PERSONAL PORTRAITS // HALES

Here are things that Haley is: a) kind. b) a babe. c) hilarious. d) a loyal friend. e) gentle-hearted. f) a fierce lover of Jesus. g) an incredible photographer. (linked, go check it out)

To say that I love this lady is a vast understatement. She's been a pillar of strength for me to call on whenever I needed her. She's a giant encouragement whenever I need some scripture to remind me of the plans that God has for me. She's giddy and filled with this child-like passion for Jesus that I've never seen.

We had some fun a couple of months ago and just went out and made some pictures.

Meet Hales.

ENGAGED // JESS & JUSTIN // CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA

When I first sat down with Jess, I knew I loved her. She's so sassy, but kind of quiet about it. And Justin is hilarious and I can definitely tell they have so much fun together. After stalking her instagram, I realized that they seem to go exploring as a couple pretty often. After asking her about this and having her verify that it's one of their "things"- she told me she found abandoned buildings to shoot their engagement pictures in! I was totally down. Unfortunately, we lost the light because of race traffic (boo!) - but I can't wait until their wedding day in October to get some more beautiful shots of this great couple!! These two are AWESOME.

ENGAGED // CAROLINE & SAM // BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA

This is not the sound of a new man or crispy realization //

It's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away //

Your love will be safe with me //

I just asked a friend of mine, "you know when you have something that's just so great, that you don't want to share it with anyone else?" -- that's how I feel about this session we shot back in July. I've been so careful about editing these just so, and taking the time to savor the creativity we shared in making them.

Caroline and Sam are two of the funniest, sweetest, down-to-earth, genuine people. I knew immediately when I got Caroline's email earlier in the year (and heard about her proposal from Sam - WHICH WAS AWESOME and included a dance party with friends afterwards) that we were destined to be working together and was so thankful and excited when we finally met and we decided that we'd be an awesome match. They're both so creative in different ways and I can't wait to see how their personalities melt together for their wedding day in October.

One of the most important things about my "job" is to express and capture who my couples are through their engagement pictures, and then ultimately through their wedding pictures. These two let me be creative and we had FUN together shooting these. Sam made me laugh so hard my sides hurt until I had to literally tell him to shut up. And she threw in a ton of her own ideas (smoke bombs were my idea, the glitter lake was hers!) But when it came down to it, they trusted me. They might have felt stupid doing some things (hopefully not) but they looked awesome and knew that I wouldn't lead them astray.

I'm so grateful for couples like you two. And I'm happy to now call you my friends :) ( ^^ Caroline, you are absolutely beautiful.) ( ^^ Sam.. what pretty eyes you have.)

ANNIVERSARY // CARLY & AL // CHARLOTTE, NC

You might recognize Carly from her bridal session last July, but I hadn't had the pleasure to take pictures of her sweet husband, Al until this past July! I always told the two of them that I was dying to make some pictures with them. They have undeniable chemistry and love each other so much it's ridiculous. They've often been referred to as a power couple, but their strength is a quiet one underneath their gentle, happy spirits.

That wish of mine came true when they came back home to NC (from CA) to hang out with their families and to celebrate their one year anniversary. Although our initial plans of a sunset shoot didn't work out because of a rainstorm, we woke up early the next day and found this awesome cornfield to do their portraits. Carly and I talked about really wanting to focus on the two of them, without any props or distractions.

The only thing that we incorporated into their shoot was my DON'T GIVE UP poster from the Parson's workshop back in early July. I asked them what they're going to commit to not give up on for their next year of marriage. Their answer? Patience. AL DECIDED TO SURPRISE CARLY WITH AN ADDITION TO HER BEAUTIFUL RING FOR THEIR ANNIVERSARY.. SHE HAD NO IDEA!