Anna & Jake

My husband's sister recently got engaged...to the absolute perfect man for her. They are an amazing couple and just radiate grace when together. You can see it in their eyes just how much they love each other and both are just GLOWING right now with excitement over their approaching wedding! We actually went back to the proposal site to shoot their portraits. The Bog Garden of Greensboro is a very special place to them. I'm so happy that I got to shoot their engagement portraits and am so very much looking forward to shooting their wedding! These two are soul-mates...no doubt about it.

Grace

I am blessed to be married into an amazing family. My dear husband's twin brother is married to a beautiful and loving woman, who just had her first child a mere 6 months ago. Grace was premature and had a difficult and scary first few weeks. With luck, love, and God's will she is growing into an amazing little lady. Grace, just as her name reveals, has received much of it. Just being in this child's presence will brighten someones day and lift your spirit. She is a gift and I am blessed to have her as my first niece. Earlier this week I spent the morning with her mother, Sarah Jo, and her. We laughed and giggled and cooed over the little angel she held in her arms. I had been wanting to photograph Grace since she was still in the womb and was excited to finally get to do so. I'm looking forward to documenting her life and changes. I have no doubt she is going to grow into an amazing woman with the love and Grace of God.

Kelsey

I had the pleasure of photographing my baby cousin recently...well, she's not a baby anymore but she'll never be too big to get grief from her older cousin! She is a dynamic young lady who impresses me every time I am in her presence. She is very down to earth and prides herself in her "country" roots. She is a strong young woman with virtuous values. When we decided to do a session I knew I wanted to capture her love of the rough outdoors. She is well versed with the ways of the hunt and a tom-boy with feminine grace. We decided to head outback of her fathers property into her actual hunting ground. There was a light drizzle and the overcast lighting was lovely. We nearly got rained out a few times, but managed to have an amazing session. I am looking forward to continuing to watch her turn into the amazing woman that she is already being molded into.

Summer & Larry Nance

I have been under the weather for the past few days and am now playing a little catch up on here. I recently had the opportunity to photograph a wonderful married couple named Summer and Larry Nance. I met Summer when she was teaching my husband's little sister dance at Eden School of Dance & Music last year. I ended up doing her class portraits at the spur of the moment (which was a new experience for me!) and have kept in touch ever since. When she asked me to do her portraits I was very happy and eager to accept! She said that her and her husband had not had portraits made together since before they got married and the ones from their wedding were very "weddingy." She picked a great location on a un-worked farm in Rockingham County. It was absolutely beautiful out there with lots of places for great photo ops! This shoot was a lot of fun, there was no way it couldn't have been with them! They are a great couple and very much in love. It is always refreshing to see that kind of love and spark alive in marriages. They seem to be very pleased with their pictures and are planning on using them on their Christmas cards this year! Thanks Summer and Larry for a great shoot and an opportunity to get to know you better! I'm looking forward to more of these opportunities in the future!

I say hello to this thing called Blog!

Well, I have been threatening to start a blog for a few years now and was given that extra bit of motivation today as I viewed other photographers websites from across the nation. It seems as though everyone has a blog now and something to say. Well...I ALWAYS have something to say and silence is definitely not my best virtue, so here I go. Today I set my virtual foot into into the photographers land of blogging. It is my goal to make this informal and a tool for my clients and colleagues to get to know me better. I refuse to make this a formal, rigid, and "please shoot me now" blog. I can't read them and don't expect you to either. So~ sit back, relax, have a little read, enjoy a few pictures (hopefully on a daily basis), try to get a few chuckles in, and leave me some feedback from time to time on what your thoughts are. This blog is going to be primarily based around my photographs, be it business or personal. At times it may only be a photograph that captures the essence of what the day had to hold. Today this photograph is simply me...as my intro.

Okay now, howdy folks! This is me, here to your left. I chose an informal picture here because this is my natural state...relaxing with my camera in hand. In fact, at times it can be difficult for my husband to pry it out of my fingers. I am married to the most wonderful man and my first real sweetheart. We have a love story that has yet to be matched by anyone...including the Notebook. One of these days I'll put it all down and post it up here for all the world to bask in our glorious love. Yes, I am a sap and proud to be so. I am realistic and a bit sarcastic at times too though. I try to embrace each moment and enjoy the light of each day, regardless of the perceived clouds. Life is short and goes by all to fast, I choose not to waste it with negative thought or negative people. I LOVE my life, I am probably more blessed than I deserve. I have the honor of being married to the most perfect man created just for me, own a home that I am comfortable in, have pets that adore me, and a family that I wouldn't replace for anything.

I have had a camera in my hand since the deceivingly innocent age of 11, which is when I received my first 35 mm. I fell in love with world behind the shutter and have been hooked ever since. I am by no means comfortable in FRONT of the camera and will always say that I belong behind it. I started my professional training around 8 years ago apprenticing from several photographers across the South-East. A few years ago I decided to branch out and go solo. Here I am now, doing what I love and loving what I do! I have never looked back and don't imagine myself ever doing so. Prior to moving to the Greensboro area, which is where I am now located, I primarily photographed architectural advertisements, portraits, and, of course, any music venue or festival I could find. Presently I am placing my attention towards weddings (which I have found myself absolutely LOVING!), senior portraits, and family portraits. I must admit that I miss the excitement of the stage shows and festivals, as well as the solitude and quiet of the architectural work, but I am finding that I am passionate about the intimacy of portraits and the memories cherished in weddings. I hope to see this line sprout roots and blossom into a beautiful business here in the triad. After leaving my roots in the mountains, I am still working on re-establishing myself here. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in my services or pop into my website for more information. www.steshawarren.com stesha@steshawarren.comThis is the first of many, many posts to come. I hope that you all come back regularly and leave me feedback on the woes and wins of my attempt at blogging. So, until next time...