For the past month or so I’ve just felt so weird, and in a complete rut in my life. Like I was stuck. Going no where. But wanting so bad to escape…pack up and move! For those of you who know me…you know I’m all about making quick decisions and just going for it. Well instead…I stopped, and prayed. It’s absolutely amazing how much God has changed me this past year. Continually convicting me of my old ways, and forcing me into situations where I have the perfect opportunity to show just how much I’ve changed. I deal with certain situations completely different than I use to a year ago. All I can say is…God is good. Very good.

Forgiveness.
A word that has been on my heart for the past couple weeks. A constant ache in my heart that I wished would go away, but of course it wouldn’t. And then the strangest thing happened…I forgave. I was apologized to by someone who I have not spoken with in 9 years! Right when that I happened, I felt so convicted by my own sin of not forgiving. And so I did. We all have people in our lives that we’ve held grudges against, remained mad at, and even stopped talking to because of different issues/arguments. We can’t just stop there. We have to pray for those who have hurt us and/or those who we have hurt. Two verses come to mind when I think of the word forgiveness.

Luke 7:47-48
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

These two verses just really spoke to me this past week. So if there is someone out there you feel you need to forgive, you should. Okay, there…I’ll stop preaching hee hee. As I continue to write this post I feel myself not really knowing where to go next. So in that case I want to introduce you all to Jessie and James. If you missed their sweet engagement session, you can check it out here. I have tons of great things to say about these two, but I’ll save it for their full post.

This picture is more than just a picture to me. This picture makes me feel.
This picture shows me what love should look like. It paints a picture of something I wish for in my future.
This short second in life that was captured has more meaning behind it than most may realize.
This picture is by far one of my favorites. Of all time. I know its simple…but that is what I love about it.

So thank you Jessie and James for sharing that special second in time with me. It was truly an honor to be a part of your wedding day.

And because this image reminds me of one of my favorite verses…

Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I’m so excited to finally share this little session I did with a cute, spunky little girl named, Justice.
Justice kind of reminds me of myself when I was a little girl…full of energy and definitely on our own agenda! She would crack me up…in the middle of shooting she would literally get up and walk away saying, “Okay, I’m done with this now.” haha it was really cute actually. Her parents were super laid-back and wonderful and let me and Justice hang out by ourselves for a bit. Thats when the magic started happening, I had this little girl cracking up over the smallest things…(because clearly I’m hilarious right!…Right?!). It made me miss being a little kid and finding joy in the simple things. But thanks to Justice, she reminded me of something great…

That we all need to take a little time to enjoy the simple things in life.

So my friends, be sure to take some time today to stop and listen the sounds around you. Sit in silence and feel yourself breathe…
Enjoy!

Such a sweet, loving family.

Bubbles and bubbles and bubbles!

Papa Jim had to get in on the action too!

Haha this was the best. After Justice changed into her tutu she was dancin’ around and checking herself out in the mirror. So cute.

Okay, another hilarious story. I asked Justice, “So what does this flower smell like?” and she simply looks at me and says, “Like marshmallows of course!” Haha kids actually do say the darndest things. : )

One of my absolute favorites.

See. I told you that clearly, I’m super funny. The proof is in the picture people! : P

Another favorite of mine!

I love this look from Justice. So cute.

Justice had just received these toys for her birthday and they were pretty much inseparable.

Another absolute favorite of mine.

Be sure to leave this girl some love, she is seriously talented. And thank you Kristen for sharing with us and being a part of the Featured Artist Fridays!
You can check out more of her awesome work here.
Take it away Kristen…

Orlando wedding photographer, Kristen Weaver, loves Chik-Fil-A sweet tea, and feels she may never have made it where she is today without it. She loves fashion photography (those who cannot, take photographs of those who can), wedding photography, family portraits, senior portraits and being able to capture them. She’s a philanthropist at heart, trying to change the world one slice of cheese at a time. She mainly shoots in the Central Florida area, but is available for destinations as well.

Who inspires you? Or where do you find inspiration?

Ok, well obviously you read my blog about Paolo Roversi being my biggest inspiration in photography. But I also find a lot of inspiration from music. It’s all about the energy and a feeling at my shoots. When that’s in place, I’m completely inspired. When I’m inspired, I definitely shoot my best work. I could shoot all day being in that frame of mind. It’s so energizing!

What got you into photography?

This is one of those questions with a really long answer… so I’ll summarize by saying that I’ve always been intrigued by it, but it was probably my intense passion for fashion magazines that made me connect all the dots. From more of a physical position, I picked up the camera for a graphic design project in college, and haven’t put it down since. I can specifically remember “phases” of my life by the role that photography has played in it.

Mention an incident when you laughed out loud at yourself?

I couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Katherine Heigl, because I just think she cracks me up. I’ve been told that I have the same facial expressions as her. So that’s fun!

What was the last movie you went to see?

Actually, this weekend we saw 2! Despicable Me and Grown Ups. I loved both of them, but Despicable Me was my favorite

What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

A lot of drinks! Coke, IBC Root Beer, Milk, Bottled Water, Lemonade and Yeungling. I think there’s also blueberries, cherries and carmel dip. It’s a little hodge-podge of random stuff.

During your childhood, what was your favorite comic character?

Jem! Or, the Wuzzles! Or anything Disney… even though we lived in Ohio, my parents would save all year for this giant blow-out Disney vacation and I just LOVED it! Now I live in Orlando and never even get over there – but when I do, I could pretty much tour the entire place.

Which is your favorite language other than you native language?

Italian. I learned it (and I use that loosely) in high school, and went over to Italy as a junior. I love everything about it – the culture, the language, the scenery and the food! Mmm…. Gelato.

She’s a pretty awesome little girl.

More to come soon! : )

Hello beautiful blue eyes!

And here she is with her awesome parents : )

Hope everyone enjoys today.

❤