Nicole Dabbs Photography

Penny: 2 Year Session

2011-12-12T14:52:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it's been two years since sweet little Penelope was born! It's amazing how fast time flies. This year we decided to not only get two-year birthday photos of Penny, but we also got some great family portraits to document the occasion. I love all of the fun props and great outfit choices her mom picked out! So fun!

Khalil, Jennifer, & Rahim: Family Session

2011-11-20T17:13:00.003-05:00

I had such a great time photographing Jennifer, Rahim, and little Khalil a few weeks ago during a beautiful fall afternoon. We went to Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta, which was a gorgeous backdrop with brightly colored leaves, stone steps, and wooded paths. Khalil absolutely melted my heart with his adorable grin and sweet smile. He was so lovable and so much fun through the whole session. What a beautiful family!

Madeleine: 2 Year Session

2011-11-14T15:31:00.006-05:00

I was so excited to shoot Madeleine's 2 year photographs recently. It is absolutely amazing how much she has grown since her one year photos and I fall more in love with her each time I see her. We had a lot of fun running around the park, dancing, singing, and acting silly! We also used the opportunity to take a few family photos since Madeleine's family will be growing next year with the addition of a baby boy!

Saying hello to her baby brother!

Playing dress up!

Looking for lady bugs in the trees.

Sharing her snack. :o)

Patti & Harry: Engagement Session

2011-10-25T11:34:00.009-04:00

Patti had been hoping and praying for her future husband since she was seven years old. Like most girls, she created “the list” which included all of the qualities her perfect man would have. He needed to be smart, kind, have a good sense of humor, have a big heart, love family, and be a gentleman. It was a tall order which she thought could never possibly be filled in her wildest dreams – until she met Harry.

Harry admired Patti quietly from afar, watching her perform cooking demos and help customers plan their family dinners at a local grocery store. Over sautéing vegetables and bagged groceries, Harry and Patti got to know each other during their after school job and quickly realized that they had found the person their hearts had been searching for. Harry fell in love with Patti’s kind heart and passion for life, and Patti loved the way he looked at her adoringly, how he made her smile, and the way he kissed her forehead when they said goodbye. It was the perfect match. They had found the person they had always dreamed of.

After years of dating, Patti found herself wandering the banks of the Chattahoochee River carrying a large, wrapped gift. This was the last location of the scavenger hunt Harry had cleverly taken her on. After following a note which read, “follow your heart”, Patti arrived at Harry’s apartment and was greeted by another note that instructed her to take this mystery gift to the river. Harry surprised her at the river and watched as she unwrapped her gift. As Patti gazed at the painting he had created for her, she noticed a phrase among the beautiful pink painted flowers that would change her life forever. As she read “Will you marry me?”, Harry got on one knee and presented Patti with a ring. He asked her to make his dreams come true and share forever with him. He asked her to follow her heart, and so she did…

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Patti and Harry, even though we just met, I feel like I’ve known you both forever. You truly are such a special couple – so caring, genuine, and loving – you deserve a lifetime of happiness together. I am so excited for your wedding next summer and am so honored that you asked me to be part of it!

Candy, Josh, Abby, Lexi, & Will: Family Session

2011-10-16T09:35:00.003-04:00

I had a great time shooting this adorable family last weekend! I met Candy at a photography conference a few weeks back and she mentioned that she had very few photos of her with her children because she was always behind the camera. So we focused on getting lots of "mom with the kids" shots, in addition to family photos. Abby was great entertainment - dancing and skipping at every location we went to - and the twins, Lexi and Will, were so cute! We had so much fun!

Laura & Erik: Wedding

2011-10-08T15:36:00.006-04:00

Since we were little girls, I can remember my sister doing her "happy dance". You could always tell when she was excited about something because she would do a little jittery dance on the top of her tip toes. Erik's mom calls it flying...and really, it does look she's about to take flight and float into the sky. Laura does the happy dance the way people smile - when she's happy, the dance just comes naturally. And it's absolutely adorable.

The ceremony music started and I watched my dad walk my beautiful sister down the aisle to meet her love, Erik. My sister locked eyes with Erik the whole way down the aisle and when my mom and dad stood at the altar to give her hand in marriage, Laura was dancing. She was doing the happy dance like she had never done it before. She just couldn't contain her excitement and her feet took over. Throughout the whole ceremony, Erik and Laura were giddy with joy and love. Laura didn't cry. She didn't get emotional. She just danced.

Through many tears, I gave my maid of honor speech to my sister. It hit me that my little baby sister was now an amazing, beautiful woman who had found the person that made her dreams come true. She had found the person to share her future, love, and joy with and the person that loved her unconditionally. She had found the person to dance through life with.

......................................................

Laura, thinking of your wedding day still brings giant alligator tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you and Erik and I am excited to see what the future holds for you two. I love you both more than you will ever know.

Since I was in the wedding, I wasn't the photographer. Luckily, I was able to sneak in about 20 minutes to get a few photos of my sister and her new husband.

Penny: Children's Session

2011-09-27T20:51:00.004-04:00

Penny is getting so big so fast! As usual, she was a perfect model and she gave me a chance to try out my new Canon 70-200mm L-series lens. I can't wait to do her 2-year photos in a few weeks!

Flynn: Newborn Session

2011-09-11T18:26:00.005-04:00

A few weeks ago, Nolan and Laura welcomed a beautiful new addition to their family - baby Flynn. I had the honor of shooting Flynn's newborn photos and he was such a sweetie and SO sleepy! My heart was absolute mush by the end of the shoot and it took everything in me not to smother him with kisses!

Website Makeover!

2011-09-08T09:43:00.001-04:00

My website is all new and sparkly! Not only is the design clean and fresh, but it also has some updated features and a ton of new photos. I've also made some slight changes to the blog to keep everything consistent. I'm so excited I feel like doing a little dance to celebrate! You can check it out here www.nicoledabbs.com . I hope everyone likes it!

Flynn: Newborn Sneak Peek

2011-08-29T21:57:00.002-04:00

Just a little sneak peek of a newborn session that melted my heart today. Flynn was the most precious baby and I can't wait to post more photos soon!

Karsyn, Angelica, & Jeremy: Family Session

2011-07-26T10:14:00.006-04:00

Karsyn, Angelica, and Jeremy are the cutest family and I had such a great time photographing this adorable trio a few months ago. Between outfit and location changes, Karysn was a trooper and couldn't stop giggling. She literally laughed, ran, and played the entire time...so much fun! Jeremy and Angelica have so much love for their little girl and it touched my heart to be able to document their life together.

What an adorable smile!

Jeremy brought his parents for a few photos of the whole family. Karsyn's smile in this photo kills me! Too cute!

One of my favorites.

Laura & Erik: Wedding Sneak Peek

2011-07-02T13:19:00.004-04:00

Last weekend my little sister got married to her best friend and love, Erik. Their ceremony brought tears to everyone that attended and the reception caused everyone to smile and dance in celebration. I'm planning on doing a full post in the next few weeks, but in the mean time, here is a little sneak peek! Could they be any more adorable?!

Susie & Brian: Wedding

2011-06-16T09:28:00.005-04:00

On her wedding day, she didn’t cry or get emotional - she just smiled. She smiled from ear to ear the entirety of their perfect day. Getting ready, taking photos, walking down the aisle, saying vows, and celebrating at the reception – everything was full of glowing grins. And really, Susie’s smiles captured not only the atmosphere of the wedding, but also the love that she and Brian share. Their wedding was so full of joy and happiness that all who attended knew that they were witnessing something truly special. Susie and Brian were celebrating the love they have for each other, their friendship that had grown over many years, and the joining of their two families. The resulting happiness exuding from this amazing couple was undeniably infectious, and smiles, laughs, and tears of joy were seen throughout the wedding party and guests.

Susie and Brian, I know that the future holds even more joy for your life together. Your love for each other is beautiful and I couldn’t be more elated for the two of you!

I love this ring holder!

The next few photos are why I LOVE first looks! When Susie and Brian saw each other before the ceremony they couldn't contain their excitement and their love for each other is so evident. These are some of my favorites from the day.

Susie and Brian got married at the beautiful Whitlock Inn in Marietta, GA. The setting couldn't have been more romantic.

Susie was an unbelievably beautiful bride.

Their first dance as a married couple.

Toasts!

To see even more photos from Susie and Brian's happy day, watch the slideshow! (The music by Pearl Jam is from their first dance as a married couple!)

Three Balloons

2011-06-01T10:55:00.008-04:00

They sang "Happy Birthday" as three note-filled balloons drifted up into the sky. Higher and higher they went until they disappeared into the clouds. One balloon was from her husband, one from her children, and one from her grandchildren. The balloons contained sweet messages, fond memories, and notes conveying how much we all miss her. Today is my grandmother's birthday and it was celebrated yesterday with remembrance and love.

It's been two long months since we lost my grandmother. She was the glue that held our huge family together. She would keep us full with her delicious pies, German potato salad, and assortment of Christmas cookies. She warmed us with her beautiful hand-sewn quilts and welcoming smile. She gave us joy with her sense of humor and infectious giggle. And we always felt loved when she held our face in her hands and said "I love you."

Today, on her birthday, it is a beautiful warm sunny day - her favorite - and I am overwhelmed with memories. The last time I saw her is vividly etched in my mind. I can still see her slowly walking up to me with outstretched arms and a smile. I can still hear her laugh while she holds my face in her hands. I can still hear her say "I love you and come back soon" while she kisses me goodbye. I cling desperately to this memory of her as if it could disappear at any moment. Our family will never be the same, but she is always in our hearts and these memories will last forever.

I hope that my grandmother was looking down on my family yesterday - smiling while they sang happy birthday, reading the notes on the balloons that floated up to her, and hugging my mom who needs to feel the love of her mother just once more. Grandma, we miss you more than you could ever know.

6 Years!

2011-05-21T19:13:00.006-04:00

When I was a teenager, I would dream about my future husband and the life we would have together. I dreamt that we would have an adorable little house with a white picket fence. Our two children would be romping in the yard with our perfectly quirky dog and I would be enjoying every day with the person I loved.

