It’s so cliche but do you have those friends that you see and it feels like you can pick up right where you left off? Whitney and I were the best of friends in middle school. We were friends right at that awkward stage in life full of AIM screen names, embarrassing crushes, etc. She reached out to me last fall to do some head shots for her photography business and the second we met up, it felt like nothing had changed.

There’s so much I love about my hometown, Aiken – the people, the memories, the lunch spots and the way that time slows down just a little bit the second you take Exit 22. After spending 18 years of my life there, I can’t help but feel nostalgic each time I go back. During all of those years, my family lived in the same house, on the same street, with the same next door neighbors. These neighbors became our family. We would always know that two rings on the doorbell meant “It’s the Murdaughs” or that if it was a Saturday and Mr. Ed didn’t have to work, he would be doing yard work. The Murdaughs were the best kind of neighbors you could have asked for.

Matt and I met Karli and her husband Andrew at the South Carolina Statehouse at 7:30 in the morning for this session. It was an early morning but even at 7:30 AM, Karli was beyond beautiful and glowing. Morning sessions are obviously a little less popular because it means a very early morning for whoever’s session it is, but there’s something I love so much more about the morning light and sunrise. 

The Griffiths decided on The Horseshoe in Columbia, SC for their family photos, which I was beyond excited about since The Horseshoe is forever beautiful. Together Kerri and Bill share two adorable daughters – Macy and Saylor. My sister actually refers to them as “the model family” and they certainly lived up to their name. 

About a month ago, my entire family vacationed at Carolina Beach, NC for an entire week. During this trip, some of us fell in love with waking up to watch the sunrise because of the amazing views from the beach condo AND some good old fashioned peace and quiet (PS I think waking up early on vacation is called adulting). Watching the sun come up over the water and a completely empty beach is the best time for some peace and quiet but do you know what else it’s the best time for? Pictures!