MAY…oh how we love you!

May 9, 2018                                                                                      Charlotte, NC

 

I think it’s finally safe to say the words…IT’S SPRING!! The beautiful sunshine and warm/hot temps are here for good now!! Yippee!!!! We have all been waiting for this! Especially all of us that work outside, and really don’t enjoy the whole “April showers” thing! Anyways- cheers! With that being said, I’ve been SWAMPED with sessions!! Gorgeous families and kiddies and landscapes, oh my. I hate to hold out sharing with all of you, so in no great order- here are a few moments I’ve gathered this month! (below)

Also- a little housekeeping is hopefully coming along too. *Game plan- update my blog and website. Pray that it actually happens.

Lastly- when I emotionally can handle it, I will share with you all lots and lots of incredible images & memories of my favorite best buddy that passed away a week ago. Cooper was almost 14 years old and we had to say goodbye. He was the most loved and adored french bulldog on the earth. I am 100% sure I’ll never get over him (yes, tears flowing fast even now as I type this) but I hope soon I can honor him on here so you all get a little taste of how special he was to us.

ok.

now for the beautiful people. xx

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First Day of Spring!

North Carolina has handed up hot sunny days and snow all in the same exact week. WHAT is going on?! I am so pumped to say Happy First Day of Spring. I hope NC gets the memo too.

I wanted to give you all a quick update on our Momtog Photography class from this past weekend. Mind blown. I didn’t know exactly what to expect with this first class but it was magical. I keep thinking back to the first time I picked up my first DSLR, and how I was completely lost. What I would’ve given to have a class like this at my finger tips. All the tricks and simple ways of learning the basics so we can actually capture our kids in decent photos. I think everyone learned a ton and had a blast while doing so. Shooting one on one with each photographer/momtog was key in my opinion. Hands on and VERY eye opening for all of us. I’ll share some photos at the end of some of the girls in action! 🙂

In other news, lots of babies are being born and lots of spring sessions are happening over here. Here are a few fun moments from the past week!! Hope you enjoy!!

 

The Graves Family added a new member to their tribe late last year, sweet lil Olivia- and I was honored to come to their home and capture some fun, real-life moments!! We had such a great time!DSC_1678 copy copy

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Then I spent time with the precious Lozeau Family in uptown Charlotte- and we danced and played in the rain!! We did get some “dry” moments too, but it was a blast either way! Their little man, Julian was such a sweet boy! I hope you enjoy a few of their memories!!

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and lastly…a few pics from our momtog class! 🙂

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Some personal FUN!

2 days in a row?! Now this is a big deal.

All you moms out there know how hard it is to get 3 minutes to your self. Especially when you start your day with two babies in your bed. (aka- who sleeps?!) But here I am- showered, dressed (well sort of. as long as pjs count), fed and sitting alone with my second (reheated twice) coffee actually blogging and emailing and editing away.  It’s a big deal.

I am planning on keeping things simple around here. (I write like I talk. Those of you that know me, know this.) But I do want to share a few pics of my people with you guys. Isla Drew turned ONE. WHOA. I have 5 kids now and 0 babies. That hurts. I still want 100000 babies. Which I thought that feeling was suppose to go away once you were done having kiddies. Nope. Anyways, she’s awesome and loving and silly and truly a gift. Funniest little unicorn you ever did see. She adores her brothers and they are obsessed with her. She fits right into their crazy, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Some of our sweet friends and family are in these photos as well. Life is so precious, I want to remember every moment. And every loved one.

Oh and some exciting news…my good friend Jessy (fab photog) and I are hosting our very first Photog Mama Photography class in a little over a week. I can’t wait to share all the fun with you guys. ❤

ok Happy Thursday beautiful friends!! xx

Birthday

Isla and Goldie living their best lives. ❤ rocking their matching Rags! (www.rags.com)DSC_0488 copyDSC_0491 copy cropDSC_0603 copyDSC_0579 copy

My niece, Kinsley celebrating her 6 month birthday with us. DSC_0426 copyDSC_0374 copyDSC_0459 copyDSC_0415 copyDSC_0298 copyDSC_0269 copy

our person. Auntie Kendyl. She gets all the love & heart eyes!!!DSC_8752 copy

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Isla is ONE and Veda is TWO! BFFs for life. (they didn’t get a choice)DSC_8578 copyDSC_8617 copyDSC_8648 copyDSC_8655 copy

You guys…Shades kids clothing line is dreamy.   http://www.shadeskids.comDSC_9601 copyDSC_9757 copyDSC_9973 copyDSC_9850 copy

Look, I’m back!

Oh look who it is– AGAIN!!! I bet you’re as shocked as me! Baby Isla is napping and my wild man, Beck is at preschool probably torturing his precious teachers with face licks! Life is sweet! ❤ This North Carolina weather has been so crazy lately and we have been so ready to start spring sessions with beautiful flowers! Here are a few gorgeous sessions from the past few weeks. Enjoy!!

 

Little Miss Kayleigh – ONE is so wonderful ❤

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Newborn Merritt

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It’s that time.

Davidson, NC                                                      {family photography} {child photography} {newborn photography}

 

It’s that time again. Time to share some of my recent beauties with all of you. I wish I was better with this, but I’m not.  We have had a super busy Spring so far and I have a feeling it isn’t going to slow down anytime soon! Maybe in July we will get a minute of chill time in front of the pool. But until then…we work.