So fast forward a few years. The two children are non-existent, but hopefully in the future at some point. Our perfect dog has manifested itself into our “adopted” pets - my parents' crazy Boxer and my in-laws’ three clumsy Basset Hounds. And that adorable little house with the picket fence? Well, let’s just say the house hunt has been an adventure and we haven’t given up hope yet!

Although the house, dog, and children haven’t become a reality yet, as a teenager, I never thought that I would have met, fell in love with, and married such an amazing, thoughtful, and caring person. Yes, I imagined the ideal husband, but it didn’t cross my mind that the ideal could have been surpassed so greatly. Douglas is more than I could have ever asked for in so many ways, and today, on our 6th anniversary, I am reminded that my dream really did come true. I married the person that is my best friend, my love, my inspiration, and my life. Never would I have guessed that Douglas would make me so unbelievably happy and I am so thankful to know that whatever life does bring, I have him to live it with.

Photograph by Sarah Gibbs Photography

Sarah & Slayden: Engagement

2011-05-03T14:20:00.005-04:00

Sometimes it takes a difficult time in your life to realize how much you love and care for the person that was there for you all along. That was the case with Sarah and Slayden. Slayden transferred to Sarah's small private high school at the start of their junior year. From the beginning, Sarah wanted nothing to do with Slayden, and even though they had mutual friends, it wasn't until the end of the school year that they got to know each other. During the summer leading to their senior year, the friendship continued to grow. It grew through a very hard time in Sarah's life and Slayden was always there to listen and offer a shoulder to lean on. It was through this difficult time that Sarah and Slayden realized how much they truly cared for each other and that their relationship had grown into something more - love.

Over the course of five years, Slayden and Sarah graduated high school, attended college together, and later this month, will earn their degrees together. Together they leaned on each other through the good and bad, and together they can make it through anything life brings. When they exchange rings and vows this October, they know that together, they will have each other to support and love for the rest of their lives.

Just Ours

2011-04-25T19:59:00.007-04:00

Bacon was cooking, hollandaise sauce was bubbling, and english muffins were popping out of the toaster. It was Easter morning and I was making our annual eggs benedict Easter brunch. Douglas got on the phone to wish his parents a happy Easter and told them that I was making eggs benedict... the one time out of the whole year that I make it. As I was stirring sauce and flipping eggs, I smiled to myself. This is our tradition. Douglas and I don't have family in town and we are always comforted by family traditions that we grew up with. But this was one of the first times that I felt like it was our tradition... just ours. As we sat down to eat our meal I realized how lucky I am to be able to start new traditions with my little family of two, as small as they may be.

Madeleine: 1 Year Session

2011-04-13T15:17:00.006-04:00

Madeleine recently turned one and her parents asked me to take photographs to document the occasion. All I can say is this baby is so adorable! She was so expressive and was a perfect little model the entire shoot! She was all smiles and didn't care when we changed outfits or locations. To add a little personality, her mom made a birthday hat, wrapped a birthday present, and brought balloons and a cupcake. Madeleine LOVED the cupcake and I loved the details!

Wedding Organizer on Steroids

2011-04-01T09:26:00.009-04:00

I LOVE being organized....it seriously makes me happy. It's sad that few things give me as much joy as a label maker and The Container Store. So when my sister got engaged, I knew that my organizational skills were in order - in the form of making a wedding planning binder. When I got engaged I was frustrated by the lack of good wedding planning tools. Sure, Martha Stewart's wedding tips are great and wedding blogs are beautiful, but I couldn't seem to find the perfect planner. So I decided that if I wanted the best wedding planner possible for my sister, I would have to make it myself.

Since the wedding season is quickly approaching, I thought I would share the monster wedding book I made for my sister. It's pretty much a planner on steroids, and I must say, it's kind of awesome.

If you want to make one of these handy-dandy planners for yourself, this is what you need:
- 1 white 3-inch three-ring binder with a clear plastic pocket in the front and back
- At least 5 clear zippered pencil pouches that have three-ring binder holes. (These can be used to hold any clippings, inspirational photographs, fabric swatches, etc.)
- 24 or so tabbed dividers
- Photos of you and your fiance
- And last but not least, you need wedding planner forms. I think that Russell and Hazel has the BEST wedding planner sheets. When I saw them, I literally squealed with delight and practically did a little jig. They are amazing. You can get their free downloads by clicking here. You should use them...you will thank me later. :o)

Happy planning!

21 Days and Counting...

2011-03-08T11:27:00.006-05:00

There she was, a little girl walking through Target drinking her Diet Coke. Just minding her own business. Little did she know that I was having visions of tackling her in the bread aisle and ripping that Diet Coke right out of her hands. Seriously....I had to hold myself back. And really, how dare she? Didn't she know that I was on my third day of withdrawals?!

They say it takes 21 days to make a habit, so I'm hoping that it takes 21 days to break a habit. I'm not really sure if it works that way, but I'm giving it a try. Today is officially the 21st day of me quitting Diet Coke. And, oh, how I miss it. I've pondered the thought of giving it up many times. Really, it was my only vice (besides shoe shopping), but it had to go. It wasn't worth the tidal wave of chemicals my body endured every time I drank it, and I had an inkling it was the culprit of my daily headaches. When visions of knocking over Diet Coke-toting children at Target entered my mind, I knew the addiction had reached a new and ugly level!

So, it's day 21 of being free of my favorite drink, and really, I do feel healthier. It still speaks to me - calling my name - and I still eye anyone who's drinking it within a 10-foot radius. Let's just hope I can make it to day 22 and that little girls at Target will stay clear! Diet Coke, you are evil.

Penny: One Year Session

2011-02-22T15:51:00.005-05:00

For those of you who have been following my blog for about a year, you know that I've been documenting little Penelope every three months since she was born. I can't believe that she is already over a year old! It's been amazing to watch a little tiny newborn grow into a happy baby with tons of personality.

For Penny's birthday shoot, we not only had a handful of outfit changes, but yet again, she sported a tutu! This shoot was extra special because she got to try her very first cupcake! I could barely shoot I was laughing so hard. Penny seemed so unsure of the cupcake at first, and then once she realized that it was delicious, she shoveled it into her mouth with no expression at all. She just stared straight ahead and shoved each little crumb into her mouth like it would be her last. She was literally in a sugar trance and her mom and I couldn't stop laughing. Oh, how I love this baby girl...

My Cure for Narcolepsy

2011-02-13T20:47:00.008-05:00

I can finish a scarf in about 3 or 4 hours, the exact time it takes to make it through a football game on TV. Note the word "make it". Nine times out of ten, I end up falling asleep about 15 minutes into a football game...it's literally like taking a sleeping pill.

I feel bad about my football-induced narcolepsy. Douglas loves football and his Atlanta friends don't watch it, so I sit with every intention of watching it with him. I never make it. The sleep takes over. So I decided to start making scarves while I watch. It keeps me awake and I can fly through a whole scarf in the time it takes to get through the fourth quarter. Let's just say I have A LOT of scarves and so do my friends. Here's what kept me awake between watching Super Bowl commercials earlier this month.

Alison & Logan: Children's Session

2011-02-05T16:54:00.004-05:00

Alison and Logan were so much fun to photograph a few months ago. Alison is full of personality and energy, and Logan is the cutest little nugget of a baby. Despite freezing cold weather and Logan getting over a cold, we had a great time taking photos!

Laura & Erik: Engagement

2011-01-17T14:44:00.011-05:00

She would always ask, "Well, how do you really know?" And my response was constantly, "You will just know. I can't explain it, but you will just know." Laura, my sister, follows her heart without a second thought, and as a hopeless romantic, would dream of the day she would get engaged. She would call me up, worried, "Well, what if I don't know if I'm making the right decision? What if I marry the wrong guy?" And I would assure her, that she would know when it was the right person.

I'll never forget the day she called me and said she met the person that was going to be her future husband. We both laughed, because at that point, she had been admiring Erik from afar and had only talked to him once. With blushing cheeks and nervous chatter, their one conversation was not the most romantic of exchanges, but both Erik and Laura felt something they had never felt before.

Over the course of a few months, they got to know each other and fell in love. I had never heard Laura talk about someone the way she talked about Erik. She was smitten and adored his goofy sense of humor and rosy cheeks. She loved that they both had the same outlook on life, goals for their future, and passion for God. Erik added fuel to her fire for life and showed her what it was to love and be loved.

Growing up, we loved The Little Mermaid, so it was appropriate that my nickname for Erik soon became "Prince Erik". After all, I had always told Laura that it would take someone really special and prince-like to not only keep her interest, but also be her perfect match.

The day Erik proposed to Laura, she called me and said, "Nicole, you were right. There is no doubt. I just know that he's the one." And over Christmas, as I watched my sister try on wedding dresses, I thought that she looked like a princess...the perfect compliment to her long-awaited prince.

Laura and Erik, I couldn't be more happy for you two. I not only get to see my sister the happiest she has ever been, but I also get a brother. Your love and devotion for each other is beautiful and I'm so excited that you will be spending the rest of your lives together.

To see even more photos of my beautiful sister and her adorable fiance, check out the below slideshow!

Untitled from Nicole Dabbs on Vimeo.

Major: Newborn Session

2011-01-09T17:06:00.003-05:00

This New Year's day was spent not only shooting my first session of the year, but also photographing my first red-headed newborn! Little baby Major just melted my heart and he was so sleepy and perfect for the whole shoot. What a great way to start 2011!

Coping with Cake

2010-12-03T15:48:00.004-05:00

We chatted while melting chocolate over a double-boiler and zesting limes. These conversations and moments remind me that a friend can lift your spirits and convince you that everything will be ok, even when a dear family member is in intensive care during Thanksgiving.

Ryan, thank you for being there for me when I needed to cry on someone's shoulder. Eating Nigella's chocolate-lime cake and watching trashy reality TV was just what I needed to give me the strength to get through the rest of the week.

Although I didn't get a chance to take a photo of our chocolate cake, the last time I visited Ryan we made this delicious trifle and it reminded me of my sick relative. Trifle is his favorite dessert and his is the best I've ever had.

Denielle & Jeff: Wedding

2010-11-18T14:30:00.004-05:00

Some relationships are filled with sweet moments from the beginning, and Jeff and Denielle's is one of those relationships. It all started with a special cup of coffee and ended with a ring.

