After the Storm | Family Beach Portraits | Emerald Isle, NC

I cannot express how blessed we are to have these friends. Our kids are best buds, we are a part of the same small group at church, we simply enjoy each other’s company, and they are always ready to help us out when we have a need (which has been a lot lately!). It is not easy to come by friends that will, without question, open their home while the electricity is on the fritz for five days at our own house after Hurricane Irene. Not only that, but their parents allowed us to borrow their generator so we would not lose all of our food in our fridge and freezer. Somehow we have managed to meet a whole church full of people just as selfless and loving. (“Somehow” meaning God blessed us greatly and we have no idea why!)

McG and I (and the little man) got to spend a day with them at the beach and set aside an hour for family portraits with both sets of grandparents. It was about a week after the storm and the weather was beautiful! We got a few smiles out of the kids even though all they wanted to do was play in the sand.

Here are a few of my favorite shots! Aren't these kids so stinkin adorable!

Thank you, Bryan, Courtney and family for allowing me to capture these memories for you. I had such a wonderful time spending the day with you. I feel like part of the family when we are with you all. We had a wonderful time at dinner, too! Thank you for inviting us! There’s nothing like fresh seafood!

Sarah & Christian | Wedding Day Photography | New Bern & Atlantic Beach

I love to look through Christian & Sarah’s wedding photography to see Sarah’s smile grow brighter and brighter. I hadn't seen Sarah since her bridal portraits session. The wedding day had finally arrived and now she could relax and enjoy all her finished plans. I met Christian for the first time that day because he came all the way from New Jersey to make Sarah his bride.

The wedding day started with rain, but this couple and their guests were so joyous and merry, the gloominess outside had no chance inside.  The ceremony was in New Bern, and then we traveled down to the Dunes Club in Atlantic Beach for a lovely evening reception. This wedding venue offers a classy and beautiful interior and a spectacular view. The clouds cleared by the time we arrived at the beach (woohoo!) so we headed down to the water with the bridal party. It was beautiful!

Nicole, my second shooter, Mackenzie, my assistant, and I got a special glimpse of Christian and Sarah’s affection for each other when we spent a few minutes with them alone on the beach. They are so in love and it’s stinking adorable! I absolutely love the series of shots when Sarah throws her arms around her husband – it was totally spur of the moment and real.

Oh yeah, and…Best. First. Dance. Ever. These two know how to get down and so did a lot of their guests. This reception was a total party and the groom had a special surprise for his bride. Sarah and the guests’ reactions were pretty entertaining.

Sarah, Christian and family, thank you for inviting us into your lives for this wedding day. We had an amazing time with all of you and pray God’s blessings over your future.

Nicole, once again, amazing work. I wish we could always be side by side with our cameras.

Mackenzie, you did a wonderful job and I could not have done it without you. You are becoming an excellent photographer!