You may notice this cute lil family from last Fall. I did a family session with these 3 when Isaac was much smaller – he was barely walking at the time. During this session, he was singing Sunday school songs and marching around. Kristin babysat me as a child so I was thrilled whenever she asked me to take maternity pictures for her before they became a family of 4. I love getting to watch her family grow!

Once you scroll through these pictures, you might remember seeing these sweet faces from back in the Fall after I did their Fall family session. This is the Till family and they are some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. I knew Hannah and Martin in college and their precious baby Jacob is growing up so fast! In the Fall, he was crawling but not a ton. In the Spring, Jacob was nearly sprinting every single step he took. I love getting to watch him grow up and love even more the opportunities that I get to spend with this family. 

Matt and I live in a smaller neighborhood so whenever he works outside in the wood shop, he usually meets a neighbor or two. In fact, I’ve lived in this neighborhood for 5 years and he has met more people in the year he has lived here that I did all of those 5 years combined. It’s true. Some of those neighbors include Jane and Peyton Hray. Jane, Peyton and their son, Grady, ended up meeting Matt one day out in front of our house.

From time to time, I get asked if dogs can tag along to a photo session for some family photos. People want to include their pets, especially for Christmas card pictures (Matt and I included). I am always happy to say “Of course!”. There’s something I love about photo sessions with dogs.

I get asked quite frequently about the best clothing to wear to a photography session by clients. It’s the question that everyone usually asks after the session is scheduled and I’m always happy to offer best practices and colors that photograph well, but YOU GUYS – Julie McDowell is the pro of all pros. This family showed up in a fuchsia, navy and yellow color combo – coordinated perfectly.

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.

Whenever Matt and I met up with the Till family at the USC Horseshoe a few weeks ago, it honestly felt like we were just hanging out, laughing and catching up more than it felt like a family session. Hannah and I both graduated from USC, we actually met our freshman year, while Matt and Martin both graduated from the Citadel, so they were able to share some stories from their time there.

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. 

I look forward to every single session that I do, however I greatly look forward to sessions with families and their dog(s). Maybe it’s because I’m obsessed with my dog and understand the bond that you can have with your pet and that a dog really can be part of the family. Argue with me all you want. Call me crazy. Dogs are family. Or maybe it’s because they bring such great energy to a session. Regardless, I love it.

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!