Denielle was new to the area and was anxious to make friends, so she jumped at the opportunity to go to a party. Although fifteen minutes late, she was the first to arrive, and the first to offer cooking tips to the host, who was destroying a batch of spaghetti. The next thing she knew, Denielle was cooking for the guests! When the host's cute roommate, Jeff, wandered into the kitchen and offered his help, Denielle couldn't have been happier. Over simmering sauce and bubbling noodles, the two got to know each other. Although Denielle can't remember exactly what they talked about - she was focusing on how cute he was - she does remember the cup of coffee he made her, topped with whipped cream and caramel syrup. It was this sweet gesture that intrigued Denielle, and they started dating shortly after.

Dating turned to love, and Jeff's talent for sweet gestures did not fade. One evening, while watching the sun set over an ice-covered lake, Jeff asked Denielle to marry him, and this summer, as Jeff's eyes filled with tears, Denielle walked down the aisle to marry her best friend and love. In front of their friends and family, they committed to each other forever, and although Denielle's smile couldn't have been bigger, Jeff just looked at her with quiet adoration.

Denielle and Jeff, thank you so much for letting me take part in your wedding. It was such an honor to document your love, your joy, and your sweet moments. Your wedding brought tears to my eyes, and I know that you will have a beautiful life together. Like that special cup of coffee on the first day you met, I hope married life is topped with whipped cream and caramel syrup. Congratulations!

For even more photos from Denielle & Jeff's wedding, click on the slide show below.

Denielle & Jeff: Wedding from Nicole Dabbs on Vimeo.

Madeleine: 1 Year Sneak Peek

2010-11-08T21:37:00.005-05:00

Usually I don't do sneak peeks for children's sessions, however, I had to make an exception for little Maddie! I'm about to burst from the cuteness and I had to share! I'll show many more photos in a full post soon, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy these few! :o)

Penny: 9 Month Session

2010-11-04T19:14:00.004-04:00

It's been so nice photographing little Penny every three months of her first year because I get to see her grow up right before my eyes! This sweetie is getting so much personality and I just adore her expressions and those two tiny teeth!

Susie & Brian: Wedding Sneak Peek

2010-10-27T22:30:00.005-04:00

Dear Susie and Brian,
Your perfect wedding last Saturday was so touching that I just couldn't wait another moment to share some photos of your beautiful day. I hope you enjoy this little sneak peek while sipping piña coladas in Jamaica! Thank you for letting me take part in such a special time in your lives. A full post will be coming soon! Enjoy your honeymoon!

Thoughtful Surprise

2010-10-16T12:52:00.009-04:00

Every once in a while someone will surprise you with something so thoughtful that you feel undeserving. When Susie told me that she was a featured blogger on Elizabeth Ann Designs, I was so excited for her, but I had no idea what it would mean to me. (Like I mentioned in a previous post, Elizabeth Ann Designs is a wonderful and very popular wedding blog that features tips, tricks, and now featured local bloggers.) So Susie emailed me to let me know another one of her posts was up on Elizabeth Ann Designs. Little did I know that this post would mean the world to me. Susie wrote the most thoughtful and amazing blog about finding the perfect-fit wedding photographer. I was blown away by what she said...click on the below image to see what I mean.

Thank you, Susie, for such a nice surprise, and I can't wait to shoot your wedding a week from today!!!

Lou is 25!

2010-10-10T17:20:00.002-04:00

Laura & Erik: Engagement Sneak Peek

2010-09-29T19:21:00.003-04:00

Big news!!! My sister is ENGAGED! I can't believe my little sis is getting married....crazy! I'll be posting a full blog post with their story soon, but in the meantime, here's a little sneak peek!

Are they not a gorgeous couple?

Early Bird Special

2010-09-20T21:13:00.008-04:00

Douglas and I are old souls and we've always felt like an old married couple. Our idea of a date night is getting takeout and watching a Netflix movie, we make smoothies in the morning for breakfast, and we constantly talk about "kids these days". I soak my bedtime mouth guard in denture cleaner and Douglas measures the temperature of his coffee with a meat thermometer. Yes, we are that cool.

So we planned to go see a movie Saturday night, you know, to have a real date night. Well, the plans changed as soon as we saw the movie listing times, and our senility reached a new and sad level. We got up as the sun was coming up. Old couple. Got to the theater over a half hour early "to find a good seat". Old couple again. And saw a 10:45am movie. 10:45 in the morning, people! In the theater, it was us, two old men, and one other couple. We couldn't stop laughing and being excited at the same time. After all, we had the theater practically to ourselves with no one to kick the back of our seats, throw popcorn, or block our view with their gargantuan head. The morning show was so great that as soon as we left the theater, we a) decided that we would go to an early movie once a month and b) went home and took a nap.

Senior citizens over age 25 get a discount...right?! Bring on the early bird special!

Oliver & Violet: Newborn Session

2010-08-24T16:05:00.009-04:00

I don't know where to start with these two...there are just no words! Oliver and Violet are the sweetest little babies and I was so excited to photograph them. This was my first time shooting twins and they melted my heart! I go crazy over one little baby, so I was on cuteness overload with two! During the shoot, their parents were amazing. They were so calm and had caring for them down to a science. I now have a totally new appreciation for parents of twins and I was blown away by Violet and Oliver's parents. AMAZING.

Little Oliver was content sleeping most of the time, while his sister, Violet, wanted to be in on all the action and stayed wide awake most of the shoot.

I love how Oliver looks so happy and content to sleep and Violet looks bored!

Beautiful eyes.

Ok, how CUTE is this??!!

My First Shout Out!

2010-08-19T15:11:00.004-04:00

So I'm shooting Susie and Brian's wedding this October and I couldn't be more excited! These two are the cutest couple and I'm really looking forward to their big day.

Susie has really embraced being a bride. She reads wedding magazines, looks up do-it-yourself wedding details, and regularly looks at wedding blogs. When Susie told me she was chosen to be a guest blogger on Elizabeth Anne Designs, I was so happy for her! Elizabeth Anne Designs is a fantastic and beautiful wedding blog that is a wonderful resource for brides, and Susie was going to be featured as a bride!

So I've been checking the blog daily, anxious to see Susie's post and today it was up! Not only did Susie get to be a guest blogger, but she gave me a little shout out by including a photograph I did for their engagement shoot. My very first official wedding blog shout out! WOO-HOO!!!

Denielle & Jeff: Wedding Sneak Peek

2010-08-12T15:06:00.003-04:00

Denielle and Jeff had the most touching wedding a couple of weeks ago and I was so honored to be able to document such a beautiful day. Here's just a little sneak peek of their wedding. Stay tuned for a full post coming soon!

Old Made New #3

2010-08-04T11:36:00.003-04:00

I came across this photo years ago while looking through my grandparents' old photographs. My grandmother said it's one of her very favorite photos of her and my grandfather. I think it's one of my favorites as well.

Although it's hard to tell, the original photo to the left was really damaged. It was covered in so many scratches and a lot of dust, but it cleaned up nicely!

For those of you not familiar with the "Old Made New" posts, click on this link to get some background story.

Penny: 6 Month Session

2010-07-28T14:25:00.004-04:00

Little Penny was a great sport for her 6 month session. Although she hadn't quite perfected sitting up at the time, she sure tried! We were able to prop her up for a few seconds at a time and you could tell she loved it! She was completely mesmerized by the grass and flowers and looked especially adorable in her purple tutu! Oh, how I love babies in tutus.

To see more photos from Penny's shoot, watch the slide show below!

Penny: 6 Month Session from Nicole Dabbs on Vimeo.

Suitcases Are Always Too Small

2010-07-23T11:47:00.006-04:00

I have a really big problem with over packing. I can't help it. I blame the unpredictable nature of the weather for the abundance of shirts, shoes, jackets, skirts, etc. that always make it into the suitcase, but never make it out during my vacation. I usually find myself in a panic, sitting on suitcases to fit everything, and then weighing my bags to make sure they will pass the dreaded scale at bag check-in. Those scales are the devil. I break into a sweat just thinking about watching the red letters get closer and closer to 50 lbs!

Anyway, I just got back from Buffalo, NY where I had the honor of shooting a really touching and beautiful wedding. (Which by the way, I can't wait to share the photos!) To add to the fun of shooting the wedding, I was also able to visit my family. I LOVE going to Buffalo to visit my family and I cherish every second of it.

So, as usual, on this trip I over packed. Half of the items I lugged around the airport never saw the light of day. I wish I wouldn't have packed so much because on the return flight I would have hidden these two in my suitcase. I'm determined to get them to Atlanta if it kills me.

Next time I won't pack so much and I'll make sure I have room for one mom and one puppy. Look out mom and Lily!!!

My mom is so beautiful!

Adventures and Inspiration

2010-07-20T11:33:00.008-04:00

A week after our wedding day, Douglas and I packed our belongings and moved to Atlanta; scared, excited, and hopeful for what was ahead. We knew being in this new city would be an adventure. Right when we got to Atlanta, Douglas continued working on his undergraduate degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design as a full-time student, and I was newly jobless due to the move. I ended up getting a full-time job and Douglas continued to work on his education, so we were able to get through it, although it seemed scary at the time.

When Douglas graduated a couple years ago, I thought, "Onto the next adventure!". Little did I know that a few months later, that adventure would be Douglas enrolling in Graduate school. He told me that he really wanted to teach at the college level, so he knew his master's degree was in order. Five years and 8 days after getting married, Douglas graduated at the top of his class with his Master of Fine Arts degree.

When he walked across the stage and got his diploma, I was so proud. So proud, in fact, that although I like to follow the rules, when they called his name, I screamed at the top of my lungs in the dead silence even though they told us to save applause until everyone graduated!

I am constantly amazed by Douglas and how far he has come as an artist. His talent is unreal and I am blown away by the work he creates. Not only did he get a scholarship to Graduate school, but his artwork has been published in numerous books, he is currently working on a 200-page graphic novel, and he got offered his dream job; teaching college art classes. Seeing Douglas pursue his dream of being an artist has been such an inspiration to me. His undying drive to do what he loves make me pursue my dreams even more and I feel like they are actually possible.

