The Inspired Life

Nick & Lauren are two of the coolest people & definitely one of the coolest couples I’ve ever worked with!

They’re so laid back & fun & funny!

Lauren is definitely one of  the most ‘go with the flow’ brides I believe I’ve ever met!

They were actually referred to me by one of my past Wedding Couples {and friends} Crystal & Rory!

Nick & Lauren have been together for six years & will tie the knot this Saturday at Hidden River Events in Swannanoa, NC!

They’re from Indiana & all of their family & friends will be traveling to North Carolina for the Big Day!

We got together last week at the Bywater here in Asheville for a non-traditional ‘pre-wedding consultation’ & engagement session after!

We discussed their relationship story, their Wedding Day & other hilarious & highly inaprorpriate topics!

I had SO MUCH fun with these two!

Because of the crazy weather lately, we had to re-schedule their first engagement session & this day couldnt’ have been more perfect for a beautiful engagement session!

Nick & Lauren, I can’t tell you what an honor it is that you chose me to be part of such a special event in your lives! I adore you both & am thrilled to call you clients & now, FRIENDS!

Can’t wait for the Wedding!

xox

Brit

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

Asheville Wedding Photographer

This is my last Mommy & Me post for the season…

I told you in the first post about the reason why I choose to run a special Mother’s Day Promotion every year.

Incase you missed it, it’s because my mom was a single mother, raising two children {a boy (the oldest)  & a baby girl (me)}

So many things about this sweet family reminded me of my own family…

I can remember sitting at the baseball field watching my brother play when I was just about 3 or 4.

I remember my brother always had his glove & a baseball, playing with his friends, and I remember what he looked like in his baseball uniform.

I worshiped my big brother when I was little.

I think it’s easy for my mind to recall those memories because of the images that are part of my family’s history.

I’ve always remembered my life in snapshots. Still moments, forever frozen in time.

My mom always did such a good job of documenting our childhood & our lives and I just love her for it!!!

Had she had the means to do it, I know {because she’s told me} that she would have LOVED to have had a photographer take the kinds of photographs that I take of our little family!

So, every year, around Mother’s Day, I always offer a special promotion to the mommas! It’s just something I feel compelled to do.

I was so excited when Sabrina contacted me for a Mommy & Me Session for she & her two children, Jagger & Ava!

Sabrina is a single mother, raising two of the cutest, sweetest, most well mannered children you’ve ever met!

{You’re Doing Great Girl!}

Jagger is 8 and will be 9 in June! {He’s so TALL for an 8yr old!}

He LOVES baseball and plays on multiple teams and was just starting a tournament on the day that I met him!

Ava is 3 and will be 4 in the fall!

She is the SWEETEST little thing ever! When I first met her {you’ll see in the photograph of she and her mom} she was whispering something to her mom

and her mom said: “you can tell her” and Ava sweetly whispered to me: “you’re beautiful”

I could have melted into the pavement and DIED right there!

That’s one way to wrap me around your little tiny fingers!

Once she got the bashfulness out, Ava was SO talkative!

She told me about her hobbies and her toys and even invited me to her birthday part this year!

{I’ll be waiting on my invite little girl!}

Sabrina, I’m SO glad you called me! I adore your sweet family & hope that you’ll call me again & again as they grow!

XOX

Brit

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Children’s Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Children’s Photographer

Asheville Children’s Photographer

Have you ever noticed how sometimes, when you meet someone for the first time, you just kind of jive with them?

Your personalities {although they may be different} just kind of, you know -JIVE-

I felt that way the first time I met Karen Laster!

Although, I shouldn’t be surprised, I met her through another of my {super awesome clientS turned friends}, Brandi & Jason Herron!

Karen is just a really cool, laid back, sweet, funny person!

She has the CUTEST little girl EVER!

Ella is such an adorable little person!

Much like her momma, she’s very sweet and smiley and funny!

{which also shouldn’t come as a surprise given that the first I met both of her parents, her dad was dressed as ‘la flama blanca’ if you get the East Bound & Down reference!}

I just adore Karen & Ella!

Karen, I was so pumped when you called to book your Mommy & Me Session! Your little girl is the cutest thing & I was hoping you’d eventually ask me to photograph you guys! I look forward to working with you guys many times as she grows!

Next up: Family Portraits!

xox

Brit

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

After seeing the photos of Heidi & LuLu on my Facebook Fan Page

{follow me @ Inspired Life Photography}

Jen Blankenship contacted me to book a Mommy & Me Portrait Session for she & her son, Graham!

Jen is related to one of my most favorite people {Lisa Lovik Hilzendager} & had seen some photographs I had perviously shot for Lisa & then the photos of Heidi & LuLu just sent her over the edge!

And I’m certainly glad they did!

When I first met Jen & Graham, the first words out of my mouth {literally} were: “You’re SOOOOO Lucky!!!”

