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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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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Jump on in…

Davidson, NC

and the sharing continues from the last post… enjoy!! next post will be my personal pics…

let the beauty sharing begin!!! xx

 

 

Goodbye 2016…Hello 2017

Davidson, NC     {FAMILY photography, CHILDREN photography, NEWBORN photography}       March 2017

 

Once again…my blogging skills remain my LEAST active or scheduled talent. Sorry friends. Life happens, and almost daily I think to myself- wow, if I could sit down for 10 mins and write “this” or “that” down, it would make a hell of a story. I also think I should have another blog just for my crazy life- so all of you wanting to see photography stuff only could enjoy just that, and all the others that want to hear about the gong show at our home could read a different blog. ahhh well- it’s not happening anytime soon. So for now- I shall do my best to update you pretty people here as much as possible.

Personal part- (so you can skip past if you’d like) The last time I wrote to you I think I was pregnant…well, she is HERE! And wow what a roller coaster ride it has been! The short version of our story is…Isla Drew (“eye-la”) was born in the water in a beautiful room filled with love and support. It was magical. And the very best way to end this era of my life. (the child birthing era) She was perfection but was grunting a bit while breathing, so we ended up in the NICU for 5 days to help her transition her lungs to air. Luckily I never once had to leave her side. Finally made it home to all our boys, which was incredible. They are obsessed with their baby sister. I was just getting into the flow of things when Isla caught a cold and within 2 days we were in the ER. The process from ER to Pediatric Intensive care unit went very very quickly- and there is where we spent the next 17 LONG days fighting.  She had come down with RSV (aka the devil virus) and it attacked her and her tiny little lungs. After lungs collapsing and a horrific case of pneumonia, the doctors had to intubate her. Beyond horrific watching your tiny baby suffer. The most amazing part is- she is now healthy. She beat it. Isla is one strong little girl. Our medical care and staff at the PICU was beyond incredible. The prayers, love and endless support from our friends, clients, family and all others was also humbling. That is such an understatement. But I have no words. God works miracles. Period. He was there with us the entire time. I felt him.  “What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.”

With all that being said- I took some time off work. My camera snuggled in her pretty bag for a month and I snuggled with our angel baby. BUT now I am BACK! 🙂 Our family of now SEVEN is rocking the house and emptying grocery stores like it’s our job. So the show must go on…and my spring minis begin this weekend!!! WOOHOOO!!!! I am doing spring minis almost every weekend until June to catch up with all my precious friends and clients! Also, booking summer and fall regular sessions and newborns! Cannot wait! Don’t worry- I’ll have Isla most likely attached to me or on site with someone loving on her…so you should all get to meet her. She’s pretty awesome.

Thank you so much for supporting me and my little passion. I am so so grateful. ❤

Now I’ll attach some of the past sessions…I’m sure I’m forgetting some or many- but my Facebook page usually has MUCH better updates!! Go check it out… http://www.facebook.com/HeatherMariePhotographyNC/  or instagram @HeatherMariePhotographyNC

Oh, I’ll share of few personal pics of our past months in my next post today!! promise!!!

PS- Fall 2016 we rocked it out of the park!! Out of this world sessions to wrap up the year!!

Until next time…xx

 

 

 

 

 

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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The Summer disappears…

Charlotte, NC    {family photography} {child photography}

 

So as you all have noticed…blogging hasn’t been on the top of my list lately. Like for the past 8 months actually. eek! Which also means my itty bitty baby is 8 months old already! Where do the days go?! I have so much to share and post that I really don’t know where to begin. hmmm. Our crazy family has been bouncing off the walls and trees (as usual) and we haven’t had one moment to consider even a thought of boredom. I have been doing tons and tons of sessions all over the city and I’m loving all the gorgeous families and babies! I even had a chance to sneak in a couple camping trips and a fun commercial photo shoot on the beach for the fabulous Shades Kids in Florida! In between all the chaos my camera broke. That was not fun. Nikon took her in and gave her a lot of love…so we are together again! whew! Ohhh and our home is under contract and we are moving in just a few weeks to a new home in Davidson! Oh no big deal. Just packing up a house full of crazies and all their belongings. 🙂

I am going to do my very best to update you guys more often and keep you up to date on our move too! Say a little prayer. Hopefully I will survive the move and the beginning of school! Enjoy these gorgeous people. and all their love stories.

xo

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ps- I have the very best 2 jobs on this planet. ❤ #mom #photographer

 

 

 

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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I’m Blog Challenged.

