Monthly Archives: November 2015

Barker | Family Session

To end my 2015 photography season with SUCH a special family & at a fun, incredible location was just perfect! I’ve always wanted to have a session at Ewing Manor, it’s been on my photographer dream list & I was SUPER excited when Nikki suggested having their family session there. Barker Family + Ewing Manor = Amazingness

Pop on some Christmas music & grab a hot chocolate & visit the Ewing Manor with the Barker Family & I! Barker | www.nomi-photography.com-2

My husband & I love the Barkers, who doesn’t? 😉 We’ve loved watching them go from a couple to a family of four.

One of my favorites right here!

They kind of like each other 😉

Favorite!

Hadley & Eliott are precious little ladies to us. I can’t believe Hadley is halfway to 3 years old & Eliott is on her way to 7 months! Each girl has such a fun personality & I’ve loved being able to watch each develop. And I LOVED their pretty dresses Nikki had them wear! The colors were just perfect!

Daddy & his Hadley girl 🙂

It was my pleasure to spend time with you four, Barker Family 🙂 It was fun seeing what we’ve talked about for awhile now all come to life. But my most favorite part of the session was seeing the love you all share. Hadley & Eliott are blessed girls. They have parents that love the Lord & each other.

These images make me SO ready for Christmas & I had this song going through my head while putting together this post. It’s one of my favorite Christmas songs & I think it’s a perfect ending:

Another year I’ve had with you
We’ve grown together beyond all that we’ve been through
This season holds a place in me
Where there is always room to make new memories

It’s Christmas time my darling
And all I can say is I’ll love you
For only always

Only Always, by Kathy Troccoli

Roberson | Group Family Session

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Earlier this year, I got to meet & do an anniversary session for Leah & Jonathan Roberson. Seriously SUCH a sweet couple. Leah contacted me again just a few months ago about having a family session for the whole Roberson side & to that I said “Of course! Count me in!”And it wasn’t just any family group session, but a time of celebrating the many years Pastor John & Miss Sheri have ministered at their church. As a Pastor Kid myself, I knew this was a session I WANTED to be a part of & celebrate in 🙂

The Roberson family pulled up at our location & the fall colors were in full show-off mode 🙂 I’d only met Leah & Jonathan once before, but I felt like I’d know the WHOLE family for years. I’m sure if you know the Roberson fam, you feel the same way 😀

The marriage between a man & woman who do ministry together is so near to my heart since I’ve watched my own parents do that. You can tell they still love each other a ton!

And these two, Jessica & her man, CUTIES!

Love these of “uncle” & “nephew” together 😀

Some body was trying to stay warm 😉

And I’m EXCITED that Leah & Jonathan are EXPECTING!!!!!! I see a maternity session & newborn session with them in the future 😉

Here’s the non-crying version of that picture 😉

The lovely ladies!!!!!!

And my FAVORITE group family image from their session!!!

Roberson’s I LOVED spending time with you all!!! I’d do it again in a heartbeat & hope it happens again sooner rather then later! 😀

Fang | Maternity Session

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I got an email from her over a year ago, maybe a little more. She was asking if the small group for young women that met in my home was still meeting & when we’d be getting together next. I answered back with the details & she answered back that she & her friend would be joining us the next time our small group met. She signed the email with her name, Jasmine, & that’s the last time I expected to hear from her. I’m being honest. A lot of times people have good intentions to join a club, a small group, another activity in their life & life gets busy & they just aren’t able to keep all their commitments. Not for Jasmine though. True to her word, the next time our small group, The Hideaway met, my doorbell rang & there was Jasmine & her friend, Faith. That’s when my friendship with Jasmine began 🙂

Weeks later we met up at Coffeehound & shared stories of how we both ended up in Bloomington-Normal & how we actually for like about a month (right before I married Eric) lived just a couple houses away from each other. Little did I know that first night Jasmine attended small group & that first Coffeehound date, was the beginning of a special friendship.

Fast forward to this past May when I got a text from Jasmine telling me that she was expecting!!! She didn’t know that we were expecting too & I was counting down the days until we got to get ice cream together & I shared with her our news! Now we call each other Bump Buddy’s 🙂 (Can’t take the credit for that one, it was all Jasmine 😉 ) & our due dates are 11 days a part! Crazy how the Lord works! Who would have known that months after getting to know each other at Coffeehound that this fall I’d be taking Jasmine & Andrew’s maternity pictures!!! The Lord knew 😉

JOY & ANTICIPATION is ALL over these two’s faces!!!

Lord, thank You for this wonderful couple & their friendship!!!!

The lighting & weather was just PERFECT for their session. My friend Jasmine is just RADIATING! 😀 We did have to reschedule this session for a second time, but I liked the weather we had for this evening better anyway 😉

A personal fav of mine!

