We had a wonderful time on the nature trail and then at a pumpkin farm to take their Fall family photos!  My husband, John, got a LOT of exercise chasing Jackson around and trying to get him to make the “Home Alone,” face while his parents were kissing in the background.  Our patience paid off (and Mom and Dad got a lot of kissing time in!), with a shot I think they will treasure forever!

If you would like to book your fun Fall photo session, email me at cmtphotog@gmail.com, message me on https://www.facebook.com/CMTPhotography or give me a call at (561) 889-9469!  Fall mini-sessions are coming up on November 3-4 and November 18th and there are still a few spots available!  These will be at a special price of $75 for up to 3 family members.

Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

Fast forward a year and I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph her beautiful twin girls this morning.  I love when things come full circle!  They just celebrated  their 9th Birthday and were so spirited and full of energy.  E & L loved duck watching (John & I even got a duck named after us!), hanging out at the park and enjoying the first official day of Summer.  Marcia sent me a sweet note afterward that said, in part, “The girls even said that they had FUN having their pictures taken which was a first for them!”

Happy Summer Girls!  Glad to have been able to have spent the first morning of Summer hanging out and having FUN with you all at the park.  Enjoy the sneak peek!   

When we started out the session, Shannon loved looking at some of the inspiration photos that I had printed to get ideas.  Then, as we walked outside to the Rose Garden area, she stopped and posed on the railing in the sweetest way.  It turned out to be one of my favorite photos – ever!  Thanks Shannon for inspiring me!

Shannon’s mom, Nancy, won this photo package as one of the one’s I donated to her school in the Fall.  I am so glad that she did, and so blessed to have met Shannon at this most special time in her life.  Congratulations on your First Holy Communion Shannon!

Some history on my submission: Last month, my husband and I were going through a period where we just missed each other.  He was working crazy long hours at work, I was busy busy busy with Spring Sessions and we looked at each other one day and said “We have to get away!”  So he researched some places and planned a beautiful day trip for us to head to head up to Dupont State Forest.  Side Note:  This is where they filmed some of “The Hunger Games” movie!  The trip was wonderful, and much needed.  Just us and nature!  We finally hiked to an area where we could lie on the rocks, with a waterfall above us and one below.  And just as I got cozy in his arms – it started to RAIN.  Out of nowhere!  It was so unexpected, and so much fun!  We hiked a little farther up to the covered bridge area, had the picnic we brought and watched it rain.  Being stuck in the rain, in the middle of nowhere with the love of my life is now one of my favorite memories!

This is a photo I took while looking down from the bridge.  I loved watching the patterns of the raindrops on the water below.  Technical Details:  f4.8, 1/125 second.  I edited it a bit in Lightroom using Split Toning, adding some highlights and shadowing.

Being the style maven that she is, Jamie brought the MOST adorable bow for Whitney to wear during the photo shoot.  Unfortunately, Miss Whitney doesn’t have a penchant for the large bows mom likes to put in her hair – but she graciously allowed it to stay on for a few shots.  Thanks Whitney

Jamie’s husband, Alan, couldn’t have been more excited to be missing March Madness basketball for this photo-session.  I kid.  But, being the kind and generous photographer that I am – I got him home by halftime (I hope).  And, the photos go to show – even a guy who is missing sports CAN enjoy a photo shoot with CMT Photography.

Thanks Jamie, Alan and Whitney for choosing me to photograph your sweet family!  Cheers!

At 9 months, Elsie has such a vibrant and curious personality already!  She loved exploring the park, hanging out with her big sister Rylee, crawling around and especially trying to eat the leaves.  We found out that the best way to make her laugh is when her mom told her “No!”  Uh-oh, that is great for photos but could spell trouble in her teenage years. 

Caine especially wanted to get a photo of Elsie on his shoulder’s, since he loved the one I snapped at the maternity session with his daughter Rylee.  Love these father-daughter moments!  Thank you Shelley and Caine for allowing me to capture these memories for your family!

Johanna found out about me through her good friend Ashlyn over at Cole Baby Tutus .  I adore Ashlyn’s tutus and she has worked with me on giveaways in the past.  Let me say a big THANK YOU to Ashlyn.  Not only do I love referrals, but it was such an honor and a blessing to meet & photograph this sweet couple!

