FallFamilyPhotoLooks-06-768x666 So you've scheduled family photos for fall, told them they all had to be there, lol, and now you have to figure out what everyone is wearing.  In days past, there were a lot of white shirts and black shirts but times are changing and ... 

today, it's all about individuality, comfort, and fun!

When a client asks me what to wear for their session, my advice is to:

1) Pick one outfit or piece of clothing you love.  Most often, it's Mom's favorite blouse or dress, and everyone in the family wears something that is a color from that in solids or prints. Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns and solids!  OR

2) Pick three colors you love together, say black/red/white as an example, and every person wear something in that color family, again, mixing solids and prints. 

There are so many beautiful color combinations and many of them are shown above and below just to give you some inspiration!  

Other tips:

~  Again, don't be afraid to mix solids and prints and patterns!  

~  Wear clothes that fit and aren't too baggy.

~  Jeans are never wrong!

~  I recommend 'fall' shoes over summer sandals and flip flops this time of year if possible.  Boots, sneakers, cute Converses, are great add-ons!  

~  Layers are a great and easy way to change up your photos.  Susie might wear a cute denim jacket for the family shots and take it off for the sibling shots!  Jackets, sweaters, vests, great additions! 

~ Avoid dresses and skirts that are too short or too tight to sit down in as we most often will do sit down poses on the grass.  With little girls, adding a cute pair of leggings or spandex shorts under a short dress are great additions!  

~ Avoid headbands and hats on children IF they are constantly taking them off.  They have to like them to wear them; otherwise, you'll spend a lot of your session putting them back on and fixing their hair.  

~  Avoid T-shirts and hats with logos and graphics unless it's for a specific shot or themed shoot.

~  Avoid shirts that constantly show bra straps.

~  Lastly, be comfortable.  None of you can have fun if you're wearing something that you're worried about the entire session.  Be you! 

Once outfits are chosen, relax!   In the end, it's not about the clothes, it's about the people in them.  You're making a memory and even bloopers are great!  Loosen up, have fun, laugh at the crazy stuff your kids do and say, kiss your husband, and be a little crazy yourself.  That may be one of the reasons they love you!

Images share are from justpostedblog.com, beautiful ideas!

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Meet Ava Grace, she loves to twirl and giggle. She will be a big sister soon!  

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I love seeing families being themselves, freezing these moments in time. They will be cherished always.

maternity_burlington_nc_photographer mom_daughter_portraits_burlington_nc The beautiful foundation that Tyler and Shandra have created for their family is so evident. The love they share with each other is so special. 

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Ahh and this one, the way Ava looks at her Mommy. 

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A gorgeous Mom glowing. 

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There are so many more beautiful images from this session it was hard to choose them. I will leave you with one of the last images I took that evening. The sun had set and Ava wanted to swing one more time. 

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I've been blessed to shoot Grant through his first year of life and now he is one!  I can't wait to see this little guy continue to grow and bring his Mama and Daddy joy!

Here is a shot when Grant was a few days old and six months old:

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And here this little man is today!  Happy birthday Grant!  Just a few favorites!

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This is how we started the session, better the beginning than the end, LOL.  

We thought he'd like heavy equipment for his session but ... we were wrong! We started out thinking he'd like the heavy equipment.... we quickly learned he did NOT. LOL.

Well, times are changing, and a new baby is on the way!  Esperanza is cautiously excited.  Being the only baby for 9 years, this is quite an adjustment, but I have no doubt she's going to be an amazing rock star sister!  Lara just wanted a few shots of them while waiting on baby and we wanted to include Esperanza's guitar; that baby is coming out knowing her sister's music!  Here are a few favorites from our session.  

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Here are a few favorites from their shoot!

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Kennedy and her entourage (which she always had with her) captured her in downtown Mebane, on the farm with her lemonade stand, we just always had fun following her around.  And then a year ago, they added little brother Kolton and here he is as a newborn. Him and his little bowtie:)  0429

And now, here we are, and Kolton turned one!  Time slow down please!  Here are a few favorite shots from Kolton's session for her birthday, him and his new bowtie:)  And had to get a few of Miss Kennedy too!

