Welcome to my blog, the place where you'll see glimpses of the fun I experience each time I have the honor of capturing abundant moments full of life, love and laughter for people just like you! I enjoy sharing tid bits from my sessions, but occasionally you might see a post of some of the dearest people in my own life: my incredible husband Rahul or perhaps one of our four children (yes, 4)... Collin, Griffin, Eden Grace and Matthan. They are my constant inspiration! I look forward to getting to know you, whether we meet over a cup of coffee or just chat via email. Take a look around, leave a comment or two and check back often- you never know what surprises might be waiting!
Blessings Always, Annie
Sweet little Adalynn Kate is an answer to the prayers of her mommy and daddy… a gift from God, who has brought them immeasurable joy, despite sleepless nights! She was a darling to work with and gave us the most precious expressions throughout our morning together! Her delicate lips, her tiny hands, her soft smile- all reminders of a Creator who is in the details. I am so honored to have been there to capture this exciting time in the life of Ashley and Jeremy as they embark on the journey of raising their adorable little girl!
Welcome to the world Adalynn. You are loved by so many!
Humbled. That’s how I feel each time someone trusts me to capture tender moments in their lives. I am blown away, again and again, by the privilege of being a part of memories that few are able to experience first hand.
A groom opening his eyes to see his beautiful bride standing before him. A glance of tender adoration between a father and daughter just before walking down the aisle. A kiss, a touch, a whisper given between two people in love. These are the moments I treasure, memories I am honored to capture. And I have experienced each of these and so many more with Kristina and Clayton.
Then there are new experiences, like watching them gaze at their beautiful son. Seeing them work together, not only as husband and wife, but now as mother and father. Another kiss, another touch, another whisper- now falling on the tiniest of lips and the smallest of ears. Love redefined. Love growing. Love multiplying.
Love. Simple, sweet, pure love- for one another and for their precious little man.
Honored. That’s how I felt when I laid eyes on sweet Chason. Big baby blues that sparkle and twinkle, soft round cheeks just perfect for kissing and a smile that promptly melts your heart! At just around 5 weeks, he was brimming with personality and charm. He is a precious baby, a beautiful blend of his parents and a wonderful testimony to the goodness of God.
Little Chason, you are loved by many, but most importantly, you are adored by the very Creator of the stars. May you always remember how very valuable and precious you are in His sight!
Those baby blues…swoon.
I can not get enough of his smile!
Had to get an image with both their “first baby” and Chason in it!
“When God speaks, when He intervenes, when He permits a circumstance to rise up around you, it is your opportunity to write a story that people may still be talking about many years from now. Like those holy heroes of old from Scripture, your story of divine intervention – the one that brought you to your knees in frustration – could be the very thing that lifts others’ eyebrows in wonder and amazement at your strength and tenacity, the one that causes them to see the sparkle of substance, significance, and impact in your life. This could be the part of your story that encourages another to make their own decision to follow hard after God, perhaps rewriting the lines for their whole family, replacing a legacy of rebellion with a future of trusting faithfulness
So just go with it. Follow Him – impossible as it may seem. Let Him take you places, even to places you honestly don’t feel all that great about seeing firsthand. You may not grasp what He’s got in mind for this, but if you’ll follow where He’s leading, you will walk yourself right out onto the stage He has set for you. You will locate a significance bigger than you are because it’s not based on your own smarts and planning and goal strategies but rather on your utter submission to the Father’s eternal, all-wise plans – plans that are “higher than your ways” (Isa. 55:9), beyond anything you could “ask or think” or imagine (Eph. 3:20).”
And so it is with the story of these two sweet boys, Caleb and Joshua, and their family who clung
to the Lord when they found themselves in the middle of a story they never anticipated would be written.
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When the doctors are convinced that great trouble awaits:
Nothing is impossible with God.
When it seems like there is nothing that can be done, when hope is gone, look up:
Nothing is impossible with God.
