{Tedder Family} Gwinnett County Portrait Photographer

I hope everyone enjoyed a long, restful weekend!

I have had the pleasure of getting to know this sweet family over the past few years and they have got to be one of the most adorable ones around! Their baby just turned one, so we ventured to a grassy little park for some family photo fun! It was a hot one, but they were troopers! We ended the session with none other than the famous "one year cake smash"- the same kind we did with big sister almost 3 years ago! Guys, always a pleasure!

{Wyatt} 9 months | Gwinnett County Child Photographer

I had the pleasure of photographing one of my favorite little kiddos again. He was back for his 9 month session and we decided to take this one outside! He has changed a lot since last time I saw him- moving around, standing, but he still has those squeezable baby cheeks! I adore working with this mom because she always has so many ideas for her shoots. My job is to find a spot to compliment those ideas, so we ventured to a park with nice open grassland, trees, and a lake, and took advantage of them all! Can't wait to see you guys in a few months!

Big sister helped me with test shots. This one just happened to be a keeper!

{Who's the Cutest Kid of All?}

Wow- I can't believe it's been a whole year since our last Cutest Kid Contest! We had some adorable kiddos and hope to have even more this year (and maybe a few repeat entries!).

This year, we have partnered up with a few local vendors who have graciously donated prizes for the winners. You can check out and 'Like" their Facebook pages below.

If you're a newbie, here's how our contest works:
-You have a fun, high energy session with me that your kiddo will actually enjoy.
-You are automatically entered into the contest where you get to pick the image to be voted on.
-You get benefits of a regular session, including idea/wardrobe consultation, 15-25 beautiful, fully edited images to choose from BUT, you also have a chance to win some fabulous prizes!
-These sessions are only held once a year, are a great value, and are the perfect way to get to know me and my style!
- This is a GREAT time to have fun with summer wardrobes- fun bright colors, patterns, accessories, themes- let's go for it! Got a session idea? I want to hear it!

All sessions will be held in June. My summer dates always fill fast and I want to make sure that everyone gets a chance to enter! Kiddos must be between the ages of 2-8.

Ok, so here's a few quick rules:

- All regular session terms and conditions apply. Sessions will be approx. 30 minutes long. Each session will yield approx. 15-25 images. 
- You can enter more than one child. All siblings shot at same session will be $25 each.

- Prizes will be awarded for first and second place winners. There will also be a treat for mom as well!
- You may schedule back to back sessions with a buddy for a few "friends shots". These shots will be included in your 25 images.

A big thank you to our designers donating this year's prizes:

Two Lollidots kid's accessories

Little Bow Sweets dresses and accessories

Southern Stitches custom tees and appliques

Bambaroos Boutique hair accessories for kids and adults

Please show your support for our generous vendors by "Liking" their pages!

{Fun With Backlighting} My Boys

This session is long overdue, but this Spring has been a whirlwind of activities! Between my birthday, Easter, festival planning, a wedding, and First Communion, and random thundershowers, there was very little time for me to take my babies out for their spring pictures. I started brainstorming what I wanted during the dreary winter months while doing my daily blog surfing. I was inspired by a few "sunset sessions" and knew I wanted to try some backlighting techniques. So finally, I packed up the boys and a few props, and off we went to a random field near my parent's house. The grass was super high and I was afraid they might object, but to my delight, their eyes lit up as they began scouring the land for bugs and sticks. They did, however, refuse my request to go barefoot. I had pictured bare toes running through the field, but alas, I settled for stocking feet instead- and happy kiddos! 

Little guy is on an apple kick right now, so I thought what better way to keep him happy with a prop!

{Wardrobe Inspiration} Rasp n Berrie

While stalking my favorite blogs the other day, I stumbled upon a great new inspiration resource. It's brand new- just launched in April- but I'm sure it will be great for helping clients (and me!) brainstorm session ideas. I just may submit your session to be featured!

raspnberrie.com

So adorable- makes me want to go shopping! Happy Friday!

{Kati and Matt} Wedding | Gwinnett County Photographer

It's always a huge compliment when a fellow photographer asks you to do a shoot for their family. Just as flattering is having a photog friend trust you enough to shoot their brother's wedding! I met Kati through my college buddy, Kristen. I don't do many weddings anymore, but was honored to be asked to shoot one for a collegue!

Kati and Matt chose to be married at The Farmhouse Inn at Hundred Acre Farm in beautiful Madison. I arrived and was greeted by rolling hills and a gorgeous farmhouse and my wheels immediately started turning! They incorporated the rustic scenery into their wedding elements, including the giant tree under which they exchanged their vows!

Thanks so much for allowing me to be part of your special day! May your future be filled with happiness!

{Mom's the Word}

It's Mother's Day and I'm running around getting ready for my son's First Holy Communion party. In my family, it's tradition to have a big to do for this special event, and we are no exception! Yesterday, I was off in beautiful Madison shooting a wedding, so needless to say, I haven't had much of a restful weekend! Ah, the life of a mother- our work is never done!

I wanted to take a second and wish all the Mom's out there a Happy Mother's Day! Rest, be waited on, and wear your momma badge with honor today! Hug those kiddos tight and enjoy your special day!

and my beautiful mama who has somehow managed to put up with us three for the last 20 some years! Thanks Ma!

{The Importance of Photographs}

On our way home from the beach one year, my husband informed me that we would be taking a detour to the family farm. The "farm" is the house his father grew up in. No one lives there, family just uses it when they go hunting or are passing through. He suggested that we go and take some of the antique furniture out and bring it home with us. I, having a bad experience with this house in the past (let's just say it involved a 7 month pregnant woman, a mouse, and no one to hear me scream...) was not excited. Don't get me wrong, the idea of new stuff for our semi-new house was thrilling, but having to weave through a 70 year old house riddled with spider webs and rodents, was not.

While there, I decided it would be nice to snap a few shots. I knew the house was very important to my husband and thought it might be nice to have photos of it, especially since I had no intention of returning any time soon. Nothing fancy-

I snapped a quick one on the front porch:

And another of the whole house (which is now framed in both ours and my in-laws' living rooms):

Fast forward to this past August when my husband receives a call from his dad telling him that lightning had struck the house overnight and it had burned to the ground in less than half an hour. My mind immediately went to that summer. "Thank God we got most of the stuff out of there. Thank God no one was there that weekend. Thank God we have photos of the house."
Yes, there was a lot lost in the fire and my youngest son will never get the chance to see Pa's childhood home, but we do have the memories (no matter how traumatizing) and we do have the photographs.

Take time in your everyday to document life. It doesn't have to be a special event. Your child doesn't have to be doing something life changing. It doesn't even have to be taken with a fancy camera at the correct exposure with the perfect lighting. It just has to record the moment, show the personality, capture what's important to you.

{Grayson Day Festival}

I was so excited to be part of Grayson Day this year! This is a family event full of food, live music, and all kinds of vendors selling their wares. I was lucky enough to meet many really great people and talk to some other local small businesses. Everyone was so nice and it was truly a wonderful way to spend a Saturday promoting Hugghins Photography! 

Here are a few shots of my booth- my very first! A special thanks goes out to my amazing husband for all his help and hard work building and setting up. We spent two weekends building the back two walls complete with braces. They turned out great and worked like a charm on the rocky terrain!