Family Portraits: Viktoriya, Darren and Carter at the Greensboro Bicentennial Gardens

I met Carter (and Viktoriya... and Darren!) a couple weeks ago back at baby Vida's first birthday. Viktoriya said she'd tried having portraits before, but none of them had quite the candidness that she was looking for, so I was very excited when she contacted me to set up a shoot.

We decided to meet up at the Tanger Family Bicentennial Gardens in Greensboro, NC. I'd never been there before, but fortunately Viktoriya and Darren had plenty of locations in mind, and the weather was just as beautiful as they were!

Kisses for mommy!

High-five, Daddy!

Family Portraits: Nicole, Zoe and Joseph on UNC Campus in Chapel Hill, NC

Nicole contacted me shortly after seeing some of my photos on UNC's campus during our recent snow/ice storms. As a former graduate, she thought it would make a perfect setting for portraits with her daughter, Zoe, and son Joseph!

It's hard to believe that just a couple days prior to this, the entire place was covered in ice! I was even still lacking power at my house, so it was nice to get out and do something. After taking a handful of posed shots, we took a casual stroll around campus. I let them lead the way and hung back to snap the candids - but Zoe and Joseph were more than happy to smile for the camera!

Everyone was having fun posing with their favorite trees... it's interesting to see how the personalities reflect!

We circled up to the Old Well so Nicole get get a portrait by herself there.

Everyone refreshed themselves with a fresh sip of water before we parted ways to enjoy the remainder of the beautiful day! Thanks to Nicole, Zoe and Joseph for having me out!

Birthday Party Shoot: Alex's Surprise 40th in Durham, NC

I'm very lucky to have a career that also supports my photography hobby! My extremely sneaky and creative boss managed to put together a huge surprise birthday party for her husband Alex's 40th birthday party - and invited me out to capture the day.

Some of Alex's family and friends had traveled from halfway across the country to be there, so needless to say, he was stunned when he walked through the door!

Alex went through the brief hellos, but with lots of children running about (including my boss and Alex's son, Drake), cake quickly became a priority... and Alex seemed quite as excited about it as the kids! ;)

The awesome cake maker and mutual friend, Kim, of Kimmie Kakes, was also in attendance with her husband and lovely daughter Genny.

And another appearance from Jesika, Justin and Larkin (from our maternity shoot back in January).

Fun for everyone! The pinata was creatively filled with candy, plus mini bottles of alcohol wrapped in bubble wrap for the older "children".

Richard got in a fight with a beer bottle... and did not win. But have no fear, duck tape fixes all.

Children, true to their emotions!

Happy 40th, Alex!!

Travel Photography Destination: Ocho Rios, Jamaica

A couple weeks back, my mom called me up for a chat, which quickly turned into complaints about the cold and snow... followed by an invitation to a last minute trip to the Caribbean with her. Of course I wasn't going to turn that one down! She decided on our destination: Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

After making it through customs and a two hour drive from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios, we finally got to our hotel around 8pm and all we wanted to do was eat and crash... but we got a bright and early start Sunday morning.

I was surprised to discover that our hotel was in a bay, with only maybe a mile long stretch of beach. We didn't spend too much time at the hotel in the morning though... we had places to explore!

The one place I was determined to go to on our trip was Dunn's River Falls... and they were more beautiful than pictures can do justice.

After spending most of the day at the park, we went back to the hotel just in time to catch sunset.

I would love the opportunity to shoot a wedding at this gazebo on the hotel's property. Jamaican destination wedding photographer... any takers? ;)

Day two was spent mostly relaxing and swimming at the hotel beach. I had my first up close and personal encounter with a jellyfish in this bay, but I'm happy to say that it was no where near as bad as I expected a jellyfish sting would feel!

Later in the afternoon, we took a walk down the stretch of beach. The end opposite our hotel was almost abandoned, with the exception of a few locals and palm trees.

Upon our return to the hotel, I decided I'd stick to swimming pools the rest of the day. Fortunately, there was an awesome waterslide, and we made friends with the lifeguard, Earl, who has worked at the resort for 8 years. (I wouldn't leave if I worked there, either!)

The next morning, we had to leave for the airport at a bright and early 9am. I decided to make the most of a short day and got up at 5am to watch the sunrise. Unfortunately, there was absolutely no view of the sun from our hotel! But, the moon was still up and provided for a few interesting shots.

No trip to the Caribbean is ever long enough, and no photo will ever do it justice. My heart always aches a little when I have to leave, and I'm already looking forward to going back!