Mari Wilkes Photography

Recent Picture Activity :)

2011-08-21T23:17:00.000-05:00

I'm so awful at blogging now! With Facebook, it's so easy to get carried away with just sharing everything there - specials, upcoming events, recent sessions, etc. But I forget that some people still love looking at blogs and not everyone is on Facebook!! So here is some of my recent stuff. ENJOY! :)

Nashville Holiday Mini Sessions!!

2011-08-21T23:04:00.001-05:00

They are here! This will be the first annual round of Nashville mini sessions. They are sooooooo popular with my Alabama clients, and now that Nashville is home, I hope they will be just as welcomed. They go very fast, so reserve yours today! Two fun weekends this fall! :)

Christmas in July! {Opelika/Auburn Holiday Mini-Sessions!}

2011-07-24T10:30:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again! Okay, so I'm not 100% sure that I've ever posted holiday mini session information this early. But I am this year! As most of you have learned, my family and I have permanently made our roots in Nashville, TN. We love it here! My husband will still be traveling, however, and with both children in preschool, I am unable to
travel to Opelika as much as I was last year. I will still do weddings and sesions for some of my most loyal clients, but I am not taking any new clients in the area. :( It saddens me greatly because you guys helped me make a name for myself and for that I am FOREVER grateful! I will be back at least once in the fall for my good ol' holiday mini sessions, and believe it or not, I've already got my schedule ready for them! :) These will go super fast as this is my ONLY availability in the area this fall. So reserve your spot today!! I can't wait to see you all!! P.S. I will be taking new clients for the mini sessions! :) And you CAN click on the image and blow it up so you can read all the information!!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Burnett! :)

2011-05-06T12:02:00.000-05:00

Whew! It's been a while since I've posted anything on here!! Sorry, friends! These two are worth sharing. :) I adored these two at their engagement session, so I knew the wedding would be a complete and total HIT! And I was not let down in the slightest. These two are more in love than you can imagine. Everything was non-traditional. The bride and groom got ready in the same room, and the groom even helped the bride get into her dress! No surprises there! :) It made my job fun and laid back. I was able to capture the true essence of these two because they were so relaxed and ready to enjoy their day. Thanks, guys, for trusting me with these ever-so-special memories from your wedding day. It was a joy to be a part of it!! :)

Jena + Brandon = ENGAGED!

2011-03-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

The more weddings and engagements I photograph, the more I really, really enjoy them! I love the natural affection a couple has for one another, and I especially like bringing that out in them during the time I spend with them. Simple things, like making them laugh, telling jokes, telling a funny story, have them gaze at each other...it's so FUN! These two were of course no exception. We had a great time, and they were troopers. The weather was gorgeous, the perfect start to spring! Congratulations, Jena and Brandon! I'm super excited about the wedding in May! Thanks for trusting me with these lifelong memories for you! :)

Sweet Madeline at 3 Months...

2011-03-11T14:06:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, we have recently moved to Nashville and hope to make it our permanent home. YAY! To help kick start my business in Nashville, I offered 4 free sessions to new clients this spring. Madeline's mommy was one of the 4 to contact me! So I had the privilege of photographing this precious sweetie in her home last weekend. She was such a joy! Such a serious face at times, but with eyes like that, serious is cute. :) Thanks so much for contacting me! I had a wonderful time with you guys and look forward to more sessions in the near future. Madeline is such a sweet baby girl! :)

Look Who is ONE!

2011-03-01T13:02:00.000-06:00

I first had the privilege of photographing sweet James when he was just 4 days old. Now, it's hard for me to believe that he's already one! As the first official child to complete my new baby plan, I've become a bit attached to this little guy. :) The session was bittersweet for me. I just adore him and I'm so sad that I won't be photographing him in 3 months! But, I do know where he lives, so I can always pay him a visit! Congratulations on making it through the first year, Mom and Dad! I know it's been the best year of your life so far! And it only gets better! :) Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be there and capture him in photographs for the first year. I'm looking forward to more!

Introducing Miss Wynslett....

2011-02-16T20:36:00.001-06:00

My goodness, what a job I have! Look at this beauty! I'm so excited I get to meet all these sweet babies and watch them grow up. Sweet Wynslett is the newest member of my baby plan and I can't wait to watch her grow over this year! Her parents are thrilled to welcome her, and I know they will be forever changed. Just don't close your eyes, Mom and Dad! Soak it in and enjoy every single minute of this! It won't be like this for long! :)

Rebecca + Brandt = FUN!

2011-01-31T08:43:00.001-06:00

So, I get a call 2 days before Christmas wondering if I'm available for a wedding in March. I could tell right away that I'd be interested in these two! :) What a fun couple! Their chemistry is so natural and so adorable. We had a great time, despite the cold weather (in which we almost lost Brandt!!!). The sunshine was fabulous! I'm really looking forward to their sweet wedding day in March. Congratulations, you two! It was a pleasure to get to hang out with you guys and capture some great memories for you!

Waiting on Baby B...

2011-01-26T21:48:00.001-06:00

Winter sessions are soooooooo cold and usually so bland...unless you have a couple like this! :) Tough out the cold, wear beautiful colors, and rock out downtown!! Love these guys! They are precious, and if that sweet baby boy has anywhere near the dimples of his daddy, WATCH OUT, GIRLS!!! ;) So precious! I'm so excited to meet this little baby boy soon. And I'm so glad I got to capture this sweet time in their lives. Congratulations, Trey and Kelli!

Valentine's Day Mini Sessions!!!

2011-01-13T15:26:00.001-06:00

Hello everybody!!! I hope everyone is enjoying their (freezing!) 2011 so far! I was busy in the fall that I've been enjoying some much needed downtime while editing a few weddings from the fall. It's been nice, but it's back to the grind! :)

I want to announce my first ever Valentine's Day Mini Sessions!! I'm teaming up with fellow photographer and friend, Jennifer James, to bring some super cute Valentine's Day mini's to you this year! We have tutus, lipstick kisses, a kissing booth, lollipops, and so much more for your little cutie/cuties to enjoy. So step right up and reserve your spot today for only $88! Here's the scoop:

When: Saturday, January 22nd from 1 to 5 pm
Where: Kiesel Park.
What: $88 gets you a cd of 5-8 images and the digital file of an adorable customized 4x6 Vday card! Complete with full copyright release.
*For those who participate in this fun, you have the option to purchase Valentine's cards from my lab, very similar to the quality of my holiday cards, for just $36 for a set of 25!

*Please note that we need at least 20 signed up in order to go through with the mini sessions, so tell all your friends!!

We have several options for Valentine's Day cards and they can all be viewed on my facebook fan page.

I hope to see all of you there!! :)

Hi! It's Me! :)

2010-12-28T14:16:00.000-06:00

WOW! I haven't been on my blog in at least a month and a half! I've been busier than I've ever been and probably had at least 40 sessions since my last post! Again, WOW! I promise I'm still a photographer and I promise that I will post more pictures soon. I'm just trying to recover from the rush of the holiday season! In the meantime, enjoy a very RARE image of my two kiddos. They are a hot mess....that I love very much! :)

Thanks for a wonderful year in 2010! I'm looking forward to lots of fabulousness for 2011!!

HOW CUTE!

2010-11-16T17:58:00.000-06:00

I adore sweet little families with little babies! Of course, this one was no exception. It was c-o-l-d on the morning of his session, but you wouldn't know it. He was having a great time, sticking out his tongue for the camera! Thanks, Mom and Dad, for choosing me to capture these precious memories for you. All of you are adorable, and I really enjoyed meeting you guys! :) Enjoy your preview!

Family Fun on Halloween!

2010-11-08T21:33:00.000-06:00

I was in Alabama working on Halloween, but I was able to leave and get home to Nashville in time to take my two kiddos trick-or-treating. But not before meeting this bunch! :) What a fun family! We had a great time! Mom wanted to get everyone together for a big family portrait. GREAT idea! I'm sure it was tough getting everyone together, but it was well worth it. :) I really enjoyed meeting you guys! I had a blast during our session, and I hope you enjoy the preview!!! Thanks for trusting me to capture these memories for you!

Happy Birthday, Colton!

