Rachel & Jeffrey {Engaged}

These two have known each other basically their whole lives. Rachel had been friends with Jeffrey's sister throughout the years growing up. The two had always known each other but thoughts of them dating weren't even in their minds. Life went on and they both went off to college.. coincidentally, the same college. So there it was.. they ran into each other on campus and it was love at first... i mean second, third?.. sight :) Adorable, right?

I was along for the ride on this session with my mentor, Jennifer Brown. We went to Blowing Rock, NC and it was a BLAST :) Even though I've lived in NC for almost 5 years now, I still haven't seen much of the state. So this was my first time going to the mountains.. it was absolutely gorgeous! I would be wayyy to scared to live and drive around the everyday, but it is a beautiful place to visit. Here are some pictures from the day...

 

 Oh, hey there Jennifer! Don't fall :)

I really love this.. :)

Congrats, you two :)



Happy Birthday, Luke!

This little guy seriously can just make your heart melt with one giggle! Yesterday was his 1st birthday and we celebrated with some cake and pictures :) Most of the cake ended up on the wall, but that okay cause it was still really yummy. Wanna hear something really awesome??? Luke took his first steps while we were in the middle of our session. He just got up and started chasing the cat! Crazy right?! I'm so happy that I was able to get his first steps on camera for his Momma! Here are some pictures from the day.. it's totally normal if you have the urge to hug your computer while looking at these ;)

Look at that bellyyyy! :)

 Mmmm...

                       I really just couldn't resist taking this picture after his bath.. SO flippin' adorable!

Okay, really, how much cuter do they come?!

Happy Birthday, Little Man! {Sneak Peek}

Today, I had a session for this little guy's 1st birthday! Here's just a little sneak peek for now.. I couldn't resist :)

I love my family

So Hugo and I just got home from our 12 hour drive back from New York. Most people know that I'm from Long Island and moved to North Carolina when I was 16. Let me tell you, moving when you're 16, about to be a junior in high school, leaving the best friends in the world and a new boyfriend... was the WORST thing that could have possibly happened to me. I was certain my partents were out to ruin my life. Of course I was sad about leaving my family, but at 16 I wasn't really thinking about that as much as I should. 

Now, almost 5 years later.. I realize that my parents weren't really out to ruin my life, but they were actually making my life a heck of a lot better for me and my sisters. I wish I could go back in time to all the visits I made to New York within the first 3 years I was gone, and instead of spending every waking moment with my old boyfriend, I would just chill with my Nonna and watch the game show network.. (Seriously, coolest Grandma ever!)

Hugo and I have been saving our change in a jar in his apartment since we started dating, a year and a half ago. We decided we were going to use that money for gas to visit my family. He has met everyone else in my family except, for the CRAZY Italians. I knew he would have to meet them to get to know me completely. So we made the trip, and I'm so glad that we did. I got to see almost everyone in the short two days that we were there. Even though my family is loud, crazy, and dramatic I wouldn't trade them for anything. Hugo loved them and they loved him back, which just made me love him more =) Now that I can only visit about once a year and I want to spend as much time as humanly possible with my grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. And, of course I loved seeing my friends, too! 

Although I didn't take enough pictures as I should have.. I got a few with the trusty iPhone :)

My Nonno... he is seriously a HAM!

My Beautiful Nonna!

 And Hugo snapped a picture of me and my baby cousin, Sarah. It's so fun to watch her grow up.. especially when I only get to see her around every 6 months. She changes so much every time! She had me laughing to the point of tears when we were playing tea party. Funny little girl! I'm pretty sure she gets it from me ;)

p.s- LuLu, I think you are the last one the needs to meet Hugo to make it complete! Aka, get your butt to North Carolina!! :) I love you!

The Schattner's {Family Portraits}

First, I have to start by saying working with Fusion Photography has been great. The experience I get, like working with this awesome family, is priceless.

Now, have you ever seen a family with such amazing blue eyes?! I sure haven't. At first Lauren (the youngest) wasn't really quite in the mood for having her picture taken, but once she saw that I had bubbles for her she was one happy little girl. Julia, however was a complete natural when it came to showing that beautiful smile and laughing it up (by the way, best name ever!) This session was so much fun, especially because Christine and Steve were so calm and fun to be around.

Julia:

Lauren:

This little one has a modeling career ahead of her!

Between their super gorgeous mom and handsome dad, it's no wonder these kids are so freakin' cute!

Definitely Daddy's girls :)

Thank you Christine and Steve for being so genuine and kind and for having the most beautiful babies to photograph!

:)

Meet the Schattner Family {Sneak Peek}

Can you say precious family or what?! So excited to post more from this session later! For now, here's a little teaser ;)

Abby turns 1!

Abby's mama, Olivia, is a good friend of mine from work at the restaurant. It seriously seems like I was just at her baby shower like two weeks ago, tops. Crazy how time flies and Abigal is turning 1 is just a few days! We have been trying to plan this little session for weeks now but with our schedules it was getting a little crazy. This shoot was really just spur of the moment because she had gotten the day off due to the CRAZY thunderstorm we had the night before. Abigal's daycare actually lost their power.. good news for us! We just did a quick session at their house. It's always a good day when you get the hangout with an adorable baby and her awesome mama :)

    

Leave Abby some love on the blog :)