Since I usually offer mini sessions only in the fall, I decided to offer a few weekends of minis this spring as well. (due to popular demand) Weekends have been slammed with gorgeous families and babies and I can’t complain! Plus the weather is starting to show it’s love again!

Everyday my coffee tastes as amazing as the day before…it reminds me of how my photography is to me. I love capturing friends, family and change everyday. It always tastes good. Each day there is a new story to tell. I love it best when I spend time with long-time clients and they express how they adore looking back through the years of photos I’ve captured. Their lives have changed, and so has mine. All in front of the camera. ❤

Ok enough rambling…no one has time for my babbling emotions. Check below for some fabulous people. That is all.

Until next time…xxoo

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Spring fun!!! Bring on SUMMER!!!

Charlotte, NC    {family photography} {child photography} 

Another month passes…and I am still behind with blogging. darn. Actually it’s a month and a half to be exact. May is such a busy and fun month though. May brings on all the beautiful flowers and people…with very little rainy ruined days! NC has been blessed with incredible weather so I’ve had barely a moment away from my camera or computer. So many brand new baby miracles, graduates starting onto a new page in their lives and families coming together and sharing their stories with me and my camera. It has been full of blessings!  And since today is the first day of June, I thought I’d celebrate with a new blog post and flood your eyes with my gorgeous clients! ❤

GOAL OF THE MONTH: I am going to try to bring my camera out for my own little dudes more…so hopefully I’ll have some new photos to share with all of you soon! And one day I will start a mom blog with all the ridiculous/hilarious stories that happen to us or around us on a daily basis. Maybe that will be next month’s goal. Seriously- you guys wouldn’t even believe all the craziness that goes on around the Ras home! 🙂

Bring on Summer and all it’s awesomeness!

xo Heather

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and last but certainly not least our amazing friend Michelle has a community of friends, family and loved ones that have continued to support her through her 2nd battle with cancer…We love you <3MWA!

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February!? REALLY???

Charlotte, NC   {UPDATES and more UPDATES}

 

Is it really the 19th of February? As I sit here nursing my new little guy (sorry if that’s too much of a visual) and writing, I am dumbfounded at the fact that January just disappeared and really so did December. I have yet to blog in 2015…whoa that’s pathetic!!!  Let’s start there.

It is 2015!!! woohooo HAPPY NEW YEAR!! We all survived 2014!! I had an incredible year of gorgeous families and I couldn’t be more grateful. I feel so blessed! Lots of babies were brought into the world and I am so lucky to have met and photographed lots of them! We welcomed our 4th little man on Dec 11th as well. He is perfect. We ended 2014 with a bang. I still can’t believe I am really a mom of four handsome boys!!! As you can imagine…this is part of the reason January and now February have completely disappeared. Four wild boys.

On another note…I went back to work pretty quickly after he was born and he just comes along for the ride with me. My sitter or friends come too and help out with little Beck man while I do what I love and can focus on my clients. It’s been amazing so far! I am learning to edit while holding a sleeping baby, and sometimes an eating baby too. I love having a partner to chat to while I go on long editing stretches.

I am so excited about all my upcoming trips this year…and all the fun clients I will get to photograph all over. I know it will be another memorable year meeting and capturing many new families, as well as watching my long time clients change and grow their families.

CHEERS to 2015 and all it’s beauty. To cupcakes. To friendships. To love. To puppies. To coffee. To warm snuggles. To babies laughing. To you.

Cheers to a year of seeing the best in people, and seeing the beauty in the light.

Here are a few images of our newest addition…enjoy xoxo

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Ryan + CJ = Brooklyn

Davidson, NC     {maternity photography}

 

After months of waiting…we FINALLY got to celebrate this beautiful baby bump!!! CJ contacted me right after they found out they were expecting and I was so so excited to see her! They are expecting their first baby in April, and it’s a girl! Baby Brooklyn is coming into a world with so much love for her, and how could that not warm your heart?! CJ and Ryan had to share the spotlight with their first baby, Marlon as well- their sweet dog! We had such a great time playing, laughing and just hanging out chatting…the time flew by! I could post 50 more images from their session and still not feel like I showed you all of my favorites! I hope you enjoy their growing love…and get excited to see their newborn baby girl in April! 🙂

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The Albright Boys

Charlotte, NC   {Child photography}

 

Here it is…the end of 2013. What a awesome way to finish up the year…two lil dudes, a bunch of balloons and some celebrating!! (which obviously included some fabulous singing too!!) Stuart just turned ONE, and Jack just turned 3- what’s not to celebrate?! I had so much fun rolling around, dancing and singing with these guys- can’t wait to see them all again!!! Hope you enjoy!!!

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and of course I have to share this typical brotherly love moment. No session is complete without at least one outtake. 🙂

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The Hyder Family

December, NC    Family & Child Photography

 

The Hyder Family is so easy to capture as they truly are. I adore that. They come, they play, they may even throw in some crazy sometimes…and all while looking so stinkin cute!! Adam and Emily love their kids…so in my eyes, all their world is right! 🙂 And have you ever seen hair this blonde in your life?! WOWZERS!!! Hope you enjoy…

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