Ballet has always held a special place in my heart. I took my first class when I was around three years old and it was love at first plie. One of my earliest memories of ballet class is of me and my classmates sitting on the floor, legs stretched out before us and listening to “Miss Sue” call out in her lovely British accent, “point and flex, point and flex” as we warmed up our feet. At the end of class, we would exit the studio in a single file line, each one of us pausing to curtsy to “Miss Sue” on our way out the door and hoping for a chance to wear her tiara, which was…

I first got into photography 12 years ago this summer. That seems so long ago when I say it, but in many ways it feels like that time went by in the blink of an eye. As a new photographer, I took every chance I had to practice the techniques I had learned in the photography classes I took in college. In many ways, it was trial and error. I was trying to still learn what the heck f-stop, shutter speed and ISO meant, but I was mostly concerned with making sure my shots were actually in focus. I didn’t have a digital SLR back then, so…

I would describe my photography style as light and airy, but when I’m doing editorial shoots I’m often given a vision by the editorial team that I need to help create. I like a challenge and trying new things, so I always get excited when they bring me a new idea.

For this shoot they wanted to focus on recipes that have stood the test of time…think of your great, great, great grandmother’s recipes, but of course there would be a modern twist.

Ten years of marriage is definitely something to celebrate and Toni and Ashton certainly celebrated in style. When Toni told me before the session that they would be staying at The Battle House hotel and having dinner there the evening of their anniversary to celebrate, I was so excited for them. The Battle House just has that special occasion feel to it and it is the perfect location for an anniversary session!

I love when I get to work with family friends. What I love even more is when they ask me to be in on a surprise! I love surprises! Well, at least I love being in on the planning of a surprise. 😉

When Traci contacted me about photographing a surprise anniversary party for her mother-in-law and father-in-law who are celebrating 50 years of marriage this year, it reminded me of