Johanna & Cale are so in LOVE and excited to become parents that they were both glowing with happiness.  I loved the idea they had to incorporate some of their team gear (go Pirates!) into some of the photos.  I mean, they were so cute together that it had my husband, who helped out with the session, going home with the idea that he was ready to have a baby (me, not quite yet)!   Cale & Johanna – wishing you a wonderful delivery and lifetime of blessings with your new addition!  I can’t wait to find out if it’s a boy or a girl!

My 2011 Resolutions…

1.  Volunteer more, doing something I love, and with the same organization(s).  Ronald McDonald House & Nursing Home, possibly host a game night at each. ~ Grade:  C+ ~ Uggg.  This is one that I REALLY wish I had done more with.  I did choose 2 causes, RMH of Charlotte & Bright Blessings.  I did hold a Spring Portrait Session with Proceeds to benefit RMH, and made up a Birthday Blessings classroom set for Bright Blessings, as well as dedicated my Birthday month to giving back/random acts of kindness.  But, I still really want to volunteer at a Nursing Home and do a craft night/game night.  Note to Self:  Re-Add this to 2012 Resolutions.

2.  Grow my portrait photography business.  Explore some creative marketing ideas.  Dedicate myself to learning, growing and bringing the best possible services and products to my clients. ~ A ~ I can ALWAYS see room for growth in this area!  Always learning & growing for sure.  Some of highlights this year:  Repeat clients.  LOVE seeing the same families!  Corporate Business growth – Carolina’s Healthcare Systems and Real Estate, as well as Headshots helped to grow my business.  Photography Conference in Raleigh.  New/Better Packaging for Photo CD’s towards the end of the year.  Room for Growth:  Network more in SE Charlotte/Ballantyne area.  Grow Senior Photo business.  Blog More!

3.  Continue to travel with John, if possible once a month – even if it is just a day trip to the mountains.  Hopefully a trip to Greece.  Exploring feeds the soul! ~ A ~ We didn’t make it out of the US (boooo!), so there is defintely room for improvement!  We did go to Florida in the Spring (Miami/WPB/Orlando), tried a Swamp Boat ride, HHI in the summer, and Orlando for a week at Christmas.  Plus other randoms to a baseball game in Atlanta, a Photography conference in Raleigh, West Virginia several times, basketball games… nothing I LOVE more than having fun & traveling with John!  Room for Improvement:  Try at least 2 new places a year (this year had a lot of familiars, but still FUN!).

4.  Host a monthly or every-other-month Game Night.  Foster new and old friendships. ~ D- ~ Boooo!  We have had a few game nights with a few different couples, but nothing like the ultra-planned out, themed events I was thinking of on January 1st!  Not sure if I will Re-List this one in 2012, may be better to play it by ear!

5.  Learn something new, as often as possible. Take a cake decorating class, photography workshop, try yoga (again), learn the tango…  ”Unless you try to do something beyond what you have mastered, you will never grow.” ~ C.R. Lawton. ~ A ~ I learned to sew this year by taking sewing lessons in someone’s home.  And bought a sewing machine!  12 months after writing this, I actually have a sewing room!  With fabric!    And I am still a beginner, so I still have a lot to learn with this hobby.  I made pillow cases, aprons, a tote bag, an iTouch case… I also went to a Photography workshop in Raleigh, where I had a lot to learn.  John taught me how to do “approach” shots in golf.  This month I took a cake pop decorating class (such fun!) and am signed up for Wilton Cake Decorating classes next month!  Joined Pinterest, which is like a craft class times a million.  I’ll have to spend the rest of this week thinking of things I want to learn for next year!

6. Keep records… journal!  *Try project 365, taking a picture a day for a year.  If that doesn’t work out, settle for Project 52 – a picture a week for a year! ~ D ~ I have exactly 2 entries in my “journal,” including the 1st one on New Years Day!  And I LOVE how I knew myself well enough to give myself an OUT on the Project 365… ahh, it was fun for the 1st month or so though.  I did, however, start videoing more when I got my husband his iPhone, AND have a “Memory Board” where I keep ticket stubs, room keys, photos, etc.  Baby steps!

7.  Choose happiness. ~ I can’t “grade” myself on this one, as it is always evolving.  I did have a rough patch when my mom was having some health issues, but I tried to turn a negative into a positive by bringing her to stay with us for awhile.  This will ALWAYS be on my list, as I think it is a very good goal to have in life! 

 There they are!  Overall, I would call making the list a success!  It helped me to evaluate my priorities, as well as see what area may never be a priority (record keeping!  Blah!).  Excited to make up the list for 2012!  Happy Resolution-Making, everyone! What’s on your list for 2012?