What to Do, What to Do? {Before & After}

I took this photo of my step-brother and his girlfriend while on vacation on St. George Island in Florida. It's a super cute photo, but the sun was going down and I didn't want to use my flash and blow out the GORGEOUS sunset. But in choosing not to use my flash, the foreground and my subjects are simply too dark.  If I lighten/brighten the image in Photoshop, it's way too grainy. So, I decided to go the other route. In Photoshop, I adjusted the LEVELS, pumping up the blacks to make a silhouette. Then, I ran the Florabella Classic Color Action from the Classic Workflow Collection to amplify the colors. It's a great shot that packs a real punch of drama!

Morgan {Seaside Teen Photography}

I am so very behind on blogging. It has been a CRAZY few months in the Burtch household (more to come on that later) and I am just now getting around to posting about some of the great sessions I had this summer.

One of my favorites, was one I asked my precious cousin, Morgan, to do for me. She was such a trooper and let me tease her hair extra big. Not to mention, she wore 6 inch platform heels while teetering on a boardwalk...not something she's used to doing in South GA! All the while, withstanding heckling from the peanut gallery (aka her mother and my mother). And did I mention that she is S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G! Seriously, a photographer's dream!

You see, Morgan and her brother have such a special place in my heart. Their Mother is probably one of the closest people in the world to me and I LOVE them all dearly. I remember the day that Morgan was born, which makes it really difficult to believe that she just started high school!!! WOW, I'm getting OLD!) Morgan is beautiful (inside and out), she is hilarious, and she knows what she believes and what she wants out of life. I think it is a pretty incredible thing to see that confidence in someone so young!

Our grandmother loved poetry and beautiful quotes. She would write them down and stash them places so that she could read them later. Following in her footsteps, I saw this quote and thought of Morgan. The author is not named, but I loved it and held on to it until I had time to write this post:

Beautiful girl, on top of the world...

Don't fall down...

Because an ANGEL should never touch the ground! (Anonymous)

Morgan - I hope you have a blast in high school. You are an amazing girl and I love you dearly. Remember who you are, what you believe and what you want for your life. Don't try to be like everyone else, because you are firecracker, and everyone would be smart to try to be more like you! I love you, girlie!!!!

Beautiful Day, Beautiful Girl

This young lady has got so much going for her...she's confident, curious, beautiful...and did I mention she has AMAZING eyes and hair! I had looked forward to this shoot for a long time, because I knew "C" was all in and up for anything I threw at her. For me, that made for a perfect shoot! Thank you ladies for making the trip down...it was a pleasure working with you and I hope you love your photos!

Down on the Farm {South Georgia Friends Photography}

While Kevin and I were participating in all of the wedding festivities last weekend, Hayden (who was there as the cutest ring barer EVER - see photo to the left) got to stay with his sweet cousins (well, second cousins, but who's keeping track) in Adel, GA. My wonderful Aunt Bonnie shuttled him back and forth so that he could serve his duties, but it also allowed us to spend time with dear friends. We are so, so greatful for all 4 of you! His cousins took such good care of him and he loved every minute of the time he spent with them. He was also so exhausted, I think he could have slept for days...if he didn't feel like he would miss out on so much! To say thank you to Morgan, who I'm sure did her share of babysitting that weekend, I did a little "Friends" photoshoot on her friend Jenny's farm. This turned out to be just as cool for me as it was for them! Talk about a photographer's dream...this farm was ahhh-mazing! It had cotton fields, rusted trucks, cows, horses, barns...you name it! I had a blast with the firls and I hope they love their photos! Morgan, Haley, Macey, Ashlyn and Jenny -- Thank you for being such beautiful models. I hope you guys had as much fun as I did and I can't wait to shoot you guys again soon!

Scarlett O'Hara would have been proud...Cotton fields and beautiful Southern Belles!