Another giveaway!

Win a FREE Luxury Oceanfront Vacation in Beautiful Laguna Beach, California from Surf & Sand Resort and SnapKnot!

An incomparable, understated yet elegant setting right on the Laguna Beach Coastline, Surf & Sand Resort makes for a memorable getaway – whether you need the relaxation that only a world-class spa could offer or a little romance over wine and ocean views. Thanks to our generous friends at the Resort, this memorable escape could be yours FREE!
You could win a 2-night stay and breakfast for two at this beautiful oceanfront property. Just imagine two nights in an ocean-view room, the sound of waves lulling you to sleep, and breakfast each morning at the famous Splashes Restaurant…there’s no better way to get away than that!

Luxurious amenities, a private balcony and a view that never ends – those are just a few of the features you’ll find at Surf & Sand Resort. For more than 60 years, the Resort has provided couples and families alike with a quintessential luxury beach vacation right on the shores of the Laguna Beach coastline. Each guest room and suite provides a variety of spacious retreats with comfortable, sophisticated custom furnishings, flat-screen TV’s, wireless internet access and the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean just beyond your balcony. 15fiftyfive, the resort’s open-air lounge, is the perfect place to sip a cocktail, savor a creative appetizer and watch the sun set over the Pacific.

Terraced above the beach, with waves breaking just 25 feet below, the casually elegant Splashes Restaurant boasts some of California’s best views and finest cuisine. And while there is almost nothing as relaxing as a day at the beach, Aquaterra Spa is the perfect alternative, where you can relax with personalized spa treatments enhanced by the healing properties of native botanicals and the natural essences of ocean and earth.

Approximate prize value: $850!*

Giveaway!

So I know I haven't personally done any sponsored giveaways yet, but here is one from another blog I follow. Sorry fellas...this one is for the ladies! 

Click on the button above to be redirected to an awesome giveaway! 

A Hana 1" Flat Iron Giveaway from Misikko!!!!!

I Heart Faces: Smiles

Silly smiles are always fun :)

Check out I Heart Faces for more smiley fun!

Meet: The McDermott Family || Chattanooga Family Portrait Photographer

The McDermott's are a fun and adventurous family of five. Two twins boys and a little girl plus mom and dad. There's not much I can tell you about them that their family portrait session won't, so here it is!

Engaged: Don & Cheryl || Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

Don and Cheryl are dear friends of my husband and mine. Don was my husband's roommate for a few years through their undergraduate experience in Chicago, Illinois at Moody Bible Institute. I met Cheryl in the beginning of last year when she moved from California and started attending my home church. We immediately hit it off! Don was living in Chicago at this point and Cheryl and I were looking at my own wedding photos. She noticed Don and loudly said, "Ooo! He's pretty cute!" I replied innocently, "he's hilarious...you two would probably get along really well. You're both total goof balls!" That turned into my husband telling Don about this blond California girl who was just as loud and fun as he was. Within a few weeks they were spending countless hours on the internet and phone talking about everything in life. In August 2009, Don came down to Tennessee and met Cheryl face-to-face. By Christmas he was moving to the Chattanooga area to be closer to Cheryl and in January they were engaged! They truly are an awesome couple and I am honored to have been able to shoot their engagements!

So without further ado, Meet Don & Cheryl

Sneak Peak: The McDermott Family

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Sneak Peak: Don & Cheryl Engaged

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

I Heart Faces: Dramatic Black and White

This photo is very dear to my heart. It represents three generations in my family.

The folded flag in the bottom corner represents my granddad.

This photo was taken at his burial ceremony at the Sarasota Veterans Memorial Cemetery. He served in WWII.

This was shortly after the flag was folded and handed to my dad while my little brother sat in his lap.

For more dramatic black and white photos, please check out I Heart Faces.

WPPI 2010 Recap

This was my first year attending WPPI (which stands for Wedding & Portrait Photographers International). This was also my first time outside of the Las Vegas airport. Funny since I grew up only a short drive away from LV down in Arizona.  Of course, the Strip was glamorous  when it was all lit up at night, but it really didn't interest me very much. I did, however, enjoy some food at the Hard Rock Cafe with a friend that was there with me for the conference.


I learned a lot from the speakers who I attended sessions for, such as: Jesh de Rox, Jasmine Star, Brianna Graham, and Jim Davis-Hicks of Thirst Relief. But really, I received the most valued information from just hanging out one-on-one with some of the most amazing people! Michael Poeschl, Zach & Jody Gray, Evin Krehbiel, Kristine Neeley, Rebecca David, and the amazing PhotogUNITE group. I formed relationships during WPPI that will forever change my life. So to all of you who were part of this incredible experience, thank you!

I would write everything I learned on here, but then it would give away all my secrets...just kidding. There is just way to much to post on here, so if you want to sit down and talk about what I learned from these extraordinary people, contact me and we'll go grab coffee and chat for a while!

Since there is nothing better than a blog post with photos, here are just a few from my trip to WPPI Las Vegas 2010!

I Heart Faces: Jump for JOY

I absolutely love this photo. What is more joyful than a brand new life?!

This is the Colemann family. This is one of little Lucas' first pictures!

For more Jump for Joy photos, check out I Heart Faces!

[I had to post my entry a little early because I will be attending WPPI in Las Vegas this week and will not have access to my computer. Hopefully more fun photos to come from this conference!]