the JOURNAL

One of my favorite parts of being a milestone photographer in Eastern NC is getting to watch families grow. This recent milestone session was especially meaningful because I’ve had the privilege of documenting several chapters of this family’s story. I first met this family for their birth announcement session. Later, I photographed their maternity session […]

If you’re wondering what to wear for family photos, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, it’s probably the number one question I get after a family books their session. And honestly? I understand why. Choosing outfits for yourself is one thing. Coordinating outfits for your partner, your kids, and maybe even a baby who has […]

Spoiler: Your Favorite Family Photos Might Not Be the Ones Where Everyone Is Smiling Spoiler alert: the photo you end up printing, framing, and looking at for years to come might not be the one where everyone is smiling at the camera. As a parenthood photographer in Eastern NC, one of the most common things […]

There are certain seasons of motherhood that somehow feel endless and fleeting all at once. The sleepy newborn snuggles. The toddler who suddenly wants to do everything by themselves, except when they still climb into your lap at the end of the day. The beautiful, messy rhythm of learning one another in a brand-new season. […]

A Coastal North Carolina Session for a Family of Four This Emerald Isle family session captured a beautiful family of four at the end of September. There’s something bittersweet about late summer—the season slipping away before fall arrives. For this family, it was the perfect moment to preserve where they are right now at Emerald […]

I am so stoked to share Michaela and Matt’s Summer Wedding at Amelia Grove on the blog today. Michaela and I bonded over our love for TSwift. If you’ve ever scrolled through my website you’ll see that there are song lyrics in the header of each page including some from the queen herself. When Michaela […]

Dakota + Taylor’s Hubert Summer Wedding Dakota and Taylor’s reception is one I will never forget!! I legit wanted to head straight to the club when I left their wedding after photographing them partying the night away. Dakota and Taylor’s Hubert Summer Wedding kicked off my summer wedding season with a BLAST!! Literally. I LOVE […]

Morgan + Derek’s Coastal Boho Summer Wedding | Sneads Ferry, NC Y’all, I’m not kidding when I say I am still obsessing over Morgan and Derek’s coastal boho summer wedding. Not only is Morgan so kind, beautiful, and just an all-around amazing person; but she is also so dang talented. She designed most of the […]

Caitlyn + Edgar’s Classic Blush and Ivory Spring Wedding I am so excited to share some of my favorite images from Caitlyn and Edgar’s classic blush and ivory spring wedding at The Maola at Riverside. I will always remember the Instagram message that Caitlyn sent me to book their wedding. As soon as I read […]

Jess’s Favorite Books of 2021 How does that saying go – if your goals don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough? Well, my 2021 reading goal totally scared me. I set a goal to read 100 books in 2021. Around February I realized I was crazy and almost changed my goal. Around June I was […]