This time of year I try to pause to think about what I am thankful for.

It’s hard to stop and think about it. I have so many blessings I could list but for the most part I am thankful for my family, friends, my health and my education. All of these things make me happy and keep my heart full. I know it seems silly to list my education, but that doesn’t just include my BA from Western Kentucky University but it also includes my work experience, all the workshops I’ve attend, the blogs I’ve stalked, the hands-on help I’ve received and the trial and errors. Oh, those trial and errors.

I’m so thankful I’m a photographer. I know sometimes it’s hard to believe it’s even a job because I don’t go in to an office, the paychecks aren’t steady, and I often break a sweat negotiating with the littlest clients on the planet. But it feeds my artistic passion and keeps me smiling.

I ended my holiday mini session on a high note this past Sunday with four of my favorite families. Here is a quick tease.

I hope you enjoy your family and friends this Thanksgiving and remember to take a moment to count your blessings.

One of my favorite things about photography is finding new places to play with my camera. Add in an adorable family and BAM!

For a while I have passed by this wooded pathway while driving near my house in Wesley Chapel. It’s always been in the back of my mind to check out, and when the Showalter family asked to shoot something close to home and would work with the clothes mom had picked out. I knew this was the perfect place.

We met on an early Sunday morning and had a great time.  Two red heads with freckles? Yes, please! Sarah and Jacob were such a dream to photograph and made my job so easy. After the well mannered kiddos posed for me they were treated to donuts with their folks. Here are a few of my favorites and I hope I get another chance to have them in front of my lens.

Seven years ago today I gave birth to my baby girl, my Bug, my Catherine. She’s the light of my life. It’s hard to believe I was given the title of Mommy when that little bundle of joy was conceived. Since then I have been blessed with another gift from God, my son, Liam James. I say that I became a Mommy even before Cate was born because in those nine months you build a bond with your child that only a mother can have.

I was more than excited to hear that my dear friend Amy and her husband Jay were expecting and wanted me to shoot their maternity session. I photographed their wedding three years ago and was tickled with the opportunity to document the beginning of their family of three. We met at Barrington Hill right before sunset and it was so magical to see the light dance on the spanish moss trees and the whole experience was filled with love.

Thank you Amy and Jay for including me in this special time in your lives. I can’t wait to meet baby Jack when he arrive before Christmas. Many blessing and belly rubs.

Some days my job is easy.

The warm fall day when I met the beautiful Isabella was one of those days. It’s hard during my mini sessions to build a relationship with my subjects, especially young children. But when our eyes met, we clicked. I was so jealous of her super long eyelashes and dark chocolate eyes. Her mom had her dressed in the most adorable “Big Bird” yellow bow and tutu and I just melted. I knew I wanted a simple background, so we took her outside and sat her in the grass. It was her first time in the lawn and she had a ball exploring. She’s not 100% sitting on her own, but with the help of a slope in the yard we were able to get her to sit on her own and we had such a great time capturing her charm. Here are a few photos of our lovely afternoon. I hope you love them as much as I do. I can’t wait to get her in front of my camera for my first birthday photos next spring.

Every fall I look forward to so many things, like the humidity dropping, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, the start of college basketball and of course seeing my favorite families. It’s special to me to see them grow and the kids grow up. Photographing the Currence family at Barrington Hill was the perfect way to kick off my holiday sessions. Their beautiful little girls were full of laughs and spunk, just the way I like them. Last fall I had the pleasure of photographing Abby for her newborn photos and wow what a cutie she has grown into the past 12 months. With her fire-red hair and bright blue eyes she is such a great addition to their already perfect family. Katie is always fun to follow around with my camera. This year she developed quite the personality and I loved every minute of it! I think Betsy and George have two young ladies that will be able to take care of themselves and keep them on their toes. Thanks so much for allowing me to photograph your family and I look forward to seeing you next year if not sooner.