Junkyard Babes

Thanks to Faythe Hall Mesic and her wonderful team of make up artists, models, and photographers, we had a wonderful shoot. I hadn't realized that I didn't post these on the blog, but did every where else, so here are the shots. I had a blast working with such talented people and connecting with many other photographers. This just makes me excited for the March shoot!

Model: Sarah DeLucca
Hair: Faythe Mesic
Makeup: Faythe Mesic






Model: Tara
Hair: Sonia Garza
Makeup: Erin Foster






Model: Sammi
Hair: Sonia Garza
Makeup: Sonia Garza






Model: Jamie
Hair: Sonia Garza
Makeup: Sonia Garza






Model: Kymbr
Hair: Faythe Mesic
Makeup: Faythe Mesic






Model: Elizabeth
Hair: Sonia Garza
Makeup: Faythe Mesic






Model: Tiffany Ashley
Hair: Sonia Garza
Makeup: Erin Foster

Adkins family welcomes baby Noah!

I had the honor of photographing Noah's older brother Ethan when he was only 8 weeks old, so when Cheri "mom" contacted me and asked if I would take Noah's pictures, I was estatic! I love doing this because I get to see how much everyone has grown.

3-week-old Noah looks very similar to Ethan except, Noah has his momma's beautiful red hair. We decided that we wanted to do a session that was unique to Noah and different from his big brother. Since Ethan had done a studio session before, we chose an outdoor session for Noah instead. Thanks to the beautiful weather and Noah being a trooper, we got some awesome shots.

(Here is a link to see Ethan's pictures when he was first born:
http://jhalsteadphotography.blogspot.com/2009/01/adkins-family.html)

Here are some of my favorites!

Garcia Family

Not only was this weekend beautiful, but for me, it was very productive. My son's birthday party was Saturday, Sunday I had two sessions, and two of my classes ended this weekend. I jumped in my truck after Sunday church lunch, turned the key over, and nothing! There is nothing more frustrating than being in a hurry or having something important to do and something go wrong. Luckily, it was just a battery cord, but it threw off my entire afternoon. I always tell myself that the Lord had a reason for this to happen. Sometimes He has to slow me down in my tracks.

My first of the two sessions on Sunday was with the Garcia family. We met up at Jacksonville Beach. It was beautiful and sunny, but also windy and chilly. I actually photographed their daughter, Danielle, for her senior session.

There are more of these to come, but here is a sneak peek.

Blue + Belly = BOY!

Ayden Jeremiah will be entering the world very soon! He's due March 13th, but as for now, he has decided to come into this world mooning everyone. He has been breach for a couple weeks now. Mom, Nicole, is going weekly to appointments waiting to hear news of either a baby who has decided to cooperate or to find out that she is being scheduled for a c-section.

Having your first child comes with many nervous moments by itself. Having your first child and learning he's breach and that you are a likely candidate for a c-section is even harder. Nicole is doing great! Supported by her partner, Lori, the two of them are keeping a positive attitude and know that what ever comes their way they will make it through.

Nicole is some one very special in my life. She lived with us for several months, so she feels like family to me, like a daughter. I was there the moment she learned that there was a plus sign on the pregnancy test. I feel like my own daughter is about to have a child. And to see all that she is going through, just worries my heart. I know though, that the Lord will be her strength and her refuge.

We did a couple studio shots first, then hit the hay field for a little rustic look, but landed in Downtown for the final shots. Enjoy and look for delivery and newborn shots of Ayden's big day!

Danielle "Rose" Garcia

Beautiful.....that was the word of the day! God blessed us with perfect sunshine for a wonderful senior session.

She is known by her family and friends as Danielle, but her classmates call her Rose. She looked amazing! We held her session at various locations around Jacksonville Beach. Rose will be graduating from Seacoast Christian Academy in May, and has hopes of pursuing a career as a paramedic. She is also the captain of the flags team at her high school and is currently working very hard on her spring performance. She enjoys photography as hobby and plans to continue to grow in her creativity. Her family is so proud of her!

Welcome Mr. & Mrs. Ames!!!

Katie and Dixon married at Arlington Baptist Church, in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, Feb 6th. Katie's curls and cowgirl boots were perfect for the special day; while Dixon sported sweet shades and pin-stripes. The reception location was at the Navy Officer Club at NAS Jax, overlooking the incredible St. John's river. Katie and Dixon spent their honeymoon at Disney!