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To start off, Sawyer with her grandfather's bible... love, love, love.  And then a few other favorites.  

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Bonk-8590 So anyway, fast forward a few really quick years and I was asked to photograph the birth of their baby.  I was ecstatic and as time drew near, I would wake up every hour scared to death I'd missed their call especially after she was finally admitted to the hospital!  Then they get to the hospital and almost three days later.... well, anyway, my being there never got to happen, but a few days later, I was blessed to meet Miss Viviana Grace and capture a few shots I hope they'll treasure forever.  I must saying watching the three of them together just literally warmed my spirit.

I love you Kim, Walter and Vivi G and it means so much to me to capture your story along the way...  

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And now, one year later!  There are so many favorites, these are just a few!  To see all of Raegan's first birthday session, click here:  Raegan is one!

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And now here we are, two years later....

Here are a few of my favorite shots from Katelyn's two year photos and her new brother's first session, little man Christopher!  

What a special family to me! 

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Wake, whose name I absolutely adore, is just perfectly handsome, but with Bishop and Josh as parents, everyone says he had no choice!  They are just the most beautiful, sweetest little family.  I remember when I heard Bishop was born (I'm telling my age!) and just LOVING her name and now here I am photographing her baby boy!  What an honor!  

Here are just a few of my favorites from time with little Wake!

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And I must confess, I always feel that shooting at this stage between newborn and sitting up can be tough!  Let's face it, a baby can't sit up, can't crawl, can't do a lot of anything, LOL, except teething and eating their fist, BUT, Grant reminded me it can be simply fun, adorable, and his expressions and hand gestures made my day!  I had to keep them all!   7689 7694 7701 7703 7708 7710 7714 7717 7722 7734 7729 7735 7739 7744 7745 7746 7751 7771 7784 7785 7790 7794 7795

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The holidays are coming quickly... whether we're ready or not!  It’s time to schedule our most popular session of the year before it's too late!  These mini-sessions are a great way to get a LOT of amazing shots of your family, just the kids, and even your pets, as they are now (and they're short enough to keep babies and husbands and puppies happy, LOL!).  You can use the portraits for your home, holiday gifts, and get them in plenty of time for cards!

Spaces are limited and sell out quickly so contact us today at myspotlightinfo@gmail.com to secure your preferred time slot!  Upon booking, you will receive an email with more details as far as clothing suggestions, etc...And this year, we're doing things a little different.  Because we get SO MANY shots during your session, we're offering AMAZING ONCE A YEAR specials on prints and digitals and will do a personalized appointment with you (approximately two weeks after the session) to help you with your order, share our specials, and get everything you need in time for the holidays!

FINE PRINT:  

Pets allowed at no additional charge!

Session fee due at time of booking (non-refundable).   

Mini-session fee is for up to 6 people, $10 each additional person.  

In the event of inclement weather, sessions will be rescheduled and your session fee will transfer.  Should you not be available for rain date, you may apply your session fee towards a regular session in 2016 or save it for another mini-session! 

These are “generic” sessions, not Christmas themed, so you can display them all year!  BUT you are welcome to wear Christmas/holiday attire if you’d like, and we’ll have some Christmas props on the side if you’d like to get a few prop shots! 

You may change clothes during the session, just bring something easy to change into, as you only have the 20 minutes to work with!

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Both of my friends' stories were eerily similar and both heartbreaking.  Both Moms had dreams of their child's wedding only to come away with moments not captured on film.  Both Moms planned to enjoy the day with their children but both Moms had to serve roles and work in getting the photographers to capture certain things, to ask them to do this or that, to be here or there, and still there were things missed or not done well.  One Mom said there were details from the day she heard about from several people after the wedding but she never got to see them and there were no photos.  One Mom saw the photographer capturing certain details or certain people but those images weren't in the final product and no one knows what happened to them.  One of the Moms said a photographer showed up almost two hours earlier than planned and some of the family members weren't there for photos and didn't get in any family shots.  The list goes on.  

