I've been looking forward to their big day since their engagement session.  It came and went with much excitement, happiness, and a little bit of panic: I got locked in the bathroom YET AGAIN while shooting a wedding. I'm not quite sure why this keeps happening to me, but it resulted in a few laughs and with me climbing over the bathroom stall.  I guess it's a good thing Monica and Ryan chose a photographer who is a former gymnast!  
Anyway, may your future be filled with as much joy and love that is in your hearts today.
 Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your absolutely stunning big day!
These are a couple of the cutest flower girls I've ever seen! Sweet miss Ava is missing a shoe...
These last few of sweet Gracie truly tug at my heartstrings. Last night, she did not want to be called "Grace". Her name was "Taylor". <3
Have a great week everyone!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 P.S. Be sure to scroll down to my previous post and enter in my Christmas Session contest! :)
 

Christmas Sessions

I know that many of you have been interested in my Christmas sessions! I have worked through the details, and this is what I came up with! The session fee will be $80 and here is what it includes:
- 45-60 minute Christmas themed session
- 25 beautiful Christmas cards featuring your photos (you choose from 5 different cards, and you choose the photos) Additional cards may be purchased
- 15-20 separate photos on a photo disc (3 different versions of each)
- the session will be shot in your home with your own Christmas decor (we may do a few shots outdoors as well)
Since limited space is available, here is what you do:
- in the comment of this post, please leave your name and email address
- tell me your kid's ages and names
- in a few sentences, describe your plans or ideas for your Christmas session
The names submitted will be randomly drawn in a week, and I will post the "winners" then. I will then email you to work out a date! Good luck!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
*** If you commented on my last post, you are already accounted for! The photo below is an example of just one of the card designs available with the session.
 
When the mother of the S family contacted me about a week ago, I made it my priority to fit them in as soon as possible.  You see, her husband was leaving for Afghanistan and that she wanted family photos taken before he left.  Of course, this is the sole reason I love photography: memories.  I wanted this family to have memories that they could hold while their husband/daddy was away.
And so, I drove to this session with a lingering strange feeling. How could I persuade a family to smile and laugh when they are carrying such heavy hearts?
I arrived at our first location to receive news that was quite amazing.  He no longer had to leave.  He had received a phone call saying that he was no longer needed at the time.  Just like that.  Their worlds turned around.  And even though I had only known the family for less than 10 minutes, mine did too.
And with that, I want to send an extra thanks to all of the men and women who offer their service for our beautiful country.
Oh, and I just love this b&w bundle...

Christmas Sessions

I know that many of you have been interested in my Christmas sessions! I have worked through the details, and this is what I came up with! The session fee will be $80 and here is what it includes:
- 45-60 minute Christmas themed session
- 25 beautiful Christmas cards featuring your photos (you choose from 5 different cards, and you choose the photos) Additional cards may be purchased
- 15-20 separate photos on a photo disc (3 different versions of each)
- the session will be shot in your home with your own Christmas decor (we may do a few shots outdoors as well)
Since limited space is available, here is what you do:
- in the comment of this post, please leave your name and email address
- tell me your kid's ages and names
- in a few sentences, describe your plans or ideas for your Christmas session
The names submitted will be randomly drawn in a week, and I will post the "winners" then. I will then email you to work out a date! Good luck!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 
In honor of the start of Best Paw Forward, Kyle and I took some senior photos with our dogs! Unfortunately, my two terriers were VERY uncooperative so it only resulted in two photos of me with my boys.  It also resulted in me cutting burrs out of Westley's hair (but my mom doesn't know about that part yet! Oops!). Of course Kyle's pup was the perfect little model. I should've known better than to expect so much out of my two crazy dogs... 
But, I still love them like a crazy person.
Both of these photos of myself were taken by my sister, Jamie. Thanks for dealing with my "abuse" and "yelling". I still don't see it... I just want things done right. I love you, sissy;)
The rest were, of course, taken by me. I really loved photographing these two handsome guys!
Be sure to click on the Best Paw Forward tab at the top of the page.
I hope, more than anything, to change shelter animal's lives. Every animal deserves to feel love.  It absolutely breaks my heart that for many cats and dogs, shelter life is all they know. Help spread the word and ADOPT!
 