One of my favorite things about Jasmine is her laugh & smile. When she laughs, her smile just takes over the room & you just want to join in. Jasmine is a wise woman & I love how she seeks the Lord. I’m blessed to have her as my friend & Bump Buddy 🙂

I loved that Andrew wanted to be a part of this session. Maternity Sessions oftentimes focus on just the momma & I wanted to capture Jasmine & Andrew as the two of them becoming three. I’m so thrilled with how these images turned out!

Andrew, it’s obvious you adore your bride. I can’t wait to watch you love your queen & your soon coming princess!

Personal favorite of mine of the parents-to-be!

A Baby Girl Fang you are getting one beautiful momma & loving daddy! They both already love you SO much!!!!!! We all CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU!!!!

(And PS Baby Girl, please be born on my birthday, December 22 ;-))

Cambry | Senior Session

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Oh Cambry 🙂 I was SO excited when your mom contacted me about doing your senior pictures!!! For the last like 6 years, I’ve watched you grow into such a beautiful young lady. I’d see you at Pastor’s Kids Retreat & at other district youth events, & each time I realized you were coming closer & closer to the door of not being just a teen anymore, but a young woman 🙂

I admire many things about you Cambry. I know you love Jesus with all your heart & you desire & strive to keep Him first. You have a beautiful voice & can lead worship on your guitar like no one else I’ve seen. And speaking of beautiful, you ARE beautiful. Your long hair & eyes, man, killer! I love how you carry yourself & how you don’t hangout with just the “cool kids” but anyone who you see needs a friend. You have amazing leadership abilities & I look forward to seeing those developed in you even more as you continue to blossom. And I love your heart. Your heart that I’ve see in the years while I’ve seen you become who you are today & your heart that I got to hear talk & share your future plans during your senior session.

BEAUTIFUL!

Oh Cambry your smile makes me smile.

I told Cambry to show me her “A Game” face for these shots. She totally nailed it 😉

One day I’ll be able to point out your album Cambry & say “I took that girl’s senior pictures!”

She liked to make me laugh during her session 😉

Oh Cambry, the Lord’s anointing is all over you. Don’t take that for granted. And don’t believe it just because people tell you. Seek after Him & all your ways will be made straight. He will never leave you nor forsake. Go after Him girl. Go after ALL that He has for you. Don’t hold back. And He will give you the desires of your heart & surprises & adventures you never dreamed of.

I think you’re pretty special girl 🙂 I THOROUGHLY enjoyed my time with you & it was a true HONOR to take your senior pictures.

Love you girl!
From one fellow PK to another 😉

Jacob | Senior Session

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Friends, Jacob here has class. Class as in how he acts, dresses & carries himself. We met up a couple Wednesday afternoon’s ago & spent time in Uptown Normal & one of my favorite local parks to get some of those beautiful fall colors.

Jacob is musically talented. He not only plays the keyboard but he’s a pretty mean saxophone player. Thus all the pictures of him & his loyal instrument 🙂

Fav of mine right here!

He’s got a sense of humor that he pulled out every once & awhile 😉

And if you really want to see him smile, ask him about his nickname “J-Wow” 😉

Thank you Jacob for hanging out with me & putting up with all my dumb jokes 😉 I’m SUPER excited about your plans to Evangel University & I know the Lord is going to guide & bless your steps. And someday I just know I’ll be able to say that I took your senior pictures when you become a famous saxophone player & have your own albums out 😉

I’m a Podcast Junkie | Friday Favorites

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I LOVE Podcasts! If you were to open my podcast app on my phone, you would see that I’ve subscribed to 14 different podcasts! Now I don’t listen to ALL of them every week 😉 but I do have 3 Top Favorite podcasts that I make sure to keep up to date on their episodes.

Why I Listen to Podcasts I usually listen to podcasts while getting ready in the morning, while driving & then while doing dishes/making a meal. Eric is at work before I need to leave the house & I like filling the house with noise other then myself just puttering around 😉 There are so many things we could be doing & filling our minds with. I love listening to music through-out the day but I’ve also seen how filling my heart & mind with words of wisdom from others has really grown my faith. Two out of three of these shows do have a lot of episodes that cater to mom’s BUT not every episode does. And again, even before I was a mom, I was listening to these shows & drinking in their wisdom not just on mothering but on being a woman of God. Eric listens to a few different podcasts as well & I enjoy comparing notes & talking about the topics at times 🙂

Here’s My 3 Fav’s!

THE GOD CENTERED MOM Even before I became a mom, I was listening to this show. Heather MacFadyen is the host & she not only does she bring in wonderful guests to interview them but I also love her heart. She truly desires to equip mothers & I love her heart for the Lord. I’ve cried, I’ve laughed & been stretched in my Christian walk not just as a soon-to-be mom but a woman who desires the Lord as well. I’ve never met Heather, but I can hear in her voice & how she chooses those she has on the show & the topics they discuss that she is a REAL woman & truly wants those who listen to her show to grow in their faith & womanhood. She’s had a range of guests on her show including her most recent one with guest Stacy Reaves who shared her story of having an abortion.