You know, as horrific as it would be, if someone screws up your senior photos or even your newborn or family portraits, they could possibly be redone as there are small windows of time.  But if someone screws up your wedding images, well, I don't have to say it.  I already knew this, as you do, but to relive it through the eyes and hearts of these two mothers and friends was a heartfelt reminder. 

When I hear a couple say, "We've got a friend/relative, or friend of a friend, who's going to shoot the wedding for us as a gift or really cheap," I always pause, pray and sigh. I've heard more sad stories this year than ever about this very thing, so many regrets, but with the age of digital, it's happening more and more.  People think those with "fancy" cameras should be able to do the job.  

I know weddings can be unbelievably expensive and Lord knows, I wonder how I'm going to pay for my own daughters' weddings, but I do know one thing without question.  We'll hire an amazing photographer, even if I have to bake the cake and grow the flowers, because I know of all the vendors, that will be the one whose product will outlive all of us.  Inexperienced or hobbyist photographers may save you money and can sometimes get a few great shots but it takes experience, talent, and professionalism to know how to foresee and capture the shots that will take your breath away, to show you images when it's all over that you never got to see.  As we married people know, the day is a blur, so sometimes the photographs tell your story better than you remember it!  

Quality is obviously critical; does your photographer consistently produce quality images?  Ask to see them. You should love them when you do!  In addition to quality, the right photographer needs the experience and personality to almost take on a Director's role during the day as some couples can't afford an event planner (which I highly recommend).  Does your photographer know how to do this?  I often find myself needing to tell the wedding party where to be when, helping the couple with such things as heading down the aisle, how to cut the cake, where/how/when to do the garter and bouquet, planning their exit, and so on, and I love it all!  I very often have couples and parents thank me for doing this!  The right photographer just has to be prepared and able to step into this role or it will fall on someone else and sadly, it's usually the mother of the bride or groom.

Very importantly, you should click with your photographer and become friends; does your photographer "set right" with you, do you feel at ease with them?  Your photographer should ask what you want from your big day and not just show up.  The right photographer will provide you with options and flexible packages that fit your needs and not the generic bride.  You are not generic!  Your photographer should make sure you look amazing all day if possible and yet be discrete and blended into the background; ask them about how they work, ask them for references.  Your photographer should have the gear needed to do the job and do it right, they should commonly have second shooters (I don't know how people do it without one), and they should have a backup plan in the event of an emergency like sickness, death in the family, and so on.  Ask them about their second shooters, about their backup plan!  

And last but NOT least, after your wedding, the right and experienced photographer will be hard at work on your images, organizing and editing your images to make them look phenomenal (and know how to do that!), backing them up so they're not lost, and then presenting them to you in a timely manner... oh my gosh, did I say timely manner?  Yes!  Ask when you'll get your images!  That's all I'm going to say about that except it breaks my heart and shocks me to hear couples waiting months for their images.... why?!  

I am not perfect but you all know that.  I learn something new at every wedding I do.  I still get butterflies before each one and worry my second shooters to death:) but I never want to feel that I know it all and I won't.  Most importantly, I know without a doubt I am not the photographer for everyone whether it be because of price or style or just me and I'm okay with that!  But for those of you choosing your photographer, no matter what it's for, I just implore you to analyze carefully where you will invest your money and choose wisely.  Don't just price-shop....quality-shop, experience-shop.  I've not talked a lot about the price but as cliche as it is, you do get what you pay for. Remind yourself that long after the other things from your day are gone, some of which are gone before the end of the day, the photographs will be held in your hands and the hands of your children and grandchildren for generations to come, and moments not captured can't be recaptured.  

