Mother and Daughter

Play time on a hot summer day...

My Papa

I have been scanning in old family photos, including a lot of WWII photos from when my Papa (Bob Benton) fought in the war as a P-47 bomber pilot. It is crazy seeing my grandparents so young. Papa doesn't look any different to me. I think I like this picture so much because it just looks like him. I like his expression. I can't imagine what must have been going through his head. There are so many more that I have scanned in for the family.. I'll have to put a few more up on the blog here and there...

Caroline and Greg's Wedding

You may remember this lovely couple from an their engagement session that we did at Duke University. Another beautiful day at Duke was the setting for their big day! I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, fun couple to photograph. Their friends and family were wonderful also! Thank you Caroline, Greg... (and family!)... for letting me be a part of your special day!

Boating Trip at the Beach!

I spent last week at Isle of Palms with my fiance's family. His Uncle Steve has a wonderful boat and took a few of us out to see an un-human-inhabited island. This was the perfect way to start out my beach vacation. I want to go back! To look at the entire story go click here: Steve's Boat Trip!

My first nephew!

I finally got in to see this sweet baby! This little guy had a long waiting list of excited family and friends that wanted to see him. He is going to be my first nephew (once I marry his uncle)! This little baby, named Boyd, is so cute and you can tell that his parents are in love with him. What a beautiful boy! I took some photographs for his official birth announcement, and now that they have been sent out, I feel like I can post the pictures of this sweet guy.


































.... I didn't post these before, but I photographed the happy couple in April when they were waiting for little Boyd to be born.....

Summer Session with the Kids

Monica, a good friend of my sister and me has three cute boys that needed some new photographs. Katie and I went out to photograph them on their beautiful natural property. Katie was just learning how to use the camera (I want to convince her to become a photographer too...) and she got a lot of good shots. Check out her portrait of the boy's beautiful mom! Way to go Katie! I love taking kids outside and letting them be themselves...

Little Lola needs a home

My friends found this sweet kitty outside last night. She was crying in the bushes and was in dire need of a bath. We brought her in, washed her, fed her milk, and cleaned out her ears. Now she is happy as can be, except that she has no home! Please, if you are looking for a sweet kitten for your family, call me at 336-972-0097. She needs a trip to the vet and a cozy life. She is sleeping on my lap right now. These are pictures from earlier in the day when she was a little bit more alert. Cute cute cute!

My Wedding Site!

Ok... so I've been busy starting a new business... and planning for my own wedding! I don't know if I've posted anything about what I'm doing for this wedding on here even though it takes up about half of my life right now. After many months of deliberating about where to have the actual event, I stumbled across Laurel Ridge Bed and Breakfast. I LOVE it there! It is so beautiful! David, the guy running the place is so kind and helpful. When you look through my pictures, you can imagine how it will be. The ceremony will be on the lower flat grassy area which is surrounded by a beautiful stone walled garden on one side and a lush green forest on the other. Tents will be set up on the upper level which is where we will have food and dancing. The cabin with the flowers painted on it is going to be the honeymoon suite. I think my favorite part it is the wooded walk down the hillside which is bordered by mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and ends at a peaceful gazebo overlooking the forested hillside.

Everything is coming together so well! I can't wait until the weekend when I take a husband! To view the images click here: Laurel Ridge Photos!

A Wedding as a Guest!

I am so accustomed to being the photographer when I go to weddings that it was so hard for me to sit in my seat at my cousin Drew's wedding! (You may remember his engagement photos that I did back in February.) Drew and Vaughan had such a sweet and beautiful wedding down in Pensacola, Florida. Since I am in the family, they were kind to me and had me attend as a guest. :) I had to sneak in a few photos here and there of course. Their photographer was Patsy Brown. She was so kind and looked like she knew what she was doing! I'm sure they will have many beautiful photographs to remember their day with.

At Last... A Website!

I have finally gotten a website together and posted! Take a look: www.jessicabenton.com

Vespertine

Ginna, the creative genius behind my favorite store, Vespertine, had me come in to photograph her beautiful space. I guess I was enjoying my time there, because I came back with so many photographs that show just how cute the space is. Click on here to take a look: Vespertine Gallery! Now, that you've seen some pictures, go visit the store, it is on the main street of downtown Pittsboro, and tell Ginna hello for me!

Summer Camp!

It is getting to be that time of year again! It is time to get your kids out of the house and out doing something fun. I'll be teaching "BioPhotography" at Our Neighborhood School's summer camp in which I'll lead children in their observation of nature while teaching them the fundamentals of photography. This camp is available for 5-10 year olds. As you may know already, I have an enthusiasm for the natural world and for photography. I hope to share that excitement during these three weeks. Please call me at 336-972-0097, or Donna from Our Neighborhood School at 919-545-0900 to learn more about this summer camp!