall colors here in the mountains. October is by far (always) my busiest month of the year - even in a pandemic! I can't blame everyone for choosing this season for their special portraits!! I was talking to Mitchell this morning and I said "how did I get here?!" -- referring to the, honestly, overflow of blessings with my work. It's a hard balance because I truly LOVE my work. But I also LOVE my family and they will always come first. I have to say "no" more than I prefer because if I don't -- I find myself saying "no" to the people I love most. When I first started photography, it was just a hobby. I never imagined I would be here with this business. Photography brings me great joy, provides for my family, gives me the flexibility to stay home with my kids, and allows me to witness some incredible moments + visit stunning locations! It's such a gift!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'm beyond grateful for the love and continued support throughout a pandemic! 2021 looks way fuller than I ever imagined. I now have 3 kids. I'm a stay at home mom but also a full-time wedding photographer. It's a hard balance that I'm still learning how to master! I know I will never get these little years back with my kids. So this is a reminder for anyone else who might need it - it's ok to say no. Always, always put your family first. "You'll never get to the end of your life and say "I wish I would've worked more" (even if work is this fun!)."