Besties.

Got each other’s backs.

Always have.

All a girl needs is one true blue.

The apples and the trees.

Have I mentioned? . . . .I love my life:)

I have a rich history with this one. On its pages live the night that I did house laps with her on my hip . . .  she screamed so loud the whole time, the neighbors knocked on the door to check on our safety. I was 38 weeks pregnant at the time with my first baby. oh, the terror.

On its other pages live the kindergarten Christmas pageant . . . the one where Rachel stood on the front step, oblivious to the singing happening around her, but participated in her own little production, dancing and lifting her dress to her waist.

But here’s what I know. She’s a smart cookie. She’s read all of Austen, Rivers, Kingsbury, and the like.

She has BIG dreams. And she’s not afraid to take the steps to bring them to fruition, with a trust in Jesus that allows her to soar without a safety net.

On stage, she’s MAGIC. One of the few people that makes me laugh so hard I cry.

She’s Giselle. You know, from Enchanted . . . the way that she sees the best in her peeps, embraces life, and turn lemons in limoncello cheesecake.

She’s my girl. Well, she’s my beautiful sister’s girl, but Nance and I have always kinda shared identities, so she’s MY girl.

She’s a girl after my own heart. She wants to be an English teacher, loves to sing and plays a mean game of soccer. She loves middle school aged kids, loves her brothers and loves God. Kayla’s the beautiful daughter of my dear friend from high school, Vicki Becker (nee Orndoff). Vicki and her man, Greg, met on vacation, fell in love and never looked back. Kayla is the eldest of their three children. And Kayla has the same mischievous spirit that her mom did in high school. I see it in her eyes and in those big dreams.

Kayla will be a senior in Bridgewater, Virginia this fall.

You are beautiful Kayla. I’ll tell you every time I see you.  oxox

During our senior session, I asked her to wipe that smile right off her face. So gorgeous.

We went to Rachel’s family’s vacation home in historic Glyndon for her senior shoot. Five minutes from my studio and I never knew it was there, tucked back in among the old, huge summer homes that line the streets, this little old Methodist church camp/ hotel is like a village plucked out of the turn of the century. I fell in love. I seriously want to move there- for real.

My favorite part of the evening? Watching Rachel and her big sis, Kristen play. They definitely have each other’s backs.

How’s that for Americana? Beautiful.

His thought process is razor sharp . . . he’ll go far. That’s why I’m so glad that he balances it all out with his fishing rod and a peaceful spot. I have a feeling that time will become gold to him as time presses forward.

It was fun with Andrew. Only one of us went into the water that day. And we both laughed. Hard.

He works two jobs, reads primary sources for fun, and dreams of working for Pixar . . . after all, somebody’s gotta do it! He’s  is one of those guys who knows who he is and lives out his days at full throttle. He’s a gem, that Nathan.

I always LOVE to capture a mother/ son shot at the end of a senior session. I think the way a guy interacts with his mom says an awful lot about who he is at his core. This guy’s a winner.

Cory kinda grew up. Now he’s into football, fitness and his shiny Soul. Still the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet . . . with  hope in his eyes of dreams on down the road. . . a Hokie engineer. . . and he’s got the keys to get there.

Code name . . . Demon.

View Cory’s entire gallery here.