capturing life one image at a time
Each year, in the month of June, we get an opportunity to celebrate fathers. This year, my Father’s Day began with a morning shoot with this great father and his family.
For just over two years, I had the pleasure of working with Katie. Our office would not have been the same without her energy and her laughter. She is full of joy and life and creativity, and I’m awfully glad I get to be her friend. I think Jon is glad he gets to be her husband.
The first surprise was that I was being taken on a trip. We would be leaving town for three days and I was told to pack the following:
sunscreen
clothes and shoes for hiking
hat
sundress
swimsuit
camera
The second surprise was revealed on the way to the airport. We would be on this journey with our favorite travel companions and dear friends, the Perrins.
Boarding a flight bound for Salt Lake City, Utah was the third surprise. After landing in Salt Lake, we rented a car and headed south to what would be our final destination – Moab, Utah. For the next three days, we explored the trails of both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, as well as the sites that Moab has to offer. The boys had reserved rooms at the Red Cliffs Lodge which sits on the Colorado River. This was our view.
Probably the most famous structure in Arches National Park is Delicate Arch. The hike across the dusty and rocky terrain does not prepare you for the moment of awe you experience when you come around the corner to see it.
The trails are marked by cairns, or small stacks of rocks, to keep hikers from becoming lost in the dusty terrain. And there are a surprising number of plants thriving in the desert heat.
While I did slightly fear for my life, I do recommend taking a hummer tour with Moab Adventure Center. It’s a great way to see the slickrock in a vehicle that can do things you never thought possible.
My travel companions indulged me with a stop at the Mormon Tabernacle before we returned to the airport in Salt Lake. Because really – what trip to Utah is complete without a visit to the Temple?
There’s a farm in a tiny town in South Carolina that’s owned by a farmer who loves his cows. It’s a place full of memories for the family that has gathered here over the years. A place where your day is marked by the position of the sun in the sky rather than the position of the hands on the clock. A place where the soundtrack is the gentle moo of the cows and the breeze rustling through the trees. A place that’s hot and sticky and full of beauty.
“A farm includes the passion of the farmer’s heart” – Joel Salatin
From an early age, Amanda’s athletic ability set her apart. Her talents on the basketball court came naturally. She was diligent in pursuing excellence and pushed herself to a record-setting collegiate career.
Amanda’s commitment to Christ sets her apart. In a Bible belt culture where it’s trendy to quote scripture and cast judgement, her faith is deep. She has been given a lens that allows her to see the best in people and to encourage them. She has a strong trust in Jesus and a contagious love for him.
A doctorate degree is the most recent addition to Amanda’s long list of accomplishments. And the Duke University emblem on her diploma sets her apart. She is a member of an elite group of licensed physical therapists and she’s going to change lives – one cancer patient at a time.
I’m so proud of you sister!
It was a big night for Lisa. Her artwork is an outpouring of her heart and a celebration of beautiful places. And until recently, it is a collection that has been shared primarily with private audiences.
Local salon, Orange Olive Hair Gallery, is committed to supporting local artists. The salon hosted an art show for Lisa and will be displaying her work for the next three months. A trip to Orange Olive can result in a fresh new look for your hair or a great new piece of art for your wall. So go by and check it out!
It wasn’t about the flowers. It wasn’t about the cake. It wasn’t about the rings.
This was a day about family.
Jennifer and Joe’s wedding day was planned with their family in mind. It was to be held in the nursing home so that Jennifer’s wheelchair bound mother could be in attendance. They hired a photographer so that the day could be shared with family on the west coast. Jennifer’s three youngest grandchildren were invited to be a part of the ceremony as bridesmaids and ring bearer. And Jennifer insisted on throwing her bouquet so that her eldest granddaughter could have the pleasure of catching it.
The bride’s first order of business was to tend to the needs of her youngest bridesmaid. She was so gentle with the hairbrush, making sure not to hurt her granddaughter’s head.
Joe is now the newest official member of this family. I would say that he fits right in.
Congratulations Jennifer and Joe!
It’s only been three months since Dorothy made her debut, but already she’s changed so much. Her hair has gotten lighter and her cheeks have grown rounder and her blue eyes have become more beautiful. Dorothy and I are collaborating on a twelve month journey together, capturing each quarter of her first year. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with this sweet girl and these pretty tulips.
Nestled high in the San Juan Mountains, in the southwest corner of Colorado, is a small and lively town. There are no stop lights or chain restaurants. The 2200 people who call Telluride home live in a grid 13 blocks long by 5 blocks wide. It’s an intimate sort of place full of good food and good people.
Michael and I spent a week in Telluride. And when we were not taking advantage of the ski slopes, we were exploring the streets below them. Streets full of history and color and snow. Let me take you on a brief tour of this enchanting mountaintop town.
When I left home to go to college, Leah was ten years old. Oftentimes, it’s hard to remember that she’s not the same child I lived under the same roof with all those years ago. These days, she is the sister with the best sense of style and the driest sense of humor. She’s the one whose red hair is often mistaken for blonde. She is an athlete and an artist. She has a strong competitive spirit and a brilliant mind. She is funny. She is beautiful. And she is in love.
Leah met Mark her first semester at Auburn. I remember being impressed the first time I met him. He looked me in the eye and asked me questions about my life in a way that is rare among college freshmen. He was respectful and friendly and pleasantly confident. In the years since, I have come to learn that he loves Jesus, he is musically talented, and he cares deeply about my baby sister.
Leah’s 22nd birthday was last week. It was a day full of surprises that ended with a diamond ring and a marriage proposal. I was let in on the secret ahead of time so that I could make arrangements to be in town for the big day. We had just enough time the next morning to sneak away and shoot some photos.
I’m pretty excited that these two are getting married. Congratulations Leah and Mark!
I can’t imagine my life in Charlotte without my friend Eden. Eight years ago, we both arrived in the Queen City looking for direction, for careers, and for community. We found our way to the same church and then to the same small group. Both raised in the deep south, we discovered that our lives had taken eerily similar paths. We had the same hurts, the same fears, the same love of Colin Firth. I have had the pleasure of watching Eden fall in love and marry the yankee of her dreams. And I have had the honor of praying with her to become a mother. I’m so privileged to be a part of this little guy’s life. He’s just about as cute as it gets.
rachel baughman photo 