Thank you Douglas for showing me that perseverance, passion, and hard work do pay off and that it's possible to attain anything you want out of life. I'm so proud of you, your accomplishments, and to call you my husband. Congratulations!!!

Douglas has the most amazing parents. When he told them that he wanted to go to art school and be a comic book artist, they told him to go for it and not look back. I have just one word to describe them...AMAZING.

And here is Douglas getting interviewed by the news after his graduation ceremony. How cute!

Susie and Brian: Engagement

2010-07-16T11:29:00.007-04:00

As Susie walked into her 7th grade class, she found Brian sitting in her assigned seat chatting with friends. The bell rang loudly and Susie panicked. Mrs. Wilson was a stickler about students sitting in their assigned seats. Scared of getting into trouble, Susie did what any good student would do; she quickly told Brian to move. Brian laughed and called her a goody-goody in front of the whole class. Susie growled under her breath, embarrassed.

After the 7th grade incident, Susie had little contact with Brian until they started hanging out in the same social circle in high school. Over time they became very good friends. Even during the craziness of high school, all of their friends could see what Brian and Susie couldn't; they were perfect for each other. After college, Susie and Brian's friendship slowly grew into love. Finally, Susie and Brian could see what others had seen all along.

No longer does Susie hold a grudge from being teased in 7th grade, and Brian doesn't mind that Susie is a little bit of a goody-goody. And when Brian proposed to Susie by tying a beautiful ring onto their dog's collar, they knew their love would last a lifetime.

Susie and Brian will be getting married in October and I'm so happy to be able to document a relationship that may have started out on the wrong foot, but has turned into a beautiful and amazing life together! Susie and Brian, your love and happiness is infectious!

To see a slideshow of this cute couple, click on the link below.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T09:22:00.010-04:00

I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July! I'm looking forward to having a BBQ with friends and then going to see fireworks in Roswell!

For those of you interested in taking photographs of fireworks, I thought I would give some tips to help you get the best photos possible. Fireworks can be a little tricky, but if you follow the below suggestions, you will get some great shots!

1) Set your camera to the manual setting.
This will give you the freedom to choose the appropriate camera settings.
2) Choose ISO 100, F/16, and around 8-10 seconds on your shutter speed.
The ISO keeps digital noise from entering into the dark areas of the photograph.
The small aperture opening ensures a greater depth of field.
The shutter speed allows many fireworks to register on your sensor, as well as the movement and light caused from the fireworks.
3) Place your camera on a tripod and focus to a length of infinity.
A tripod is a must for such a long shutter speed and focusing to infinity gets those distant fireworks in focus.
4) Aim your camera towards the area that most of the fireworks are going off at and zoom if necessary.
I used a focal length of around 100-200mm on most of the below photographs.
5) At the beginning of a set of fireworks, push the shutter and let your camera do its thing!

Happy shooting!

The long shutter speed will give you some neat smoke effects!

One Photograph...

2010-06-17T14:26:00.010-04:00

It's funny how one image can capture a moment that represents a lifetime. A moment that can conjure up memories of warm German potato salad and babies crying. Of fishing at the cabin and watching my grandmother sew. Memories of looking at my grandfather's stamp collection and baking Christmas cookies. One photograph, that sums up an entire family's past, present, and future.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Their wedding ceremony ended, and as they left, rice was thrown, guests cheered, and my grandparents started on an adventure filled with joys, tears, laughter, and trials. On their wedding day, their future was bright, exciting, and unexpected. That moment marked the start of what would become a beautiful life and a huge, loud, and loving family.

50-or-so years later, my grandparents look back at their life's adventure which so far has resulted in nine children, eight children-in-law, sixteen grandchildren, and one grandson-in-law. They witnessed each of their children get married; watched the moment when a new chapter began in their life. They were there to witness their love, their past, and the start of their future together. As each of us in the family gets older, gets married, and has children, it all goes back to this one photograph. The moment where two people fell in love, the moment where a beautiful family began, and the moments that will continue on forever.

Oh, the Carnage!

2010-06-10T12:20:00.006-04:00

So my mom was in town visiting a couple weeks ago and she wanted to go to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. I didn't plan on taking a lot of photos while I was there. Don’t get me wrong…it’s beautiful, and a photographer’s dream, but I’ve been there a handful of times shooting. And really, how many photos do you need of flowers? But I thought I would take a few shots to remember the occasion.

I didn’t want to bring my camera bag to the gardens, so I put all of my gear into a LeSportsac. Whenever I put my gear in that bag, I ALWAYS separate my lenses into separate zippered compartments. Well, I did the usual, and separated the lenses. But then I realized that I wanted to sneak a bottle of water into the gardens. (Don’t hate…it was crazy hot!) So I put the water in my bag as well…right next to my 50mm lens. I started worrying that the combination of the hot weather and cold water bottle would create a lens-killing amount of condensation. So that’s when I made the dreaded decision; I moved my lens into the compartment with my camera.

So we were walking through the gardens, enjoying the day, when I found a water lily that my mom liked. Just like that I grabbed my camera out of my bag. That’s when it happened. (You will have to imagine this all happening at once in slow motion.) As I whipped my camera out of my bag, the camera strap caught on my extra lens and projected the little guy across the garden, smashing on the brick walkway. Meanwhile, I realized what was happening and reached and ran to catch the falling lens, all while yelling, “NOOOOOOO!!!!” in slow motion. But my short little legs didn’t get me there in time and lens carnage is all that remains. SAD TIMES!

Yes, I know that the dead lens is a cheap lens and "gasp!" plastic. It’s nothing that special, but I loved it! It was so wide open and took the most beautiful low light photographs. (It took the photos of little baby Brooklyn in my previous post.) If I had to choose one piece of photo gear to break, it would probably be that lens, but STILL! It’s so sad! He’ll be replaced by a newer, shinier, better version, but I’ll miss my little guy. RIP. Sniff.

Poor little thing.

And the water lily that caused it all...

Brooklyn: Newborn Session

2010-06-03T15:37:00.004-04:00

When I first saw Brooklyn, I about squealed out of the cuteness. She is the most precious little baby and she was so good for our photo shoot! For about an hour and a half, she curled up and slept, just as content as could be. She didn't care if we put a hat on her, took blankets on and off, or giggled from her cuteness; she was soooo sleepy (which makes her even cuter!).

I know, I know. The following photos are one after the other of a sleeping baby. But come on, how can you not fall in love with that little face?! In case you don't believe me, I dare you to not say, "AWWW!!!" when you look at sweet Brooklyn.

Those tummy rolls kill me!

Don't you want to pinch that little double chin?!

And my favorite...

5 Years!!!

2010-05-21T09:52:00.004-04:00

By typical standards, our wedding day wasn't perfect. The flowers were a disaster, stuffed with ribbons and baby's breath, we had a major bridesmaid dress catastrophe, and our pastor forgot half of his sermon. My bustle broke before the ceremony, our DJ played songs that made us cringe, and I walked down the aisle with my dress covered in champagne as a result from an overzealous toast.

The day didn't go exactly according to plan, but when I think back to our wedding day, it was absolutely perfect and the happiest day of my life. During the wedding, I actually didn't pay attention to those details that were a little off. They didn't bother me one bit. This was pretty much my thought process: "Bridesmaid's dress split down the back? Who cares?! Send her down the aisle in jeans if you have to! Wedding dress covered in champagne? Well, at least it's not red wine! Pastor forgot his sermon? Now we have more time at the reception!" Nothing mattered...I was on cloud nine. All I could think about was that I was the luckiest girl in the world. At the end of the day, all of the wedding details didn't matter, and I was marrying my best friend.

I can't believe it's been five years since our wedding day. It seems like yesterday, but at the same time, it seems like it was forever ago. I feel like I've always been married to Douglas. Maybe that's because he was what was always missing in my life. I am so lucky and blessed to have him as my husband and I'm so thankful that I get to spend every day with him. The past five years have been an adventure and I can't wait to see what the next five years have in store. Like our wedding, life is unpredictable and doesn't always go according to plan, but with Douglas by my side, all I can think about is how lucky I am.

*Photo by Sarah Gibbs Photography

Susie & Brian: Engagement Sneak Peek

2010-05-18T15:22:00.004-04:00

Gosh, it's been a while since I posted anything. I guess life just got in the way of blogging! Everyday I thought about posting something new, and every day something came up that kept me from blogging! Well, I'm finally back and I'm so excited to post a few photos from Susie and Brian's engagement shoot. We had a blast taking these photos and I loved the location that they picked! Here's a sneak peek...I'll be posting the whole shoot in the next few weeks.

Hailey: Children's Session

2010-04-20T14:32:00.002-04:00

Hailey peered shyly around her mom's legs when they arrived at our house. She wasn't quite sure about the girl with the big camera and wasn't too excited about getting to know her. After a few minutes of playing, and a cup of juice as a peace offering, she came out of her shell and was such a ham for the camera. She especially liked stripping down to just her diaper and slapping her belly. She was all smiles and giggles during our session and it made my day! Here are a few pictures of this beautiful little baby Hailey.

Penelope: 3 Month Session

2010-04-07T12:45:00.005-04:00

Little Penelope is growing up so fast! Every time I see her, it's like she is a different baby. She's starting to get quite the personality and she was definitely posing for me! This shoot was especially fun because we accessorized! I think when she gets older she'll have a thing for hats!

Not long after shooting Penelope's 3 month session, Douglas and I got to witness her rolling over for the first time. Even though I'm not her mom, I was so proud! I love that little baby!

Stephanie & Christoph: Wedding Session

2010-03-19T12:29:00.005-04:00

Stephanie arrived at work on a Monday morning frazzled. She knew she had a lot of work to get to and Mondays were always her busiest days. As the day went on, rumors swirled through the office about a colleague that was in town from Austria. Stephanie, wrapped up in her work, didn’t think much of this visitor until she was introduced to the infamous Christoph. One thing went through her head when she met him; “Oh crap…I look like crap.” Discovering that their office was going to lunch in honor of Christoph’s visit, Stephanie rushed to the bathroom to freshen up. There she found women gossiping about how handsome Christoph was and how they all wanted to meet him. Well, Stephanie was the envy of the office, as she got to sit next to him during lunch. They started chatting, Stephanie giggling nervously, and later that week Christoph and Stephanie got to know each other through various work events. Their connection was instant and for those two weeks, they were inseparable. Their bond was so evident, even though they had only spent a few weeks together, two different strangers asked if they were married.

