Featured: TheKnot.com

TheKnot.com has selected one of my bride's website to be featured as one of their favorite wedding sites!!!

I am beyond excited for Stephanie and Brian! I still am kind of on cloud nine for the two of them (OK, there's no "kind of" about it- still super excited...YAY!!!)



Their site is filled with their love story, fun facts about the two of them and full of their lovely engagement session images that we did on Big Talbot Island and Amelia Island. Congratulations you two- love you both and can not wait for the wedding celebration!!!

Check out their wedding website here and their engagement session here!

Brayden's 1 Year!!!

It's been one jam packed wedding season and a while since I have shot a first birthday session so I was thrilled when Hope called me and asked if I was available for Brayden's! We discussed some simple open grassy areas and finally decided on Memorial Park ( I love the grass there!). Little Brayden was the entertainment that afternoon. He got looks from all around and just soaked up the attention. Before we even started shooting he already had us all rolling in laughter and my mouth hurt from smiling and laughing so much!

He was just a joy- always laughing and smiling with his mommy and daddy, even through outfit changes, hats and new positions...but he drew the line at taking his candy...until it was replaced with his birthday cupcake that Aunt Tiff brought :)
Wow- I can not say enough just how much fun this was...just take a look at the images and it will give you a little idea :)

This little series was so cute- he was hamming it up for mommy and daddy!

I went on a little shopping adventure to find something with the #1 that was unique and fun. Well, after searching I found nothing so... I made my own :) As I was leaving the store there was a front end candy display with the biggest lollipops ever! I knew it was perfect so I used some rainbow twizzlers to make the #1 and viola...the sweetest prop ever!!!Though the #1 did not last long...I think Brayden was pretty impressed and very satisfied :)I could not resist these last few shots...he was a mess and thank goodness there was a little water spicket near by...still smiling and playing, Brayden had even more fun in the water- and even got a little refreshing drink after all that sugar!!!

Thank you Hope, Bub and Brayden for letting me capture these wonderful memories- can't wait until next time! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAYDEN!!!

PWC Professional Headshot Special!

I am so excited to announce this special for PWC Members!!!

Since being involved with the council I have received so many requests for headshots and I wanted to be able to schedule them around a networking event so not only will it fit into everyone's schedule but it would be more fun and save everyone some money (and who doesn't like that!!!)

Appointments are now being scheduled for headshots before and after the EXCEL-erated Workshop. PWC Special is $65 and includes all edited images on a disc for personal and professional use. Also included with the headshots is a professional make up artist to ensure everyone looks and feels their absolute best in beautiful makeup by ARBONNE!

Details about the event are below- EXCEL-erated Workshops are free and are always full of great advice and tips for your business, not to mention good food, lots of fun and wonderful company- hope to see you there!

EXCEL-erated Workshop
Creating Your Business Presence
Join us this month as we learn from each other in our latest speed networking event. The focus this time will be on excellent and successful examples of a business presence so bring your ideas and business cards to learn and share the best examples you have both received and created.

Date: July 28, 2009
Time: 4:00- 5:30 pm

Location:
Make-N-Take Wines
700-9 Blanding Blvd
Orange Park, 32065 904.276.7572

RSVP & More Info:
Reserve your Headshots info@kathrynbrown.net
RSVP for the Workshop: patti@mycsmtravel.com

Day After Session: Stacie & Chris

Clouds filled the sky and provided a nice break to the streak of extremely hot weather we had been having. I arrived a little early just to have time to relax and plan the morning session…then my phone rang… “Hey, this is Chris…we are going to be a little late…” I smiled and just laughed- I told him not to worry about it at all. The weather was beautiful and I did not want Stacie to stress out about time, after all- that is the beauty of a day after session… There is no lack of excitement and beautiful memories created on the wedding day-however, there is one thing you can bet on...a lack of TIME! So often the photos are cut short after all the formals of the wedding party and family groupings that little time is given to the bride and groom themselves. Though we always make sure there is time set aside for the bride and groom to be alone, they usually wrap it up wanting more... but also are eager to get back to their guests.
When a couple schedules a day after shoot, I am so thrilled for them because not only will they have the wonderful images from their wedding day, but also a special session just for the two of them to reflect, enjoy one another and in a way relive their big day all over again...and even share it with special little friends!
We met at Atlantic beach where Chris had purposed to Stacie and had a wonderful little adventure around town together. I never get tired of hearing the love stories and incorporating special places into the sessions...it's all about preserving the memories that will live in their hearts forever :)

Hope you enjoyed the little sneak peak of Stacie and Chris rocking their day after session- aren't they just the cutest!

