A hike with Nick - White Pines Nature Preserve

I just found out about this beautiful place that is about ten miles from where I live. The White Pines Nature Preserve is a special piece of land where the Rocky and Deep Rivers converge. The Triangle Land Conservancy managed to protect this place and open it up for hiking and exploring. My friend, Nick Fox, and I spent a Saturday taking photographs in this beautiful place on a cold winters day. I photographed fungi, lichen, Nick climbing grape vines, turkey vultures in the sky, beautiful towering white pines, polka-dotted and patterned ice, and naturally, I photographed my own engagement ring and wedding band (I can't seem to get wedding imagery out of my mind)!

It has been my goal to photograph more nature this year, which is why I got into photography in the first place! You'll see on this blog whether or not I keep on track. For special gifts for your nature loving friend, check out Jessica Lobdell Photography store where you can purchase fine art prints if you'd like. Enjoy the winter serenity....

Devon & Mitch are Engaged!

I met this couple at the General Store Cafe Garden Party, Mitch had told Devon that maybe she should go check out the local wedding vendors and luckily she did! A little while later they were "officially" engaged with a sparkling diamond ring and all. They called me up to photograph their engagement session so off we went to the beautiful Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham.

I arrived early as always so that I could scout out pretty areas to photograph these two. In the meantime I had a little photo session with the Mallard Ducks, Anas platyrhynchos, my favorite tree, the Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, and the flying Tufted Titmouse, Parus bicolor.

When Mitch and Devon arrived, they brought along a few more creatures, Mitch's very own Sock Monkeys! Naturally, they had to be a part of the photo session because they seem just as in love as Mitch and Devon. It was a beautiful day and a fun photography session. Devon, a yoga teacher in Siler City, even took time to practice in front of the reflecting pond. Thanks for having me there Devon and Mitch!

New Year, New Bride!

I had the privilege to photograph Mary Claire and Troy's wedding for my first job in 2010. They brought in the New Year with a lot of love and style to go around. You may remember her bridal portrait session that I posted on here earlier... this is my creative bride! I love all the details and how everything coordinated. Notice the bottom of her shoes before it all began, and then at then propped up at the end of the night. Mary Claire and her two engaged bridesmaids got ready in her parent's house while the Troy and the guys had a few drinks over on Hillsborough Street with my assistant for the day, Bonnie Berlin. Then it was off to an intimate church ceremony before an elegant and colorful dinner at Art Source in North Hills, Raleigh. The happy couple even stayed up past their bedtime to get some beautiful photographs taken at the Renaissance Hotel where they were spending their first night. Everything was beautiful and perfect! Check out the awesome cake by Ambrosia Cake Creations. Everyone had a fabulous dinner catered by Catering Works. Thank you Mary Claire and Troy for having us there at your wedding, we had a wonderful time!

Chestnut the Wondermut

In case you haven't met her, this is my dog. Chestnut! (You may remember her from my very first post from back in 2007.) I took the leaping picture a few years ago in the field behind my house. The other two are from this past summer. She is embarrassed about the two portraits, but is very proud of her hunting picture. Chestnut is one of the main reasons that I met my husband. When Simon and I were hiking the Appalachian Trail, he was hiking with this little dog. Naturally, when I met these two I fell in love with the dog immediately.... then a little while later, I fell in love with Simon!