Aspen and I met about 6 years ago. I am so thankful that she choose me as her wedding photographer because over the years we have not just had a professional relationship but have also become friends. I am so excited to meet this little baby! {and I secretly hope it’s a girl!}

Congrats you two!

Caroline and Adam are getting married this year and we somehow managed to squeeze in an engagement session in the middle of this high school coach’s busy busy schedule! These two are so much fun and we had such a good chat while shooting…can’t wait for the wedding!

I’m not sure how to describe 2011 exactly. I think most people that go through a year that was a little tough and a little good, they call it a “year of growing.” I do feel that I have grown. (unfortunately I’m not just being metaphorical…add one to the resolution list! :S)

When the holidays are over and the new year starts I am already looking forward to March. March has never been my favorite month but then my sweet Olivia was born in that month and that whole time of year has really become such an anticipated time for me. This year she turned two.

After having a retail space for my studio for over 4 years I decided it was necessary to move the business home. I was just overwhelmed by the frantic pace of dropping off Olivia, going to work, being gone all day and then having so much still to do at night. I have enjoyed being home. I can do small tasks while I wait on dinner to get ready or if I have looked at the computer too long, I can fold the clothes or go outside and check on our garden. It’s really been a welcome change!

I decided to have small chicks for props for our Easter Mini’s and once that was over we decided to keep them and raise them up for eggs. That was interesting. And I don’t know that we are the best farmers. We started with 6. Then down to 5, then down to 2, then down to 1, bought 3 more adults and soon after an animal found them and enjoyed an early Thanksgiving dinner on us. Poor ladies.

**taken with my iPhone

Me and my Swede celebrated 8 years of married bliss. e.i.g.h.t. I don’t understand how I am old enough to have been married for 8 years!

Speaking of my Swede…he made a 4.0 this entire year. Both semesters. Architecture School. Studying in his Second Language. Who does that?!

And speaking of school…Olivia started preschool and can I just say she L-O-V-E loves it!

I have had the opportunity to work with some really great people within the wedding industry.

Here’s just a few:

Amanda Caldwell Photography

Tara Mauldin Photography

Blush by Wendy Ballance

Signature Wedding Films

I was also very happy to celebrate my second year as a exclusive vendor at Studio Wed in Asheville.

Only the best of the best and I think we managed to cram all of us in this photobooth…haha!

And finally a sad note about the Orange Cat. He is an actual cat and his name is Chester. He will be 13 in April. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with kidney failure and we don’t know how much longer he will be with us. Poor guy. I have had a lot of cats in my life despite being allergic to them but he is the most special to me. He has a personality that just grabs you. He communicates better than any animal I have ever know. He has lived in Chapel Hill, Illinois and now Conover with me and has even flown in a plane with me! Big thanks to my brother Daniel and his girlfriend Amanda. They have really done a lot to get him the fluids he needs (she used to work at a vets office) and even found special food for him.

What a handsome boy!

Goodbye, 2011! Here’s to many blessings to all of you in 2012!

And here’s one of Olivia wishing you all a Happy 2012!

It almost felt weird to write 2011…I really don’t know where the time is going!

This has been a wonderful year. I have worked with some really great brides…many have been friends of past brides, siblings of friends, and even the daughter of my high school teachers! I feel blessed to go to a wedding and see so many I know. I feel honored to be trusted with such an important job!

Here’s a few images from the year.

But first a big huge thanks to everyone! To my clients, my friends and family; thank you all!

Merry Christmas to all of my Americans and God Jul to my Swedes!

Wishing you a season of blessings from my family to yours!

must learn how to spell senoir, i mean senior. senior senior senior

ha! I think I’ve got it..well, until next time maybe! Anyway, Sara is the baby sister. I had the privilege of photographing big sisters wedding a couple of years ago so it was such a pleasure to hear from their family again for another milestone. Sara looks a lot like her sister! Of course that is a compliment because I think Erin is beautiful. Here’s a few so you can decide for yourself!

Congrats, Sara! Can’t wait to hear what you decide to to next!

I had the honor of working with Tara Mauldin last month for Emily and Joe’s fabulous Charlotte wedding. We worked with Jill and Katie of The Charmed Event who transformed the top of the Mint Museum into a glorious room of purple. It was fantastic! Emily and Joe were such a pleasure and kept us entertained the entire day!

Here are few from the day::

I just love this family. I love to see these little kids mesh and love each other as if they’ve known each other from the first days of their lives. I love to see this adult couple loving each other like teenagers. I am a sucker for happily ever after and here is one right in front of me. Love you guys!

What a beautiful day for Angela and Pete…I would never have imagined November the 12th would have given such beautiful weather, especially in Asheville. Angela and Pete were married at the gorgeous Basilica in downtown Asheville. Everyone then drove to the Crest Center for the reception. I wanted to share a few images from the wedding, but there are just so many, there just might be a part II from this fantastic day. Angela and Pete, thanks so much for allowing me to be part of your wedding. I felt so welcome by everyone! You are surrounded by a really great group of family and friends!

Thanks to Blossoms at Biltmore Park for the lovely floral arrangements and table centerpieces.

Thanks also to Corey Cagle for second shooting!

I have so many reasons to be thankful. First of all, I am thankful for you. There are so many of you that support me and my family through supporting my little business. This dream has become a reality and even supports my whole family as my husband goes to school. So thank you. Thank you for your encouraging words, for telling your friends about me, for loving the images I create.

I am most thankful for my family.

For my mom and dad….

and especially my sweet girl! and my husband that loves and respects me…

And for my brothers who are my best friends. (doesn’t it look like Martin loves Patches?! haha…this is so not how it is!)

Thankful for generations

Thankful for cousins

Thankful for farmor and farfar (sorry, couldn’t find a pic of farfar!)

Thankful for silly cousins

And cousins that like icecream!

I am thankful that we have more than one country that we call home. And that no matter what country we are in, we are surrounded by people we love deeply.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!