happy {early} turkey day

Happy Thanksgiving!

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege to photograph a family dear to my heart. The oldest grandchild, cousin, etc., Maddie, is one of my very best friends & has been for about 6 years now. Her friendship & sisterly love has always been an inspiration to me.

 The second oldest, Brandon, was headed to Basic Training the day after we took these pictures. So it was a sweet, intimate thanksgiving gathering...I was very honored to be a part of it. 

Enjoy! 

 Entire family + Legend. ((the dog; isn't that an awesome name?!))

Where it all started...

and continued..((the sisters are twins!)) 

and is still continuing throughout these three families...

favorite!  

They are SO in love..too precious! 

"He looked at her the way all women want to be looked at by a man." - {The Great Gatsby} 

Daddy's Little Girl

We had a tough time with the shadows...but we eventually made it alright.

So sweet! 

Thanks for reading.

Mally J. 

new beginnings

Lots of passions have changed since I wrote last. And today, I'm actually going to write about what helped me start photography: 

Early this spring/summer I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was super depressed & anxious about life because I didn't have a drive. That feeling of 'why did God even make me if I don't have a purpose here?' haunted me.

I knew in my heart I had a purpose I just couldn't find it due to all of my depression & anxiety clogging my head, so I started praying. Praying that God would bring me out of my depression & anxiety, show me the path I needed to start traveling to be in His will. 

In April of 2014, I took my friend, Sara-Ashley's, senior pictures. It was tons of fun & I already knew I really enjoyed taking pictures but I had always thought the science route was where I was headed. 

I thought ok, that was fun. Now what? 

I hadn't noticed any signs of what God wanted me to do & I just didn't understand why. I cried every night hoping the next day would bring something new. 

Then one day, my mom's friend called ((we were on her land while taking Sara-Ashley's pics)) & said she had a photographer friend who happened to love my pictures & I loved his. So she set a time where we could all meet & take pics. It was the best photoshoot ((to this day)). I had found my newest hobby. And Jordan, her friend, was so charismatic & full of life; it was contagious. 

After that, I started to come out of my depression & anxiety...slowly but surely. The Lord knew exactly what I needed. A revival, inspiration & new direction. Praises to Him for bringing me out of the shadow of death & blessing me like He did.

So here are some of the pictures of that awesome day, enjoy! 

PC: Jordan Whitfield 

PC: Jordan Whitfield

Thanks for reading!

Mally J.