Rock the dress and new couple's session!

This girl was incredible! I was fortunate enough to do both a rock the dress session and a couple's session with her. The two of them had so much fun rolling in sand, and playing on monkey bars that it seemed like they were kids again. I hope you enjoy!










Here are some from the couple's session:

Adkins Family

Christmas break has been proven to be both busy and inspiring to me. I met an amazing family last week and was able to share in a newborn session with them. I was so surprised when Cheri gave me a call and asked me to photograph her "Ethan". I explained to her that I had an "Ethan", and then asked what his middle name was? "Michael" she replied. I was floored! Who would have thought that we would name our children the exact same thing, "Ethan Michael". He was so adorable! I was incredibily intrigued at how focused he was on me. For being only 8 weeks old, he was so already lively and alert. He was so patient and cooperative that I couldn't have asked for a better newborn session. I fell in love with some of the photos of the parents interacting with Ethan, because they showed so much joy and love for their new baby! I hope you enjoy these!

Merry Christmas Callie!

Callie looked so adorable in her little frilly dress for her Christmas photos. I just thought I would share a couple of these. She is now 8 weeks old and such a happy baby!

Best friends graduate together!

Ashley and Andrea graduated in May of 2008 and came to me with a desire to have me take their senior photos. They both were beautiful models! They both had incredible eyes and was willing to try some new ideas with me. There are more sessions planned with Ashley and Andrea this spring!

Megan's Graduating!

What an amazing and inspiring senior girl! This girl is passionate for the Lord, rocks at just about any musical instrument there is, and is intelligent and funny! I am so grateful to have the opportunity to photograph Megan. Her smile and personality just poured out of each photo! Here are just a few of my favs!

It's Christmas time in the Halstead's house!

WOW! I look at these photos and cannot believe how big my own children have gotten since last year. Each of my children are so unique! When I look at these photos, I can't help but get sentimental. They are my world! I love that each one of them are at their own stage in life that is completely different from the other. Rylan, my oldest, is becoming such a little man. (Not so much little though!) He is so compassionate and creative. Jaylen is my jump start every day! Jaylen wants to do be doing something at all times. He is the one who inspires me to live each of my days to the fullest! If I could have a 10th of his energy, I would be set for life. Ethan started school this year for the first time. It is so amazing to see him become social, making friends, and being excited about learning. His passion in life right now is to be the best UNO card player in our family, and for a 4 year old, he is surprisingly very good! Addison has probably changed the most in the last year. She will have full conversations with you about her day, what she wants to wear, and how she feels. We had a day of pampering on Saturday, doing nails and hair. Now she walks around telling everyone to look at her pretty pink nails! I believe I have created a monster!

Heart Gallery Update

Here is another beautiful young boy just waiting to be adopted. I was told that he was into skating, so I decided to take him to one of the most well known skate park's Kona. From the time he got out of the car, you could tell he was excited! He ran from one end of the park to the other, telling me all of the things he wanted to do when he came back with his skates. I asked him if he wanted to find a family and he said no. I was really surprised by this because every child I have asked this question, says yes! He said he loves his foster parents and would be very sad to leave them. Kenny's foster parents are a lot older and know that they are not enough for Kenny and what he will need in the coming years. They are praying that family that already has children will take Kenny and make him a part of their family. I wanted to just scoop this boy up and take him home. He was polite, respectful, and extremely well mannered for a 10 year old. I pray that Kenny finds a good home for him to be able to transition into soon! For more information on Kenny check out the website. www. heartgalleryjax.com
Jamie

Florida vs Georgia Game

WOW... I am speechless! I just spent the entire day tailgating at the Florida vs Georgia college football game in Jacksonville, Florida. My job was to find interesting stories of people tailgating. Seems pretty easy, right? Well.... it was day I will never forget! I have never been to one of these games before and was really excited to be taking on the assignment. Me and two other staff members started the day at 10:00am, but only to find ourselves stuck in traffic. We missed our parking lot that my friend was saving us a FREE parking spot in! It took us an hour to get back to the parking lot. So we actually didn't begin our adventure until 11:30. We walked from WJCT parking lot, through R.V. city, down the entire back side of the stadium, clear down to the Jacksonville Landing, and back. We walked for close to 6 hours looking for amazing stories to write about. I did manage to be standing in the best spot possible when the Gator's quaterback, Tim Tebow, came off the team bus. We managed to get free lunch and dinner along with free drinks, peanuts, and chips. I came to the conclusion that you could come to this game and not spend a single dime all day if you wanted to. People were extremely generous with their food and drinks, even their TVs on their RVs. I had an awesome day!
Jamie

Callie is 2 weeks already!

This is the first of many sessions I will be doing for Callie. Her momma has the "Watch Me Grow" maternity, birth, newborn, and one session per month for the each year package I offer. This is the same baby I photographed in September for her big arrival! She was so precious and wanted to be wide awake during the whole thing. I have never seen a two week old move so much and be so alert. It will be so much fun to watch her grow in the next year. So check back often to see updates.

Heart Gallery Update

God continues to grow me and mold me every time I have a session with a child from the Heart Gallery. When the day began, I spoke to the caseworker and set the session to be at the zoo. My email had informed me that I was taking photos of a little 6 year old girl. My mind was spinning with cute little photo ideas that would be easily done at the zoo. When much to my surprise and complete enjoyment I met Aier. Her name is a beautiful as her smile and warm as her soul. She was incredible teenager! She had her hair pulled tightly up in a 1990's mohawk and had her iPod jammin'! She was ready for me to make her feel like a movie star! I was stoked! If you would like more information on Aier and her story, please visit http://www.heartgalleryjax.org/. I have another session schedule with a 10 year old boy very soon, so check back for his photos. As well as November 8th and 9th will be the Salut Our Soldiers Day and the FSS and the Heart Gallery will be hosting a day for the military families. The gallery will be on display for all to see, plus I will have a booth stationed there. Those that come and find me receive a free photo session for the Christmas holiday!