While driving home from a work party, Christoph told Stephanie that she was so special, he would leave everything behind in Austria just to be with her. It was inevitable, though, that Christoph's business trip would end, along with their fairy tale romance. They vowed to keep in touch despite the distance. Although they had a lot of odds against them, their relationship developed and six months later, Stephanie moved to Austria to be with the person she loved.

Three years went by and Stephanie and Christoph were married in a very private, intimate Austrian ceremony. Soon after, they decided that they wanted to move back to the States. Although Stephanie is currently in Georgia, and Christoph is in Austria awaiting a job transfer, their bond and love for each other keep their relationship strong and they eagerly wait for when they will be together again.

Over Christmas, we did a wedding photo session to celebrate their recent marriage. Unfortunately, it was FREEZING out and we literally spent about 20 minutes shooting. It was unbearable! Even though the shoot was short, I think it's clear how much these two truly love each other.

The Big Unveiling

2010-03-11T17:26:00.003-05:00

I wouldn't really consider myself a "techie" person. Sure, I like computers, and obviously I love cameras. I know how to use design and photo editing programs, but I NEVER thought I would make a website, let alone learn html code. Heck, I can't even get our dvd player to work half the time!

I've wanted a website from the moment I started taking photos, but knew that it was a ton of work and money, and just an overall headache. But at the end of last year I decided that I desperately needed a website and couldn't wait a minute longer. I knew exactly how I wanted it to look but the problem was that I didn't want to pay someone to do it. The control-freak and graphic designer in me wanted to update and change the site whenever I wanted. So I took an intense 10-week web design course to try to figure out how the heck to put a website together. After some very late nights, a few tears, and about 10 weekends entirely devoted to the site, it's finally finished! MY WEBSITE IS UP!!!!! I can't express how excited I am and what a sense of relief, happiness, and a little bit of pride I feel!

My blog is now www.nicoledabbs.blogspot.com and my website is www.nicoledabbs.com.

I hope you like the new site! Look around and let me know what you think! Maybe I am a little "techie" afterall! Ha!

Old Made New #2

2010-03-04T08:24:00.002-05:00

I love looking at old pictures of my grandparents. There's just something about the way they dressed that made that generation look so classy and beautiful! I retouched this picture a while back for my grandparents and I love their expressions. They were newly weds, in their twenties, and had just moved to Canada from England. So sweet!

For those of you not familiar with the "Old Made New" posts, click on this link to get some background story.

Scarlett: Pet Session

2010-02-25T08:43:00.004-05:00

So I was watching the Westminster Dog show last week and loved every second of it. I always pay extra attention to breeds that I have photographed and when I saw the Westminster Pekingese, I couldn't help but think that little Scarlett is so much cuter. I mean, come on...look at this little face! I don't think the Westminster Pekingese even came close to the adorable Scarlett! I know I posted a lot of pictures, but I just couldn't stand it and had to share so many because she is so stinkin' cute!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T10:55:00.006-05:00

I've never been big on Valentine's Day. I guess I just wonder why we need a specific day to tell people we love them because we should do it all the time. Then, on the other hand, part of me is a sucker and I get drawn into the flowers and heart shaped candy that are plastered everywhere. Every Valentine's Day I look forward to Douglas and I getting takeout, and every year, I check the mailbox for the Valentine's Day card my parents sent us. So there you go, I guess it's a love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day! Either way, I hope that everyone has a great day spent with loved ones!

Just Down the Street

2010-02-09T11:46:00.008-05:00

I stood in her driveway as the moving van pulled out, and I watched it barrel down the road. I was 12 and my best friend was moving from across the street to Atlanta, GA. I was devastated. Although Atlanta was only four hours away, she might as well have moved across the ocean. She had been my partner in crime. We built forts, caught fireflies, and talked about boys. Steph was my childhood and now she was gone.

It's funny how life works out. Ten years after Stephanie's big move to Atlanta, I got married and moved to Atlanta as well. I was ecstatic because I would only be twenty minutes down the street from my closest childhood friend. Steph and I were enjoying rekindling a friendship that for so long had been long distance. She was my only friend when I first moved to Atlanta and she kept me sane.

But again, it's funny how life works. A year went by and Steph told me that she would be moving to Austria for a new adventure and didn't know when or if she would be back. Cue the flashback to me standing alone in her driveway watching the moving van pull out. Sad times. Trust me. Somehow, we kept in touch, despite the miles.

I think that our friendship is just meant to be because this past December, Stephanie told me she was moving back to Atlanta. The dynamic duo would be back together yet again! Although the distance has been against us, Steph and I have been through a lot in our twenty years of friendship. We were in each others' weddings, supported each other through heartache, and have seen each other through the best and worst of times. When I am serious, Steph is goofy and lighthearted. When I overreact, she brings me back down to earth (or supports my reaction!). Steph, I am so thankful for our friendship and I am so happy that you are again, just down the street.

Happy Birthday, Douglas!

2010-02-01T10:43:00.002-05:00

After ditching our plans to go out last night, Douglas and I sat on the couch eating takeout barbecue and watching episodes of Arrested Development. It was Douglas’s birthday and although the thought of going out for dinner was tempting, all we really wanted to do was stay in and spend time enjoying each other’s company. As he opened each birthday gift I kept thinking about how lucky I am to have him in my life. He’s one of the most talented, honest, and sincere people know and I am always bubbling with pride when I think about him. Although yesterday’s birthday celebration was simple, there is no one I would rather sit on the couch and watch re-runs with. Happy Birthday, Douglas! I love you!

I'll Help Myself, Thank You!

2010-01-27T10:33:00.005-05:00

Lily was playing with her toys in the kitchen while my mom was getting out ingredients for her Saturday breakfast. She pushed a carton of a dozen eggs to the back of the counter, up against the wall. Since Lily is not only in her naughty teenage years, but is also too curious and smart for her own good, pushing items out of her reach is a typical precaution in my parents' house. Before she started cooking, my mom went upstairs to wash her face. As she was drying her face with a towel, she noticed that Lily was being exceptionally quiet, which is never good. My mom raced downstairs and into the kitchen. An empty carton of eggs was upside down on the floor and not one bit of evidence remained from all twelve eggs. Lily had decided to help herself to breakfast that morning.

It's pretty obvious based on my blog posts, but I love all dogs; especially Boxers. They just have a soft spot in my heart. The jowls, the funny ears, the notorious Boxer wiggle...I love it all! Although my parents' Lily is very naughty, she is the most affectionate dog I know and I love her to death! Looking at this face, how can you not love her!!!

I think this was probably the face Lily gave my mom when she was caught eating the eggs. "What?! I'm a little angel...I could never do anything bad!"

This one's for my mom. She loves Boxer profile pictures.

Since it's so cold in Buffalo, Lily loves to wear her coat and sit on top of the heat register when it's chilly.

And last, but not least, is Lily's "Billy Teeth". She is one of those dogs that will literally let you do anything to her. So my sister loves to show off her under-bite by sticking her upper lip behind her teeth. It looks a little scary, but it cracks me up!

A Little Addition to a Big Family

2010-01-20T14:01:00.006-05:00

My mother's family is big. I'm talking, fill the whole house with 40-50 exhausted parents, hyper kids, and giggling babies big. It's so big, that whenever we have a family get together, I don't get to talk to everyone because there are too many people to visit at one time. Not only is our family large, but it grows at crazy speeds! Every time we go to Buffalo on our yearly visit, there is inevitably someone pregnant, newly married, or just born.

So I was so excited to see my huge family over Christmas because I got to meet a new cousin for the first time; little Luke. I was equally excited to take pictures of this cutie...he's such a doll and has the prettiest blue eyes! His parents, my Aunt Kim and Uncle Tom, just added a painting studio to their house, so we had really nice light for the shoot. I think Luke loved all of the attention and the photos of him in that little red hat just kill me!

Old Made New #1

2010-01-14T08:17:00.003-05:00

I knew they existed, but didn't know the condition they were in or the extent of the collection. So about a year ago I asked my grandparents to pull out their old photographs from when they lived in England. As they dragged out a large, dusty cardboard box from their closet, I stood behind them with the same anticipation a child has on Christmas. My heart sank a little when I saw the box's state because I knew it would be a hint to the condition of the photographs inside.

Although unfortunate, as I rummaged through the box, the poor condition of the photos added to the feeling that I was uncovering something rare and really special. Every picture revealed people and places that, although foreign to me, seemed oddly familiar. Every photograph offered a glimpse into my family's past. Occasionally, I would be lucky enough to find a date, name, and/or location on the back of a picture that gave me a little more insight to the context of the photograph. They ranged from late 1800s photographs of unknown family members, to my dad's baby pictures. The people in the photographs are all connected to each other and to my family so I couldn't bear the thought of the images being forgotten, lost, or destroyed.

As I sat on my grandparents' bed with hundreds of photographs surrounding me, I knew what I had to do. After begging my grandparents to entrust me with their photos, I brought them back to Atlanta, scanned them, and returned them back to their rightful owners. Now I face the daunting task of retouching about 300 old, dusty, wrinkled, and torn pictures. I'm not kidding myself...I know it will take years for me to complete, but I know it will be worth in in the end! I think that if I commit to posting the before and after photographs on my blog, I will stick to it and slowly work my way through the files. So with that, here is my first "Old Made New" post of my great-great-grandfather and his dog in an English pub. I think it's one of my favorite photographs...ever.

Iced In

2010-01-08T17:18:00.012-05:00

I ran to look out the window after hearing tires squeal loudly in our parking lot. While a car tried its hardest to get out of the lot, it slowly slid down to the bottom of the hill that leads out of our complex. Eventually cars started to line up. One by one, each car took a turn trying to go up the hill, sliding down it, and then eventually turning around to go back home. We weren't snowed in, but iced in! Since today was a work day, I was determined to not let the ice beat me. I went outside with my snow boots (which I was so excited to actually wear for snow!) to get a good look at what I would be dealing with. I slipped and slid across the parking lot which had literally become an ice skating rink. I couldn't even see the pavement...it was solid ice! There was no way I was getting out today, so instead of sitting around inside, Douglas and I decided to go on a little walk on our hiking path behind our apartment.

