Nervous about how she would look, Anna, a young dancer, entered our studio quietly. It was easy to see that she was special. In moments, she eased into herself. When Anna put on her first leotard and her instructor, Kay of Juxtaposition Studios, began coaching her through her first pose, she unfolded. Her elegance and spunk perfectly balanced. She was giggling in one breath and gracefully flowing in the next. She was beautiful to watch. People like Anna, who you know have had to face obstacles, posess a quiet strength; a resilience that makes them shine from a deeper part of their soul. She's proof that you can overcome and, even in her initial nervousness, you could see she had a this beauty.

"Dance is a poem where every movement is a word."

Pop into our Winston Salem, NC studio for Anna's dance portrait experience.

She had absolutely no idea what she was walking into. Her mom had kept this secret for a month and a half and the only part she knew was that she was getting to spend her birthday at home. Then, she was informed of a surprise outing - still having no clues as to where she was going, what she was doing, why she wasn't allowed to wear makeup. Meanwhile, Kirby and I were eagerly awaiting at the studio. The balloons were out, streamers ready, tiaras on with a temperamental banner and a lighter at the ready to light the candles on Bela's birthday cupcakes at the last minute. I was holding my breath, giddy with excitement. 

Bela walked in, puzzled and a bit shy. She blew out her cupcake and we explained that her mom had gifted her with a glamour experience. She would get to pick out her favorite gowns, choose her favorite makeup looks and jam out to her favorite soundtrack (Taylor Swift!).

A compassionate and gentle young girl, Bela decided she wanted a soft, yet glamorous look, choosing light pinks and a soft smokey eye to match her grey tulle, sparkling rose gold, pink lace and seafoam gown selections. She ate her Hershey's cupcake while her hair was being curled and talked about her school, fluency in sign language and family stories as her makeup was being completed. 

Stacey, Bela's mom, sat in our gold french lounge chaise soaking in every moment. Her smile and eyes radiant with her love and pride for Bela. Softly "You take a deep breath and you walk through the doors. It's the morning of your very first day" When Taylor Swift's "15" song came on, we soaked in the words for a quiet moment, emotions building until Stacey let out the sweetest "awe!" Bela may have been a bit embarrassed by all of us getting a bit teary eyed over how precious she is and the perfect timing of this song. 


Step into the studio with us on an exciting day - Bela's Birthday! Unbeknownst to Bela, her mother surprised her with a day off school and a glamour experience with us. Complete with Bela's favorite candy, streamers, cupcakes and a Taylor Swift soundtrack, we had a blast! 

"I grew up around horses at my uncle and aunt's farm. I've was on a horse at age 3," Jennifer said with growing excitement as we schemed our next portrait experience together. As luck would have it, I'd recently connected with an incredible local barn just outside of Winston-Salem, NC that runs as a rescue for farm animals and does riding lessons for anyone interested in the equestrian life. True Heart Farms was going to be the perfect fit!

After one rain reschedule, we drove down the heavily wooded gravel path, strands of hair sticking to our faces as the muggy 87 degree day hovered over us. Even at 7pm, we had sweat dripping. You'd never know it, though, because Jennifer looks pristine in her portraits! 

Luxe and Grey were the two horses we got to know and work with, trained by Grand World Champion Becca Hart. Seventeen hand Luxe towered over all of us. If you're not familiar with how big that is, just know that I'm 5'4" and his shoulders were right at my head level. So, he was BIG! He was as gentle as he was large, though, enjoying chomping on the grass and looking majestic no matter which way he turned. Jennifer, undaunted by his size, lead him around as I walked through posing with her and worked with Becca and her mom, Tanya, to get Luxe into the ideal position. Then came two year old Grey, a spunky little horse with a lot of heart and a lovable camera personality and, man, were he and Jennifer gorgeous as the golden sunset shone on them!

Despite the heat, the mugginess, the bugs and getting to know two new animals and all the quirks that go with those elements, this session was beyond perfect!! Check out some of our favorite portraits below!

"Florida Born. Georgia Raised. North Carolina Livin'," Kate proudly declared. A country girl through and through, we immediately knew that some place with a field, capturing the essence of a Carolina summer would be a perfect fit for her portrait session. Check out the fun we had!