The first thing I noticed when I walked into this family's home was a quote on a picture frame hanging on their wall: 
"Family is the essence that defines our very identity. Family means believing, loving, and supporting each other." 
I would feel honored to have my work hanging in that frame.
Sifting through this session's photos really makes me hope I have more time to spend with my sissy before her Fall break ends. 
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 
Things I am loving this Tuesday:
1. My big kitty, Bentley, was my model yesterday as I played with my new lens. Not only is he gorgeous, but he is such a sweetheart. I'm glad I got this shot yesterday because today he got his whiskers caught in Allie's watch and now they are all bent up. Either way, I love my new lens and of course I love my kitty!
 2. My Epiphanie camera bag rocks. I can't even express how much I am in love with it. It even comes with a special pocket for my iPad, which I don't own yet... but someday I swear that I will;) Photos of myself with my beloved bag are soon to follow, but here is the shot from the Epiphanie website! It looks a little small in the shot but it fits my camera, all of my lenses, and I still have room for a water bottle, my keys, and my phone (and of course my future iPad).
3. Pumpkin Cupcakes have been my snack for the weekend! They were delicious and very easy to make.  Sadly, yesterday, my dog jumped on the table and ate every one. Including the paper.
4. Pinterest has been distracting me from getting stuff done. Ah, but I love it anyway.
5. Hello Kitty and Tinkerbell have always been favorites of mine and my sweet little cousin, Jayci, loves them too! I loved seeing her yesterday, but I simply can't believe how big she is getting. I swear I was just rushing off the to hospital to meet her and take her photos when she was just hours old. Nevertheless, she is a doll, her hair is just to die for, and she is, without a doubt, the cutest tink I've ever seen! 
This story board below just kills me. It shows so perfectly how Jayci runs nowadays: little arms fluttering and chubby legs hurdling. 
It's memories like this, that I want to preserve for parents. 
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 
WITH MY NEW LENS!!!!!! I just recently bought a new lens to add to my collection (along with a camera bag that will arrive tomorrow... ahhhh!). This lens creates the most beautiful dreamy bokeh and I just cannot wait to experiment. My heart did flips when I looked at the first couple shots I took with it last night! Anyway, I was lucky enough to have an absolutely gorgeous senior to use my new lens on for the first time. Meet Jamie. There are SO MANY beautiful shots, which gave me a really hard time picking and choosing for the sneak peek, and this is only half of her senior session! Jamie did a wonderful job on wardrobe and I can't thank her enough for being flexible with my crazy schedule. Thanks again Jamie! 
Enjoy!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 
I began today as I always do: eating my cheerios, pouring apple juice, and going off to school. I had no idea that checking my email in second period would completely turn my quite average day into a quite memorable one. I opened my first unread email to be so pleasantly and graciously surprised. I am so honored and so proud to say that after an intense application reviewing process, I have been selected to be an official photographer for The Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. I couldn't be happier to a part of something that is so truly amazing. If you are not familiar with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, you really should stop by the website. It's truly amazing. I have never felt so honored. 
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of spending some time with a beautiful family. Oh, these little sweetie's eyes just make me melt...
Have a wonderful week!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 
Things I'm loving this Tuesday:
1. Adele's new album, 21, is my editing soundtrack of the day. LOVE it!
2. Books, lately, have been providing me with an escape. I love them for that. 
3. My teacher, Mrs Humphrey, for countless reasons (of course). She is always there to help me with my projects and support me 100%. But today was quite different. She was busy with her own work, leaving me to begin a new, somewhat difficult, project alone. I did it.
4. Peanut butter & Oreo Sandwich made a delicious snack this evening. Don't knock it till you try it!
5. My new favorite 3 year old, miss Lexi. She is so full of personality and pure sweetness. Photographing her family has always been a joy, but today, the focus was just on Lexi. She seems to be quite proud to be 3 and some of her expressions just make me melt. Enjoy:)
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor