I just love photographing babies! The sweet little details are my pride and joy and absolute favorite to capture. However, Maternity Sessions are a close second. I love helping mom feel beautiful and capture the memories of that special bond with baby.

Lindsey included her other three kids in this session and it turned out just perfect. I’ve been photographing this beautiful family for a couple of years now but this is the first time since meeting them that I’ll get to do Maternity and Newborn photos. I am SO excited :)

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The lighting was absolutely gorgeous this evening and the weather cooperated so we were able to linger. Mom was absolutely glowing.

The kiddos were cooperating beautifully and they coordinated with mom so well! We took advantage of the good moods, the great lighting, and the adorable outfits and got some sibling shots!

Thanks Lindsey and family for letting me capture your sweet family!

XOXO

Nicole

Photos with the bunnies are always so much fun! I can’t wait to continue the tradition March 26-28.

Over half of the spots have been booked so if you are interested in Spring Minis, you can BOOK NOW

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March 26 - Studio Spring Minis $100 (Pelzer, SC)

March 27 - Spring Minis in Williamston, SC $100

March 28 - Spring Minis in Greenville, SC $100

A $25 deposit is required to book any spot.

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Some people never truly understand what it is like to have a family member to serve in the US Military. There are so many sacrifices both from those who have been deployed to those staying at home. My dear friends, the Arroyo’s, just wrapped up what they might describe as the longest, hardest, most trying 9 months of their married lives.

Nathan would travel to Syria where he was planned to stay until January 2020. Nikki would still be at home - working, taking care of their twins, keeping up the house, and now to their delighted surprise be growing the newest Arroyo in her womb. God’s timing is never wrong and this is something that this family needed. A growing surprise to keep Nikki and the girls excited and to keep Nathan even more motivated to stay safe.

But, that didn’t mean it would make it easy. Not being together during this exciting time was hard on everyone. Especially since Nathan’s leave was denied to come home for the birth of baby Adriana.

But again, God’s timing is always perfect. With the help of their wonderful OB, Dr. Drake, Nathan had the absolute best surprise for his family.

November 14: Nikki’s C-Section is planned for Nov. 18 but she is having contractions. The doctors want to go ahead and schedule her C-Section for noon that Thursday. But, Nikki is unable to contact Nathan to tell him the news and has a feeling of uneasiness about proceeding with this plan without talking with her husband first. So, she opts to try for a VBAC (natural birth after having a cesarean with their twin girls). So, around 7pm she heads to the hospital with more severe contractions. She still isn’t able to contact Nathan.

With the help of their dear friend, CJ, Nathan is being picked up at the airport around 6pm. He turns his phone on to numerous messages from Niikki about going into labor so they head to the hospital (not his original plan but remember God’s timing is perfect). Nathan ended up being granted leave and wanted to surprise his entire family by arriving home in time for the scheduled C-Section. Little did he know he would be able to witness something even greater.

I received the news from Nikki that evening of Nov. 14 that she was trying for the VBAC so I packed my camera and gear and headed for the long night at the hospital. And WOW, y’all I’ve never cried so many happy tears over another families birth like I did that within that 24 hours.

Nathan walking in to surprise his wife who is in labor was all God’s timing. It was magical, glorious, and so inspiring. We all prayed so many times, thanking God for this gift and His timing.

And the tears kept coming. She delivered a little after 4am on November 15 and with no sleep I met Nathan at 8am at the girls elementary school. The school was so wonderful, they set up a fake event to get every student into the gym. Their principal even did a fake contest so that he could get a few select students up to the front (including their twin girls). When Nathan came through the doors, EVERYONE was screaming, crying, hugging, and just simply in tears over this wonderful homecoming. And those girls just rushed to his open arms and did not want to let go of their daddy.

I told myself not to cry while writing this but I just can’t help it. This story is something that is out of our control and yet managed to be the best day for this family.

And it just kept getting better. After the school surprise, Nathan headed to the hospital with the girls to surprise one more special person - his Mom! She had been keeping the girls while Nikki was in labor and had no idea her son was home. So que more tears, more hugging, and more love :)

It was a perfect day with zero sleep for everyone involved that ended with the SWEETEST new baby being brought into a world where God does love us, He cherishes us, He listens to us, and He knows our deepest needs and desires, and HE has the absolute most perfect timing.

Meet Adriana :)

A few months ago Set the Date Events teamed up with Eva Higgins Photography for an Engagement Giveaway Session + Shower Giveaway! Yesterday, we had the pleasure of working with the winning couple (Lindsey + Daniel) on their Harry Potter themed shower. It was tons of fun (especially for this HP loving photographer) and Catherine did an amazing job with the decor.