Since one of my goals for 2010 is to be a little more open and personal on my blog, here are some fun photos from our "Ice Day"!

Douglas looking adorable, as usual. I particularly like that you can see his breath!

I LOVE THE SNOW!!! Can you tell?

He's a cutie.

This is my general feeling toward having my picture taken. Douglas was trying so hard to learn how to use my camera...I'm afraid I'm not a very good model.

The Falls Never Get Old

2010-01-07T17:12:00.005-05:00

So Douglas and I just completed our annual Christmas trek on Monday. We drove to Nashville, TN and stayed with the in-laws for 2 days. Then we flew to Buffalo, NY to visit my family for a week. Then back to Nashville for 5 more days with the in-laws, followed by our drive back to Atlanta. Even though it's exhausting, I wouldn't trade this trip for anything. It's our fifth Christmas doing this vacation and I wouldn't have it any other way. Being around family and friends for the holidays is so priceless and we'll do what we have to do to make it happen!

Every year Douglas and I do our snow dance when we get to Buffalo. Atlanta's idea of snow is a few baby flurries that you have to see with a magnifying glass, whereas Buffalo is more like 2 feet of snow! So, to the dismay of my family, we cross our fingers for snow every time we visit. We didn't get too much snow this trip, just about 4 inches, but it was beautiful!!!! Douglas and I added to my family's annoyance when we not only wished for snow, but insisted on going to Niagara Falls in a sleet storm. Come on, it's tradition! We have to visit the falls every time we go to Buffalo and the magic never wears off. If you haven't been to see the falls, it's hard to explain how pretty they are. The photos don't do it justice, especially since it was sleeting and absolutely FREEZING!!! Just trying to take pictures was difficult and scary! The wind was so strong I worried my camera would fly away!

Here's Douglas and me at the falls. We were freezing, but loved every second!

And here are the falls...so pretty.

Real Life Stuffed Animal

2010-01-05T15:31:00.002-05:00

I can totally see why Shih Tzus (in this case a Shih Tzu mix) are categorized as toy dogs. Not only is Lucy Louise a petite little girl, but she looks just like a toy stuffed animal. She bounces around, playing with her toys on the floor, completely unaware of how totally adorable she is. Even more adorable is her bond with her owner, Ryan. It's so obvious how much they love each other and it melts my heart! I love when rescue dogs find such a great forever home!

Baby Penelope: One Month Session

2009-12-28T20:21:00.001-05:00

I just can't get enough of this little one. Baby Penelope is so sweet and was wide awake for her one month photo session. Just look at those eyes!

Notes From Santa

2009-12-24T17:36:00.002-05:00

As soon as we woke up, Lou and I would run downstairs in our pajamas as fast as possible. We would turn the corner to see the living room transformed. The Christmas tree lights twinkled, Christmas songs played in the background, and presents surrounded the tree. Crumbs accompanied the yearly note we got from Santa thanking us for the milk, cookies, and carrots (for the reindeer, of course!). Although we are grown, Christmas will always be magical and the notes from Santa will always be loved!

Although we don't get to see Chloe on Christmas, I imagine she will look just as adorable on Christmas morning as she does below.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Cavie Cake

2009-12-15T10:12:00.005-05:00

My friend Kori had a birthday last week and since she loves her pups so much I made her a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel birthday cake.

Jackson, her dog, was the inspiration for the cake. They sort of resemble each other, except I think the cake also looks a bit like a bunny!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2009-12-11T09:45:00.003-05:00

When Douglas and I go to Buffalo, NY in a few weeks, we will stay in my parents' guest bedroom and we'll see my dad's guitar sitting in the corner. My dad has always loved music, as you can tell by the below picture! As usual, when I see his guitar over the holidays, memories will flood back to sitting around the living room while he strummed away singing "Blackbird" by the Beatles. My sister, Lou, and I would trill along and ask to play a cord or two, but would inevitably fail miserably. We would sit around in our pajamas singing and laughing until bedtime. Although my family isn't perfect, to me these moments were perfect and will always be perfect. When I think of some of my fondest childhood memories, the image of my family sitting around and singing to Beatles songs warms my heart. Thank you, dad, for giving me and Lou this memory that will always be cherished. I hope you have a wonderful birthday full of even more fond memories.

Leaning Tower of Crepes

2009-12-08T11:32:00.006-05:00

I poured...and I flipped...and I stacked...for almost an hour! Sometimes it's true that good things are worth waiting for (and working for). When my one of my closest friends, Ryan, suggested that we make a crepe cake to help celebrate the move into his new house, I wasn't too sure what I was doing. Not only had I never made a crepe cake, but I had never heard of one either. It was a lot of work, but so worth it. The cake was about 25 crepes tall with a mascarpone cheese filling between each layer and then topped off with a nutella sauce. DELICIOUS!

A Reason to Call

2009-12-04T08:49:00.001-05:00

She never misses a day. While I'm snuggling up in my pj's, my mom calls me every night just to say hello. We usually don't have any news, usually there is nothing new. We talk about our day and what we are making for dinner. We talk about how we miss each other and how we wish we lived in the same city. We chat about our family and her dog who is always getting into trouble. Our conversations are nothing to write home about, but I look forward to them every night. It makes me feel like even though my mom lives hundreds of miles away, we don't need a reason to talk and we don't need a reason to say I love you.

Today there is a reason to call my mom and a reason to say I love you. There is a reason for me to be thankful for everything my mother has done for me and the support she has given. Today is a day to tell her she is loved and appreciated more than she will ever know, because today is her birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom. I miss you and love you so much.

Baby Penelope: Newborn Session

2009-12-01T20:38:00.001-05:00

A few posts ago I blogged about Liz & Chris’s maternity shoot. They were too cute and we had so much fun playing at the park! Well, a couple of weeks ago, they welcomed a new addition to their family! Meet baby Penelope! (How adorable is that name?!) She is the sweetest little baby and her hair is totally punk-rock. It is the prettiest shade of blonde/silver and sticks up all over the place….totally melts my heart. At only 8 days old, here are some of her first baby pictures. Man, I just want to pinch those little cheeks!

For an absolute overload of adorable sleeping newborn pictures, view the slideshow and enjoy!!!

Baby Penelope from Nicole Dabbs on Vimeo.

Happy Turkey Day!

2009-11-25T23:36:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving with lots of turkey and family time!

Cakes & Cut-Outs

2009-11-20T13:39:00.006-05:00

So I have been really inspired by the latest Anthropologie catalog because their styling, photography, and overall mood is beautiful. I love their creative, nostalgic sets, and going through their catalog always makes me want to do a studio shoot. Although I’m not a supporter of copying a photographer’s style, I think that you can be inspired by their technique and occasionally incorporate certain elements into your own style. The below photos were inspired by a lot of different photographs and ideas. It was a mix between Anthropologie, favorite cookbooks, Sharon Core’s work, and ideas that have been hibernating in my mind. Initially, I wasn’t sure what the sets were going to look like, but I did know that I wanted something fresh, clean, and pretty. I wanted all of the elements in each picture to really showcase the cakes, not distract from them. So I started off by decorating the cakes and used them to kind of direct the set from there.

I think the photographs look better as a triptych because the images, compositions, and colors play off each other nicely.

And here are close-ups of the individual shots.

Jaws!

2009-11-15T00:30:00.008-05:00

When I think of horror/scary movies, one person always comes to mind; our friend Bryan Wynia. He's obsessed with gore, guts, and overall disturbing special effects in movies, so it was natural when he announced his wedding date as Friday the 13th of November. It was also not surprising when he wanted me to make a Jaws-theme groom's cake for his wedding. Bryan is an extremely talented animator and sculptor, so I felt really intimidated by his request. So I took a day off work to devote to the monster and regularly asked Douglas for advice on the construction of the cake. After much deliberation, I decided that even though the cake was for a wedding, this was not a typical groom's cake and I should throw out any desire to make it look pretty or cute. I went all out and made the shark extra nasty with blood and a gross mouth. I think the cake was a hit and when the bride and groom cut into it, everyone was surprised by the shark meat (red velvet cake). Congratulations Bryan and Rachel and best wishes for a beautiful life together!

Bon Appetit!

2009-11-11T11:36:00.006-05:00

I didn’t grow up watching her on TV, and frankly, her name was only vaguely familiar to me. It’s embarrassing, but before I saw the movie, I looked Julia Child up on Wikipedia. When I watched “Julie and Julia”, I kind of fell in love with Julia Child and it convinced me to watch some of her old shows. That woman just cracks me up! She is a far cry from the well-rehearsed, glossy chefs that are on TV today, but I think that’s what makes her so likable. From her clumsy cooking style, to her love for her husband, I think she is fantastic!

Anyway, I try to come up with ways incorporate whatever I’m passionate about into my photography. Usually, it consists of dogs, cakes, babies, and people in love…how can you really resist those things?! All of those things make me happy, so that’s what I typically shoot. But since Julia (yes, I call her Julia now) and cooking have been on my brain, I thought it would be neat to get creative and use her as inspiration for a studio shoot. This is how I would envision Julia’s desk while she was taking her culinary classes in France. Thanks to Abigail for lending me her pearls. Check out her blog, The Quinn Essentials, for lots of fun travel and food entries! I strongly recommend making her Orzo recipe. Delicious!

So here’s my tribute to Julia Child. Bon Appetit!

Liz & Chris: Maternity Session

2009-11-02T11:11:00.008-05:00

I'm not sure exactly what it is about Liz. Maybe it's the calm way she speaks or her infectious up-beat attitude, but she has the most maternal and caring personality that's always made me think she'd be the best mother. While Liz is nurturing and friendly, Chris, her husband, is extremely extroverted and a kid at heart. Chris keeps Liz laughing and light-hearted, while Liz keeps his life organized and calm. They are the perfect match for each other!

