emily peyton cook photography

more of emily

I have already told you how much I loved photographing Emily. I had wanted to do a fun collage with her glasses pics, but didn't have time the week I was blogging about her. I thought this turned out so cute.

emily toddy: chs senior

I loved meeting this senior. I loved her spirit. I loved her heart. And of course, I loved her name. ; )

I asked her how she found out about me, since she just moved here this year. She replied, "I liked the font on your sign and your logo." So, one more thing to love about this girl, she appreciates typography. I loved her taste.

I didn't know her story when she walked through my doors to book her session, but something about her left me wanting to know more. I have this tendency to want to befriend the new kid in town. I've been that way since Crestview Elementary school. Since I've lived in the same place my whole life, I've always loved meeting new people from other places.

It didn't take long into the session to find out that she had lost her mom several years ago to cancer. The necklace she wears in this picture has her moms's fingerprint imprinted on it.

So, I investigated more to find out how she wears this brave smile and how it radiates from within her.

Remembering my own grief, at her age, not at the loss of my mom, but the loss of my best friend, I began to ask her how she walked through that time. Our conversation turned to the Lord. I love when that happens and He shows me glimpses of how He works all things out for the good of those who love Him.

In remembering my pain, I remember Him carrying me through and am able to identify, in some small way, with Emily's pain and even more her joy, because it's His joy. We share the same Savior. I started thinking that a blessing that comes from grief is being able to comfort those who are mourning or who have mourned. Until you've been through tragedy yourself, it's hard to connect with others in those situations. I was able to count suffering as joy in that moment.

Emily, it was an honor to meet you and I just know God has great things planned for you. Keep walking in His will and His way and be encouraged that you inspired me on the day of your session. Here are a few more of my favorites.

This Emily is a bit more graceful than this one.

audrey: brighton senior

I have met the most amazing seniors lately. (I'll be posting about another one next week). This is Audrey. She is her own person and reminds me a lot of my self at her age. She enjoys tie-dying and is very creative with it, I must say. She even makes her shoes into art. (See bottom photo). I enjoyed so much spending the morning with she and her mother. It was so refreshing to be around a young person like Audrey. You have such a bright future ahead of you Audrey. Keep doing what you're doing. : )

A song from my high school days inspired this photo. "I've got one hand in my pocket and the other one is giving a peace sign."

stand firm...with truth

I loved working with Julianna! She reminded me a lot of myself at her age. She brought lots of ideas to her senior session and we had lots of fun with it. This was one of my favorite images from our day together.

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:14-17

introducing luxe frames!

I am so excited about these! I am going to do a wall of pink and white ones over G's bed. To purchase click here. You can find them on the products page when you are ordering. They come in 2 sizes, 4 styles and 4 colors. The possibilities are endless! 8x10 frames are $85 and include the frame and photo and ship directly to your door ready to hang. 10x10 frames are $100 and include the frame and photo and also ship directly to your door ready to hang. I hope you love new products as much as I do. These will make great Christmas gifts!

time to start flexing my photography muscles again

I'm back! Today is my first day back in studio for sessions in over 8 weeks. I am excited about all that's to come this fall and hope you and I will be crossing paths, me behind the camera and you {or your kiddos} in front of my lens. September is booked with the exception of tomorrow morning at 9 and 9/23 at 9 a.m. I had a couple of babies born early and had to bump up so, that left those open spots. October is booked with the exception of the 21st at 9 and the 25th at 9, 3, or 4. November is beginning to book up as well, but the most dates available for fall. 

Don't forget to schedule your mini session. Click here for info. There are still plenty of appointments for each event. Saturday apts. are available for all three for those of you who work. 

Heritage Day is just 23 days away! And Pumpkin Patch one week after that. That is crazy to me!

Remember this year that I've answered your requests to select your own multiple images and sizes and to have personalized galleries for each family. Everyone gets FREE shipping and I'm offering a digital image for you to print from or put on your own Christmas cards, too. I hope this accomodates you and helps you get the most for your money and your needs. 

About to head out the door for my first session with a super sweet mommy and baby that I love dearly. Hopefully Bennett is in as good of a mood as I am. : )

Live fully and keep your eyes on the prize, 
Emily
Philippians 3:13

something to keep you entertained while i'm away

A new website design with updated images! This is something I've had on my list for a while and it's finally done so you have something to look at while I'm away from the camera and computer. ; ) 

here's the plan, stan

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
(These are my plans, but only God knows the day of Georgia's arrival).

I'm over 35 weeks and scheduled for a c-section at 39 weeks. 

I have less than 4 weeks left in this pregnancy and 2 weeks and 2 days left in before my maternity leave starts. In that time, I plan on completing 14 sessions on the books as well as uploading those sessions as well as two more previous sessions.

I'll be placing one big order next week (for those of you who've already ordered and paid) and one more order on the 24th for those who order and pay after that initial order.

My last day is June 24. I will return Sept. 1.

If you have proof requests or orders you want placed prior to my maternity leave, you'll need to get those in and paid for before June 24. 

My plan is to place orders received after that point on one designated day at the end of July and one designated day at the end of August. 

This should still keep your orders coming to you within the 4-6 week window. 

To clear up any confusion, I have complete control over all proofing and ordering. It's not an automated process to the lab when you press the order button. I go through each order with a fine tooth comb to assure your images meet my quality standards in terms of color, cropping, and design.

I'll be recovering from major abdominal surgery, enjoying a newborn baby and a 2.5 year old. In advance, I want to thank you for understanding this process and respecting my time away during this transition.

After June 24, I'll be available by email, but don't promise to be tied down to my blackberry responding at lighting speed. This being my 2nd go round at motherhood, I now know how quickly the first year goes and don't want to let technology and business distract from time I can't ever get back.

I will be promoting 3 Fall {Portraits for Hope} events during my leave in August. I'll be taking apts. for those events when the promotion starts on the blog and Facebook. 

There are only 6 apts. left in September, so if your baby plan baby is due for a session, you want to start your new baby on the plan, or you want a regular session in that month, let me know ASAP and I'll get you booked. Those dates are going fast. 

Thanks so much for your support, business, and friendships along the way. My growing family thanks you for all you do for us. We wouldn't be in business without you!

kinsey: preview

 

Here is a preview of Kinsey's session. We had so much fun last week riding around, laughing, talking and shooting these images. It was great therapy for me while Zach was away. I really enjoyed getting to know she and her mother, Michelle. Kinsey is a beautiful girl on the inside and out. I know she'll do great things with her life. Have a great rest of your senior year, Kinsey, and enjoy your preview until I get the rest of your session uploaded! : )

keeping you informed

Due to my pregnancy, upcoming maternity leave, and making myself stick to a 16 hour work week, here are the deadline times that were already set in the past, but I've rarely taken advantage of.

These deadline windows are in effect through the remainder of this year. (Unless we've discussed otherwise, i.e. birth announcements, Christmas cards, etc.)

1. Proofs will be uploaded 2-3 weeks after your initial session date.

2. Orders (and proofs) may take 4-6 weeks to arrive from the time your payment clears the bank.

Thank you for your patience. This extra time gives me the ability to deliver the ultimate quality to you and your families. It's a win/win for us both.

Again, I can't tell you how much your business means to me. I appreciate you all more than you will ever know.