2010-11-08T12:25:00.000-06:00

Can this little man BE any cute?!? I don't think so! I first met Colton when he was just 4 months old. Now, he just celebrated his first birthday! And he's cuter than ever, if that possible! ;) We had so much fun at his session. He was trooper and loved walking along the train tracks. Happy 1st Birthday, sweet Colton! Mom and Dad, it was great to see you guys again. I've enjoyed photographing Colton this year and look forward to many, many more happy photo sessions with your cutie! :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Mia!

2010-10-24T20:42:00.000-05:00

I am sooooooo privileged! This sweetie just celebrated her first birthday, and I had the privilege of helping her celebrate with a fun photo shoot. :) Mom and Grandma tagged along for the session, and they were a big help. I was so happy to meet all of them! Mom is an amazing soul with a contagious personality and spirit. I could see a little of that shine through Mia during her session! She loved the balloons, and she adored standing up when I gave her the chance. She is such a cutie! Happy 1st Birthday, sweet girl! I can't wait to see you again! :) Mom, thanks so much for hunting me down and bringing your baby girl to me for pictures. Can't wait to meet the whole family!

Sweet Kate :)

2010-10-21T21:54:00.000-05:00

Once again, I am graced with a beautiful little baby. Now, Mom warned me that she is a tough one. She's unpredictable and probably won't smile a lot. As mom says, "That's just...Kate." :) Well, I LOVE KATE! She's a doll, one of those babies that doesn't need to smile at me to make a great picture. She had fun, she didn't fuss too much, and I got some super cute faces from her! To me, that's a successful day! :) Thanks, Mom and Dad, for letting me meet and play with Kate for the morning. I adore her, and you guys are blessed with a total cutie!!! Enjoy your preview!

Cutie Pie TWINS!

2010-10-19T20:25:00.000-05:00

What an adorable family! I was in love with these two twins. They were so adorable and sooooooo tiny!!! We had a great time - they were wonderful for their pictures. I just wanted to scoop them up at the end of the session! Mom and Dad, you guys are truly blessed - sweet babies and wonderful family photos! I'm so excited I had the opportunity to capture these precious memories for you. Enjoy! :)

Priscilla & Cody are ENGAGED!

2010-10-14T10:47:00.000-05:00

OMG. First of all, I have to say that when I first started my photography business, I didn't intend on doing weddings. To be honest, I was scared to death! So much pressure, and it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I had to capture it! But, I made the decision a little over a year ago to add weddings on my can-do list, and I'm so happy I did! I get so much joy out of shooting a wedding and capturing a couple's sweetest moment. :) I'm definitely excited about this couple! Look how freakin' CUTE they are!!! The chemistry between these two is unbelievable, if you can't tell. And they have the perfect little story....I'll save that for a rainy day! ;) Priscilla and Cody, thank you for giving me every reason to enjoy what I do! I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of your special day! If it's anything like your engagement session, it will be AMAZING! :) Enjoy your preview!

Sweet Lydia...FINALLY!!!

2010-10-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to finally meet this little cutie! And her mother, of course! :) It was a gorgeous morning for pictures, and sweet Lydia was just perfect. She enjoyed her session very much, if you can't tell by all the smiles! She even was a perfect little trooper through all the outfit changes. I can't wait to see her again for more pictures! Mom, thanks so much for trusting me with these precious memories of your sweet baby girl! Enjoy them as much as I enjoyed HER! :)

Waiting on Sweet Baby Girl #2!

2010-10-09T21:33:00.001-05:00

How adorable is this family?! I can't even believe that they are going to have yet another GORGEOUS baby girl! Mom wanted some family pictures and some pictures of big sister before the baby came, which is a fabulous idea. I'm honored to be able to capture their last photos as a family of 3! And I hope to meet the little one as soon as she arrives. :) Good luck in the coming weeks to this sweet family. May they welcome their second beautiful baby girl very soon! :)

What a Cutie!

2010-10-05T19:17:00.000-05:00

I have been so blessed with such cutie pie clients lately, and I've gotten my fair share of boys who are all BOY. This one was certainly no exception! He had to pick up all the rocks on the train tracks, and he had a big grin on his face when he got to sit on the red train car. We had a blast! Happy 1st Birthday to you, big man!!! I had so much fun with you downtown! :) Mom and Dad, thanks a million for trusting me with these precious memories of your sweet baby boy! I hope to see you again soon for more picture fun!

Sweet Ella Grace Turns O-N-E!

2010-10-03T22:19:00.001-05:00

What a sweet little girl! I first met Ella Grace when she was 6 months old. It was so good to see her again! I can't believe she's walking around and everything now! :) It's amazing to see these sweet babies grow up - it just touches my heart. And do you see her birthday outfit!?! LOVE IT! Thanks, Mom, for trusting me with this precious time in Ella Grace's life. She's a little sweetheart, and I can't wait to see her again! :)

Boy oh Boy...

2010-09-30T12:13:00.000-05:00

First of all, I must say that I LOVE this bunch! I feel like I am part of their family because I get to see them so much! HA! :) I first starting capturing memories for them when the cute little blond was just 4 months old. I saw him several times throughout the first year. Then, SURPRISE! Here comes baby boy #2! I had the joy of photographing him when he was just days old, and now he is already 3 months old! Where does the time go?!? While the sweet baby was okay with pictures, his big brother was NOT feeling it! Thankfully, we did the family photos first and he was adorable for those. :) Not too many shots of him by himself, but we'll try again for Christmas and 2 year photos in a few months! Thanks, guys! It was fabulous to see you again, as always!

Baby Bella

2010-09-30T09:33:00.000-05:00

This sweet baby girl is every bit as gorgeous as her name! I was so excited to meet her! She was a little resistant with me at first, but she finally gave in and slept away while I worked my magic. :) Mom and Dad, she is absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for trusting me with these first professional memories of her. May you enjoy them for a lifetime!

What an Awesome Family! :)

2010-09-29T12:24:00.002-05:00

I had so much with this bunch! Mom won a half price session from a facebook fan page contest, and she was eager to book a session! I was thrilled to meet the kiddos. They were great! Very beautiful and very easy to photograph. :) The park was nice and quiet because it was a home football game, so we enjoyed it all to ourselves. I was so happy to see that the leaves had already started to fall on my favorite bridge, too! LOVE this time of year!! Mom and Dad, I'm so glad you won the session and decided to use me for family photos. I hope that you cherish these for many, many years to come. Enjoy! :)

Cael is 3 Months!!!!!

2010-09-29T10:49:00.001-05:00

NO WAY this cutie can already be 3 months! I remember going to visit him for his newborn session at just 5 little days old. :) I absolutely LOVE watching my baby planners grow and change with each session. Really, I do. That's why I say it every time! This sweetie is getting so big! And he's one of the most easy going babies I've ever dealt with. He enjoyed the fresh air and most of my baskets. ;) I can't believe that the next time I see him, he will be 6 months old and ready to sit up and crawl! Thanks, Mom and Dad, for entrusting me with the sweetest memories of your sweet little guy! I'm looking forward to next time! :)

Sweet Ava is 6 Months Old!

2010-09-27T09:07:00.001-05:00

I adore this little sweetie! She is so precious and easy going for each of her sessions. And she has adorable clothes! :) She's such a trooper and lets us change her as often as we want. That's what makes little girls so fun! I can't believe how much she's changed just since our last session - it's amazing to watch these precious babies grow and change throughout their first year. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for trusting me with these memories of your sweet Ava! I look forward to seeing her again very soon! :)

Awwwwww, COOPER!

2010-09-02T15:28:00.000-05:00

I have the cutest, best little clients EVER! I fell in love with this blond haired, blue eyed cutie right away. He's so sweet and quiet and gave me the most charming expressions. :) He is the youngest of 3 boys, and I can't wait to meet the other 2! If they are half as sweet and cute as this little fellow, mom and dad will have their hands full during the teenage years! ;) Mom, thanks so much for contacting me and trusting me with these precious memories of your sweet baby boy. He is such a joy, and I really enjoyed him! I'm looking forward to the family session! :) Enjoy the preview!!

All the Way From Huntsville....