So when Liz told me they were expecting their first baby, I thought, "Of course you are!". It was like everything came together in their lives; the little family that was waiting to form was now becoming a reality. I could just picture a little one pitter-pattering around their home!

I was able to see Liz throughout all the stages of her pregnancy, and the pregnancy glow really suites her. Just look at the pictures...she's beautiful! Shooting their maternity session was so much fun! Chris kept us laughing the entire time, while Liz looked fabulous in every picture!

I couldn't be happier for Liz and Chris, and I know for certain their little baby girl will have the BEST parents she could ask for. Congratulations you two on the new addition to your family!

For more pictures of Liz, Chris, and that adorable belly, click on the below slideshow!

Liz and Chris Maternity from Nicole Dabbs on Vimeo.

"Mucho! Mucho!"

2009-11-01T14:35:00.006-05:00

Just like every previous year, Douglas and I went to Target to get a bag of candy. Deep down I was hoping that we would get Trick-or-Treaters, but had the feeling that we wouldn't get any since that has been our track record for the past 4 years. With the rain and cold weather we have been getting, breaking the Trick-or-Treater drought didn't look likely.

Douglas and I were watching scary movies last night to celebrate Halloween. By 8:30pm we decided we should eat the Halloween candy ourselves since, again, no Trick-or-Treaters came to our house. Around 9pm, I was stuffing myself with grapes, when all of the sudden, the doorbell rang. Douglas and I looked at each other, jumped up, and ran to the door with the bowl of candy.

I almost screamed "Happy Halloween!" to the 4 little kids that were standing at the door holding their bags out anxiously. I handed out the candy to the Transformer, the Princess, the Power Ranger, and then lastly the Ninja. As I reached the little Ninja, who was in my guess about 4 years old, he screeched, "MUCHO! MUCHO!" as he hopped up and down. I about died laughing he was so cute. So I gave out mucho candy and although this was the only group of Trick-Or-Treaters we got this Halloween, it made my whole weekend.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of our Trick-or-Treaters, but here's a fun picture of the Ninja! Also, if you get a chance, check out this blog...if you scroll down on the Halloween page, they list one of my cakes! Woo-hoo! Thanks to Chris Schweizer for telling me about it!

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween and got mucho candy!

"You Smell Like Chips!"

2009-10-31T10:07:00.010-04:00

Every Halloween that we've spent in Atlanta, Douglas and I cross our fingers with high hopes for Trick-or-Treaters. Every year I buy bags of candy hoping that it will be the year they will come. Every year, not one Trick-or-Treater has come to our door. Not one in 4 years!

My in-laws have the opposite problem. They get tons of ghosts, goblins, witches, and even one year the Incredible Hulk. As Ramona (my mother-in-law) was snacking on tortilla chips between running back and forth to the front door one Halloween, the doorbell rang, yet again. She ran through the house, avoiding the carved pumpkins on the floor, past the motion-sensor ghoul that shouted "Happy Halloween!", and swung the door open with a smile. Ramona was greeted by three little costumed children on her favorite holiday of the year. "Let's see!", she exclaimed. "We have a vampire, a princess, and are you a Ninja Turtle?" The little boy dressed in all green flexed his muscles, glared up at Ramona, and retorted with a frustrated scowl, "No, I'm the Incredible Hulk and you smell like chips!". I think the Incredible Hulk got extra pieces of candy that year for being extra adorable.

That little Incredible Hulk came to my in-laws' house 6 years ago, but the phrase has stuck in our house. Douglas never fails to tell me I smell like chips when I've been eating them!

Wishing everyone a happy and spooky Halloween with lots of Trick-or-Treaters!

Knock, Knock. Who's There? Lemon Square.

2009-10-28T12:44:00.008-04:00

I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the cooler weather or a need for just good food in general, but all of the sudden, I have the strongest urge to bake and cook everything from scratch. FROM SCRATCH??!!! Fresh fruits and veggies at the farmers' market have been calling my name and I've used that as an excuse to cook like crazy! I feel like a 1950's housewife...before you know it I'll be wearing pearls and heels in the kitchen! Although I am by no means a self-proclaimed chef, I can follow a recipe like no one's business, and occasionally I'll add my own little spin on it.

I found the lemon bars receipe on a neat blog called Cannelle et Vanille, but originally it's from Magnolia Bakery. Mmmm...Magnolia Bakery! I will say, it will be a LONG time before I make this again. Even though it was so delicious, it took me all afternoon to squeeze/zest the lemons and make that flakey crust. On the plus side, it made a ton of bars and it made the whole house smell like lemons!

Liz & Chris: Maternity Sneak Peek

2009-10-25T13:21:00.004-04:00

Last week I was so excited to shoot Liz and Chris's maternity session. After rescheduling it two times because of the crazy Atlanta rain, we were finally able to make it happen! Although the weather was definitely not cooperating with us (think rain, cold wind, and quickly fading daylight), we decided to work with it! Here are two shots from last Friday. As long as Liz and Chris don't mind, I will post more pictures in the next week or so. Stay tuned!

2 Shows in 2 Weeks

2009-10-20T17:17:00.006-04:00

About a month ago, a small wave of panic swept through me when a faculty member from the Savannah College of Art & Design asked me to submit work for an upcoming juried art exhibit. The first thought that went through my head was, "Oh, man...what can I submit???". After all, I couldn't very well submit someone's wedding, dog, or baby photos to an art exhibition. The same wave of panic showed its ugly face when I submitted more work to the "Atlanta Celebrates Photography SCAD Exhibition". Not only did I worry about the pieces I submitted, but a number of other feelings were swimming around in my brain about the actual night of each show.

-"What if no one shows up?"
-"What is someone wants me to explain my work?"
-"What if no one likes my work?"
-"What if I slip and fall during the exhibit?" (For those of you who don't know me, unfortunately, slipping and falling are common occurrences in my life!)

Ugh, it was enough to make a girl go crazy! The shows came and went, and looking back, I realized how silly I was for worrying so much.

-People actually showed up
-I was asked to explain my work. I did and I survived!
-I ended up getting a few small compliments...blush...
-I didn't fall and embarrass myself, thank goodness. Another injury avoided!

Here are the images that were exhibited. They are definitely different from what I usually post on my blog because they are more experimental and in the fine art vein.

The first two images were shot at night with a really long shutter speed. It constantly amazes me how the camera will pick up on colors that I couldn't see with my actual eyes.

This photo was taken in historic Roswell and the little pup was the perfect subject.

I think this picture of Douglas and his mom is hysterical! When people see this photo they question, "Douglas is just watching his mom wash his car???". For those of you that know Douglas, he is a Southern gentleman to the core and he would never just stand around while his mom washed his car! She insisted on doing it herself and he was pouting because he wanted to be the hero. Ha! At the opening, an attendee said this photo was a symbol for the period when boys are growing up but keep relying on their parents because they aren't quite ready to take full control of their lives. That's not at all Douglas' situation since we have been married for over 4 years, but hey, everyone sees something different!

Sinful Crepes

2009-10-18T09:44:00.004-04:00

Occasionally, I'll wake up early on Sunday morning and make a big breakfast for me and my hubby. Last weekend I had the perfect reason to get up and get cooking! Kate, from Warm Olives and Cool Cocktails, was doing the neatest give away. Due to her enormous collection of cookbooks, she was giving them away to her blog viewers. This generous gesture did come with one stipulation; once you receive a cookbook, you have to make a recipe from it within 30 days and post it on your blog. I got my book, "Tempted: 150 Very Wicked Desserts", on a Thursday, and tried my first recipe on Sunday morning. Although I had a very hard time deciding what to make (everything looked delicious), I finally decided on chocolate and almond crepes. These were extra special because the recipe called for a brandy sauce, which I added raspberries and homemade whipped cream to. Although I don't typically eat chocolate for breakfast, this was absolutely DELICIOUS!!!! This cookbook definitely lives up to its name...the crepes were sinful! Thanks, Kate, for sharing your love for cooking and spreading around the love!

Cavie-Sitting

2009-10-15T08:58:00.008-04:00

Both Douglas and I are OBSESSED with dogs. Every breed, every personality, we love them all! Unfortunately, we can’t get a dog right now due to our living situation. So, as you can imagine, we pretty much smother any dog that comes within a 20 foot radius! Luckily, when our dog-owning friends go out of town, we get to puppy-sit! We recently had Lily and Jackson over for the weekend. They are two of the cutest Cavalier King Charles Spaniels you will ever see! Lily is the tan and white little girl. She is very girly, petite, and timid, and she loves to cuddle around your neck while you are on the couch…just like a cat! Her owners call it the “airplane pillow”. Jackson is the tri-color boy who has an adventurous streak. He is definitely a boy and likes to get dirty and muddy, but he is also the biggest cuddle-bug. We had a great time with them, and I think they had fun too!

For an overload of cuteness, watch the slideshow below!

Cavies from Nicole Dabbs on Vimeo.

Money Cupcakes

2009-10-11T21:05:00.008-04:00

When my co-worker asked her son what type of theme he wanted for his birthday party at school, he said one word, "money". I had to ponder this theme for a while and think about what type of money theme would appeal to a 10 year old. After all, I have never had a request to do any type of edible money treat. But after searching my favorite cake supply store, I found the cutest little dollar sign and money bag candy molds. The molds worked perfectly and here are my first money cupcakes!

Happy Birthday Lou!

2009-10-09T14:00:00.006-04:00

A pause, and then an, “Oh…”, greeted me when I answered the phone last night. It was my sister, Laura (a.k.a. Lou). That “Oh…” made my heart sink because I knew exactly why she was calling. With high hopes, Lou had called my house hoping that I would not answer…hoping that I was on a flight up to Buffalo, NY…and hoping that I would surprise her for her birthday. As much as I wanted to visit her for her birthday, no matter how hard I tried, I could not make it work out…many forces were against me. I won’t bore you with the details!!

Living in another state makes me cherish every minute I get with my sister, and although I am not in Buffalo to help her celebrate, I’m there in spirit doling out hugs and kisses and wishing Laura a very Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday Lou! I love you!

