So, you never quite know what you're going to get when you're photographing a toddler. Sometimes, they're baby models built for the camera. Sometimes, they scream when they see a camera. 

Shooting children can be so much fun and rewarding but it can also be a nightmare if you're not careful. I always make sure to encourage parents to do whatever we need to do to keep the situation calm, relaxed and fun. Babies need to run around and get energy out, so it's okay to take breaks and work with the child to capture photos. 

Yesterday, I got to shoot with this sweet munchkin. Miss Ava is almost two years old and loves to play! We shot at a state park, so we had tons of room for running around and enjoying ourselves and playing with the leaves. Jonathan and Brittany are both so laid back and nice, so it ended up being a great shoot.

It also helps that this time of year is hands down my favorite time to shoot. Look at those leaves! Could we have asked for a more perfect back drop

Ashley has been my best friend longer than I can remember. We bonded on an elementary school bus over a shared love of Pokemon, Girl Scouts and mutual weirdness. That's been almost fifteen years ago, but we're still just as weird as ever. 

Now, Ashley's a mom and we're both married. Gone are the days of listening to Outkast on a boom box in the driveway trying to catch a tan with baby oil or making up dance routines in the swimming pool to Sir Mix-a-lot songs. These days, Ash is getting ready to graduate from culinary school. 

Now anyone that knows Ash knows that she's always been a bomb cook, but now she's a professional and I couldn't be more proud of her for balancing the daily stress that comes along with being a mom and a military wife with going to school full time and working. 

We had so much fun putting these pictures together and sweet Layla got to play too, showing everyone that she's two going on 24, but still enjoys cupcakes as much as the next toddler. 

There aren't many things I like more than babies and birthday parties. Charli, who might be one of the cutest babies I've ever met, celebrated her first birthday yesterday with a Mickey and Friends-themed birthday bash at home with her family and friends. 

There was a lot of laughter, good food, and Alabama football. Really, what more could I ask for? It's still so crazy to me that I get to call this a job some days! 

It's been a long time since I was a student at Montevallo High School. Back in my glory days, I spent every Friday night on the sidelines with the football team, taking photos and capturing footage for our school newspaper and broadcast program. Yes, even back then I was a photography and journalism nerd. 

This Friday night, my husband and I and one of my best friends decided to ride to Leeds to watch our old Bulldogs face off against Leeds in the second round of the AHSAA playoffs. It was freezing and our boys struggled and ultimately did not pull off a win. We're still so proud of them for making it so far that we didn't mind. 

I snapped some photos for fun while I was there. Of course, I don't have near the lens technology necessary to capture these images in their true and sharp glory, but I had fun nonetheless reliving my high school days. 

I'm also too old to know who any of these students are anymore, so feel free to share if you see a face you recognize! 

The Tum Tum Tree Foundation Wine Auction is a 26-year-old tradition that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children's charities each year. The two-night event features wines from all over the world, dinners prepared by famous local chefs, silent and live auctions and more. 

I became involved in this event three years ago while I was still working in the nonprofit sector. This was my third year volunteering, albeit my first volunteering from behind a camera lens. This event is always so glamorous and so much fun! Who doesn't love the opportunity to get dressed up? For more information on the Tum Tum Tree Foundation, click here.