Jake's graduating!

Watching your own children grow up can seem like such a long and slow process, mainly because you are there for every waking moment. You might notice a growth spurt, because you had to toss out a pair of jeans that are now too short, or a sudden ability to do something that used to be very challenging, but for most part, things happen gradually.

On the other hand, I have the opportunity to watch several other children grow up really fast: my youth group kids, my middle/high school students, and all the kids that claim me as their "adopted mom". It seems like I go a week or a month without seeing one of them and the next thing I know, one is getting married or the next one is having children, and another is graduating from school.

Jake would be one of the kids. I have known he and his family since we first moved to Jacksonville 8 years ago. I have watched him grow from a boy to a young man, so when I look at him and his photographs, it leaves me with that "oh my goodness, you are still 10 in my eyes" kind of feeling.

Jake is graduating from Stanton College Preparatory School this May. He is talented and brillant. I know his family couldn't be more proud.

Congratulations Jake!

Richie and Stefanie are getting hitched!

When ever I photograph a wedding, I offer a complimentary consultation before we ever take a single picture. During this time, I always learn how the couple met and their details of the big day. But the most important question I ask is to the groom... "So, how did you ask her to marry you?"

Note, I do not ask the bride for two big reasons, first because I love to see how the bride's face lights up as her groom re-tells the story of how he asked her and second I love to give the groom the opportunity to explain how he led up to the decision to actually ask her. So may times we get caught up in all of planning that we forget to recall why we made this decision in the first place.

When I sat down with Stefanie and Richie to hear how he asked her, my heart melted. Richie had planned to ask her on their anniversary. He had already purchased the ring, had it tucked away in a safe spot in their closet, and told everyone to be aware that it was coming. Richie is a country music artist and is pursuing a career in the industry. He and Stefanie had gone to a location that could have been a potential place for him to play at. The owner's wife inquired if Stefanie was Richie's wife? Richie laughed and poked fun at the idea, but said no.

Later that evening afer returning from the night out, Stefanie approached the subject again. She explained to Richie that she would love to be his wife one day. Richie left the room and returned with a ring. That's when he asked her.

He said to me, "I never thought I would ever get married. I was content just being on my own. I was going to pursue my music and do my own thing. Then she came into my life."

It was the sweetest thing I thought I had ever heard.

Richie and Stefanie are getting married at First Baptist Church at Jacksonville Beach on March 27th, 2010. There reception will follow at The Majestic Room. There engagement session pictures were taken in St. Augustine, Florida.

Click on photos for larger images. www.jhalsteadphotography.blogspot.com)

Life gives us amazing miracles

I have been blessed to have had 6 children in my life, one of which, I never had the opportunity to hold in my arms. I feel like this is one reason why I can empathize and sympathize with other women and families that I photograph. I know the joys of carrying a baby and the pains of delivery. I understand the grief of a loss and I appreciate the good and the rough days of parenting or potty training.

When Stephanie told me her incredible story, my heart ached for her. I met her two months after I had just lost my unborn child and she had just had her first child. She explained to me that prior to having her son, she had lost a child as well. The pregnancy resulted in damaging the whole right side of her reproductive area. The doctor explained that she may never have children at all and if she did, it would be a miracle if she or the baby made it past 6 or 7 months.

She soon found out she was having her first son. She was only able to carry him until 7 1/2 months. Her placenta had been detached from the lining walls and she had begun to hemorrhage. Via emergency c-section, he arrived weighing just under 4 pounds. He was a miracle.

The doctor advised her to not have any more children. It could threaten her own life and the baby as well. Once finding out she was pregnant with her second child, she was faced with a horrific decision of whether or not to have the child. This pregnancy brought even more challenges: gestational diabetes, work, full time school, and the demands of a toddler.

She and the baby were seen by the doctor on Friday and schedule for a c-section on Monday pending the results of her amniocentesis test. She arrived Monday morning to learn that her fluid levels were too low and she was being admitted to deliver right then.

Alida Mikell was born 5 lbs 10oz at 5:35pm. Mom and baby are doing great! She named her after a character from one of her beloved childhood books. Because of the emergency c-section, I was unable to enter the delivery room, but the hospital was gracious enough to allow me into the nursery during her bath and blood work. Dad was so proud! They now have a son and a daughter! There are photos here from her maternity session and her delivery.