Bostics : Family | {Kingsport TN Family Photography}

Catch-up post:  ... a look back at this sweet family of five

Maitlands : Family | 11.1.13 {Kingsport TN Family Photography}

Remember this sweet family??  Tiffany wanted updated family pictures for Christmas cards now that Rylee has started smiling and become really expressive.  Unfortunately, Miss Rylee wasn't feeling 100% on the day these were taken and was pretty stingy with the sweet smiles I had seen filling Tiffany's Instagram feed for a few weeks.  I still love the shots we were able to get and couldn't have asked for a prettier day.

**side note** : Due to the fact that I am a couple months behind on posting, I can tell you that you won't want to miss an upcoming post on Rylee's 6 month photo session.  She gave us an abundance of sweet smiles!  I can't wait to share the preciousness!  But for now, enjoy the family "Christmas" pictures. 

Paces : Family |10.28.13 {Kingsport TN Family Photography}

If you read the post with Alyssa's Senior pictures you saw me write about my photographer friend Carey.  As a photographer I know what it is like to have an abundance of wonderful pictures of your own children, but a lack of pictures that include YOU.  I have learned soooo much from Carey and will forever be grateful for the time she has taken to mentor me.  She has a true gift of capturing REAL life and genuine expressions.  I am not going to lie, taking pictures of her family made me nervous.  I put a lot of pressure on myself to provide her with the "real" them that I know she loves.  I am still learning the "lifestyle" style of photography that she does so well.  They were the perfect family to practice on.  While we did several poses, they are so relaxed and natural.  You can't help but feel joy when you watch them interact.

** side note: How blessed am I to have the opportunity to photograph so many kids with AMAZING eyes?!

McNeal : Family | 8.31.13 ... {Kingsport TN Family Photography}

Stacey is my 2nd cousin on my Mom's side of the family.  Being the oldest in my immediate family (and an only child for nearly 5 years) cousins played a major role in my childhood.  I have such fond memories of growing up and vacationing with Stacey and her younger brother Ronnie. 

The picture below is from the summer of 1985.  I am on the bottom right, and Stacey is on the top right.  Ronnie (who is actually closer to my age) is beside me.  Crystal (my mother's youngest sister) and Angela (Ronnie and Stacey's older sister) are a few years older than us and are beside Stacey.

Now, nearly 30 years later, Stacey is married to Chris and they have two beautiful girls, Alexis (13) and Raegan (3).  I was thrilled to be able to meet up with them while we were in North Carolina for Labor Day weekend.  Alexis is a complete natural in front of the camera, and has matured into quite the lovely young lady.  Raegan took a little longer to warm up, but once she did, she had an abundance of personality.  She is absolutely adorable!  You can't tell from the pictures, but Chris showed up to the park with crutches. He hurt himself playing softball after we scheduled pictures, but was such a trooper.

Taylor Family : Noah Edwin is 1 month old | 8.25.13 ... {Kingsport TN Family Photography}

Noah Edwin joined the blended Taylor family on July 17th, 2013.  Leann spent the first month of little Noah's life in Nashville with her parents while Doug traveled back and forth spending as much time with them as possible.  She came home when Noah was around 5 weeks old and had already taken LOTS of pictures of just HIM.  She called me to schedule a session that focused more on them as a family and big brother Zack.  I had not seen Zack since Doug and Leann's wedding and was floored at how much he had grown!  He told me that school was going well and he was really enjoying being a big brother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bostic Family of 5 : 4.7.12 .. {Kingsport TN Family Photography}

Back in October I did a post titled "Waiting on Malcom" that featured this lovely family.  They welcomed Malcom not long after our session and I couldn't wait to meet him!  Jessie let me know almost immediately that she wanted to have family pictures taken, but wanted to wait until Malcom was sitting up and smiling.  He was just over 5 months old when we met at the same lovely location in NC as before.  Malcom is the perfect addition to Laraya and Cassius ... serious GORGEOUS children!  Jessie confessed that she didn't have a single family picture of all 5 of them together ... other than one from the hospital when Malcom was born, that she didn't really like. ... but let's be honest, what mother out there loves the pictures of themselves while still in the hospital after delivering a baby??

I wanted to share the post Jessie put on Facebook after she received these pictures.  Comments like hers are what make this job so rewarding!

"Oh my gosh, I am in tears looking at the beautiful pictures that Stephanie Johnson did of my family...Thank you five million times...you out did yourself this time!!"

Derek and Jessie, congratulations on a beautiful family!