These are not just regular family portraits.

They are very, very special to me, though they may not look like anything unusual to you.

Let me explain my relationship with the Smiths, and maybe my thoughts will become a little more clear.

In the summer of 2007, I photographed the wedding of one of the prettiest women I’ve ever met, Kelley.   The wedding was gorgeous, and the bride was stunning, but one of the most memorable things about that wedding, to me, was the amazing families of *both* the bride and groom!

Then, almost a year later, I photographed another wedding for the Smith family… this time Lindsay, equally as gorgeous as her sister.  Her beautiful wedding was also filled with amazing people, and their wonderful, gracious families made it a wedding to remember.

And then early this year, Lindsay  gave me the huge honor of photographing her gorgeous newborn baby son, Reed.

So last month, when the Smiths contacted me to let me know that the Lindsay & Kelley’s daddy was once again battling cancer, and that they wanted to have some special portraits made while their beautiful family was whole, I was crushed and honored and desperate to be able to do this small thing for them.

I feel that the Smiths have entrusted some of their most precious moments in life to us, and for them to invite me into their lives again during these precious days, is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had as a photographer.

If you pray, please send up a special prayer for Marcus Smith.   He is currently in Texas, seeking out options and treatments for the cancer.   I will keep you as updated as I can.

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Lindsay, Mike, Kelley, Chris, Mrs. Rita, and Mr. Marcus, thank you.

Bella & Henry are both model-gorgeous and their mama KNOWS how to dress them for photos.

I love every article of clothing that she brought for them to wear!

Their Daddy is a farmer, and we spent some time out at the farm as the sun was going down… it was a beautiful, beautiful day!

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I love the bond that Bailey has with her “Pops.”

He might be a grown man, and a leader in the community; but as far as Bailey is concerned, he belongs wrapped around her tiny little chubby finger!

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When Tina told me that her hubby was into trains, I knew right where we should go for their family portraits!  I love this section of track, and even in the heat of summer, it was a gorgeous morning for us!

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-(Addi is also into her daddy’s collection of vintage cameras… she might even want to be a photographer herself one day!!)-

Addi & Wilkes… It doesn’t seem fair to have so much CUTE in such a little family!

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Beth has been one of the Studio’s best friends, working HARD over at the Chamber of Commerce, to make all of the Chamber Members look great!  She works constantly, and never seems to want any recognition for all of her behind-the-scenes work!

So, when she asked me to come photograph her sweet family, I was SO excited!

I was even more happy when I arrived at her Father’s home, with such a lovely yard, and of course… having doting grandparents there never hurts!!

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-Sean, with his Grandaddy here… they have a very special relationship with each other! They are best friends!-

What happens in a family when THREE blonde, beautiful, bouncy girls are born within in a couple of years?

Well, I wouldn’t know, since I’m only capable of giving birth to fiery redheads; but in talking to their mom, it sounds like a lot of world-flipping fun!!

In case you’re wondering, two of these girlies are twins, but they all look so similar, and act so close to one another, that they could easily be triplets!

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I’m not jealous of most people.

But, I’m REALLY envious of the Barfield’s wonderful life!

They invited me into their world for one evening, and I just love LOVE loved listening to them talk about the ways they like to spend their time… surprising each other with vacations, taking little weekend getaways, wine in a moonlit garden at night, listening to music, dancing in their living room, hanging out with the dogs, stealing smooches from the grandkids!

I know they worked hard, for many years, to get to where they are now; and witnessing them so enjoy their life together makes me so happy!

It’s like a blueprint of what I want our lives to be like when Phil & I retire…

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Bright and early one beautiful Sunday morning in June, I met with the Godwins in Albany, at the gorgeous RiverFront park.

We had such a sweet morning in the early morning sunlight, following the little girls around in their delightful tutu dresses!

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You probably all know about my niece, Olivia… cutest little girl in the world!

Well, of course, my kids are her cousins, but her OTHER cousins, Nora & Harrison are also pretty cute, too!

We met out at their Grandmother’s home, and had a wonderful morning in her gorgeous yard!

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