Get into your podcast app or go to her website & browse through her guests & topics, pick an episode & start listening!
PODCAST: http://godcenteredmom.com/
HOST: Heather MacFadyen
WHAT ITUNES HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS PODCAST: Life is messy. Some days (some hours) are harder than others. How do you ride the crazy waves of motherhood? Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, understands the wild ride. In this podcast she interviews guests about staying God-centered in a shaky mom world. Hearing vulnerable moments and examples of God’s faithfulness in the past, helps you, the listener, build firm faith foundations for the future. Reminding us of our position–centered in God’s presence and love.

THE INFLUENCE PODCAST As a creative & photographer, I’ve SO enjoyed the various guests that have been on The Influence Podcast. The Influence Podcast is connect to The Influence Network & seeks to encourage women in all seasons & roles of their life online. Jacey Verdicchio is usually the host for the show & just about every to every other week, she brings in creative women that are photographers, speakers, authors, you name it! – & I’ve loved hearing the hearts of these women, how their business’s started & how they keep Christ & their family’s as their focus. It’s also fun for me since I follow a lot of the women the show ends up interviewing on Instagram & I love hearing more of their lives & stories.

This show is a little shorter & keeps it just around a half hour so it’s perfect for splitting up into 15 minutes intervals for to & from the grocery store 🙂 And even if you don’t consider yourself a “creative” these women share their hearts & love the Lord & will challenge your walk with the Lord as well.
PODCAST: http://godcenteredmom.com/
HOST: Jacey Verdicchio (sometimes, Lara Casey, Rebecca Smith or Jamie Ivey)
WHAT ITUNES HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Influence Network is the online community of women dedicated to making their online lives mean something. This podcast features interviews and encouragement designed to inspire and resource women to use the Internet for good, for God’s glory. New episodes air weekly and topics include writing, blogging, justice, spiritual growth and creative business.

INSPIREDTOACTION.COM – INSPIRATION FOR MOTHERHOOD Kat Lee is amazing. She describes her show as being a “pep talk for moms” & I know I’m not alone when I say that it’s a pep talk for all women. She is behind the amazing Maximize Your Mornings movement & has the most awesome guests on her show. She ends each show with saying “You’re a mom. You kind of a big deal, now go be awesome.” She’s encouraging & reminds you of things that may make you a little uncomfortable comfort zone wise- nothing wrong with that! 😉
PODCAST: http://inspiredtoaction.com/
HOST: Kat Lee
WHAT ITUNES HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS PODCAST: It’s like a pep talk for moms. My name is Kat Lee is my goal with each episode of the Inspired To Action Podcast is to…that’s right…inspire YOU to action. I’m bringing you motivating interviews, practical tips and lots of fun yet-insanely-useful conversation with people who believe in YOU and the amazing role you have as a mother. You’re a mom. You’re totally a big deal.

Check out one or all of these podcasts! I’d love to hear what you think of them & what podcasts you like to listen too! There’s ALLLLLL KINDS & I like I said before, I subscribe to 14 so these aren’t the only ones I listen too 😉 but they are my fav’s! Feel free to comment below!

Deterding | life&love Newborn Session

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It was just a couple months ago that I was spending time with Emily & Dustin for their maternity session (if you missed that lovely photo session you can review it HERE). Then really just a few weeks later on Friday, October 16, Emily & Dustin’s world grew from not just two, but to a family of 4! Hannah Dorothy & Eliza Jane were born much to the joy & anticipation of not only their parents but to their family & many friends.

As the days were going by & Emily’s due date few closer & closer, I felt the excitement in my own heart. Twins are a special gift (as all baby’s are!) & I was SO looking forward to seeing the faces of the two beauties the Lord was blessing Emily & Dustin with. Emily & I had before exchanged pregnancy stories & now all I wanted was to see these girls & with their parents. Dustin & Emily welcomed me into their cozy ranch along with Grandma! The girls were all clean from baths & were just TOO adorable for words.

Emily & Dustin, I think you two are the bee’s knees. I still am SO thankful you connected with me a few months back & that I’ve been able to capture two chapters of your life story. I do so hope we have many more sessions in the future. I know that you already are wonderful parents. Lean on each other & your strong supportive family that you have. Miss Hannah & Miss Eliza are blessed girls.

Emily has an eye for decorating & I LOVED all the little details she put into her daughters room.

I LOVE Emily’s expression here!

Loving on her baby girls.

I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again- Dustin should get the Father of the Year Award.

I always LOVE watching new fathers during newborn sessions. Joy & pride is written all over his face.

Ummmm fav right here.

Puppy wanted to see the girls too 😉 (Don’t worry, we got one of puppy looking at the camera 😉 I just love this particular one! Oh & can we just talk about the detail in that beautiful wall behind Dustin?)

And one of my FAV’S is right here-Baby Girl’s fist in action & all.

Oh Emily & Dustin how BLESSED you are. Two precious girls to love & raise. May your hearts & home always be full of laughter, love & the important things that matter.