When the world says, “It’s impossible!”
Oh my friend, nothing is impossible with God.
When the doctors are in awe, when science can’t explain it. When the babies that weren’t supposed to make it are healthy, thriving, growing.
Rejoice in the miracle and remember:
Nothing, nothing is impossible with God!
When the unexpected happens, when 4 turns into 6:
Truly, nothing is impossible with God.
Welcome to the world sweet boy. You have been prayed for over the course of 9 months and we are all so excited to meet you!
You may not know this for many years, but you have been blessed with some of the coolest parents! I know because I’ve seen their love first hand- their intense passion for others, long before you were even a glimmer in their eyes. I’ve watched them encounter joys and heartaches, prepare for a wedding, commit their lives to one another, begin new adventures and then anticipate your sweet arrival. They love you- adore you. It’s evident when they gaze down at you and when they cuddle you in their arms.
They love others too and they seek to share The Source of that love daily.
I know that as you grow, you’ll hear all about Him and you’ll begin to appreciate the sacrifices your mom and dad have made so that others can hear too!
You are so very blessed Silas.
I’m excited to see where God takes you, as you grow into a little boy and one day into a strong young man.
For now though, we continue to marvel at the sweet little miracle that you are!
I may be a photographer, but before that I’m a mom and on 4 separate occasions I’ve delivered little bundles of joy.
Each time I walk away knowing I have just been on the receiving end of a miracle- a gift really, from our incredible Creator.
The pain and the tears just make way for the swelling of hearts, as a tiny baby gulps their first breath of air. The chaos of the room is gone, and replaced by incredible peace, joy and celebration as soft wails come forth from the newest member of a family. The pain is erased when your arms are finally holding your swaddled up baby.
Birth, it is a blessing.
Birth, it changes you.
Birth, it prepares you in some unconventional way, to literally feel as though your heart is now walking outside of your body.
And those moments, that transition from a wife to a mother, deserve to be captured.
So it was with each of my little ones; gripping one of my husband’s hands and begging him with the other not to miss a moment when our tiny additions entered this world. Camera strapped around his neck, video camera gripped in hand- I have no idea how he managed to keep it all straight. I thought for years how nice it would have been to have him simply soaking in the moment, rather than fiddling with equipment.
This is where birth photography finds its place. A documentary of the events of a new life unfolding. Reality captured in its rawest form. Emotions. Sweat. Tears.
Love.
When my cousin Sarah asked me to capture these very things for her, my heart nearly exploded. To be a small part of an enormous day is humbling enough, but to be there to capture the beginning of this sweet baby girl’s life, left me breathless. Traveling to Tallahassee on Saturday afternoon, I prayed that the Lord would grant us a long enough labor that I would arrive in time. Little did we know that it would be many countless, exhausting hours spread out until Monday morning before this blessing arrived.
My heart ached as I watched Sarah experience days of painful contractions, remembering those moments in my own life. But she was an amazing tower of strength and handled it all with such beauty and grace. This is how moms are born.
And on June 25th at 8:21 in the morning we saw another birth. The completion of this journey and the beginning of a new one.
Story Ray Stephens
7lbs 8 oz
21 1/4 in
Beautiful. Miraculous. Adorable in every way.
My prayer in that Labor and Delivery room was merely, “God keep me strong, keep my tears from blurring my vision, so I can fully capture the beauty of this day for Sarah and Jonathan. Bring our sweet Story here safely.”
And He answered. He blew us away! His presence even in those tender moments was indescribable.
As Jonathan’s mom and I watched the staff tend to Story after her birth, we hugged through tears and Mrs. Linda exclaimed, “Praise Jesus!”
Yes, praise Jesus indeed!
May Story’s life be a testimony each day to His goodness, His blessings and His love for us.
I have been friends with Wes and Jessica for many years. They are a precious couple who have walked a long journey to welcome these sweet boys into their family. When I see the four of them together, they become tangible evidence of the power of many prayers and waiting on God’s perfect timing. It’s always an honor to reconnect with them and a joy to love on their cute boys! Here are a few of my favorites from our little mini session together one morning.