I'll end on this (aren't you glad:).  This week, I talked to a new client who told me that when she got married 10 years ago, they based their entire wedding day around the availability of this particular photographer they wanted.  They saved and paid that photographer a pretty penny for their wedding even 10 years ago but she said it was the most important thing about their day and they chose to invest the biggest part of their budget into their pictures.  They've never, ever regretted it.  Don't open a door for regrets that can be avoided.     

My partner and I did go our separate ways, as friends, and I kept Spotlight Photography.  Eventually, other work came in like weddings (eek!), families, and more, and the business grew to a point that a couple of years ago, I separated the sports and started Spotlight on Sports devoted solely to team photos and sports specialty products.  I am humbled to say we've grown (through a few hard knocks) to work with teams all over Alamance County and a team of now six photographers and one coordinator who manages the scheduling for all the teams/photographers, editing and ordering all team orders, communications with all the team managers and coaches, and delivering of top quality products to all of them in a two week turnaround (she's super-woman Tami Zubler!).  It would not be possible without her and the photographers who are now on board... Angie Newton, Beth Everhart, Brandy Fleming, Shannon St. Pierre, Stephanie Brown, and Jennifer Wolfe.  And you know what I love?  All the photographers are women who have worked with or had children for years, been around sports and children playing sports, so they know those twisted shorts and shirttails hanging out are not okay and they care and they know how to have fun doing it!  

My photography life outside of sports continues to grow beyond anything I could have envisioned in my wildest dreams.  God is moving and shaking and causing me to do the same!  I have to take a step back daily as the phone rings and thank Him and yes, wonder why, but just trust and know that it's all good and in His timing and that yes, it can all end tomorrow if that's part of the master plan.  But while I am blessed, I hope to bless others through the love and images that I can provide.  

I still shake my head to realize my wedding calendar grew from just 8 weddings in 2012 to 20 weddings in 2013 and my portrait calendar is almost full for months to come.  I shake my head as I type.... All of this abundance of work caused me to make some tough decisions but ones that I am so excited about that I can't sleep!  I think these decisions will take Spotlight to the next level for me personally and for my family but also for my clients!!  So far it's all been a wing and a prayer and now it's taken on substance and a life of its own!  

I am so excited to now have Marcia Culler, who was already a dear friend, as my new Photography Coordinator.  Marcia has always encouraged me and been a big cheerleader in my corner and now she'll be taking on some of the details that take away from the shooting and working on images which is desperately calling my name.  Marcia will be implementing new systems that have been needed for so long, sending awesome information to new and old clients, working with session fees and money, helping clients with their final images and how to best invest their money in those images, just everything detail and most importantly, everything to make our clients' experiences personal and beyond amazing.

And the last big decision (for now) is in an area that's near and dear to me but a struggle.  I love designing personalized albums for my couples and even for families, seniors, and new parents.  However, they do take a substantial amount of time to design as each one is different and special to me, and with the growth of the calendar, there aren't enough hours in the day to do them the way I want them done and turn them around to clients as quickly as I'd like.  This meant finding help in this area, tough to do and tough to admit, but I did!  Divine intervention perhaps but my path crossed with another old friend, Beth Hildebrand, who designs amazing albums for people, and who does them more beautifully than I could have hoped for! She was praying for this very type of thing to come along and there I was... there she was... and again, the rest is history.  Beth will be our new Album Designer and working on albums with input from me and the families or couples for whom we are doing them and I guarantee each one will walk away with a masterpiece that is a masterpiece, uniquely their own.   

So there you go.... doors opening, windows flying up, and the roof shaking as it gets higher.  I am blessed, I am blessed, and humbled by all of the amazing people who love me, support me, and believe in me.  Thank you is such a small phrase for such a big blessing you are!

So, got photos?  I've got camera in hand ready to go!  

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But anyway...