Isn’t Graham the most adorable little thing ever?!

We shot their session in the early morning & Graham arrived to the shoot still in his footy pajamas and those big blue eyes and those chubby little cheeks and that heart melting little grin…

It was too much for me to bare!!!

Jen, you are one of the sweetest people {which, I’m not surprised… it must be genetic!} I loved spending time with you and Graham & look forward to photographing your family many times as he grows!

XOX

Brit

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Running a Mother’s Day Promotion is something that I’ve done every year since I started my business & something that is near & dear to my heart!

I grew up in a single parent household & my momma is the reason why I am where I’m at!

The REASON I Love Photography so much is because of my momma!

When I was a kid, the walls of my home were COVERD with framed photos of our family, of places we’d been & of our memories together.

The drawers and closets in my home were filled with my family’s history… photos that she couldn’t fit on the walls or in the albums that filled our bookshelves!

It’s because of her, that photographs have always been a big part of my life!

The tradition began with my grandparents & great grandparents on my mom’s side… they always did SUCH a good job documenting our family’s history & my mom certainly did a good job continuing the tradition!

I know, that {had she had the money to do it} my mom would have LOVED to have taken my brother & I to a photographer who does what I do!

She would have DIED to have the kinds of photographs I take on our walls & in our family’s albums!

SO, it’s because of her, that every year around Mother’s Day, I always run a special Mother’s Day Promotion for the mommas!

Every year,  I choose to take a 75% {or more} pay cut, for a month, to be able to offer mommas & their children {especially single mom’s} a  deal that includes my time, travel, talent, props, preparation of their photos AND digital files for a REALLY low price… all because I KNOW my momma would’ve loved to have been able to have that!

It’s something I feel compelled to do!

{Love you Mom}

…

Anyway, this year, I kicked things off with my dear friend Heidi & her little girl, LuLu!

I ADORE Heidi. She is such a sweet friend! She’s so funny & sweet & interesting & creative!

Wouldn’t you know it, Heidi has all those wonderful attributes AND she’s such an AWESOME mom!

Heidi has two of {literally} the CUTEST kids you’ve ever seen!

But, for the purposes of the promotion, I shot a mother/daughter session for Heidi & LuLu!

I just adore these images…

Sometimes, I get an image in my mind, I don’t know if I dream it up if I get inspired by a movie or book or magazine or just my surroundings or what…

But I’d had this idea dancing around in my head for about a week or two & the result couldn’t have been more perfect!

Meet Heidi & LuLu!!!

Heidi – I totally adore you & your adorably sweet children! I am SO glad we’ve gotten closer & I look forward to all the memories that are yet to be made!

XOX

Brit

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

I’ve known Kasi Barnes for what feels like forever!

We met in middle school & played sports together through high school!

We were thick as thieves back then!!!

We lost touch during/after college & re-connected at our ten year high school reunion last year!

Kasi had just found out that she & her husband, Doug were expecting their first child!

Fast forward several months…

I was SO honored when Kasi called to ask me to come down to the coast to photograph her first born!

Kasi & Doug live in Belhaven, NC which, if you don’t know is ALLLLL the way on the coast of NC, next to Bath {fun fact: Bath was the first point of entry in NC & is the oldest town in NC (it’s 300 years old)}!

It really, really meant a lot to me that of all the photographers in all the cities {esp. the ones closer to her} in all the world, Kasi wanted… trusted me to be the one to photograph her little beauty!

Brenna Leigh Barnes arrived on March 26, 2013 at 9:14am and weighed in at 8lbs 1.8 ounces!!!

It was touch and go there for about a week as Brenna had some complications after birth…

I met this little beauty a few days after they were finally released from the hospital and boyyyyy, let me tell you, I was totally smitten from the moment I laid eyes on this little angel!

Brenna is absolutely one of the most beautiful little babies I’ve ver seen!

She was so tiny and cuddly and sweet!

She smiles ALL the time!

I’d never seen anything like it! All Kasi had to do was talk to her and that little darling would grin, even in her sleep! {It was totally precious}

Doug & Kasi – It means the world to me that you chose me for this task! You could’ve chosen anyone but you chose me and that is such an honor for me! I adore your sweet family & look forward to photographing your precious little lady as she grows & as your family grows!

xox

Brit

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

Wilmington Newborn Photographer

When I was a little girl, I was OBSESSED with Horses!

As an adult, I still have a fondness for them and think they’re BEAUTIFUL, MAJESTIC Creatures!

I mentioned the other day {on my facebook fanpage} that I’d shot some of the most GORGEOUS Bridal Portraits & I wasn’t lying!

I wanted to share this ‘out-take’ image with you for a few reasons!

1. You can’t REALLY see the Bride – so, it’s not a spoiler!

2. It’s an out-take because I was having a hard time setting my focus on the Bride due to the large animal in my line of site!

