Clay & Jessica just celebrated seven years of marriage.  I was lucky to photograph these two love birds and their puppy Hazel during their anniversary weekend.  Their love and ease with each other made this session easy breezy and lots of fun.

What he said: "7 years ago today, we started a great adventure. It included a cross country move to someplace we didn't know anybody. Then a cross town move to our first house. Who knows what's next? Who cares, we'll do it together. She makes me a better man. She's my best friend. She's the she to my nanigans. She still laughs at my jokes. I love you so much Jessica, here's to many more years."

Meet Tanina aka Nina Packer.  This woman is the epitome of good works with full armored faith.  I've known her since our college days when we dreamed of building community and providing service to the people.  Tanina has stayed true to these dreams and she has accomplished much in her life as an entrepreneur, non-profit director, author, professor, wife and mother.  

Although I know she is proud of her accomplishments, I believe she would tell you that she is proudest of her most rewarding project-

 Raising Amazing.

These two beauties, Maya and Nija truly are amazing.  They are intelligent, funny, athletic, talented young girls that would make any mother proud.

Nija is a volleyball player and aspiring writer.  She was accepted in a Summer Leadership Program and of course received academic honors for the school year.

Miss Maya was Vice-President of her Elementary School's Student Council while making honors in academics.

In her words: Raising Amazing is a phrase I use to affirm my parenting style. I am parenting by God's grace, wholly invested in the process of preparing my children to fulfill the predestined purpose for their lives. As they arise and walk in purpose, they will do amazing things to move humanity forward. Every child deserves that. The future of humanity depends on that. My goal is to encourage and equip parents to raise amazing.

Very few things draw me in like a beautiful photograph.  I don't know if it's the connection with the subject or if it's something deeper.  Family photography is a passion of mine.  I believe we should all find the time and energy to capture our lives whether that's with our phone camera, a professional photographer or a home video.  We have to be our own historians.  If nothing more, we are recording our history for our descendants and that is important work in telling our story and giving our descendants a piece of themselves.

I'm saddened by the fact that my mother does not have a photograph of her own mother, who died when she was 6 years old. Unfortunately, I don't know what my grandmother looks like even though I'm told we have many resemblances.  My mom only has bits of memories from her short time on earth with her mom.  I wish, at the very least, she had a picture of the two of them together so that she could have a visual of the love her mother had for her.

Today's blog features mother and daughter, Christina and Sunny (who is truly sunshine!).  Christina wanted to capture her nursing relationship with Sunny before it came to an end. So she called me up to tell their story.  This was my first nursing photography session and I have to say it was a beautiful and natural experience.  We created some of my favorite images within my portfolio.  Because of their private nature, I can't share all of my favorites, but here are a few.

2014 started late for Dina Perez Photography but I packed in quite a few amazing photography sessions.  Starting out with Ashley and her Sweet Sixteen. Trisha stepped out as a brave, bold and beautiful woman fighting breast cancer with the inspiration of a feminine god. I had a few firsts in 2014- my first official boudoir session and a first mother breastfeeding child. Both of these sessions are the kind of sessions I get geeked about.  I love capturing the feminine spirit and body.   I closed out the year strong with a few maternity sessions, family sessions, office headshots and two weddings. Fun times!!  I hope in 2015 my business expands beyond what I could ever imagine and that I continue to provide beautiful images for my clients.

 

Jolene and Charles are the parents of an unbelievably adorable Jaden.  At the time of our session, Jolene was 36 weeks pregnant.  As you can see, she looks great. I loved that she walked up those hills like a trooper.We had a great time exploring the grounds. Jaden lit up when he got to pose with dad on the wall.  I think it ended up being his favorite spot because we got some great shots of him alone. 

      

 

I first photographed Dorian and Calvin for their engagement five years ago.  Dorian and I have been good friends since law school and I have enjoyed seeing my friend's life expand into a beautiful blended family of five.  We met at Old Roswell Mill for some family fun.  Kayla keeps the family filled with excitement and joy.