I don’t even know where to begin to tell you about our trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There is so much to share. I’m going to go ahead and warn you this is a “photo heavy” post. I mean really photo heavy:)

We’ve been wanting to visit for way too long and we finally took the time to do it. We started our trip by spending an entire day out on the water. We loaded Daniel’s brother’s boat with everything we needed for fishing and fun and headed out. The lighthouse at Cape Lookout was amazing. With it being a holiday weekend, it was completely packed so we just went by on the boat. I’m hoping we can pull in next time though. I would love to be able to go up to the top. Our next stop was the Shackleford Banks where wild horses roam the island. They are so beautiful and serene. At high tide, you can watch them swim from the outer islands to higher ground. It was truly a wonderful experience to watch. We then made our way to Shark Island. I was mesmerized as soon as I step foot off of the boat.  The shells you find there are like nothing I’ve ever seen. First, they were HUGE but they were almost perfect on top of that. I was lucky enough to find a few perfect sand dollars. I’ve never found a single sand dollar in my life and that’s really weird since I’ve lived on or near the coast most of my life. We ate some lunch and explored the island for a while before our biggest adventure of the day. We were riding out 50 miles offshore to do some deep sea fishing. We made it out about 45 minutes and there wasn’t a bit of land in sight. But then our worst fears came true. Sea sickness!! Gage was the unfortunate soul that got it. Luckily because we were out with Daniel’s brother, he gladly turned around. I can’t imagine being out on a chartered boat where they just make you suffer through it. Gage was so disappointed. He really wanted to catch a big ocean fish. We told him that it happens to lots of people and that there just isn’t anything you can do to stop it. All of us took Dramamine before we left and that didn’t even help him. Luckily we made it back to Shark Island and he was able to rest for a bit. He and I laid on the beach for what seemed like hours while Daniel, his brother and sister-in-law did a little fishing. Daniel caught an 18″ flounder!! When Gage finally started feeling better, we made our way back to calmer waters. He was fine as long as we stayed near land, so we decided to try our hand at shrimping. We didn’t catch a ton but it was enough to enjoy with our big flounder! And we got to watch a gorgeous sunset as we got back to the boat landing. After such an adventurous day, we decided to take it easy that night. We ordered Greek food and talked for hours about everything. No tvs, no computers, no distractions…just being together. Here are a few images of our first day. Keep in mind these were all shot using a Nikon Point and Shoot camera..nothing fancy. I brought my “big” camera out on the boat but I really wasn’t crazy about pulling it out in such risky conditions. I might have went into heart failure if I dropped it in the water. But I guess that’s why I have a great insurance policy.

The next day was a little less adventurous and a little more relaxing. Gage and I found a great little local coffee shop to get some breakfast and then we spent the morning reading while everyone else went back out on the boat. It was so nice to sit under the blue skies with the cool breeze coming off of the water. My entire body hurt from being bounced around in the boat the day before so I couldn’t have imagined spending the day any other way. By the time the fisherman had returned, it was lunch time and we were starving. We ventured into Beaufort (pronounced Bo-fort) and found a great little place called Finz Grill. The food was absolutely amazing. And with a view overlooking the marina, we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. We spent the rest of the day exploring (and shopping). We really needed to walk all of that fabulous food. We found shops that offered antiques, souvenirs, ice cream and so many other things. As the sun set we remembered that we had tons of fish and shrimp to cook. So the boys cooked and the girls watched. Great times!

I was able to spend a little time photographing the area. I rarely have time to just walk around with my camera so that was such a treat. There was one particular area that caught my eye. The light was amazing so I spent a while there. But those photos are for another post:)

I have to say that going to the Outer Banks only makes me want to go back for more. We’ve decided we will be going back very soon when my daughter can go with us. We are looking at visiting Emerald Isle and going up north a little to Ocracoke Island. I can’t wait!! Thanks for sticking around for that super long post!! See you soon!

There is nothing like a long holiday weekend. People look forward to it for months. I have to say that I’m one of those people. I’ve been so excited for this 4th of July weekend for quite some time. Daniel and I are heading up to the Outer Banks to spend some much needed alone time together. This life is so crazy and so full of stress that we needed a few days to just unwind and get back in sync with each other.  We’ll be returning to our busy, hectic schedules again soon after the holiday is over but for the next few days, our lives are going to be completely stress-free. Here is an image of the lighthouse at Cape Hatteras provided by National Geographic. I can’t wait to come back with tons of images of my own.

Yes, I’m bringing my camera on this stress-free vacation. Photography for me isn’t what brings on stress. It’s actually what helps relieve it. It’s the business behind the scenes that makes life so crazy. Running a photography business is much more about business and much less about photography. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. My life is wonderful and I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. I hope all of you have a fabulous LONG holiday weekend and I’ll see you when we get back!

I couldn’t wait to share this Sneak Peek of The Pattersons’ Day at the Beach Session from this past weekend. We had such a great time and little J did not want to leave. Who can blame her, right? I wanted to jump in the water myself. Here are just a few of my favorites. Thanks so much Ms. K for coming all the way to the beach to see us!! I hope you love them!