2010-08-29T09:25:00.000-05:00

These sweet kiddos came all the way from Huntsville for pictures with me! :) They were some of my clients from when I lived in southern Tennessee, and mom has been wanting more pictures for a long time now. It worked out perfectly! We met early in the morning before the heat came up, and the light was beautiful. Last time I saw the sweet little girl, she was only 4 months old! Now, she's grown into a cute little toddler. It's great to see how they change! And her big brother is still just as cute and sweet as ever. Thanks so much for coming all the way down to Auburn for a session! It means a lot to me. :) I'm so excited that I'll be in Nashville and we'll be much closer for pictures next time! Enjoy the preview!!

HOLIDAY MINI-SESSIONS!!!!

2010-08-28T21:24:00.000-05:00

Yep, it's that time again. :) LOVE this time of year! I will be hosting my holiday mini-sessions over one weekend this year. Here are the details:

LIMITED AVAILABILITY!
20 minute mini-sessions at 2 great locations, but only 8 spots available both days!

When: November 13th and 14th
Where: Saturday at Kiesel Park in Auburn, Sunday at the train depot downtown Opelika
How Much: $200
What Does It Include: Cute, fun holiday props at both locations! 10 images on cd with copyright release, 25 custom holiday cards with envelopes, 10% off additional sets of 25 cards
Time: 1-5 pm both days (first session will be booked at 1 pm and last session will be booked at 4:30)

*Session fee must be paid at time of booking to reserve your spot! No more sessions will be booked after November 8th. Mini-sessions will be booked in 30 minute increments to allow for everyone to arrive and get the full attention of the photographer. If you are interested, please message me or email me at: mswed1023@yahoo.com and let me know the day and time you would like and I will let you know if it's available. These fill up FAST so the sooner your book, the better your chances of reserving the time and location that you want! :) You can check out my available holiday card options on my proof site. Just visit my website and click on "client proofs" and look for the "Holiday Card" gallery.

Also, for those of you that have had a session with me earlier in the year, I will repost your gallery free of charge UPON REQUEST starting October 1st for ordering holiday cards and/or holiday gift prints. Please contact me if you are interested.

Sweet Evie!

2010-08-28T21:17:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to meet this little sweetheart! First of all, I'm in LOVE with her name. IN LOVE. "Evie" is short for "Evelyn". It's so southern and classy and beautiful. She was so sweet and fun! It was nice and cloudy the morning of our session, so it wasn't quite so stinking hot. She was easy and enjoyed all my props. Of course, 6 months old is such a fun age!!! It's one of my favorites. :) Thanks, Mom and Dad, for joining me and risking a parking ticket for some cute pictures - I appreciate your trust in capturing these sweet memories for you. Enjoy the preview!

Sweet Baby Hudson

2010-08-23T15:43:00.000-05:00

This sweet little guy was in my cutest kid contest, and he's definitely a cutie pie! LOVED HIM! :) He was so happy the whole session. He enjoyed everything we did, and the heat didn't seem to bother him at all (lucky thing!). I love babies like that. Mom and Dad, you have a true cutie pie on your hands with this one! Thanks so much for trusting me with these memories of your little family. Enjoy the preview! :) I can't wait to show you the rest!

Oh, James!

2010-08-22T20:18:00.000-05:00

I will say this with the kindest heart: I'm really not sure that this precious boy is as crazy about me as I am of him!! ;) He is teething, which never makes for a happy 6 month old. But, like I always do, I managed to get some great shots of the little man! I've been doing his pictures since he was 4 days old, and it's amazing to see how much my baby plan munchkins change so much from each session. He's gotten so BIG! :) I adore him to pieces, and so does everyone else that meets him. He's a doll! Thanks, Mom and Dad, for again trusting me with these memories of your first born! Enjoy! :)

Welcome to the Family, Baby #3!

2010-08-22T20:09:00.000-05:00

This family is so special. I got to meet them when that sweet little man was just born. And now I'm so excited to meet baby #3! Sweet Haley is a precious little thing that was perfect, absolutely perfect, for her pictures. And her big brother and sister were great, too! It was hot, but all three kids endured the heat like little troopers for some very special pictures. :) I enjoyed them so much that I think they may have me talked into having a third baby!!!! ;) Mom, I will be sure to keep you posted on that!! :D Enjoy the prints, guys! You have so much to be thankful for - 3 beautiful babies is a true blessing.

Waiting For Baby E....

2010-08-16T22:10:00.001-05:00

I adore this couple and cannot wait to meet this sweet baby! I had the joy of capturing them on their wedding day this spring, and it's so great to see a couple so in love in as many ways as these two are. They are celebrating the joy of their marriage as well as the birth of their little surprise bundle of joy! :) Kat is so very photogenic that I practically begged her to do maternity pictures just so I could photograph her again!! Enjoy the preview guys, it was so much fun! Love you both lots and cannot wait to meet sweet baby girl SOON!

Sweet Gracie!

2010-08-15T14:41:00.000-05:00

Meet my sweet niece Gracie. She's already 6 months old, and I can't believe how fast time flies! It seems like just yesterday I was taking her newborn pictures. Now she can babble and sit up. Before we know it, she will be walking! She's the sweetest little baby ever. She's so laid back, and has the sweetest little smile. :) I wish I got to see her more! Now, she will have to come visit me in Nashville for pictures!!! SO GLAD we got to do these at one of my favorite locations!

Summer Mini-Sessions!!!

2010-07-30T15:24:00.002-05:00

Well, I usually only do mini-sessions around the holidays, and while those plans are still in the making, I have decided to do a late summer round as well! I'm so excited!! When I think of summer, I think of many, many things - among those is WATERMELON! So, I thought it would be super cute to do watermelon minis to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall (while watermelons are still in season!). Here are the details you need to know:

When: Sunday, August 22nd from 2 pm - 7 pm

Where: Kiesel Park in Auburn, AL near the gray shed

How Much? $55

What does it include? a 15-20 minute session of your child(ren) enjoying a yummy slice of watermelon! Props, including the watermelon, will all be set up. 8-10 final images to choose from and your choice of 3 digital files with copyright release. Option to purchase prints from any of the final images at 10% off.

Who can come? This round of mini's is just for the kiddos! Capture them at their sweet innocence enjoying a yummy slice of watermelon in the shade during hot summer hours. Great for kids of any age, but I prefer children that can sit up good. Even if your sweetie can't eat watermelon or doesn't enjoy watermelon, there will be cute stuff set up that will follow the watermelon theme.

This is perfect for clients that have already enjoyed a great full session with me this year but could still use a few shots of their kiddos having a good time. If you are looking for a new photographer, this is also a great time to try me out and have a good time with me! :) To reserve your spot, please contact me via email at mswed1023@yahoo.com and let me know what time you want. You must be able to pay the mini session fee at the time of booking to reserve your spot.

I'm so excited about these, and I look forward to spending the afternoon eating watermelon with some cuties!! :)

Boys Will Be Boys....

2010-07-22T20:10:00.004-05:00

I was really looking forward to this session and meeting this little cutie, and I think his mom was excited, too! However, sometimes things don't always go as planned. :) This little guy had way too much to do at the park that he didn't even want to THINK about having his picture taken! The session didn't last very long, and we are hoping to reschedule it for next month and try it again. But I did manage to get these few great shots! :)

What a Sweet Family!

2010-07-18T15:45:00.004-05:00

I love photographing families, especially those with sweet little girls in them. :) Little girls are sooooo fun and easy to photograph! Why? Because they LOVE the camera! Love, love, love it! They are (usually) always happy and smiling and posing for the camera. These girls are the definition for that statement! We had a great time! It was HOT (Dad was glad to get back in the air conditioned car!) and the mosquitoes were bad, but it was all worth it. In the words of a fellow photographer friend of mine, "the next time a client asks me what they should wear for their session, I'm going to show them this post!" The outfits were perfect! A great color and perfect mix of patterns and solids. I adore these guys! Thanks so much for trusting me with these memories of your sweet family. I had such a great time meeting you guys! Enjoy the preview! :)

Happy Retirement, Mrs. King! :)

2010-07-16T14:41:00.004-05:00

I certainly cannot think of a better retirement gift than to give the gift of photography! :) Hiring a photographer provides memories that you can't get back, memories from this particular moment in time and no other. Memories that you probably didn't think you needed to remember. Memories that may not have been created in a long time. Those memories turn into artwork that hang on your wall and last a lifetime. Mrs. King recently retired, and her family decided to give her just this. I've had the privilege of photographing her sweet grandson since he was 4 days old, and I was thrilled to be able to take pictures of him with his family! Congratulations on your retirement, Mrs. King! You have a beautiful family, inside and out, and I hope you cherish these memories for a lifetime! Enjoy the preview! :)

FINALLY!! :)

2010-07-15T17:21:00.005-05:00

I didn't think I would ever get to meet these beautiful people! :) We've had this scheduled for a few months now, and something also seemed to happen at the wrong time. Then we would have to reschedule. After doing that a few times, we FINALLY made it happen! Mom is a fellow photographer friend of mine (check her out here), and I'm always a little nervous and anxious to photograph a fellow photographer just because we know what we want and we want it GOOD! Hopefully I have delivered! It was great to finally get to meet all of you. Thanks for choosing me to capture you guys. You have the most gorgeous daughter EVER! Thanks for braving the heat and the mosquitoes, too! Enjoy the preview! :)

The Hill Brothers

2010-07-12T21:19:00.003-05:00

What sweet boys! Mom and Dad are so very lucky to have these two handsome boys! :) Both of them participated in my Cutest Baby Contest, so I already felt like I knew them both. Little guy is only 3 months old, but I can almost guarantee that he will have gorgeous blue eyes just like his big brother! I had such a great time with this family, and it was so much fun to spend time with both boys. Thanks so much for trusting me with these sweet memories! Enjoy the preview! :)

TUCKER!!!!!!

2010-07-09T10:09:00.006-05:00

I mean, seriously. It doesn't get any cuter than this kid! :) Mom and Dad entered Tucker into my Cutest Kid Contest on facebook and he won 1st place with over 400 votes! It's so easy to see why he won! Tucker won a free session with me, and I was so happy to see him so soon. Not only is this kiddo a total cutie pie, but he has just as cute of a personality. He had a blast walking around the park for his session. He was all smiles and giggles - we were done in record speed, which made me sad. I didn't want him to leave! :) Thanks so much, Mom and Dad, for entering your sweetie in the contest and campaigning so hard for him to win. I hope you will find that it was well worth it all! :) Enjoy the preview!!

Sweet Baby Turner

2010-07-08T21:38:00.003-05:00

I had the privilege of photographing Turner's big brother his first year, and I was thrilled to find out that Mom and Dad were expecting another little boy! :) We didn't get to do newborn pictures with big brother, so Mom wasn't missing out on this one. I was in town when he was born, which was PERFECT! He must have known that his photographer was anxiously waiting for him! :) And not only was his timing perfect, but he was perfect. He slept the whole time I was there! And I got to see his big brother again, so it was fun day! Mom and Dad, thank you for trusting me with these precious memories again with your second son. He is beautiful in every way. Enjoy the preview! :)

6 Months of CUTENESS!

2010-07-07T21:56:00.004-05:00

Oh, my! I have the prettiest clients EVER! :) Seriously, this family is gorgeous!!! This sweet little girl is so beautiful, it's ridiculous. Her eyelashes are out of this world, and she was all smiles the entire session. We had such a great time dressing her up and watching her sweet smile. She could not have done any better! Mom and Dad, thanks so much for sharing your cutie with me! I can't get over how beautiful she is, you two are very lucky parents. :) I hope to see her again real soon! Enjoy your preview!

Waiting on Baby A.....

2010-07-06T11:08:00.004-05:00

This couple is expecting their very first baby - a sweet BOY - in just a few months, and I was so excited to meet them and capture this sweet time for them. Mom looks ADORABLE, and they are both anxiously waiting to meet their baby boy. They decided to take the session indoors because of the heat, which was a good idea for all of us. :) Mom and Dad, thanks so much for inviting me into your home to preserve the memories of this precious time for you. I hope you enjoy the preview, and I can't wait to meet the little guy very soon! :)

Happy Grandparents :)

2010-07-04T21:08:00.004-05:00

This has to be one of the sweetest families I've ever met. Seriously! And they are absolutely in love with their two precious grandsons. And why would they not be?!?! Those boys are sooooooooo cute!! :) And sweeter than pie. I toted big brother around a little bit during the session and could have just taken him home with me! I was so excited when "Grammie" contacted me and wanted a grandparent sessin with her two grandbabies. It's amazing to see grandparents interact with grandchildren, but what is even more amazing is to see the love the children have for their grandparents. I can tell you this - these two boys ADORE their grandparents! :) Thanks, guys, for letting me capture this sweet time in your lives! I hope you cherish these memories for a lifetime!

Sweet Sisters....

2010-07-03T22:30:00.004-05:00

It doesn't get any better than this! These sweet sisters were just wonderful. We had a great time! As much as the adults were sweating, I don't think the heat was bothering the kiddos too much until the very end. They endured several outfit changes and even a little dirt mixed in there! ;) Big sister was so sweet with baby sister - hopefully, these two will be great friends growing up. Mom, thanks so much for sharing your sweet girls with me! I absolutely adore them!! And I hope Claudia had a fabulous 1st birthday!!! :) Enjoy the preview and tell Vivi that Mrs. Mari said hello!

Furry Friends!

2010-07-03T22:15:00.004-05:00

Meet these cute little furry friends! I had such a great time playing and loving on them during their session. I think it's so awesome when I meet a couple that really treats their pets like their children. Pets are so much more than just "animals". They are our best friends, our encouragers, a good source of happiness, and they give so much meaning to life. They never get tired of seeing us and giving us kisses. :) They are our best listeners. These 7 pets sure have a fabulous life, and I was so excited to get to know them! They were great!! I would have loved to get a big group picture of all of them, but that probably would have been nearly impossible, seeing as the majority of them are cats. Cats don't exactly enjoy doing something you want them to do - they do what THEY want, not what we want! There were actually 8 pets in all - 6 kitties, 1 dog, and 1 sweet bunny. One kitty wasn't too excited about hanging out with me, so she is missing. But these rest of them were (somewhat) cooperative! Thanks you guys for sharing your precious furry friends with me! I really enjoyed it, and I hope you did, too! :)

P.S. I could probably still tell you all their names, I loved them so much!

Jonathan and Annie...

2010-07-01T13:59:00.005-05:00

I love these two! I haven't seen Jonathan in forever, and I've only met Annie once, so it was great to catch up! They were perfect together and had a blast, despite the heat. They recently got married out of the states, so we had to make sure they had some awesome pictures together. I was so glad when Jonathan contacted me and we just so happened to be in Alabama at the same time! Thanks, guys, for toughing out the heat for some great pictures. I hope you like them! Now you have some fun pictures of the two of you to hang on your walls! :)

Sweet Sydney is 4 Months! :)

2010-07-01T13:46:00.005-05:00

I adore this little girl! And I learned so much about her this time around. :) I did her newborn session, and she was one of the best newborns I've ever had! So I was certain that this session would be just as smooth. Well, it would have been great if we didnt' take her outside! It was so HOT and we were all miserable. She wasn't happy and we were all trying so hard to make her smile and have fun. So, Mom and I rescheduled for an inside session, and the best little girl was back! She just wanted to be in the nice, cool house. Who could blame her this time of year?!? We got exactly what we wanted - that sweet, gorgeous blue-eyed baby with no sad faces. :) Thanks again guys for sharing sweet Sydney with me! I adore her, and I just love watching her grow. Enjoy the preview, and I can't wait to see her again and see how much she will change!

Jeannie and Josh...ENGAGED!