Dillon had the best- and I do mean the best cheeks you’ve ever seen! Perfectly kissable.
Levi was such a ham- active, busy- a typical boy, but almost always carrying around his horse, which he’s had since his newborn session. Oh, and he’s got a smile that charms!
Praying that these two precious boys grow up to know the Lord and to make a difference for Him in all they do! Love you Knight Family!
What better way to start off the morning than with three precious little girls? I couldn’t have been more delighted to capture this family during such an awesome time in their lives!
Eric, is the worship pastor at our church and let me tell you, the Lord has given him a wonderful gift of leading others to the throne in adoration of our Lord. If you’re looking for a place to come and praise, you need to join us one Sunday! His wife, Kristin has an amazing voice too- so it was no surprise that on this day, there were lots of songs being sung, dances and twirls!
We’ve actually been trying to coordinate a time to get together since they moved to the area and Naomi’s sweet arrival was the perfect reason to finally make it happen. The morning started off with a quick mini session with the big sisters.
Mary Grace was so much fun and really allowed her personality to shine through. There is nothing sweeter than capturing a child, being a child. How wonderful to be able to look back on this season of her life and remember her smile, her spunky attitude and her laugh!
Next, it was Abby ‘s turn to charm the camera! A fast paced 2 year old is so much fun to capture because in the middle of their running and constant movement, precious little moments like these can be frozen!
We paused for a snuggly family moment before Naomi stole the show!
Of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without an official welcome to the world Naomi Hope!! Here she is, at all of 6 days old. So sweet, cuddly and kissable! What a beautiful gift from God she is and how blessed she’ll be to grow up as a daughter in this incredible family!
Ah, the love of a big sister…
I can not get over the sweetness of this next image!
While Naomi’s bedroom decor was created with her in mind, this Moses basket has been passed down. Each sister has spent time sleeping and relaxing in it, so it seemed fitting to capture Naomi taking her turn.
And finally, what’s a newborn session without a little alone time with Mommy?
Thank you Yeldell’s for trusting me with this special time in the life of your family! Thanks as well to “Aunt Son Son” and Mimi for their behind the scenes help, wardrobe changes and entertaining acts. You made the morning extra fun! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for Naomi and her big sisters too!
When I received the email letting me know that sweet Mary Grace had just made her debut, I couldn’t have been happier! I just adore her family. In fact, you’ve already seen them on this blog before in two different heritage sessions! Mary Grace’s big sisters are so incredibly adorable and I knew that she would be just as precious.
Precious turned out to be an understatement!
With sweet little cheeks, big eyes and dimples that melt your heart- it was one welcome to the world session I won’t forget.
Mary Grace is so blessed to be born into a family that treasures their relationships with one another and their past. We used her grandmother’s punch bowl, which actually caused great concern for her big sisters, who wondered why we would put her in a pot! Then she cuddled up in a family heirloom bassinet, on a handmade family quilt, was rocked by her siblings in an antique family rocking chair and completed our time with the family baby cups! What an incredible way to incorporate the past with the tender innocence and beauty of the future that will be carried on with Mary Grace.
While Mary Grace ate her lunch, her big sisters took me upstairs to show off their room. I couldn’t help but to capture at least one precious image of these darling princesses. Ah, look at their beautiful eyes!
Martha and Bobby, thank you so much for trusting me, yet again, with such tender moments. It’s always an honor to be in your presence and to chat about life as if no time had passed since we last saw each other! Mrs. Strickland, what a wonderful surprise to be able to spend some time with you as well. I always knew I was blessed to have you as a teacher, but how incredibly touching to see you actively in the role as grandmother, singing, reading and imparting truths to them… exactly as you did to so many of us in high school! Mary Grace, I just adore your family… and you too! Welcome to the world!
