Our top priority is to get the senior dogs and long stay dogs adopted.

     Long stay is defined as a stay of 6 months or more.  This is heartbreaking that they live in shelters for even this long.  Please take a look, and if you like an animal you see here, visit the shelter, give them 10 minutes of your time, and you'll love them!  If any dog has more of a description more than another, it's just because this was my first go at this, and I wasn't as well prepared as I thought!  Better details to come!

So, let's jump in and meet the pups!

First up is Brewster.  This poor pup's owner passed away, and he was surrendered to the shelter soon afterwards, imagine how scared he must have been.  He had a tough time adjusting at first, but has settled in nicely. 

One of my favorite quotes, by Gandhi,  is "be the change you want to see in the world".  However, I had no idea where to start.  Completely stumped.  And frankly, pretty bummed that nothing stuck out to me as a way I could make a change. Then I had Gigi (my pup) in the studio the other day and it occurred to me to take the skills I've honed over the past year and use those to make a difference.  While I'm not going to help any global or national problems, I figured out a way to make a little change.  I've started volunteering at Macon County Animal Control & Care Center, in conjunction with Decatur & Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation to photograph the pets currently waiting for homes.  Working closely with them, and volunteer Beth Wallace of Miti Fine Dog Training, we hope to get all the pets (cats & dogs) photographed & blogged.

Rachel told me she was pregnant when we did Knox's 1 year photos, so we did a little chalkboard up so she could announce it.  Since then, I've been looking forward to doing her little girls pictures.  Myla arrived right on time, healthy as can be, and looking just like big brother, Knox.  Check out the gallery with a pretty complete set of pictures from our day!

Since Rachel is on her own during the day with the kiddos, we decided I'd come to her for pictures since she has the room (and the hardwood floors!).  Newborn sessions can take hours depending on how your little one sleeps, so rather than disrupt Knox's schedule, I packed up the studio and set up shop at her house.

Myla rocked this session.  I felt a little out of my element not in my studio, but she bore with me, and did awesome for her pics. 

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I just wanted to drop a quick note thanking all of my supporters, friends, family, and clients.  Periodically, I post on Facebook about my appreciation for all of you, but there really aren't eloquent enough words to describe how truly thankful I am.  When I began pursuing Hidden Gem on a more full time basis, I never imaged my success would have evolved so quickly.  Earlier this year, I kept saying I'm "this close" to being where I want to be with the business.  In just a few short months, I'm there, WOW!

Hidden Gem has become my child (well, a little less high maintenance than my ACTUAL child).  I live and breathe this business.  I love seeing throwbacks from previous years and seeing how far I've come.  I imagine where I'll be in another year, and I'm SO excited.

To summarize 2014 I had 110+ sessions, photographed four gorgeous weddings, a bunch of newborns, dozens of birthday/milestone sessions, and a ton of families, and enjoyed seeing all of them grace my hard drive with their images.  

Ahh! Easton was such a doll to work with. He slept through pretty much all of the beanbag poses, wanted nothing to do with a bucket pose, and called the day before we got the Christmas picture. Admittedly, the beanbag was going so well, I probably spent too much time messing with those poses. But who wouldn’t when they have such a squishy, sleeping baby in the studio!  Check out his gallery to see his adorable squishiness!

I'm new to wrapping techniques.  I'm not gonna lie.  Half the reason I wanted Easton in my studio was to practice wraps, and I'm so glad I did.  I caught a bunch of adorable faces, and a half smile even!  And the wrap didn't look half bad!

Mom brought a few things that Dad loves, so we made sure to incorporate those into the session as well.