2010-07-01T10:34:00.005-05:00

I had such a good time with this couple! They will be having an awesome beach wedding in the spring, so to go along with the whole beachy feel, Jeannie wanted some of her engagement shots to be at the beach. We happened to work it out to do them while I was at the beach on my vacation, and it was beautiful! The weather and the oil spill cooperated with us so she could get her fun beach shots. I suggested taht we also do some in the "green" so she can have a good mixture - since all wedding pictures will be beachy. She agreed, and they brought the doggies out for a good time and some super cute pictures!! Jeannie and Josh, thanks so much for choosing me to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment for you! You two are awesome together and great for each other, and I'm really looking forward to the wedding! Enjoy the preview! :)

A Very Handsome Little Boy....

2010-06-29T22:10:00.005-05:00

Meet Garner. Yes, he IS as handsome as his name! I was so excited to meet this little man! I adore his hair and have often tried to talk my hubby into letting me grow my little man's hair out like Garner's, but so far no luck. More power to you, Mom! This little one is a looker for sure - gorgeous long blond hair and big brown eyes....watch out, ladies! :) I had a great time with him. It was hot, but he hung in there like a little trooper (probably because he was headed to the beach after his session!). Mom, thanks so much for sharing your handsome little guy with me. He will be a model or on the big screen some day, I can assure you, with those good looks. :) Enjoy the preview!

LOVE ME SOME FULLER!

2010-06-28T16:19:00.003-05:00

I seriously could not get enough of this kiddo at his session! He is the cutest thing I've ever seen! His personality was killer cute and made for some really adorable shots. I knew his dad in high school, so I would be lying if I didn't admit that I was a little nervous about our session! ;) But he exceeded my expections (and I'm sure his parents thought so, too!) because he was amazing! He was oh-so-cute and even more fun. Thanks so much, Mom and Dad, for sharing your little cutie pie with me. I'm absolutely crazy about him and cannot wait to see him again! Enjoy the preview! :)

Oh, Campbell!! :)

2010-06-28T16:05:00.003-05:00

I adore this little girly! I first met Campbell back in October and we did a fun family session on campus in front of Samford Hall. Well, WE thought it was fun, but I don't think Campbell was having as much fun as we were. ;) She was only 9 months old then and didn't quite know what to think of me and my camera. Now, she's an adorable 18 months old! And she actually enjoyed it this time, if you can't tell that from the images! She's such a girly girl, and she loved her tutu shots with all the jewelry. I'm so glad I got to see you guys again, Mom! I really enjoyed seeing Campbell and seeing how much she has grown in the last 9 months. Thanks for trusting me with your memories once again, and I hope you enjoy your preview! I hope to see you again soon! :)

Sweet Grayson is 6 Months Old!

2010-06-28T15:52:00.004-05:00

And he won 2nd place in my facebook Cutest Kid Contest! So Mom was excited to book his session with me. He is a DOLL! I loved his little sailor suit, and I just had to put him in my old red little suitcase - it was too perfect! Mom and Dad wanted to hop in a few of them with the little guy before it got so hot out that we couldn't stand it, and what a cute family! I fell in love with this little cutie - I can certainly see why he placed 2nd in the contest! :) Thanks, Mom and Dad, for sharing your little sweetie with me for the morning! I hope you like your preview - I know you have been anxiously awaiting it! I hope to see him again when he turns ONE! :)

My New Buddy, Hayden...

2010-06-28T15:36:00.002-05:00

This little guy and I bonded something serious during his session. He wasn't quite sure what to think at first, so Mom just kind of let us do our own thing. So he is my new buddy! :) We had a great time climbing on the train car and walking all over the tracks. We even got to see a train come by!! He was thrilled to pieces, which made me smile, which made him smile. :) Thanks, Mom, for trusting me with these precious memories of your big boy! Enjoy the preview, and I hope he has a wonderful 3rd birthday! Happy Birthday, Hayden!! :)

Handsome Baby Smith :)

2010-06-24T18:18:00.004-05:00

Look at these LIPS! Aren't they just kissable!?! This little man is a doll all around - no questions asked! I think he knew he was going to have his pictures made because he wanted to stay up and check out all my cool stuff. ;) He is absolutely adorable, and I'm so glad I had the privilege to capture him while he's still so little. Those are the sweetest, most precious moments in life! Mom and Dad, you two are truly blessed to have such beautiful baby boys!! :) Thanks for inviting me into your home and trusting me with these sweet memories! Enjoy the preview!!

Happy Baby Girl...

2010-06-23T21:42:00.003-05:00

Meet precious Ava. She has to be one of the happiest little babies I've ever had the privilege of photographing! She was all smiles and didn't mind changing outfits or laying in the grass. It couldn't be any easier! :) I also got to spend some time with her big sister, who is just beautiful and adores her baby sister. Thanks, girls, for letting me spend the morning with you yesterday! Mom, you are a very lucky lady. :) I hope you enjoy the preview!

Adorable Baby Cael :)

2010-06-23T15:17:00.004-05:00

I have been in baby overload lately - and loving every minute of it!! Meet sweet Cael. Love his name, and his parents are the sweetest around. They are so very happy to have this little guy around! And who could blame them with those plump pinchable cheeks!? :) Cael was only 5 days old for his newborn session, and he was soooo tiny! He was wonderful, and I enjoyed spending a few hours with him. Mom and Dad, congratulations on your new beautiful baby boy! He's simply gorgeous, and I'm so honored to have had the joy of capturing his sweet little face these first days of life. Enjoy the preview - may the images bring nothing but smiles to your faces! :)

Precious Baby Noah :)

2010-06-22T17:08:00.004-05:00

I was probably looking forward to meeting this little guy almost as much as I was my own children when they were born....simply because his mommy and daddy have been friends of ours for years and years. He was born the day I left for vacation, and he gave me something to look forward to after leaving the beach! :) He's absolutely gorgeous, and I know his mom and dad are very happy to have him here. He was super cooperative, and his sweet dog just wanted to keep an eye on me and figure out what I was doing with HER baby! ;) Congratulations, Elaine and Casey! You truly have a beautiful baby boy, and I'm so happy for the two of you!

Sweet Baby Hunter :)

2010-06-22T16:49:00.003-05:00

Oh, how I love my job! Because I get to hold these sweeties all the time! :) Meet little Hunter. He was a few days past his due date, but he was well worth the wait. He is as chunky as ever, with cute little fat cheeks and the slightest tint of red in his hair. He is as beautiful as it gets I believe! Mom, it was great to finally meet you and this sweetie you have. Congratulations to both you and Daddy! I know this sweet little angel will bring you smiles for a lifetime. :) Enjoy the preview!

Kat + Keith = LOVE :)

2010-06-03T15:11:00.011-05:00

I adore this couple! Kat and I have been friends since we were really little kiddos, maybe 6 or 7. We were in gymnastics together (the only year I took it - I wasn't very good!), and she was by far the loudest person I had ever known. ;) I'm thrilled that she has found a man like Keith that adores her in every way possible. They are perfect for each other! Weddings are so beautiful - the special allows all friends and loved ones of the couple witness the LOVE between the two of them. It was very evident between these two! :) Kat was a ridiculously gorgeous bride, very photogenic and happy - every photographer's DREAM! Keith was just happy to be there all together, he didn't care about anything else but his bride. Kat and Keith, thanks for sharing your special day with me and for letting me be such a big part in it. It was such a joy to be able to capture these beautiful moments for you. I hope that many, many years from now, you will look back on them and smile as your love continues to grow. And in September, you will be able to see first hand what your love can create. ;) I'm thrilled for the two of you, and I can't wait to continue to be a part of your lives with your sweet little new addition!!! I promise to provide you with the most precious of memories for LIFE!

Cutest Baby Contest!!!!