Our whole lives we hear that when we get older, our parents become like our children and we reverse roles.  Every time I take mom to what I call "dementia daycare" I am reminded how true that is.  I went to pick her up to take her yesterday and as has become the norm with anyone but Daddy, she was quite resistant about going with me.  Oh, I know not to take it personal - it's one of the many things you learn through this process.  I know she has no clue where she's going and can't remember she was there yesterday or last week or the week before that.  It's just Daddy.  It doesn't matter what is going on, Mama wants to be with Daddy every second of every day.  He is her security blanket.  But regardless, we were able to coax her into the car and off she and I went.  

The entire ride to dementia daycare is the same each time.  "Where is your Daddy going?"... "Does your Daddy know I'm with you?"... "I can't find my lipstick" (although I've bought her a dozen tubes:)..."I don't understand why we're doing this."...  "Where are we going?"..."Where's my lipstick?".. "What are we doing?" ... "I'm so proud to have you for a daughter" .. "You need on some lipstick" and the list of commonalities goes on.  I always try to remember the Hospice suggestion of one or two word responses so there's a lot of yeps and nopes in our conversation but it works.  

Then we arrive at dementia daycare, the Harbor at Twin Lakes, an amazing place, and I am each time reminded of taking Chase to his first daycare experience at about 2 years old.  I coax her out of the car and in the door by telling her whatever I have to tell her (I still feel guilty at all the little white lies you have to tell your parent during this phase) but you do what you have to do.  She never remembers having been there before.  Then we get in and the wonderful ladies (just like Chase's wonderful teachers years ago) coax her on in the door, get her distracted, while I sneak out the door..... all the while listening to her through the door asking where I am or where Daddy is and they're coaxing her over to have a cup of coffee or read the paper (like coaxing Chase to play with his toys).  

And much like taking Chase to daycare, the picking up part is the fun part.  She is so excited to see you and acts like she can't believe you knew where she was.  Oh yes, Mama, we know where you are, we are reminded hour by hour.  We won't forget.  Love you Mama.

Mom and Dad in the fall of 2010.  

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In her Daddy's boots:)  Love it!
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Dementia is a baffling, frustrating disease.  Watching it evolve reminds me of the seasons, memories being the leaves on a tree.  In the spring and summer of our life, our memories are colorful, full, healthy, vibrant and growing.  And even after a few "winters," it bounces back... we've all had those times, right?  But the fall comes and the leaves change much like my mother's mind.  The colors are beautiful at first but they eventually start to fade.  Each leaf, each memory, hangs on by a thread, hoping to live a little longer, but eventually having to let go by no choice of anyone.  They drift away on the wind until they eventually come to rest somewhere else and dissolve away... much like my mother's memory.

At this stage, all we can do as a family is nurture, love, support, and hang on to each other.  We're deep into the fall and the leaves fall so much faster than they did just a few months ago.  We don't know when there will be none left but we face the inevitable.... together and with God's hand on all of us.  

My brother reminded me of this old photo of Mom and Dad from around 1960 (WAY before I existed:) when he saw the one from Christmas 2012.  Times change.... Love you Mama and Daddy...  and we'll get through the fall together.  

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Move the clocks forward a few short years and they ask me to come do family portraits of them and their amazing Ayden... 18 months old and cute as a button.  I went back out to the country and that sweet little (and handsome!) couple still exists in their little world out there in the country and now they've added this awesome little man.  It's a beautiful thing to see them grow and remember what that was like.  

Thank you to Kelin and Matt and Ayden for sharing their afternoon with me.  I look forward to doing so many more times in the years to come!

To see all of Matt and Kelin's family photos, visit their gallery under Portraits, Family, Hiltbold (www.myspotlightphotography.com/hiltbold2013).  

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B20Q1405 I meant to do this January 1st.... but better late than never!  I just didn't want you to think I disappeared. The last post I made was in September and then life went haywire!  There were awesome portrait sessions, weddings, bridals, daycares, engagements for about 45 days in a row!  Incredible to look back now and know I survived because while I loved it all, I don't know how I did it.   BUT I am thankful for each and every person in each and every photograph I took.  

