Would you believe I’ve gotten to be part of the Summerall’s life for 10 YEARS?!?!
One of my favorite all-time sessions was when Kohen & Maya were lil’-bitty. It was in the beginning of my depression when everything started going numb; but during my time with them, I actually felt ALIVE and HAPPY again.
Well, I felt the SAME happiness when I got to see their family again last week in Georgia! Even though Meghan and I haven’t had the chance to hang-out outside of photos, I always tell my sister, “I want to be ‘real-life’ friends with Meghan.”
Meghan & Jeff- THANK YOU for trusting me year after year! I appreciate your family so much!
P.S. Is it just me or does Kohen look a little like my-Ross?!?!?
Christy…….while I was looking at all the beautiful pictures, I was thinking…. he looks so much like Ross. Then, I read your comment and you said the same thing. So, WOW!
As my sister and I watched my mom cook a huge Thanksgiving meal, our conversation began with the CMA (specifically on how getting to see Thomas Rhett’s performance of “Life Changes” was worth having to sit through Brad Paisley’s horrific attempt to be funny), but somehow shifted to our FAVORITE topic- ADORABLE lil’ kids. After we both established that her baby, Naomi, was oozing with cuteness, I grabbed my laptop to show her a couple more cuties…
A HUGE hug to Lindsey for allowing me to photograph her precious boys the last 7 years!
Even though I felt so much excitement and gratitude for all my Georgia Fall Mini Sessions booking-up before I could even post them online, as I hurried around my parent’s house gathering my goodie bag and equipment the morning of my sessions, Matthew could sense how nervous I also was. He pulled me close and asked if he could pray over me. His prayer was simple, but exactly what I needed- for God to work through me and allow every family to be blessed with photos of their family.
I hope each family experiences the same joy SEEING their photos as He gave me as I TOOK their photos!
This was my first time photographing Rachael and her family, but I certainly hope it’s not the last! Bailey and Sawyer couldn’t have been any better! Can’t you just FEEL the LOVE between these guys?!
Have you ever met a family who’s just too great for words? Well, that’s exactly how I feel about Kevin & Kayla.
I got to serve with Kevin at Grace Point Church and was really impacted by his high-fives, positive attitude and heart for others. I love Kayla’s adventurous spirit, killer shoes and gentle personality. So naturally, their kids are equally as loving and wonderful!
After James’ senior session, I got to take a few family photos at their home! Here’s just a few of my favorites…
When Matthew and I made the difficult decision to leave everything to pursue a slower and more intentional life, I felt God leading me to also take a break from the ONE thing that had consistently filled me with happiness, self-worth, purpose and passion- my photography business. Selfishly, I worried all of these wonderful emotions I’d grown so attached to would now be hidden away- just away like my camera.
But not wanting my move to be in vain, as quickly as I left a “busy” in Georgia, I greeted Arkansas with an excitement to chase hard after what was most important to me. The next five years certainly had some hard daysweeksmonths‘times’, but I believe God richly honored my time of being still. During that time, Matthew and I navigated through deep emotions that we tried to bury after a season of depression. I joined a Bible study and discovered a new way to parent that, not only changed my relationship with my kids, it changed my heart as well.
But even more important than my relationship with Matthew and the kids, the BEST change that came from this season was me deciding to {finally} make God a priority by reading His Word and talking to Him every day. {Despite feeling overwhelmed at times, I’ve had the privilege of reading through the entire Bible three times already!} I quickly realized all my selfish emotions that I feared would be stored away on the bottom shelf were graciously replaced with joy, love and meaning that could only come from knowing God in a personal way.
Although I treasure my season of stillness, as I watch my youngest start kindergarten, I pray this new season and extra time will give me the opportunity to, once again, pursue my passion- documenting children’s lives through photography. (Yes… I am EXCITED!)
Here’s a few sneak peeks for a family that is so special to me! Jamie– I hope you enjoy! I can’t wait to share ALL of them with you today!
What a beautiful testimony of what God has done & is doing in your life & heart Christy. As person who also loves this family dearly & has literally watched both Sloan & Collins grow up, I can tell you that these pictures are amazing. You have captured their smiles, laughter, sweetness & tenderness with each other. I hope that you continue your journey back to your photography because these pictures are beautiful!
Normally, when my sister and I talk on the phone every day, our conversations are usually centered around something we’re cooking, somewhere we’re going or something too immature to share with anyone else. But there WAS one particular phone call with Hannah almost two years ago that I will ALWAYS remember.
I asked her how her weekend was and, in a tone I hadn’t heard in a long time, she did her best to explain the incredible blessings God had so graciously given to her on that particular day.
Before the pastor’s message on the Sanctity of Life that morning, her extended family filled-up the seats to celebrate Parker’s public decision to be baptized. After enjoying some comfort food with everyone they loved, out-of-town family said goodbye and her husband took off as well for time with his mentors in the church. She thought the day was already “perfect,” but God had ONE more surprise for her.
Already soaking in all the many blessings, a ‘(+)/(-) Test’ revealed on that same night that God was saving the BEST surprise for LAST! Parker, Hannah and Jason were finally getting the baby they’d all been praying for!
But during a routine prenatal appointment, Hannah received lab results that indicated her baby was at risk for a rare, life-threatening disorder. So for the remaining weeks of her pregnancy, we all prayed and prayed for God’s intervention. ‘Grandmama’ (our grandmother) said she’s never prayed for anything more than she prayed for Naomi during that difficult time. Ironically enough, I know many of her prayers were said as she looked-out over the very spot in her backyard where Naomi played in the water during one of my last nights in Georgia.
God not only chose to give my sister a healthy, little girl, He added an incredibly sweet temperament and some major-cuteness as well! 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Christy ….. what you have just related is so true. I am so thankful for the health of all my Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren and pray daily for their continued physical and spiritual health. But everytime I look at Naomi, I see a miracle
because it seemed that the odds were stacked against her for her to have cystic fibrosis,and yet…she was born healthy and has been such a “joy” and “blessing” to us all. I thank God daily for our blessings. The pictures are just beautiful and give a hint into her wonderful personalty. Love you all!
Debbie FortnerJune 16, 2017 - 3:00 pm
Love <3 what you wrote Christy,& Naomi is so precious & so sweet I love <3 her so much. Our entire family it truly blessed with this little angel from Heaven. And of course you do know I want copies of all these pics right? lol !!! if you can send them to my cell or you can just send them in email or private message. You do such a great job taking pictures I wish I was as good as you. Your pictures are always beautiful !! love <3 you. 🙂
God not only chose to give my sister a healthy, little girl, He added an incredibly sweet temperament and some major-cuteness as well!
Christy…….while I was looking at all the beautiful pictures, I was thinking…. he looks so much like Ross. Then, I read your comment and you said the same thing. So, WOW!