Outerbanks - Cape Hatteras National Seashore

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of traveling to the Outerbanks of North Carolina for Devon and Mitch's wedding. I arrived the evening before the day of the wedding and set up camp at the beautiful Frisco campground. The tidy little campsites were tucked away behind the shelter of the sand dunes. I set up my little tent that I hiked the Appalachian Trail with and headed out down the boardwalk to take a look at the ocean. On the way, tiny little deer peered at me while grazing and the sun illuminated the plants, including the pennywort, Hydrocotyl bonarienses, growing in the dunes. As the trail climbed to the top of the sand dunes, I had a spectacular view the Cape Hatteras Light house and the ocean. The famous breezy winds blew as I marveled at the fully intact shells found along the beautiful shore. That evening with binoculars in hand (instead of a camera), I watched a great horned owl start his hunt at dusk, and as I slept away, the mama loggerhead sea turtles came ashore to lay their eggs and I prayed that they wouldn't be crushed by the ridiculous number of trucks that drove out onto the beach. I slept well only to be woken early in the morning by a whipporwill telling me it was time to start my day! To read about the ecology on Cape Hatteras National Seashore, follow this link.

Love little boys...

Gina called me once the weather got nice to ask about portraits of her two little boys. I came over to her home which is set in the beautiful forest in Chatham County to photograph her family. These two little guys were so full of energy and were zipping from here to there with all the playing there was to do with their parents and grandparents. Amid all of the commotion emerged some sweet and joyful moments that rambunctious little boys bring...

Jesse and Ryan - Engagement Session

Jesse and Ryan met, on the first day of school, at Mangum dorm in UNC Chapel Hill. After a year of skipping study hall to hang out on Franklin St, they had their first kiss at the Alexander dorm. Their college romance continued on through their four years at university. Ryan then went and purchased an antique ring to win over Jesse's heart for life. When we were talking about where to do their engagement session, they naturally suggested UNC where it all began. We went around to places on campus that are iconic of UNC such as the Old Well and the Bell Tower. You'll see we also included the places that hold a dear spot in their memories.

A Morning at Fearrington with local art, local business, and the NC Governor!

I was asked to photograph the Chatham County Economic Development annual breakfast at Fearrington this past Friday. The Chatham County EDC has been hiring me over the past two years to photograph local industries, business headshots, and other images that they use to promote economic development in Chatham County. I haven't posted much of my commercial work here in the past, but this breakfast was such a lovely event that I had to post it.

The morning starting with networking and art gazing at the beautiful barn in Fearrington. There were really exceptional pieces of local art compiled by Leslie Landis of Chatham Arts set up in the courtyard and inside of the barn. As breakfast was served, Governor Bev Perdue arrived causing a lot of smiles and handshakes as local business members and artist tried to get a chance to greet the Governor. Several speaker stood at talked about economic development in our county and state. After the Governor spoke, Dianne Reid of the Chatham County EDC, presented the Governor with a photograph that I had taken of the Pittsboro courthouse before it had burned down. I was very proud when she said that she would hang my framed print in the NC Capitol! I ended my pictures posted below with the team at the Chatham County EDC who worked hard to put on this breakfast and who work hard to promote Chatham County day to day.

Overall the breakfast was lovely, and I was happy to be a part of the proud and hardworking business-people present at this breakfast!

Bobbi and Ron - Engagement Session at Duke Gardens

Duke Gardens is always such a beautiful place to photograph portraits. Bobbi and Ron live nearby, so we met one sunny morning for their engagement portraits. These two lovebirds were actually high school sweethearts. They separated when Ron went off to college. They lived their separate lives and one day at a football game they ran back into each other. The surprise came when those old feelings returned, and they found themselves together again. This time they are getting married, up on a mountain top in the early morning. These two are super cute and in love... yea for long lost love found again!

Benjamin's first photo session

I was visiting my sister Katie, and her husband Jay, shortly after little Benjamin was born. Katie and Jay wanted to have some pictures taken for the baby announcement, so we took some pictures of sweet Ben while he was napping. I do believe I have the cutest nephew!