Special Credits to:

Planner/Decor: Catherine with Set the Date Events

Photographer: Eva Higgins Photography

Venue: Wilson Family Farm (Honea Path, SC)

Cake: Hellow Sweetness B&G

Caterer: Jeff Morris from Flat Rock BBQ

I love all the different venues I get to visit for weddings but this wedding at the Bride’s parents house was so beautiful and her family did an amazing job creating the perfect spot for Cassie & Matthew. It literally rained up until the very moment the ceremony started and then not another drop came from the sky. Instead, love poured all around them as they said, “I Do” to a lifetime of serving God in their marriage.

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature,that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

-Genesis 2:18-24-

Congratulations Kaitlyn + Dylan! Yesterday called for tornadoes, hail, lots of rain, and big gusts of wind - but that most definitely didn’t stop us. The storms didn’t come (just a little rain and wind) and instead the area was filled with love, laughter, and dancing.

And…I’m so excited to share with you Kaitlyn’s Bridal Session :)

These last few weeks where the rainfall has DRAMATICALLY been reduced has been soooo good for my heart (and sanity). Mamas, you know how hard it is to keep kids entertained when having to stay indoors for days upon days. But, we’ve been able to play outside, run around, and just have some fun :)

And, look at these gorgeous peach trees blooming - if that doesn’t shout, “SPRING!” then I don’t know what does :)

I’ve received so many messages and calls from my Mommy-To-Be’s that they welcomed their sweet babies this week. And it just reminds me how precious the gift of a baby is.

We were gifted the most precious of them all with the birth of Jesus. One day is not enough to celebrate that glorious gift. Each day is a blessing that we can use to give thanks, to be kind, and to show love - the same love that was shown to us all those many years ago.

Whew…these past few weeks have been nothing short of CRAZY! But, I’m so enjoying the Christmas cards in the mail that are filled with the photos we took together.

Christmas Eve is just TEN days away…where did 2018 go?!

Whitney and Samuel, this gift does not come from me. This gift comes from above and I am just the one behind the lens.

As we count down to your September 2019 wedding, I can’t wait to get to know you more and share in this gift He has given us all.

Congratulations on winning the 2019 Wedding Photography Giveaway!

(Photo provided by Whitney and Samuel - taken by family friend)

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

975 days…that is quite a long time. And that is exactly how long this precious family waited until they could officially make Emma a “Lamb.”

The courtroom today was filled with smiles, happy tears, children laughing, and the judge making the announcement that everyone waited for since the moment Emma was placed in their home, the only home she’s ever known.

I consider it an absolute privileged to work with MY foster families and this is the absolute best part of it. I can finally share with you the amazing photos that we’ve captured of sweet Emma over the last 975 days!

I was counting down the days for sweet Solomon to arrive. You see, he would have been my first birth session. But, he had his own plans - a plan that involved barely making it to the hospital parking lot in time to be born!

This morning was much more simple. All we needed was a quilt and a field. And oh my, these two boys just melted my heart! How I love simple mornings :)

First, can we talk about how gorgeous this Mama-to-be is?!

And then you see her absolutely adorable family and this maternity session just has all the heart eyes!

We had an early morning session today and it finally feels like Fall!!! As I’m typing this I’m thinking about the sweaters, boots, and scarves I’m going to wear this week and how wonderful Fall Minis are going to be tomorrow :) But, first…let’s just look at this adorable family and how wonderful this morning was.

A fun, first birthday celebration in the studio :)

I get asked the same question all the time, "Are you a stay at home mom?"  And honestly, I don't know how to answer that.  Because yes, I stay at home quite a bit with my boys.  But, is it really "work" when the other part of my days are spent with precious faces like this? 

It's a momma singing songs about the Lord
It's a daddy spending family time that the world said he cannot afford
These simple moments change the world
It's a pastor at a tiny little Church
Forty years of loving for the broken and the hurt
These simple moments change the world

Dream small
Don't bother like you've gotta do it all
Just let Jesus use you where you are
One day at a time
Live well
Loving God and others as yourself
Find little ways where only you can help
With His great love
A tiny rock can make a giant fall
Dream small

It's visiting the widow down the street
Or dancing on a Friday with your friend with special needs
These simple moments change the world
Of course, there's nothing wrong with bigger dreams
Just don't miss the minutes on your way, your bigger things
'Cause these simple moments change the world

But dream small
Don't bother like you've gotta do it all
Just let Jesus use you where you are
One day at a time
Live well
Loving God and others as yourself
Find little ways where only you can help
With His great love
A tiny rock can make a giant fall
So dream small

Keep loving, keep serving
Keep listening, keep learning
Keep praying, keep hoping
Keep seeking, keep searching
Out of these small things and watch them grow bigger
The God who does all things makes oceans... from river

But dream small
Don't bother like you've gotta do it all
Just let Jesus use you where you are
One day at a time
Live well
Loving God and others as yourself
Find little ways where only you can help
With His great love
A tiny rock can make a giant fall....
Yeah, five loaves and two fish's could feed them all
So dream small
Dream small

Song: Dream Small by Josh Wilson