2010-05-19T11:10:00.004-05:00

Have you ever entered your child in the GAP model contest or The Cutest Kid contest??! Come on, you know you have! :) Well, now you can enter your child in a contest that you actually have a chance of winning!!! Mari Wilkes Photography is announcing a GIVE AWAY! A super fun Facebook contest going on now!! Click HERE to join my fan page on Facebook and enter the contest! Here's the scoop:

Between Friday, May 14 and Friday, May 21st, you can submit ONE snapshot of your child to me to be entered in my cutest baby contest. Please note that it must be a snapshot, not a professional photo! I WILL NOT accept a professional photo, and being that I am a professional photographer, I know what a professional photo looks like! :) If you have more than one child, you may enter a separate entry for each of your children. Contestants must be between 0 and 8 year of age to be entered. To enter your photo, you MUST be my friend on facebook (not just a fan of my fanpage, but my friend on facebook, so send me a request if we are not already friends!!) and attach the image in a message along with the child's name and age and something he/she likes to do. If you post an image to my wall or to the wall of my fan page, it will be deleted. Photos will only be accepted via message to my personal facebook profile. Next Friday, I will work on compiling an album for this contest on my fan page of all the photos entered and the information for each child. Once the album is up and all images have been accepted, VOTING WILL BEGIN!!!!!! To vote, one must be a fan (or LIKE) Mari Wilkes Photography, as this is the only place the images will be. So please encourage your friends and family to join my fan page so they can vote and help your child WIN! You can do this by posting a status on your page about the contest and reference to Mari Wilkes Photography. If you put an @ symbol in front of Mari Wilkes Photography in your status, your friends and family members can click on it to join. You can also suggest the page to your friends - you do this from the fan page. If you submitted the photo of your child, you can vote for your child, but you can only vote once. If you do not have any children, please help someone else's child by voting for your favorite! To vote, simply add a comment underneath your favorite's photo. Please keep comments clean, nice, and tasteful, otherwise I will delete them. You can vote for more than one photo if you'd like, but you can only vote for the same child once. Voting will continue for one week, ending on Saturday, May 29th. Now for the good part - the PRIZES! There will be 3 prizes given away for the top 3 spots.

1. The child with the most comments (votes) will receive a free session!!
2. The child with the second most comments (votes) will receive a session at half price ($50).
3. The child with the third most comments (votes) will receive a free 11x14 with any session booked within this year, 2010.

If your child wins, then YOU can choose the type of session you want - family, child, siblings, etc. Anyone can submit a photo for a chance to win!!!! However, I do hold the right to turn anyone away from the contest or to remove anyone from the contest if the rules are not followed correctly. There is a lot at stake here, so get to submitting and then get your friends to become a fan so they can vote and help you win!!!! Let's have fun! :)

If you have any questions at all, please post them in this discussion. I will be checking it daily and answering any questions you may have. DO NOT post them on my wall or my fanpage wall or in a message!!! Post them here so that everyone can see the answer because someone else may have the same question as well. P.S. Please only submit photos if you are in or close to the Auburn/Opelika area or are able to travel there for a session!! :) Have entering and voting!! GOOD LUCK!

Sweet Reagan Girls

2010-05-16T15:33:00.005-05:00

Awwwww, these girls are so sweet! I first met Hannah, the oldest, right after she turned one and right after Lily, the youngest, was born. She didn't have nearly as much hair, but she was just a cute and sweet as she is now at 3 years old. I met Lily last year, along with Kaelyn (their cousin), right after she turned one. She and her cousin are just a few days apart in age. All the girls are very, very close, and I'm excited to see how baby Ella Grace will fit in the mix as she grows up. :) Hannah and Lily's mom is a very good friend of mine from high school, and I'm so excited to be able to see her girls grow up each year. Mom and Dad are very blessed with two gorgeous girls, and I can't wait until next year! Enjoy your preview! :)

Kaelyn - A New Big Sister

2010-05-16T13:25:00.004-05:00

Being a big sister myself, I know how hard it is when that new little baby comes home and Mom has to share her time between the two of you. This little girl is adjusting well. In fact, I'd say she is a pro! She adores her little sister, and she was great when I took her baby sister's newborn pictures - holding her just like a big girl. But it's important to give her some special one-on-one attention as well. So of course she had to have pictures all by herself! :) And her cousins met us a little later so all of them could have pictures together. What a great group of girls! I met Kaelyn last year right after she turned one, and then again late in the summer when her Mommy and Daddy got married. Now she is two and cuter than ever!!!! Mom and Dad, you have two very beautiful little girls. Congratulations! Enjoy the preview!

Melissa's Crew :)

2010-05-14T21:53:00.005-05:00

I've known Melissa for years now. Her stepsister and I were college roommates and are still best friends to this day. Melissa and I have been trying to plan a session for a while now, and I'm so glad we were finally able to do it! It was so much fun!! The kids are great together. They were very cooperative, which made my job very easy. They even wanted to have their picture made in a tree!! :) You've got to love them at that age!!! Melissa, thanks for sharing your "crew" with me! I really enjoyed meeting them all and capturing these sweet memories for you!! I hope you guys had as much fun as I did! :)

Blue-Eyed Whitley

2010-05-14T16:36:00.004-05:00

Meet sweet Whitley. Now, I have to tell you that when we adopted our new kitten, the shelter had named her Whitley. We changed her name to Molly, but I'm a little attached to the name Whitley. :) So I loved this little sweetie right away! And those blue eyes!!! I swear that I must have all the beautiful blue eyed children as clients!! :) She was a sweetie. She really enjoyed playing in the grass and the dirt, so I assumed it was her first time. She enjoyed it so much that she was shy with her cute smiles. But a little girl this beautiful doesn't need to smile at me!! She's gorgeous, and I had such a great time with this family. Thanks so much, Mom and Dad, for trusting me with your daughter's 6 month portraits. You two are very, very lucky parents. :) Enjoy your preview!

Sweet Siblings

2010-05-13T19:03:00.004-05:00

Oh, I just LOVE these two sweeties!! I cannot believe how big they are now! I've seen Braden since he was about 2 1/2 years old, and I have been photographing little Avery since she was just a few days old. Now they are 5 and 1! Where does the time go?!? I adore seeing clients throughout the year - it's amazing to see how much they change! I feel so privileged having the awesome opportunity to photograph these two precious siblings for a while now, and I can't wait to see them again!! Mom and Dad, THANK YOU for sharing your sweet children with me each time! It thrills me to walk into your home and see my images all over the walls. I can only hope that they bring a smile to your face each time you see them. :) Enjoy these as much as I enjoyed taking them!!! Mom, I think it was worth all of our hard work! ;)

Nikki and JJ are ENGAGED!

2010-05-13T14:26:00.004-05:00

Congratulations!!! This is just another part to the fabulous love story that revolves around a wedding - the engagement. These two are very special and very much in love. We had a blast at the session! It was complete with bees, weeds, briars, and dog poop. :) Gotta love the measure you go to for some awesome pictures!! I really enjoyed hanging out with you guys getting to know you better. I hope you enjoy the preview!!! I'm really looking forward to September 25th, as I'm sure you guys are, too! :)

Misty + Cory = LOVE :)

2010-05-12T20:06:00.013-05:00

Ooooooooooooohhh, I am in love with WEDDINGS!!!!! When I first started out with my photography business, I wanted to be a wedding photographer. However, when I started doing children and families, I enjoyed it so much that I put my desire to do weddings aside until last year. And I'm so glad that I went with it full force! I mean, look at these?!?! I absolutely adore capturing the love of a couple on their wedding day. There are so, so, so many emotions, and it's so fun for me to try and capture them all. Misty was the happiest bride I have ever seen! She's was amazingly adorable, smiling the entire day. And Cory was just cute as a button, happy to be there, and happy to be marrying this beautiful woman. The day was amazing, the weather was gorgeous, and the couple was stunning. Misty and Cory, thank you a million times over for giving me the sheer joy and privilege of being there and capturing your special day!! I hope that when you look back on these images in the years to come that you guys will fall in love all over again. I wish you all the luck and happiness that the world has to offer you. And maybe I'll see you again for "more pictures" in the near future. ;)

A great big "Thank You" goes out to my dear friend Dezirae Estes for all of your help and hard work for Misty and Cory's big day! :) I could not be half of what I am without your support!!

Cute Little Sully

2010-05-11T16:43:00.004-05:00

I was thrilled to meet this little cutie pie!!! Look at how gorgeous he it! :) I got to go to his house and take some great 3 month pictures of him. He was awesome! He needed a sweet little catnap soon after we got started, but after that, he was perfect. Mom and Dad took me to the little pond that he will be fishing at when he gets a little bigger, and we got to explore the land a little. You wouldn't believe it looking at him, but his daddy has dark hair and dark eyes! This little munchkin definitely looks like his mommy! Thanks, Mom and Dad, for inviting me out to your home to meet your little guy. I really enjoyed it, and I hope these images will help you remember him perfectly at this age! :)

Stephanie and Blake are ENGAGED!

