7 minutes…

Abbey is the sole reason today why I am a wedding photographer, and probably even a photographer at all. I met Abbey almost exactly 2 years ago, but I feel like she has been in my life forever. Abbey was one of those friends that I just connected with right away. I had always had a passion for photography, since I was old enough to look at photos I loved everything about them. The image, the process in taking them, the memory that you get to hold on to forever. I was so excited to have a friend that was a successful photographer and I started picking Abbey’s brain immediately. She gave me a few quick tips, and I decided to invest in a good manual digital camera. I had shot manual in film, but never really taught myself the basics. Inspired by Abbey’s beautiful photos I jumped into the world of photography full force. I started photographing friends and their children, and then quickly grew my business with all my amazing clients. I loved what I was doing so much I didn’t want to stop there. I wanted to learn all about wedding photography. I went right to the source with Abs and she took me under her wing whole-heartedly. She invited me to second shoot a wedding with her and I was beyond hooked. I was so nervous that day, but Abbey had 100% faith in me. She gave me the confidence I needed and the support of a true friend. Abbey gave me a chance to learn from her, she taught me how she organizes weddings, how she talks with potential brides, how she designs albums, and works in photoshop. She is in every sense of the word a mentor, and a friend. In the last 2 years Abbey and I have not talked about just photography, we’ve gotten to be true friends, and its so great to have someone that just understands you. When Abbey and I shoot together we complete each others thoughts. I believe we are an awesome team, and I am such a better person for knowing her. I was so excited when Ab asked me to photograph her sweet family. I was there when she was VERY newly pregnant helping her cover a wedding amongst morning sickness and severe fatigue, and there as well when she was VERY close to delievering, again, helping her shoot a wedding, so I felt like I watched little Presley grow. Pres is the sweetest baby girl I’ve ever held. Complete with her Mommy’s curls already!!! I loved watching Abbey and Drew with Presley. While I was staying with Abbey a few weekends ago we had a late night talk, and she told me all about how amazing it was to have Presley. How her life was changed the minute she gave birth to that beauty, how she feel in love with Drew all over again when she saw him holding his baby girl when she was born. I sat there and cried at the emotion of it all. Its so amazing to watch someone love the people in their life so intensely. It also showed me exactly what I want in my future as well. They are already so entrenched in each other that its amazing to watch. Ab, thank you so much for trusting me with your families images you all mean SO much to me, and Drew (who only gave me 7 minutes to photograph them) I hope it wasn’t to painful ;-) Love yall!!!