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!

A Family Affair | Extended Family Portraits at the Beach | Emerald Isle, NC

This family is amazing! They go on an annual vacation together, and this year was special. They wanted to document it with a large family portrait. Two very important grandparents were celebrating a milestone anniversary and they weren’t shy about showing their love for one another, which I absolutely loved!

The whole family was so much fun to work with. Seriously, I couldn’t stop laughing. Inside jokes kept coming up and soon, my assistant and I were in on them.  You can see just how much they enjoy each other’s company.

Thank you all so much for keeping me in mind (from last year!) and allowing me to celebrate with you. I truly enjoyed it! Hope to see you again!

Mckenna ∙ Children’s Portraits ∙ Emerald Isle, NC

Fields and barns are definitely my favorite places to photograph people. So when my friend Brandy told me about this field of flowers in Emerald Isle and invited Mckenna and I to join her and her daughter for a photo shoot there, I was determined to make time.

After rescheduling twice due to teething and inclement weather, we finally made it out on a very sunny late afternoon.  The girls did so great in the heat! Despite constant fire ant attacks, mosquitoes bites, and a late dinner time, we had loads of fun. We definitely laughed a lot! We even took a dip in the ocean at the end of the shoot.

I’d say the photos turned out quite nicely.

She likes to examine things very closely.

Belly Button! I don't think the hair is going to last much longer.

Nope!

Mckenna and Caroline made a few furry friends on the beach.

"Yay! I beat mom to the water!"