Stunning, graceful, quiet, confident, humble and gracious are all words that come to mind when I think of Carolyn. She came to me via a referral from a maternity client of mine in search of a photographer to shoot a modeling portfolio for her. She didn’t know what sort of a look she wanted to go for so I suggested a couple looks and locations and the shoot was born. ‘The look’ came so natural for her. I guided her through the maze of locations we attended and described ‘the look’ I was going for with each and she rocked it each time!  What an invigorating shoot for me!

She’s a local girl headed for Florida where her hubby is stationed with the U.S. Navy. She was ‘discovered’ in Jacksonville a couple years back and did a couple fashion spreads for Jacksonville Magazine and another publication in the area.  Now that she’s headed back she’s hoping to get paid for being so stunning (my words of course, not hers, she’s too humble to say so ). 

Like what you see? Well if so this brings me to my next subject…my senior shoots…this is the kind of concept effort that goes into my seniors and I’m super excited to debut some of them in the coming months right here. Stay tuned for my ‘Class of 2010 Hotties’ you won’t want to miss them! If you know a senior who is interested in a shoot so far from traditional they won’t know what hit them then pass them my way, I’d love to chat. In fact, mention ‘the top model’ blog post when booking your senior shoot and you’ll receive a complimentary set of rep cards.

Back to the beautiful Carolyn…

In the words of Gwen Stefani…’You’re a super hot female…you’ll get your million dollar contract.’

Next top model? I think so.

Enjoy!

It’s my absolute favorite thing to combine beautiful people with old, rusty, dirty settings to create a combination like no other. The shoot was in an incredible old building filled with amazing equipment, texture, grime, fire, rust, steam and all the elements a girl like me could ask for in a location! This one ranks in my top three for sure and fueled my creative soul!

Galilee contacted me nearly a year ago to do a maternity shoot for a friend of hers and we’ve been working together ever since. She is partnering with her sister’s Natalie and Laurelie to open Charlotte Rouge, the chic hair spa, in the coming months. The number one priority at the spa is to give women the haircut they have always wanted. I can assure you she means it when she says this – she has been cutting my hair for about 4 months now and she is a perfectionist like I’ve never had in a stylist. She knows if you are satisfied and even if you are and she’s not, she will work to make the cut and color perfect. She is infectious and from the minute you meet her you feel like you’ve known her for years. Her sisters are no exception, they are sweet, spunky and down for anything! 

I am designing the logo, brochures, website and advertising materials for the salon and have had an absolute blast working with Galilee and the girls!

My Auntie Dee Dee and Uncle George live a beautiful life. They live on a quiet little farm with an amazing mountain view in Wasilla. They take in abused or unwanted horses and give them a fabulous place to recuperate and train them so they are able to be ridden again. I think my Uncle George is a horse whisperer – he can calm a wild stallion or an abused mare with his presence alone. Look at the way that horse is calm against his gentle touch or the way he lights up just talking about his work!  

Auntie Dee Dee is a passionate about everything she does whether it’s rescuing animals, teaching her little nieces about baking, make-up and dressing up, loving her babies and husband with a fire others have trouble expressing or her dedication to being the best teacher she can be. She makes those around her feel special and loved in a way I’ve seen from few. She is fabulous and I am so happy she has made such a wonderful life in Wasilla. I just miss her so…    

The boys weren’t around so I wasn’t able to capture them on our visit, but they are two beautiful boys who are almost all grown up and who have been raised to be confident, hard workers, incredible horse riders, awesome soccer players, and most of all they know they are loved, loved, loved!

They have a beautiful life in Wasilla and I’m so happy they have found it. I am only sad to say we don’t see them enough and I miss them while they are away. I want my little ones to know them and to see how special they have been in my life. I want to visit more often so that my kiddos have memories carved out in their childhood from spending time with them like I do.

Thanks for so many sweet memories, I sure love you guys!  

This visit was last August and I’ve been meaning to blog about it so we can show just how great our little visits with them are. There are lots of photos, Enjoy!

This is the final chapter in the rusty bus shoot. This little guy is the most chill kid you could ever meet – being down for anything and a natural behind the camera made him such a treat to work with! Also, watching him tenderly guide his little sister was very sweet to witness. You can be my model anytime Ty – you rock! This was a super fun shoot and I’m so grateful to all who came out to help bring my rusty bus concept to life. 

When I dreamed up the Rusty bus concept I was hoping to have the models come across as a couple, but within five minutes I could tell those two are clearly just buddies so that part of the concept was scratched. I lucked out though when the real boyfriend came to check out our shoot and was game to jump in and model for me. Enjoy part II. Stay tuned for part III.

I came across this old rusty bus and knew I had to come up with a concept shoot for it. Two friends of ours with amazingly unique looks kept coming to mind. The dreads, the dark and light contrast, the grunge and urban flare – it all made sense. I shot these in September 2007 so these guys have been waiting for a teaser for a long, long time. Concepts go that way sometimes – you have to put them to bed for a while before the mood strikes again. This concept turned into a few shoots in one so you’ll have to stay tuned for parts II and III.  Enjoy!

It was an amazing treat to photograph and be photographed by the talented Miss Moxie herself! I have been looking for another cool photog chick to collaborate with and was thrilled to discover one of my childhood basketball buddies is also here making a name for herself in the photography world. After admiring her work and spunk on her blog I knew she would do an incredible job shooting our family photos and was honored when she asked me to do the same for her (peek at her blog for a sneak peek at our family). It’s been a blast reconnecting and we’re looking forward to cooking up some fun, creative, projects to meld our styles on so you’ll just have to stay tuned.

My favorite of the day…

A close second…

A little more fun…

get to grace my lens…(weddings that is)

Ian and Lindsay are special to me so I couldn’t resist when Lindsay asked me to shoot their intimate wedding. This is my fourth shoot for these two and each has been even more special than the last.  They are so easy going and fun to work with. Lindsay always hopes for lots of kissy shots and Ian always shyly obliges. They are down for anything and are completely at ease in front of the camera – my dream clients! Thank you for allowing me to capture a little glimpse in your day and for letting me have fun with you. Best wishes in your new life together. Can’t wait to show you the rest – hope you enjoy the teaser!