West Coast Weekend -- Huntsville, Alabama Photographer

I went out to the West coast a couple weeks ago, to Washington and Oregon to spend some time with friends and get a little photography done.  It was fun, to say the least.  I think I found a part of myself that had been lying dormant for years, just waiting for an excuse to come out and groove to her sweet-soul groove.  I listened to loud music with friends on a drive down the coastline of Oregon, drank a pint of Guinness in a pub, ate (mass quantities of) delicious food, found commonality and grace with fellow Believers, and generally allowed that slow, West coast vibe to bathe me over in its warm, honey-gold tones and salt air.  It was a much needed reprieve from my regular daily grind, allowing me to breathe and return home refreshed and restored to a more solid self, a grounded self, an assured self.

Possibly my most favorite place in Portland (maybe in the world), is Powell's World of Books.   It is one serious bookstore -- and I adore books.  I spent nearly two hours (not long enough) trolling the shelves, reading spines, watching people, smelling the age of the place, room after room, a whole square block of goodness times three floors and a basement!  There was even a moment, on the upper floor, where I found myself fully immersed in the place, feeling the magnitude of the space, the building full of people, full of words and photographs, in thousands of books representing thousands of minds and lives, the decades of thoughts and ideas and passions. It was reverent, almost . . . holy.

Much of my time was spent with my girlfriends, Lisa and Christina.  We drank mass quantities of Starbucks, ate crazy good food (if you're ever in the area, do eat at Moe's on Cannon Beach), and generally had more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

After visiting awhile with Goonies Rock on Cannon Beach, we headed over to Astoria, home of The Goondocks.  I admit it, I'm a total Goonie geek.  Goonies never say die!

One last stop before a last night's sleep and boarding a plane for home: Voodoo Donuts!  You simply cannot visit Portland without a donut pit stop.  Tip:  the Portland airport will indeed allow you to carry on a big pink box of Voodoo;  just be prepared for the envious stares and covetous comments by everyone you encounter between the airport and home.

I can't wait to return to the West coast.  I miss it terribly already.  *sigh*

He Makes Beautiful Things -- Huntsville Alabama Photographer

Oftentimes, when I'm behind the lens, I find myself humming this song, "You Make Beautiful Things" by Gungor.  And then I smile.  Because it's true.  The world (as I've once before expounded upon) is full of remarkable, miraculous beauty, dripping like diamonds from every surface, every crevice of the human psyche.  And I'm in awe of it all, most of the time.  In awe of the Creator and the grace given to me in allowing me to live amid all of the beauty. The last few weeks have afforded many opportunities to capture some of these beautiful things, creatures, and souls. Here are some of my favorites.  Enjoy.

The Sweet Life in Fort Payne, Alabama -- Portrait Photography

I wanted to do something a little different, something that stretched me, something fun, something that pushed the envelope a little -- and in walked Susan with her hot pink victory rolls and saucy cupcakes.  This session was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.  A little sugar, a little spice, and everything that makes a portrait session nice! And if, after you peruse the photos, you find yourself craving something delicious, head over to Susie's Cupcakes for the best bakery sweets you will ever put in your mouth.  No joke -- this woman knows how to make cupcakes, and with premium ingredients and attention to every detail, you'll find yourself noshing on nothing short of a culinary miracle.  They're sooooo guuuuuuud!

Sun-Kissed in Cookeville, Tennessee -- Portrait Photography

I'm in love with soft, ethereal, natural morning light.  So when given the opportunity to photograph a beautiful girl in glowing, sun-kissed conditions, I jumped at the chance!  With her intense brown eyes and fresh, elfin beauty amid lovely wildflowers in a Tennessee field -- what photographer wouldn't snap that magical goodness right up?!?  

Portrait of Motherhood -- Big Spring Park, Hampton Cove, Alabama Photographer

As we near Mother's Day 2014 -- just a week away now -- I find myself pondering on the act of motherhood, this "thing" we collectively celebrate every year, this physical form so many of us take and claim in some way, whether we are the women who birthed little ones only to lose them, or if we are the women who are blessed to love tightly, tangibly, in our years-long journey of words and deeds, kissing scraped fingers, praying over hospital beds, baking birthday cakes, picking wildflowers.  So many of us are mothers -- messy and imperfect, proud and true.  As a tribe of souls whose life purpose is selflessness and growth and nurturing and strength, we are and have always been amazing in small and large ways -- though, really there is nothing small about motherhood.  Is there anything more fierce or more full of wonder than the love of a mother?  Is there anything more beautiful? For all of the mothers out there, those still with us (or not), those made and not-yet-made:  Happy Mother's Day.