The Mill Family (My Family!)

Meet the Mills - some of my favorite people on the planet! Ok, ok.. so I am partial because it is my brother's family, but I'm pretty sure I would love them even if they weren't. People often assume that because you are a photographer, you take tons and tons of pictures of your own family. Truth is, and these guys can testify to this, I very rarely get to photograph them. I know, it is a shame. Even worse, when I do make time, they have to wait the longest to get their pictures back! I know, I am an awful sister! But even so, sometimes they still let me get away with it. We tried to fit a lot into this shoot, and faced lots of obstacles along the way, but we were going to get these photos done come hell or high water! These are my nephew's 2 year old (ish) portraits, my sister-in-law's preggers pics, and some family portraits of all three of them to boot. It took us two days (in some of the gloomiest weather for shooting) but we did it! AND I got them back to them in just over a month. I'm pretty proud of myself. haha. Here are some favs from the shoots!

Lila is over 8 months pregnant here! We welcomed little Harrison into the world on April 7th:-)

Such a sweet big brother!


That face is irresistible!





I really love these next two. Just such honest emotion! Love it!



What a ham:-)



I love his expression. Somebody is unimpressed with day two of shooting.


This one just makes me smile.






He is my brother's child...and his grandfather's grandchild. There is no way this kid would not get the fishing bug.



Finding the fish is serious business.


If you are curious... yes, he was steering.




Love you guys!

Hope Reins Mane Event 2011

For the last year, I have had the privilege of donating my time and talent to a great organization here in town called Hope Reins of Raleigh. Their mission is to share the love of God with children in need through rescued and donated horses. I grew up riding horses, and have always loved being around them. The first time I had heard about a program like this was in a book I read several years ago called "Hope Rising" by Kim Meeder. Kim started Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Oregon. The book shared beautiful stories of how broken children and broken horses had found hope and healing through bonds formed at Crystal Peaks. It was such a touching book that I dreamed about having my own ranch one day that would do the very same thing! However, that has not been in God's plan for me, but luckily I found out about Hope Reins of Raleigh. Hope Reins was started by Kim Tschirret (yes, both of their names are Kim) after she too read "Hope Rising" and caught the same vision as Kim Meeder. A mere two years later, Hope Reins of Raleigh has grown from a dream into a reality. Just a couple of weeks ago Hope Reins hosted a fundraising event called the "Mane Event" at the Angus Barn's Pavilion. There were over 300 attendees, and it was a packed house. The featured speaker was Kim Meeder herself, whose book and ranch are the inspiration and model for Hope Reins. The event also had a concert by Meredith Andrews, whose song, "You're Not Alone", was the theme of the evening. Check out Meredith's other music here. Ok, ok, enough talk. Here are just a few pictures from this great event!

Hey, Brides! Looking for a really awesome venue for your reception? Check out the Angus Barn Pavilion. It has a really cool rustic vibe!

(It's always fun seeing my pictures in print!)






Cards at each table shared a picture and a story about Hope Reins to let people know about the amazing things that are happening every day at the farm.


Hands down, the Angus Barn makes the best chocolate pie ever. Just sayin'.

Christy Burkey, Marketing Coordinator.

Anna Foulkrod, Training and Conditioning Coordinator.


Founder and President of Hope Reins of Raleigh, Kim Tschirret.

Founder of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch and author of "Hope Rising", Kim Meeder.



Board of Directors member, Allin Foulkrod.

Meredith Andrews




Meredith's husband/keyboardist/backup singer Jacob





Fact: I love cowboy hats. Troy Meeder (left) is Kim's husband. He leads worship time on their ranch in Oregon and has just published his first book, "Average Joe: God's Extraordinary Calling to Ordinary Men".


The Tschirrets and the Meeders

The lovely women who make Hope Reins run!


If you are interested in learning more, or becoming involved with Hope Reins of Raleigh, please visit their website: hopereinsraleigh.org.

The Nolans

Ok, well since I have been engrossed in travel pictures, this is probably a good time to post this shoot. Meet Davina and Ryan, who just celebrated their 10 year anniversary (congrats you guys!). Davina works with my sister, and she and Ryan were in Barcelona with us. On our very last day in the city we went to the top of Montjuic to see the best view of the city. Since I had heard this was part of their anniversary celebration, I offered to take some pictures while we walked around and explored. These two were naturals in front of the camera! The only drawback to the shoot is that I had brought only my wide angle to shoot with (because I knew I was going to be taking landscapes) but in the end I still think they turned out really cute. Here are just a couple to enjoy!



Davina, you have perfect skin. Just sayin'.

I love the view of Barcelona behind them! It was so clear up there you could just see for miles and miles!


I really REALLY loved this graffiti wall.


I really enjoyed getting to know you both on our European vacation! I wish you guys 10 more happy years!

Wanderings.

So, obviously I have been on another hiatus from blog posting! In my absence, I have traveled abroad and gained two new stamps in my passport! Yay! But now that I am back, it is time to get back down to business! I have spent a few weeks redesigning my blog and giving it a much needed face-lift! The old design had been around for a couple of years, and lacked the visual impact that I wanted it to have. I tried not to wander too far from the feel of my website, but I wanted it to have a texture you could almost feel. Let me also say that I did this myself, so please let me know if there is anything wonky about it on your monitor. I am a photographer, not a web designer! But I digress... I am excited to be posting again!


Here is just a glimpse of my travels!
Barcelona, Spain! I don't think I have been so quickly enamored with a place in all my travels. Such a cool city! I hope I can see you again some day.

I love that my sister took this of me on top of Montjuic. I was doing this a lot.

Florence, Italy! This is my sister and I along the Arno River! It was so neat to actually be standing there! But it was SUPER cold! Brr!

...and more of this...with a map in my back pocket. Really.. you would NEVER know I was a tourist, right?

Rome, Italy! Oh my goodness I wish I had had weeks and weeks to spend in Rome! Such amazing history. Honestly, it was so bizarre standing in the coliseum. I mean.. it is sooooo old, and incredible! I couldn't fit it all in one shot with my widest lens!

Rainy day at the Roman Forum, but still amazing! Ruins are EVERYWHERE.

Finally, St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Beautiful. It is so surreal to think that you were standing at the spot where Peter is buried. THE Peter. The Peter who hung out with JESUS. Wow.

Well anyway, thanks for indulging me! I'll have much more exciting travel pictures soon (ones without me in them!) and much much more! Stay tuned!