Stay tuned for Stacie’s trash the dress session where Dress+Ocean= AWESOME!!!
Stacie and Chris thank you again for such a wonderful morning- every time we work together it is always so much fun and such a pleasure...and did I mention FUN- I love you guys to pieces!!!

Proud To Be An American

Today marks such an important day in our countries history- one that set the stage for our place in the world and the strong foundation of what the American dream is built on. We as Americans have a fight in us that is natural, optimism that is unmatched and compassion that is unending. Though over the years a lot has changed through fashion, fads, politics and generations- but one thing remains true- The Red, White, and Blue is the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE!!!

All of us one way or another is connected to the wonderful service men and women both past and present that have dedicated their lives to our great country and defending freedom- please thank them today...pray for them, send them an email, IM, give them a phone call, blog...anything that recognizes them and gives them a little pat on the back to let them know how much we LOVE and APPRECIATE them!

God Bless the USA is not a catch phrase or words that should be said without meaning- it is an anthem that should be spoken with a smile and a heavy heart for those who have sacrificed themselves for it- the best way to honor our forefathers is to live our own American Dream...work hard, instill the deep rooted values and morals in our children, never give up, and when you are blessed (and we are ALL blessed in one way or another), give back in someway...even the small things make a difference.

Regardless of your politics, we as Americans all have a responsibility to our country and our fellow men and women- LOVE. If that one simple word was consistently in our mind and used to determine our words, actions and thoughts we would all be the better for it...so this Independence Day- thank a soldier and LOVE your family, friends and fellow Americans :)

God Bless!

God's Hand- Answered Prayers!

Yesterday was probably the toughest day for me as a mom- I had to take Hudson into the dentist for a three hour procedure and what worried me most was the sedation and overall pain he may have. Through all the anxiety and worry, I had a complete peace about it and the doctors whose care he was under. From the time I found out about him having to go back for all the work I had prayed daily. Yesterday, I asked for prayer and everyone answered with wonderful support! I want to thank everyone so VERY much- I could really feel God's hand and the worry just really subsided and the three hours just flew by.

Not only did everything go wonderfully, the doctors upgraded Hudson's fillings to the white ones without any additional fees and Hudson was back to himself after a little nap once we got back home (usually, children take the rest of the evening to get back to normal and can be groggy, irritable and in a lot of pain). Not only was this a smooth process and quick healing, he is really looking forward to going back for his check up (he was disappointed when I told him we were not going back today!).

I wanted to share all the great news because it is really, really important to give thanks for our blessings and to let everyone know that there is nothing in our lives that God does not want us to come to Him about- no matter how small or large. He is our Father and loves us and wants the best for us as His children.

I have just really began to understand that type of love through having children of my own. Quite often it is just too awesome for us to understand the expansive and unconditional love that God has for us- but when I think of it in perspective of the love of a parent- that protectiveness, watchful eye, hand out with every little step and how heartbreaking it is to see your child in pain- I get a small glimpse of only a fraction of how much God loves me (us)! Just think, if this is how much I love my children how much MORE does God love me! That is an amazing feeling and I am so thankful for Him showing his presence and love in all the areas of my life (even the things that don't go my way). I take great pleasure in knowing that He is in control- what a relief! Yesterday was just one more example!

Here are just a couple verses that have really stuck out to me lately- I am currently reading The Power of Praying Together by Stormie Omartian and it is filled with so much knowledge and encouragement (rooted in verses like these) when it comes to one of the most powerful gifts God has given us- Prayer!