2010-05-09T21:49:00.003-05:00

I had a blast with these two!! We literally scheduled the session last minute, and I'm so grateful that they were willing to drive to Auburn for their engagement session. And a look at these images says that it was worth it! :) The chemistry between these two is adorable. They are so super cute! We hit a few hot spots on campus, and the weather is perfect. I just adore the love between a newly engaged couple. Stephanie and Blake, your timing is just right - you two were made for each other! I cannot wait until the beach wedding in August!!! Enjoy the images! :)

Baby James is 3 Months Old......

2010-05-04T22:56:00.002-05:00

ALREADY!!! I got to take pictures of this sweetheart at just 3 days old. And he could arguably be the "cutest little boy in the world" (according to his Aunt Lori - and I have to agree!)!! I'm so excited to be a part of his first year and watching him grow every 3 months. It's amazing to see the difference in a baby every 3 months, and from newborn to 3 months is incredible. 6 months is even better! I'm already looking forward to August when I get to see this cutie again! Thanks so much, Wiley family, for choosing me to be the one to capture these precious memories for you. May they always bring a smile to your faces! :)

Precious Baby Ella Grace

2010-05-04T22:51:00.004-05:00

Yep, I had 3 newborns in 2 days. GREATEST JOB EVER!!!! :) Meet sweet Ella Grace and all of her beauty. Her mommy and daddy were one of my wedding couples from last year, and I'm so excited to welcome their "honeymoon baby"!!!! She is so sweet and chubby, and she was such a good sleeper for me. It was great to see her and her big sister again, I just adore them. And her big sister just adores her. It was so sweet to see her try and calm Ella Grace down! They are two very beautiful girls, and Mom and Dad are very lucky parents. Thanks so much for letting me be a part of all of your special moments in life! :) I hope you will cherish these moments for a lifetime. Enjoy!

Sweet Baby Aniston

2010-05-03T20:49:00.004-05:00

Again, another beautiful baby. And yet another reason for me to love my job! Sweet Aniston is a little over two weeks old and such a beauty! I was told that she sleeps all day, but when I got to her home to see her, she had other plans! :) Mom and Aniston's grandmother and I got to know each other real well while we waited on sweet baby to fall asleep. :) But once she was out, she was OUT! And I had so much fun!!!! I got to be all girly with her and use all of my cute little girl stuff. We even used a few things from her nursery! Mom and Dad (and grandparents!), you have a gorgeous little girl on your hands! She is breath taking, and I'm so honored to have been able to capture her in this stage of her life. Thanks so much for sharing her with me! I hope these images will always help you remember these sweet precious moments. :)

Sweet Baby Carson

2010-05-03T15:39:00.003-05:00

I am truly blessed to have the job that I do. First of all, I LOVE what I do! But most of all, I get to hold sweet, precious little babies like this one. :) Seriously, how CUTE is he?!? He was absolutely perfect for his pictures, too. Just perfect. He's so cute and little and warm.....I just loved him! Mom and Dad, thanks a million for trusting me with these precious memories of your first baby. You two are extremely blessed with such a sweet little baby boy. I hope these images will help you remember these times, as they will fly by before you know! Enjoy him each and every day. And I hope to see him again soon! I look forward to capturing him as he grows every few months! :)

Family Fun Down on the Farm!

2010-04-15T20:03:00.004-05:00

I was thrilled when I got a call asking me if I would travel to a farm to capture this family. Of course, how fun!! I loved the scenery - weeds, blackberry bushes, horses, fences, amazing sunlight - it was all perfect. :) I fell in love with the kiddos, and I am so honored to have been able to capture this time for this family because THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED IN JUNE!! Yay!!! Congratulations, you two! Thank you so much for inviting me to the farm, I had a blast hanging out with all of you. Enjoy the preview - there are many more to come! And I wish you all the bet in the future!

Another Beautiful Family...

2010-04-15T14:14:00.003-05:00

I had a great time with these guys! The little one is the same age as my Aby, and she acts pretty much the same way also - we are almost at the terrible two's!! :) She wasn't the happiest little booger with us, but you wouldn't be able to tell it too much from these images. Little girls this age are so independent and so determined to do what they want, when they want. This precious baby girl was no exception to the rule. She is spunky and fun, and her big brother is such a sweetheart. I enjoyed hanging out with them and getting to know them a little better. It was great to meet all of you, and I hope you enjoy your preview! :)

Kaliann is O-N-E!!

2010-04-14T21:43:00.004-05:00

And I'm soooo excited to have captured her 1st year in pictures! :) This sweet girl is absolutely precious, and I've really enjoyed watching her grow over the last year. She has an amazing mother that loves her and provides for her in every way possible. She's got the most gorgeous blue eyes, and I'm so in love with her adorable chubby cheeks and blonde hair. Mom, you are one lucky lady. You have two gorgeous babies, and I'm so proud of you! :) I hope you enjoy the preview - you can definitely tell that sweet Kaliann LOVED her cake!!! I hope she had a fabulous birthday party!

Fallon for FREE!

2010-04-12T22:40:00.004-05:00

As soon as I started up my facebook fanpage, I decided to do a giveaway once I reached 500 fans. I was surprised that it didn't really take that long! :) I was thrilled to give away a free session to Emily and her daughter, Fallon. This little girl has a bit of a shy side to her, but she is absolutely gorgeous. She's got the prettiest blue eyes and longest blond hair. She's tall....she's everything a model should be. :) Emily, enjoy your preview!! Congratulations on winning a free session with me, and thanks for being my fan!!!

Parker is O-N-E!!!

2010-04-11T21:11:00.004-05:00

Yay for Parker! :) This little guy is so stinking cute, it's ridiculous. Really. I first met Parker when he was just a week old. And I can't believe that it was almost a year ago! Time really does fly when it comes to our babies. Mum and Daddy are very much in love with this handsome little fellow, and I can't say that I blame him. He's super sweet and has the most gorgeous blue eyes with a "million dollar smile" to go right along with it. We were very excited about getting him outdoors in the gorgeous spring weather, and although we had other ideas in mind, I think these images speak stories of their own. Thank you, Reece family, for trusting me with these sweet memories of your Parker once again. I hope you enjoy the preview, and I hope the little guy had a fantastic birthday!! :)

Amber + Ross = LOVE :)

2010-04-08T21:37:00.011-05:00

Words cannot express the amount of joy I feel when I get to be a part of a bride's day. The excitement, the giddiness, the love in her eyes, the nervousness and anticipation....all of it is so REAL, so in-the-moment, so once-in-a-lifetime. I like that. Meet Amber and Ross. These two are absolutely adorable and absolutely made for each other. I had the privilege of photographing this amazing day for them, and I'm completely in love with them as a couple. Everything about them - they have incredible chemistry, and they were so fun to photograph! Amber has to be one of the most gorgeous brides I've ever seen, let alone photographed. She was like a dream. Although it was rainy and cold and windy and even though it looked as though nothing was going to work out right, it did. It was right. It was perfect. It was amazing. A special shout out to my fabulous assistant, Marie Hughes. Thanks a ton for your help, girl! Amber and Ross, I cannot tell you enough how honored I am to have captured these incredible moments for you. I hope these images bring back every emotion you felt in those precious moments, and I hope that they will bring tears to your eyes for many, many years to come. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Much love! :)

SENIOR SPRING SPECIAL!!

2010-03-30T08:40:00.004-05:00

Hey all! I'm so excited about senior portraits this year that I'm ready to announce my senior portrait spring special! :) From now until June 15th, any senior portrait package booked is $50 off the original price! That's a great deal! My senior portrait package includes 2-3 hours of shooting at 2 locations of your choice and tons of prints, including 48 wallets! And on top of the $50 off, each senior portrait package booked before June 15th will also receive FREE personalization on wallets!! So, book your senior portait package today to rack up on these great deals! :) I look forward to seeing you soon!

My Black and White Project with the Senn Kids!!