3. But, MAN ALIVE, ins’t that Horse Absolutely Beautiful?!

I adore this image {even though the focus is wrong}.

Oh and the last reason I’m sharing it is:

4. Check out those photoshop skills getting rid of that leash thing! {HOLLA!}

{I worked on it for a hot minute, so I had to share it!}

Asheville Wedding Photographer

My Best Friend, Cheslea & I have known each other since Elementary School!

We became inseprable somewhere around 2nd grade when we were on the same basketball team!

We’ve made a lot of memories through the years… we were never bored! We had crazy & creative imaginations, we were insanely funny & mischevious little girls & in our teenage/young adult years, we were pretty wild & crazy!

…we grew up together.

I have been part of Chelsea’s life forever & feel so honored to be part of Alayna’s life as well!

I’ve been photographing this little girl since {literally} the day after she was born!

Words simply cannot express how much I love Chelsea & Alayna!

Alayna’s 2 now {she’ll be 3 in October} & she {like her mommy} is the funniest little girl!

She’s such a little sweet heart & is {obviously} the cutest little thing!

You can just see her tender, sweet, pure little heart shine through in her personality & in her photos!

I usually photograph Alayna seasonally {her childhood has been well documented} & wanted to share some of her most recent spring photos with you!

Chelsea, you’ve been my best friend forever, I’ve loved you almost my whole life & will love this ‘little bird’ for her whole life too!

xox

Brit

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

The HARDEST Part about Photographing Brides {besides the exposure issues with that big white dress} is Keeping the Photographs to yourself until the Wedding Day!!!

Luckily, I didn’t have to wait that long to share these Beautiful Photos!

I Shot Carly’s Bridal Portraits a couple weeks ago at Apple Hill Farms in Waynesville, NC. {Which also happens to be the Wedding Venue!}

I was SO Impressed with Apple Hill Farms  because of all the Wedding Venue’s I’ve shot at at, Apple Hill Farms REALLY put some thought into their Bridal Suit!

It’s totally GORGEOUS!

A lot of times, venue’s ‘Bridal Suits’ leave something to be desired in terms of photographic aesthetics of the ‘getting ready’ shots before the ceremony Apple Hill Farms REALLY does it right!

Not only is the property beautiful, the bridal suit is just so incredibly pretty and the owner is the sweetest lady!

So, if you haven’t heard of it, check it out!

Carly & Jonathan booked their Wedding with me more than a year ago & when we FINALLY got to shoot Carly’s Bridal Portraits {we had to reschedule twice because of weather} I couldn’t have been more pleased with her location selection!

{I get nervous sometimes when I let people select their own shoot locations that I’ve never seen before the day of the session!}

We had to ‘race the rain’ because it did in fact rain on that day too!

But I think we got some really beautiful shots before the rain came!

Congratulations Carly & Jonathan!

xox

Brit

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

Apple Hill Farms Wedding Photographer

People ask me all the time, “what is your favorite age to photograph?”

The answer: 6-9 months!!!

It’s not secret that I LOVE  children [period], I love playing with them, laughing with them, questioning them, engaging their imaginations, kids are the BEST!

 I also LOVE the days when I get to spend my afternoon photographing pre-teens & teens! {they’re great because they follow instructions and don’t run away from me!}

But, I do LOVE me some babies!!!

I LOVE the days when I get to spend most of my day with a tiny, sweet smelling, warm, cuddly newborn & their parents!

I LOVE the days when I get to photograph, sweet, chubby, giggly little babies!

While I love children of all ages, I really LOVE babies in the 6-9 month age range!

They’re so chubby and smiley and cute. They’re totally mesmerized by the camera AND…

They’re a ‘captive audience’! They can sit up but not crawl or walk/RUN away!

So it’s easy and SO much fun!

If you take a look at my website, there’s a {VERY} reasonably priced “Simply Baby” Session Option {which is a short studio session} specifically for babies in this age range {because it’s ‘easy’ and I LOVE it}!

So, Spread the Word & Bring Me Yo Babies!

Now, I want you to meet Sweet Charlee!

Her mommy called me to schedule a spring mini session more than a month ago & we shot their session the Friday before Easter.

It had been SO warm the entire week leading up to Easter and then {of course} it turned off windy and rainy and cold on the day of their session.

Charlee’s momma wanted to do some outdoor shots, so we did those quickly and then went into the studio for a few shots.

Upon 2nd review {for blogging} of these images, I’ve decided that  I’m not entirely happy with these images {although, they are cute} poor Charlee {and her parents} just look cold, SO, I’ve asked Charlee’s mommy if they’d like to try to shoot again, so you may be seeing this little cutie pie again real soon!

Enjoy!

XOX

Brit

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer

Asheville Child Photographer