A French Chateau in Georgia

2009-10-03T10:13:00.008-04:00

I recently discovered Chateau Elan when my mom and sister came to visit Atlanta for the third time. Desperate to find something different to entertain them with, I thought, "Why not a winery?!". Chateau Elan is so cute, and although I am not a fan of wine (I’m trying to like it, I really am!!!), the tasting and tour are so much fun! The port wine they make is delicious and I think it’s one of the better ports I have had.

Chateau Elan is located about an hour and a half north of downtown Atlanta, and the time to visit is in the fall when the grape harvest takes place. You can actually watch the wine being made. Although there isn’t a whole lot to actually do on the property, it makes a fun day trip! I think this picture makes Chateau Elan look like a beautiful get-away in France!

Shower Cake in a Flood

2009-09-28T11:59:00.005-04:00

The weather situation in Atlanta this past week has been a little scary. After over a week straight of rain, flash floods wreaked havoc on a number of people's homes and made driving anywhere not only dangerous, but time-consuming.

On Saturday, as I waded through ankle-deep water, holding a cake in one hand, and an umbrella in the other, I thought to myself, "This can't be good". Transporting multiple tiered cakes is never an easy task and is always guaranteed to be stressful, however, the torrential downpour and flash-flooding that has been occurring in Atlanta the past week definitely didn't help the situation! After squinting through a rain covered windshield and avoiding a wreck on the side of the interstate, I finally made it to my destination, cake in tact! Miracle of miracles! I was so thankful that the cake made it safely because not only was this cake meant for a bridal shower, but the shower host was my boss!

Foxes with Big Butts

2009-09-24T15:18:00.007-04:00

The title of the blog post is what this dog breed should officially be named. Welsh Corgis look exactly like little short foxes with big butts! These two Corgis are so sweet and full of energy, and I love that they have authentic Welsh names! Gruffyd, the little black and tan boy, is a doll and loves attention. He’s pretty happy-go-lucky and goes with the flow. Gwynned is the tan and white little girl. She's very loyal, but gets so jealous if anyone loves on Gruffyd! She wants all of the attention for herself and even gets upset when people leave the house. She barks like crazy as soon as anyone starts heading for the door. True to the breed, these babies love to herd! If there is a group of people in their home, the Corgis will herd them into whatever room they want them in! Too cute!

Cake Weekend

2009-09-20T17:28:00.008-04:00

It rained both days this weekend, which in my opinion, is the perfect weather to make cakes. There's just something about hearing the rain, baking, and decorating that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! Here are two cakes I worked on this weekend.

The first cake is key lime. Just a note to anyone that likes experimenting with ingredients. DO NOT use frozen juice concentrate to flavor your cakes! I don't know exactly what the culprit was, but I think that the corn syrup in the frozen lime concentrate made the cake have a raw texture. No matter how long I baked the cake, that texture just never went away! I didn't think it was possible to burn a raw cake, but I managed to do so. I ended up tossing the first cake and re-baking it with actual lime juice...WAY BETTER!

The second cake is a coconut cake (my favorite!) with rolled fondant. I used a tool to make the football texture and used white fondant for the rest of the details. Although I am not a football watcher, Douglas had football playing in the background to give me inspiration for this cake! Hehe!

New Blog Design!

2009-09-13T17:05:00.004-04:00

So, being the nerd that I am, I spent the entire weekend toiling over the computer and getting html tutoring from my husband, Douglas. I am now happy to say that my blog design is new and improved! Images and slideshows are a lot bigger and the overall look is much more streamlined and organized. No more getting a magnifying glass out to view blog images! I am also using a new slideshow hosting site, so if anyone has problems playing it, please let me know so that I can work out any glitches! Poke around...I've posted a lot of new pictures in old posts. I hope you like it!

Meghan & Joe: Wedding Slideshow

2009-09-10T18:26:00.019-04:00

As I've mentioned in a previous post, in August I had the pleasure of photographing Meghan & Joe Spann's wedding. When they said they were up for a session the night before the wedding I couldn't have been happier! It gave me a few hours of shooting without the distractions of the wedding day and we had gorgeous light!

This picture was taken at the park Meghan & Joe got engaged at. It was such a romantic spot and the sunset made it even more beautiful! I wish I had a backyard that looked like this park!

And here is a slideshow of some of my favorites from the evening shoot.

Meghan & Joe had a very small, intimate wedding ceremony and reception. Here are a few photos from the big day.

The Dynamic Duo

2009-09-02T17:58:00.017-04:00

Every Labor Day, Douglas and I drive to our hometown, Nashville, TN to visit our family and friends. Going home is always a treat and some of my happiest times are spent there. Although there are many reasons that I love going back home, there are two very special individuals that make my time there even better. These are my little (well, actually big...try 50-60 pounds) babies and I get my fill of cuddle time when I'm with them.

The first picture is of the big bear, Humphrey. Humphrey was a rescue and he has found his forever home with my in-laws. He's such a lover and definitely uses his brute strength to his advantage. He will follow you around the house and just give you this look shown in the below picture. If he could talk, he would repeatedly say, "I looove youuu." in a deep, slow, Southern voice.

And this little girl is Clementine. She is definitely the princess of the house and she can never have enough spoiling! Clementine is extremely curious and adventurous and loves to get in high places. Her favorite place to lay is on the backrest of the couch, just like a cat! If she could talk, she would scream in a high pitch, girlie, but demanding voice, "Love on me!!!".

I love these pups, and I'm counting down the days until we see them this weekend! I will definitely be posting more pictures of them after Labor Day!

Fun At The Park

2009-08-20T21:19:00.012-04:00

So, as I have blogged before, I absolutely LOVE shooting pictures of my god-daughter, Chloe. She is so cute and has a perfect little face that the camera just adores! Here are a few pictures of this sweet little girl that I took back in the spring.

Meghan & Joe: Wedding Sneak Peek

2009-08-14T14:15:00.017-04:00

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting my good friend's wedding in my hometown, Nashville, TN. Joe and Meghan were absolutely wonderful to shoot! They looked great in every shot and they made my job easy! Here's a sneak peak of a few photos from their day. I'll post a slide show with the rest of the photos within the next month.

Cake Storm

2009-08-12T21:05:00.015-04:00

As cliche as the phrase is, it's funny how sometimes when it rains, it absolutely pours! In my case, it was a torrential flood of cake-making! In addition to working at SCAD and teaching my cake class, I made 4 cakes in the past 6 days! Although tiring, they were all so much fun and I was so happy to do them. So here we go....

Cake 1: I made a fun poker cake for my co-worker (and the SCAD mother hen), Theo. I posted that cake in my last blog.

Cake 2: Our friend, Jackie Lewis, had a birthday party over the weekend, and of course, I had to bring a cake! What's a birthday without a birthday cake??? I made her a little personal-sized 4" round cake with roses....simple and sweet!

Cake 3: To help my co-worker, Raymetta, celebrate her one year wedding anniversary, I made her and her husband a two tiered "wedding" cake. It was a white cake with hand-made light blue lilies and pearls. I loved that it was reminiscent of a little baby wedding cake!

Cake 4: I'm not sure how I have spent so many years living in the south and I have never come across "7 Minute Icing". Somehow, this delicious treat has slipped through my hands and only presented itself to me this past week. My supervisor wanted a 7 Minute Icing cake for her mother's birthday. Having never heard of this type of frosting, I was a little nervous to make it, to say the least. After all, the perfectionist in me wanted it to be flawless! I had no idea what it was supposed to look or taste like, but I forged ahead with my mixer in hand. I have to say, this frosting is absolutely delicious. I think it's best described as a mix between meringue and marshmallow fluff...how could you not love it? I decided to not be too ambitious with my first go around with this shiny icing, but I think overall it came out ok! I just decorated it with my left-over lilies and pearls, and voila!

Poker Cake

2009-08-07T20:02:00.008-04:00

This week, one of my favorite co-workers, Theo, asked me to make a cake for her son's birthday. She was so sweet and let me do whatever cake my heart desired! Knowing that her son likes card games, I thought I would do a poker themed cake. Everything on the cake is edible and handmade. No cardboard playing cards or plastic poker chips for me!!!

Historic Roswell

2009-08-04T19:23:00.015-04:00

One of my favorite places to go at night in Atlanta is historic Roswell. It's an adorable little quaint part of town with a lot of restaurants and boutiques. Here is a shot from my latest visit. This dog was so sweet and acted like he knew I wanted him to pose for the camera. I had to go and love on him for a minute after I took his picture...I'm sure the owners just loved being interrupted while eating!

Joe & Meghan's Wedding Cake

2009-08-02T20:40:00.009-04:00

My good friend, Joe Spann, and his wife, Meghan, got married this weekend. I was able to give my favorite wedding gift to the couple...a wedding cake! 2 tiers were white and 2 were coconut, and by the time I left the reception, the cake was gone!!! Yum! I also had the pleasure of being their wedding photographer, so stay tuned for pictures!

Chloe at the Water Park

2009-07-30T11:03:00.007-04:00

I absolutely LOVE photographing children. There is just something about capturing their joy and innocence that gets me every time! My god-daughter, Chloe, is the perfect subject and I constantly beg her parents to let me shoot photos of her. Here are some of my favorite pictures from last weekend. We went to a great water park right on the Chattahoochee River. Chloe loved it so much that she cried when we left...poor thing!

First Blog Post!

2009-07-29T22:08:00.004-04:00

Although I resisted for some time now, I figure it's time to start a blog! Living away from family and friends makes it hard to keep in touch and even harder to show people what I have been up to lately. I hope you enjoy the blog!!!

So I thought I would start with the most recent news. Last quarter I taught a cake design class at SCAD-Atlanta. Although I love both making cakes and photography, the two passions have never really crossed paths. So I thought, "Why not combine my two loves?!?". So I ended up creating an "art gallery" cake which features photos that I took in my cake class. My students were SO talented and I jumped at the opportunity to show off their work!

The cake was photographed for the SCAD archives and I thought the image would be stored and never be seen again. I had forgotten about the cake until this past Monday. When you go to the SCAD-Atlanta website, my cake image is the second slide that pops up! How fun! And today, I got a call from the SCAD printing department stating that SCAD wanted to use my image on their yearly issue of birthday cards! I thought that once my cake was eaten, it would never be seen again...guess I was wrong!