2010-03-28T13:13:00.008-05:00

Mom has this huge wall in her house and had this cool idea to do a black and white photo session downtown Opelika. Of course, I was thrilled! A cool, urban photo session in black and white with the cutest kids ever??!? YES, PLEASE! :) When we all met up for the session, the kids were in the cutest, brightest colors ever. So we decided we could do some in color as well. :) I had such a blast with this bunch! Enjoy the preview, guys! I really enjoyed seeing you all again. There will be plenty more to choose from, both black and white and color. And I want to come see that wall when you have it done! :)

The Sweet Cooper Kids :)

2010-03-27T14:46:00.005-05:00

I'm so glad I got to hang out with these two cuties! I've known Mom most of my life, I think, and her kids are super sweet. Baby boy is just 5 months old, and big sister just turned 3. We had a blast, and we were fortunate enough to have great weather. This is my first time photographing these sweet babies, and I look forward to doing it again someday soon. :) Enjoy your preview, Mom! It was so great to see you and capture your two cuties! I hope to see you guys again soon! :)

Sweet Family and Their BIG Pooch :)

2010-03-26T17:56:00.004-05:00

How cute are these guys!!? From the baby to the adorable pooch to the cute couple - it doesn't get any better! This little guy is the happiest 4 month old I've ever seen! He did great for me, and gave me lots of big grins and flashed those gorgeous blue eyes. I love it! Enjoy the preview, guys! I really enjoyed meeting you, and I hope to see you again real soon! :)

SUPER Fun Family!

2010-03-26T15:08:00.004-05:00

I think we've started a tradition. I'm hoping to see these guys each year in the Spring for a fun family session. :) I saw them last year, and this year was even better! Little man MUST have a cell phone picture each year, we've decided. We started that little tradition last year, and we think it will be great to see his little personality grow over the years. He's so cute, I don't even have words. And big sister is just a sweetheart. I grew up with Mom's sister, and big sister reminds me so much of her!! I really enjoy seeing how my clients change over the years, and I'm looking forward to each year with this fun family. Enjoy the preview, guys! I'm glad we went downtown, so fun!!!! :)

Sweet Avery at 3 Months...

2010-03-26T12:40:00.004-05:00

Meet sweet baby Avery. She belongs to my baby plan, which means that I have the privilege of seeing her every 3 months. It seems like just yesterday we were doing her newborn pictures! I can't believe how much she has grown in such a short period of time! She is exactly why I adore 3 month olds. She was perky and awake and happy for the first part of the session. Then Mom rocked her to sleep, and she slept peacefully for the end of the session. You get the best of both worlds - smiling, happy baby and sweet, sleepy baby. :) I hope Mom enjoys the sleepy pictures this last time because there won't be any of those at her next session! Enjoy the preview, guys! I'm so happy to be able to photograph Avery's 1st year! :)

Sweet Sisters :)

2010-03-25T16:44:00.004-05:00

These two sweeties are just precious! Big sister is soooo tiny that she and baby sister are about the same size! :) She had a hard time holding up her baby sister, but she did great. Baby sister loves the camera and was happy the entire session - I love happy babies!!! Big sister loved my wicker stroller, and I'm so glad because that ended up being one of my favorite shots from the session. I had a blast meeting your daughters, Elisha! I hope you enjoy the preview! :)

Family FUN!!

2010-03-24T16:03:00.004-05:00

Meet the Long family. I swear that beautiful parents have beautiful children. :) I had a great time with these guys on a chilly Spring morning. Despite the chilly air, the scenery was gorgeous and so were my subjects. Once little man warmed up to me some, he was a keeper. :) I've known Mom forever, and we've been planning this session for a while now. I'm so glad that it finally happened!! These guys just moved and need new pictures to decorate their walls. Perfect timing! And they will have a difficult time choosing which ones because they are all soooo cute! Enjoy the preview, guys!!! I had a great time hanging out with you!!

I Finally Met Chase :)

2010-03-23T21:29:00.003-05:00

And I adore him. He's such a sweetie! We had a blast - I think we had an entire conversation about Spiderman! I now know more about Spiderman than I ever did. :) He's such a smart little boy, knows all of his nursery rhymes, and adores him Mama. As he should, she's a great woman! I don't know if I've ever met a mom that cares so much for her little boy - he is her life, and he's worth it. Enjoy the preview! I really enjoyed hanging out with this cutie pie!! :)

Oh, Gabi.....

2010-03-22T16:17:00.004-05:00

Can I please photograph you EVERY week!!?! I mean, seriously! This little sweetie is so beautiful!!! It was unseasonably cold on the day of her session, and she braved it like a champ! She was so excited about the balloons and my new prize bucket that she was very cooperative. She did even better than I expected, and I'm so in love with these images! Gabi just celebrated her 3rd birthday. :) Enjoy your preview, guys, as much as I enjoyed taking them!!

Gorgeous Isabella Turned ONE!

2010-03-20T21:55:00.006-05:00

I'm in love with this little girl. I mean, look at her. Her gorgeous, dark curls, and those sweet faces she makes. I could eat her up. And I get to when I take her pictures! She was precious and braved the cold and wind for some adorable photos. Of course, the cupcake I gave her that morning probably helped a little. :) I saw her in the fall after she turned 6 months, and I can't believe how fast time flies! Now, she's walking around and giggling! And stealing hearts I'm sure! Enjoy your preview, Mom and Dad! It was great to see you again! :)

Awaiting Sweet Baby Boy....

2010-03-19T21:47:00.003-05:00

I adore maternity sessions! There is something so sweet and innocent about a couple's excitement about their first child. This couple is so adorable! AND so excited about their new arrival due next month! They have great chemisty and were so easy to photograph. She doesn't even look as far along as she is! I had a great time with both of you, and I hope you enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy. I wish you all the best in delivery and I can't wait to meet that little guy! Enjoy your preview! :)

What a Gorgeous Family!

2010-03-19T12:56:00.003-05:00

I love these guys! Mom and I went to school together for a while, but I haven't seen her since. And she's still as pretty as ever, and her family is absolutely gorgeous! They all looked like they should be in magazines. Of course, it helps when Mom ROCKS the outfits! :) The children were all so cooperative, and they were all so beautiful that I didn't even care if they smiled at me or not - they are just incredibly photogenic. But I was impressed with how well they listened to me. I think I may have 3 new little friends! :) And I'm sure my prize bucket gave them good motivation! Enjoy your preview, guys! I thoroughly enjoyed capturing these memories for you, and I can't wait for you to see the rest!!

Sweet Sydney.....

2010-03-16T19:40:00.004-05:00

I had the joy of meeting precious Sydney on Friday. She was almost a month old in her pictures, but you can't tell at all! She's still so tiny and sleepy! :) She was amazing for me, possibly the best newborn I've had yet. She was a wonderful, sleepy little thing, and she was so easy to pose. She didn't mind my hats or baskets or anything, she was just perfect. She's a member of my baby plan, so I'm looking forward to seeing even more of her every 3 months! :) Thanks so much, Lauren and Beau, for letting me be a part of your daughter's first year!! I hope you enjoy your preview!

Baby Gracie! :)

2010-03-16T18:36:00.004-05:00

She's here! And she was one month old yesterday. :) My sweet niece arrived the day after Valentine's Day, and I'm so glad that we live close enough now that we could go and visit her that day. She is truly a beauty, and she's sooooo sweet and precious! I took a few pictures of her in the hospital, but I went back to visit when she was just shy of 2 weeks old. Oh my goodness! She's just gorgeous! I enjoyed taking her pictures so much, and I know there will be plenty more to come! :)

Baby Gracie :)

2010-03-02T20:33:00.005-06:00

Meet the newest member of the Wilkes family. Nope, she's not mine, although she may be as beautiful as mine were when they were babies. :) She is my niece!!! And I'm in love!!!!!!! She's soooooo gorgeous and so precious, it almost makes me want another one! ;) She did so good for her first (of many) photo shoot, and I'm so thankful that I live close enough to her now to visit often. Because I can't get enough!!! Enjoy! And, trust me, there will be plenty more of her to come! :) And I really did put her in a teacup, and she really did smile that big and that much!! :)