Mommy I Love You, Daddy I Love You {Newborn Austin}

What an honor it is when you meet someone for the first time at their newborn's photo shoot! I knew as soon as Nicole answered the door and welcomed me to their home in her sweet South Carolina accent that we would all hit it off :D And as you can see from these captured moments, they let their love for baby Austin shine through. I always feel so lucky when I get to photograph mamas and daddys cuddling their newest addition. And big sister Kate got into the cuddle action as well (especially with the promise of princess cookies!) Zach and Nicole are raising such a beautiful family . . . Can't you just feel the love swirling around?

This song dedication comes from somewhere special, too. "Kimmy Schwimmy" and her family are treasured old friends, and her awesome children's music tops the charts here at our house! Take a listen with your kiddos and you will find yourself transported to your fun, family "happy place" in no time :D

"When you lift me up,
I'm flying so high
Up where the stars are shining bright
I can't help but thinkin' how I love you so
Everything is better when you hold me close . . ."

-Kimmy Schwimmy

Holiday Mini Sessions with Atlanta Family Photographer Summer Lynn

Contact me today to secure your time slot! Just click on "contact me" or here ---> Summer

~Those wanting a full session (approximately 1 1/2 hours) at a location of your choosing should contact me to book a full session. ~

Holiday Mini Sessions are up to 30 minute sessions that are designed specifically to help you get that "perfect shot" to send out to your friends and family over the holidays.

These "mini's" only happen once a year, and contain exclusive pricing AND digital files.

Sunday, November 6th 3pm-6pm (Rain date: Sunday, Nov. 13th)

Price: $295 (due at the time of booking)

- Up to 30 minute mini session here in Atlanta at a beautiful outdoor scenic spot (location details will be given to those who sign up)

- 8-10 images, perfectly edited, on an online gallery

- ALL high-res images on a dvd for printing/sharing (this is a very special offer! Usually, printing rights/ownership of images are sold separately at $75 per digital file) This allows you to have full printing rights to your images and use them for holiday cards and prints.

- +20% discount an any additional prints!

Sigh No More |Ashley's Senior Session|

"Serve God, love me and mend
This is not the end
Lived unbruised, we are friends . . .

Love it will not betray you
Dismay or enslave you, it will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be
There is a design, an alignment, a cry
Of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be " 

- Mumford & Sons

Ashley is one very special girl. Not only has she become my children's favorite babysitter over the last four years since we moved to Atlanta; I feel lucky to call her my friend also. And so it was an honor to do her senior portraits. We had so much fun taking these photos - even on the rainy day that it was! What a memory! Ashley is one of those girls that has been blessed with wisdom and maturity beyond her years, a sense of purpose, and a strong character. She is an idealist, a thinker, a musician, a reader (The Bible and Walden by Henry David Thoreau are her favorite books) and really, an inspiration to me. 

Ashley, I am so proud of you. Thank you for being the wonderful "you" that you are. Don't ever give up on your dreams. And as you get ready for a very exciting college adventure, always remember that everyone here at home loves you!

xo Summer

I Love You, a Bushel and a Peck!

"I love you, a bushel and a peck!
A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!
A hug around the neck, and a barrel and a heap
A barrel and a heap, and I'm talkin' in my sleep.
About you.
About you!
About you!
My heart is leapin'!
I'm having trouble sleepin'!
'Cause I love you, a bushel and a peck
You bet your pretty neck I do!
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle oodle oodle oo . . ."

- Guys and Dolls (The Musical)

Last Saturday was Apple Picking Day! The family headed up to Ellijay, Georgia; passing barns and orchards, cows and horses, goats and chickens along the way, and imitating every sound that each animal makes (of course!).

The kids LOVED picking the apples right off the trees. There is nothing in the world like seeing your kids' eyes light up, is there? I am addicted to that light . . . :)

“Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?” -Frank Scully

Monarchy of Roses

mmmK.
So here's the thing: Summer ♥'s Red Hot Chili Peppers.
And is super stoked that they are, like, back.

So (duh!) I had to choose one of their new songs as the dedication for this fabulous blog post.
Not to mention we were sooo loving all things floral during this shoot!
And the song does have the word "Roses" in it. Plus, don't you love that they spell "colors" like "colours"? So much better, right? Say it with me: Colouuuurs. :)

Yeah, you know you just said it.

"Several of my best friends wear, the colours of the crown . . .

The saviour of your light
The monarchy of roses
The monarchy of roses tonight . . .

We all want the rose you know
I said
Hey yeah
Show us love before you go . . . "

All this to say that even though this song might just be about some dude who can't make up his mind about the two chicks in his life, (or religion?? in general?) it still has an awesome catchy vibe that I couldn't pass up on.

So there ya go. That's my disclaimer. :)

And - hello??!! You know I had so much fun at this shoot. Just look at these girls! I could have literally posted a hundred gorgeous pics, because these Class of 2012 girls: Katie, Jen, Anna and Maria were like camera candy!

(I highly recommend the "group thing" if you are a senior this year. Its fun to take pics with your friends, and it brings out the natural YOU. Contact me for details on group rate specials!! Ok, I'm done with the shameless plug.)

On to the good stuff . . .

To Katie, Jen, Anna and Maria: Congrats! And ENJOY your senior year. You girls have so much light in your eyes and in your hearts - I wish you ALL the best!
love,
Summer

Dream a Little Dream of Me

"Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me

Say nighty night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me

Dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me . . ."
-Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong


John and Britney are getting married!!  There is something so sweet and old-fashioned (in a good way!) about their cute interactions, and so I thought an all-time "oldies" classic love song was in order for the dedication ;). . .  John and Britney clearly love eachother, take care of eachother, are so considerate of one another - what a great way to start a marriage. John is the perfect gentleman - opening doors for everyone, even offering to carry my heavy camera gear at times! (Don't worry - I remained professional and wouldn't let him do it! I've got my own photog-muscles, ya'll! ;) ) And Britney is one of those girls you just want to be friends with the minute you meet her - relaxed, down-to-earth, honest - and hilarious!! Love these two! And I can't wait to be there for their big day in December!

Learning to Fly

"Well, I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still
I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Well, the good ol' days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn
I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there
I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up must come down
I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up must come down
I'm learning to fly
I'm learning to fly"

-Tom Petty