I learned a lot of things this past fall, however, primarily that life is short.  No, REEEALLLY?!  I just have to be reminded occasionally.  I realized by taking on more than I should have what I was doing first and foremost to my family.  I have never missed my children's ballgames and events and this past fall, I missed every single one of my son's baseball games... it makes me cry to think about what I missed, not one photo.  Yes, there will be more games, but no, that season won't come back.  My little boy turned 14 in November and whew... another reminder that life is short.  And with my family, my mother's dementia is taking her away from us quickly and my mother-in-law's Alzheimer's is doing the same... another reminder that this time won't come back.  

I also learned I was affecting my own health and peace of mind... I could not sleep, my brain would not turn off!  I think I added a few thousand gray hairs and I doubt I was very much fun to live with (hush, Dave). 

And very, very important to me, I realized I was affecting you, my clients.  Some of you waited four times as long as you should for proofs which tore me up!  I physically and literally had to cut sessions shorter meaning I didn't get those last few great shots I love to get.... I had to do the editing a little faster...  I was quite simply not giving each client the personalized attention I normally give, that makes me who I am, and which they deserve, and that broke my heart.  I learned my time and the time I give each client is valuable and important.  I learned things may have to be different in 2013.  

And lastly, I learned there are things that don't feel so hot about being known as the "cheap" photographer.  I don't charge what I should, not because I want to undercut the competition - there are SOOOOO many amazing photographers in our area - I'm just a tender heart.  And you know you're not charging enough when your own clients look at you as they pay you and say "You're not charging enough!".  We all live and learn.  But I just pray referrals will be to me, and clients will come to me, because they love my work, my vision, what I do, and not because I'm "cheap".... not something anyone wants to hear when they love what they do.  

This year, I resolve to overindulge my clients, my family, and maybe myself once in a while.  Yes, I will take on all the work I can, I will ask for work that works well with my life and helps my clients, all because I LOVE what I do, but I will have boundaries that allow me to breathe, turn off my brain, relax with my family more than once a month:), and to devote the personalized attention I treasure for each client and each photograph so they get the end result that they deserve and I complete their work knowing I did my absolute best. 

I love you all and have some of the most amazing friends and supporters and family any one human can ask for.  God is good... all the time.    

So this shoot was a little different…  Garrett is a senior at Fuquay-Varina High School and is going to NCSU to play baseball next year.  Plus he’s adorable… I mean handsome.   And I had a great time shooting him and his entire family.  But what makes me a little extra sentimental about this one is Garrett’s Dad, Ty, used to play baseball for my husband at Athens Drive High School (telling my hubbie’s age) and he and his wife, Denise, have both been friends of ours forever.  I have photos of them catching the garter and bouquet at our wedding 22 years ago and we did know they would get married, they were sweethearts!  And over the years, we’d always get their adorable Christmas cards of little Garrett and sister, Kelley, growing up, snaggle teeth and all.  Now… he’s graduating.  Tissue time! 

Gregory-2016 It was such a joy to be a part of the wedding of Kristi Lashley and Steven "Bubblicious" or "Bubba" Gregory!  Kristi and Steven were a lot of fun and they, along with their families and friends, were so gracious and made the day very special for all of us there.  It didn't feel like work with this bunch!  They are obviously loved by so many.  And apparently, Kristi already called Steven Bubba but somehow:) he decided to dub himself Bubblicious.  Well, I decided we had to do a shot with some bubble gum and bubbles so we did try and had fun doing it!  I went around to numerous guests and gathered up all the gum anyone would give me and gave it to the bridesmaids who chewed and chewed... oh, and chewed.  They tried their darndest to blow some bubbles but it just was not completely possible and they got so tickled trying.  Several of the photos are of them giving them a whole hearted effort. 