If you then, being evil (human), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
- Luke 11:13

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thank you Lord, for the blessings and health of my famliy! Below are some of some of my favorite family pictures- they were taken my my good friend, Ezra. He is an awesome photographer and an even more amazing person who I am definitely blessed to have met...another example of God's hand :)
THANK YOU again for everyone who lifted Hudson up in your prayers yesterday- they were definitely heard and felt! Please, if there is ever anything you need prayer about do not hesitate to share it with someone- I personally would be more than happy to pray for you and there are so many others out there who feel the same.

Hope everyone has a safe and fantastic 4th of July- enjoy the long weekend!...and remember there is nothing too small or too large for God, talk to Him and you will begin to see his hand in all the areas of your life! Trust Him and be Thankful!!!

A Child's Smile- What Every Mom Needs to Know

I have wrestled with whether to blog about this or not but have finally decided to share just for the chance to save one mom and child from having to experience the same thing...

Last week was Hudson's first trip to the dentist- he's 3 1/2. What we hoped would just be a little introduction and a simple check up quickly turned into a parent's worst nightmare. Besides the typical shyness and uncomfortable X-rays Hudson was a champ and was a great patient for his doctor, but the bad news was we had to come back- SOON...Not good!

Tears streamed down my face as the doctor explained what needed to be done to Hudson's teeth to stop any additional damage. As I looked at the computer with the chart of his little teeth and saw all of the fillings and crowns I almost tuned every word out as I began to think to myself why did I wait this long to take him, could I have done something different, this is all my fault...

You see, we had always kept a very close eye on Hud's teeth. His first ones that came in were a little discolored on the bottom and when we asked dental professionals and pediatricians about it they said it was fine that sometimes that happens and could have been bruised before they came it. This made sense to us because when he was just pulling up on anything he could he bumped his mouth on the coffee table (really hard). So, we left it at that, brushed his teeth with the children's tooth paste with fluoride and went on with life.

Then, a couple of months ago when we were brushing his teeth we noticed something just did not look right- there were deep holes that food kept getting stuck in that were not smooth like a tooth usually is and the week that we took him in he had been complaining that his teeth hurt and they were cold.
All of these signs, ignored...I felt was my fault for not seeing there was a real problem to begin with that was evident when his first teeth came in. After calming down and the doctor explaining to me that what was going on with Hudson's teeth is a combination of many factors- genetics, antibiotics taken when he was younger, lack of fluoride (we have well water), etc. This all made sense to me but I still could not get over what they shared with me next...children should have their first visit with the dentist after their FIRST Birthday. That crushed me- everyone I talked to (dental professionals, pediatricians and even read online) advised to schedule their first appointment when they turned 3 years old.

Even now, I still wish that I had just ignored what everyone told me and just went with my gut and taken him in. Two years would have made a huge difference with the health of his teeth- and even though they are only baby teeth, his permanent teeth are developing right now and that could have been two more years he could have been taking the fluoride supplements and developed healthier, stronger teeth. He will have these teeth for the rest of his life- so it's kind of REALLY important!

Tomorrow morning we go in for 3 crowns, 5 fillings and they are cosmetically correcting his front 2 side teeth- all of which just blows me away. I have went my entire life on well water, without any fluoride supplements and have only had one cavity- so, that is a lot for a little boy to have to go through. In total they will work on him for about 3 hours. He will be sedated, but not through an I.V. (which was nice to hear). The procedure is done through a little medicine that is mixed in a drink to relax him and then they will give him just a little gas. He is constantly monitored and conscious the whole time- but I am still scared to death!!! It is neither something that I am looking forward to nor an experience I want him to have. I can only pray that maybe somehow this information will help someone out there avoid something similar happening to them and their little one.

To recap...MOM's PLEASE REMEMBER:
1. Make your child's first dental appointment after their 1st Birthday.
2. Ask about the need for fluoride supplements if you are on well water.
3. Pay attention to the antibiotics- ask about any affects it may have on developing teeth.
4. Follow your gut!
For those of you reading this- please pray for Hudson tomorrow morning (we go in at 8am) for a simple and easy procedure and for healing so he can get back to being a 3yr. old :) I know and trust that God's hand is over Hudson but would really appreciate any additional prayers and support that you can offer- thank you so much!

Also, please share this with any mom that you know- whether they are expecting, have a little one or maybe not a mom yet...just may be planning to have a baby soon.