Scripture Sunday

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

What an amazing love! That God would send his only son to die for my sins! Enjoy this video of a great song that reminds us of God's amazing love ... Janet Paschal's "Written in Red".

Love is in the Air

Today was cold, windy and oh yeah did I mention cold? However, it was a day that I have been looking forward to for a long time - Sweetheart Mini-Sessions! I was so excited to have the opportunity to photograph couples who were in love. Couples who had been together for a long time. I know that once kids arrive in your life photos of Mommy and Daddy are few and far between. That was a main reason why today was a "no kid in photos" day. It was so neat that many of the couples chose to turn their day into a "date day" after their photos!

I had such a great time photographing the sweet six couples that braved the frigid temperatures (literally, it was 28 degrees when I arrived at World's Fair Park) to have their photos made. I hope they had as much fun making memories as I did photographing them!

They snuggled in blankets...

They climbed rocks ...

They played in the rail road tracks ...

They gave eskimo kisses ...

They played with conversation hearts ...

They went down memory lane ...

But my favorite part of the each session was when we played our own version of the Newlywed Game. I asked each couple the same four questions. Check out their answers ...

1) What was a trait that first attracted you to your Sweetheart?

2) Where was your first date?

Where was your first kiss?

4) Write something sweet to your Sweetheart.

Thank-you Ben & Candice, Mitch & Michelle, Stacy & Lillian, Mike & Tammy, Eddie & Katy and Chris & Jennifer - I had a great time today. Thank-you for allowing me to capture such sweet (and cold) memories for you! More sneak peaks will be posted soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Around Town

The Butter Cream Cottage

Owned By: Rachelle Daugherty

The Butter Cream Cottage is a cake baking and decorating business in Oliver Springs. This cake business began in January 2011 by Rachelle Daugherty. I have been blessed enough to photograph Rachelle and her family a couple of different times. They are so much fun to be around. Rachelle herself is as sweet as can be and has decorated some cakes for my "Smash the Cake" sessions. Rachelle does a fantastic job with cakes and cupcakes - she made my Eli's Spongebob cake for his 2nd birthday. As you can tell he was one satisified customer!

You may contact The Butter Cream Cottage by calling Rachelle at 865-661-8514 or you can
 e-mail her. She is also on Facebook. Take a look at her work! (Photos are from TBCC's Facebook page and were not taken by M&B). Weddings, birthday parties or special events - The Butter Cream Cottage has the cake for you!

Check out The Butter Cream Cottage on Facebook for a special deal she'll be announcing soon! You don't want to miss out. Through email, I was able to interview Rachelle and ask her a few questions.

Meet Rachelle Daugherty of The Butter Cream Cottage!

 Why did you start your business?

I started baking cakes when the 3rd company in a row I worked for closed the door. I had been with this last company for 5 years. They closed in November of 2011 and Chase’s birthday was that following December. The lady who normally made my cakes was no longer doing cakes and since I had time on my hands I decided to try to do his cake on my own and realized I could do it and loved it!

What is a goal you have for your business this year?

I would love to be able to take on more orders learn, new techniques and possibly branch out with cookies and candy as well. Who knows maybe even throw some fudge in there somewhere.

If you could bake a cake for anyone in the world, who would it be? Why?

If I could bake a cake for anyone in the world.....I  haven't really thought about that... let's say at this point in time Buddy off the cake boss. Just so I could meet him and he can tell me what I can do to improve.

How did you choose your business name?

My name... I wrote down all kinds of things that had to do with cakes and put them together... I had not planned on doing anything as far as a Facebook page or things like that. I figured it would just be word of mouth but friends and family and people who saw my work kept telling me I needed to make a page... I wanted something different. Not something that someone else had. I wanted to stand out so with that I came up with The Butter Cream Cottage... butter cream is the most common icing and I make them out of my house so that's where the cottage came from  BUT I can't take full credit! I also had help from my Facebook friends and family. I threw a couple names out there and asked everyone what they thought. The Butter Cream Cottage just had a good ring to it.

A Mommy, A Daddy & Four Brothers

This past Wednesday, February 1st, the Vanosdale family's life was changed forever. In a great way! Mr. Liam Jace Vanosdale was born to Chris and Mitzi along with big brothers Landon, Connor and Logan.

I have had the opportunity to photograph this family many times and even had a chance to shoot Mitzi's maternity photos right before Christmas. This baby boy was one that was prayed for by many people and I was so honored to photograph him at the hospital.

There were some tears, some laughs and some video game playing - and we came out with some great shots. Thank-you Chris & Mitzi for the opportunity to photograph this special time in your lives. I pray that God continues to bless your sweet family.

Here are some of my favorites from Liam Jace's hospital portraits (photos were taken at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center).

Here are some with the proud big brothers!

Don't you just love his boots?

Congratulations to the Vanosdales!

Leave a comment on this blog post! If this client receives 20 comments they will receive a FREE 5x7 photo of their choice. Comments much be on actual blog :)



Scripture Sunday

Luke 5:18-20

 ¹⁸And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.  ¹⁹And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.  ²⁰And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

 

As I have laid here in bed today sick with the flu this Bible story was brought to my attention. No, I'm not deathly sick or paralyzed like this man but there are so many things I can learn from him. Growing up I was always told to surround myself with good people, run with the good crowd - because you will become who you hang out with. This man had friends who loved him enough that they took him to Jesus when he couldn't get there himself. They took him to Jesus because they knew nothing or no one else could help him. I am thankful for friends who I believe would do this for me. When they see I'm having a bad day or am in need of prayer I have several people who are the first to offer to "take me to Jesus". Not physically, but in prayer and remind me of God's grace and love.

 

I want to be the this type of friend - who puts all aside and am willing to take my friends to Jesus. I want to have the faith these men had in verse 20. I know that my Jesus will heal my friends, physically, emotionally or spiritually, if I am only willing to take them to Him.

 

So, until next time I leave you with this thought - what kind of friend are you? Are you willing to take others to Jesus?

Wordless Wednesday