Together.. we are a family.

My husband and I are coming up on 2 years of marriage! It's seems like it should be more like 5, since we lived together for quite a while before getting hitched, but on February 22nd, it will be 2 years of marriage and I gotta tell you - it is awesome.

We are going to be about a month and a half away from having our first baby at that time and our lives are going to be so much different.  We are really looking forward to the challenge and the joys it is sure to bring.  We love this little girl so much already and we don't even know what color eyes she has.. it is awesome!

Looking back, Tim & I have always said "together. we are a family" because so many people have the mentality that you are just a couple until you have kids.  I was never sure I wanted kids until last summer, so my mentality has always been that even two people can be a family. Tim is my closest friend and for now, the only member of my immediate family.. but now we get to experience a child and being more than just a couple.  It is terrifying and thrilling at the same time.

We got photos made at holiday time, for our cards but they also ended up being somewhat pregnancy/maternity shots.. Although I didn't have much of a bump.. the feeling is there and I think some of the photos say a thousand words about what it feels like to be pregnant.  Enjoy our family photos from this year!!

Photo by Michelle Waters

Photo by Michelle Waters

Photo by Angela Donahew

Photo by Tina Nichols

Photo by Stephanie Carpenter

My totally amazing blessed 2009.

I have been so blessed in the last year. SO SO blessed.  I moved home to Parkersburg in October '08.  Started my photography business in March of '09.  Shot my first official paid wedding (of two amazing folks) in June '09. . Second shot with Tina, Angela and Michelle during the summer! (Three rockstars behind the camera.) Found out we we're gonna be parents in August '09. Bought a new house and place of business in Oct '09. Picked up some amazing seniors in Oct & Nov 09. Found out the baby is a GIRL =] in Nov.'09. Adorable family shoots in Nov & Dec '09.

Who would have ever thought that in one year I could go from wishful thinking to full-fledged photographer, complete with business license and amazing clients?! Not to mention my life this year has been truly awesome! New house, totally butt-crazy in love with my goofy hard-working man and now a youngin' in the works. I am truly bursting with blessings.

Another blessing has been stumbling upon a photography group called Oh Snap! that also started up in 2009.  I went out on a limb and showed up at one of the first meetings they had and since then I have made a few of the best friends I have, learned a cubic crap ton about photo as a business and become a more confident and capable photo woman.

Recently, we decided that enough was enough and it was time to turn the camera's on ourselves.  We had an all out blast shooting "christmas" photos for each other out at Miss Tina Nichol's home.  I will post some of my work from this day here, keep your eyes peeled for a swoon-worthy posting of Tim & I's shots. I am still smitten by them =]

If you want to get something like this done for your family, I have a "last chance Christmas session" available Tuesday the 8th (rain date is the 10th) with sessions for $50.  It's a great way to get photos for Christmas cards OR just a quick and natural family photo.  Just call or message me online today =]

Carpenter Family

Angela and Anthony Donahew

Donahew Family

Tina and Jerry Nichols

Nichols Family

Jason and Michelle Waters