But truly, thank you to the Lashley and Gregory families and all their wedding party and friends for allowing us to be a part of the day and capture some pretty cool memories.  Please be sure to visit their entire gallery at www.myspotlightphotography.com/gregory2012 and if you like an image, feel free to click the "Like" button underneath.  I appreciate it!! 

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Ashley and Phillip Martin know everyone and I think everyone knows them.  Their parents are Eastern Alamance Eagles high school sweethearts from Mebane and their adorable twins grew up in the same high school and are now about to spread their Eagle wings!  They are hilarious, adorable, and have the most charming (and polite!) personalities.  You simply can't help but treasure being around them.  I love what someone said about Phillip, he smiles with his whole face and he does!  One of the most whole hearted smiles I've ever seen!  And I told Ashley her eyes are mesmerizing and anyone who knows her will agree.  Ashley loves her Bubbie so much and he does her (but just likes to pretend he's not as gushy over her:)  But you can tell he'd do anything for that girl.  I wish Ashley and Phillip only the best as their leave the Eagle's nest in 2013 and so appreciate them letting me hang out with them and capture a few special moments.  You can view all of Ashley and Phillip's shoot at www.myspotlightphotography.com/martin2013. 

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I hope you'll enjoy the slideshow of their gallery below but first I had to share this fun shot we got quite by accident (and no, I wasn't quite fast enough!) as the iconic train came through as we started our shoot.  How lucky was that?!

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I first met Erlyn a few years ago while doing team photos.  Her daughter, Avery, plays almost every sport and the first time I "shot" her, I remember thinking how exceptionally beautiful she was... and she still is!  Then I found out she had a sister, Alana, coming along behind her and oh my goodness, she's gorgeous too!  There are some good genes in that family!  Anyway, Erlyn's family is spread out over the country and get together once a year and on Friday, while they were all in Mebane, I got the chance to take some family shots and finally meet the father of those beauties, Obie.  The entire family was wonderful and I had a great time!  We walked around a big fantastic barn, fought off a few weeds, and then were blessed to have the Phipps family share their amazing backyard with us.  Thank you to Erlyn, Obira, Rex, Christine, Ernie, Emilen, Avery and Alana for sharing a portion of your family time with me!  Safe travels! 

Alana wasn't in the mood for a ton of photos but capturing her all serious or smiley, it didn't matter, beauty if beauty:

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Avery... well, radiant is a word I would use for her.  One of my favorite shots of the day!

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Rex and Christine, you can tell they just belong together!

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Erlyn, Obie, Avery and Alana:

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The entire family with Ernie and Emilen, also known as Lola and Lolo, Filipino for grandmother and grandfather.  You can tell they love those girls as much as those girls love them!

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I didn't think it would happen to me!  But I saw everyone else doing it and thought why not?!  I am now officially a blogger.  For anyone who stumbles upon this, just know it's all new to me, and thank you in advance for bearing with me while I learn.

A little about me...  I am 48 years old (did I really just type that out loud?!) and am married to Dave who is the principal at Eastern Alamance High School in Mebane, North Carolina.  I actually attended Eastern myself (go Eagles!) and my friends say it's a good thing those walls can't talk... I'm not sure what that means:)  Anyway, we have three children around which our world revolves.  My oldest daughter, Caroline, is 22, and is finishing up her education at UNC-G this year (Lord willing...LOL!).  My "sandwich child" Cassie is 20 and is a junior at Western Carolina University.  And my baby boy, Chase, is 13, and is an 8th grader at Woodlawn Middle School.  Poor kid, I'm hanging on to him for dear life!

I started my official photography business in 2007 and the journey has been amazing.  And every time things are looking bleak and I wonder if I'm doing the right thing, God blesses me abundantly with more work than I can do without Him!  Oh yeah, part of His plan?!  So I am very excited about what lies ahead in the next few weeks and what I can share with you. 

Tomorrow I have a senior portrait shoot with a very smart and handsome young man from Eastern Alamance.  He'll be my first shoot to share here (if I can figure out how) and I can't wait!  Until then.... I'm just a click away!