Charlotte, NC    {Family Photography}  {Child Photography}  {Newborn Photography}

 

So having 4 kids rocks, but is INSANE hard to “put” down to come sit at my computer and blog. I give those blogger Moms credit…they are stronger than me. I am doing good to post a few sneak peeks every once in a while on my facebook page these days. eek!!! Sorry about that friends!!! I love to share my work so I continue to try to update you guys here as much as possible!

My news: well, not much. Just getting use to the balancing act of LIFE! Mom, wife, sister, daughter, business owner, photographer, friend, cook, dish lady, house cleaner, laundry fairy and so on…you know…the normal stuff us mommies try to balance.  We have recently put our house on the market as well, just to add another fun “ball” to our juggling routine. PS- anyone ever try to clean a house with four boys while watching them destroy it as soon as you move to the next room? Oh so fun.

Anyways, my peace is coming from my fun photo sessions lately. I get to enjoy our people’s chaos and capture all their love! I did a maternity session last week that was so peaceful and calm that I sat down on the edge of the creek and had a moment to actually hear myself think.  I thought about that love and true passion I have within me for people and their stories. I am so grateful that I found my calling and so blessed that you all support me! 🙂 Thank you!!!

Beck is now 4 months old and still incredible. He is delicious and shockingly relaxed. I can wear him for sessions after sessions and he doesn’t make a peep! God knew what he was doing! He is almost 17lbs and laughs and smiles all day, unless he’s sleeping! Rockstar baby!

Ok now for some updates on sessions!!! Spring is finally here and the flowers are blooming! I have completely booked up all my spring minis and have a few more full sessions left here and there! I will be announcing some beach sessions dates soon and may open up some other locations in Florida this year! CANNOT WAIT!!!

Ok now for the stuff you’re all here for…a peek into my computer of editing fun! I have the most gorgeous families inside and out!  I hope you enjoy!!

xo

Heather

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Blogger FAIL!!!

Charlotte, NC      {whoa holy huge update}

 

Can you believe it?

I AM ALIVE.

I deserve worst blogger award for 2014.  End of story.

But the other side to the story is I have super happy kids. Their Mommy has been full time Mommy again…and they are super content with that. Balancing work and babies…not the easiest job on earth. <Oh and ps- my husband has a hip and back injury which has changed our entire life and our scheduling. Not to mention, how the heck do you single Mommies do it?> So when everyone was taking and taking from me, I decided I had to give something up (or slack off for a little while). Yes, it was blogging.

All my beautiful clients were still getting in front of my camera, and receiving their gorgeous images a couple weeks later…but sadly, they didn’t get to see their sparkle of beauty on my blog. And now it’s practically summer. WHAT?

So here I sit finishing up a couple sessions, realizing I have a couple minutes of waiting time…and here I am. I want to share a few photos from the missing months of blogging.

I love you all and I am so grateful to have you all to share these gorgeous people with! I hope to be back to my regular blogging soon!

xo Heather

Enjoy these beauties….

 

Addie, Carson and their beautiful Mother- Mai-Lis

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Senior AnnaClaire (+friends)annaclaire

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Sara + Jonathan

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The Bridges growing Family

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The Shelton Family

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Hayes Grier

Charlotte, NC       {portrait photography, teen photography}

 

I had such a fun time photographing Hayes a few weeks ago…we had no plan, no guidelines and a beautiful evening to capture the real Hayes!! The only thing we missed was his sporty style, that he usually represents! It’s got to be tough being 13 and that adorable!!! The Griers have raised all of their boys to be wonderful men, and I am so thankful to have been a witness to that over the years!

 

Hayes doesn’t take a bad photo. And couldn’t be any sweeter if he tried. The crazy social media world has blown up around him and he is still Hayes. I love that! Sorry these are so late…blogging hasn’t been on schedule lately! oops!!

ENJOY!!! xo

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