This has been such an unbelievable year so far. I hope it has been for you as well. Between the Studio opening in February and a complete rebranding of Infinity Images, we’ve had our hands full…which is a wonderful thing. We don’t like to be bored!

We are really happy to announce our 2011 Limited Edition Portrait Series Schedule. If you’ve never heard of our Limited Editions before, they absolutely ROCK! They are 30 minute Sessions done on a uniquely themed set so every year is a different look. You don’t have to worry about having the same portraits done year after year.

In addition to our popular Day at the Beach and Field Day Sessions, we’ve added 4 more BRAND NEW themed sets for you. Our most popular Sessions are the Day at the Beach. If you’re interested in this one, you’ll want to book it fast. It always fills up first. Our Dog Days of Summer Sessions are perfect for the pet lovers out there. We make your furry friend a star and you get amazing images to show the world how much they mean to you. Tutu & Ties is all about couture & fashion. Your kids will feel like supermodels on this set! If you’re looking for a unique family portrait, you will want to book the Field Day Session. Your family + a big comfy couch + a big field = AMAZING PORTRAITS!  Our Pumpkin Patch Sessions will be done outside (weather permitting) with the beautiful pumpkins from McLeod Farms.

Our Santa portraits are getting a facelift this year. We wanted to do something totally different (and not cheesy). I know how disappointing it is to have your kid’s portrait taken with Santa at the mall. Our Santa set is going to be a full on experience for your kids. Not just a quick pic assembly line. Our set is going to be a Woodland Wonderland that your children will not soon forget.

These rockin’ sessions will become available for booking on Monday, May 23, 2011. If you’re interested in booking a session, just call the studio and let us know which theme you’re interested in. A $39 Session Fee will book your session. We will have some really great Special Packages to choose from that were designed specifically for these sessions.

We are really excited about our Limited Editions this year and we hope you are too! If you have any questions about booking a session, please don’t hesitate to contact the studio at 843-245-7320 and we’ll be happy to help. We’re looking forward to making some amazing portraits for you and your family!! Be sure to share this post with your friends by clicking the links below. You know they want awesome photos too, right?!

Have you ever known someone that makes you feel like you’re a better person for just being around them? I get to wake up with someone like that every day. Daniel has a way of making the darkest days brighter just by being in my life. I love how he wakes up singing in the mornings. And how he makes me laugh without even trying. I love that I get to see a side of him that he doesn’t let anyone else see. It’s like a special gift that only I’m allowed to have. I feel so incredibly lucky and blessed by God to have this man in my life. My mom told me once that she had been praying for Daniel to come into my life since I was a little girl. I told her I had too:) I had to kiss some frogs before I found my prince but it makes me appreciate each and every day I have with him. Today he turns 35 and I can’t help but wish for 100 more birthdays with him.

Happy Birthday Daniel!!

Image captured by Nichole Alexandra Photography (www.nicholealexandra.com)

I know, I’m a terrible parent because I’m just getting around to this post and school started 2 weeks ago. As all of you overwork and stressed out mom’s out there know, things are really crazy right after school starts. You have the typical 400 pages of emergency contact information forms to fill out not to mention the effort it takes just to get the kids in bed at a decent hour.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all of Gage and Lindsay’s teachers and I have to say that I couldn’t be more lucky. Living in a small town is so great because by the time your child reaches the next grade, you already know the teachers and they are already familiar with your child. So I really already knew most of their teachers but it was nice to catch up with them and to see what the new year had in store for them.

Now that Gage is a sophmore and driving (I can’t believe I’m saying that) I’m sure it won’t be long before he is gone all of the time. So I’m soaking up every bit of quality time we can get together before he can’t stand to be around me. I know it’s coming…it’s just a matter of time.

And my baby girl is growing up so fast. She’s in 5th grade but she still feels like my baby. I remember how grown up I felt in the 5th grade….and I’m sure she feels the same way. She is my fearless, go-getter. She never backs down and always stands up for what’s right.

My goal as a parent is to cherish these small moments because I know they won’t come around forever. It’s the every day giggles and hugs that I’ll miss most when my kids are all grown up and have lives of their own. And it’s then that I will look back at the images I took on the front steps of our home on the first day of school and wish I could get every one of them back.

This past weekend has been one that my family has anticipated for quite a while. We always do. It’s the weekend of the 13th Annual Antioch Community Center SCHRA Rodeo. Every year, a few weeks after school starts, we get to dress up in our cowboy (and cowgirl) wear and head to the rodeo. Because we live in such a small community, it seems like everyone in our town and the surrounding areas are there. This year was no exception. We saw family and friends and got to meet a few new people. I can’t explain why but this event is one of my favorites of the year. I love all of the different competitions but the barrel racing is what I love the most. Just watching the girls put everything they have into guiding their horses around the barrels and then back through the gate is so exciting. I think that it has something to do with my secret dream to have a horse when I was growing up in Charleston in an apartment. Anyway, this year’s competitions did not disappoint. I actually got really close for the bull riding competition which was kind of scary. The bulls are definitely a lot bigger in person than they look on tv. Thankfully none of the riders were seriously injured this year as were in the past. Our family had a wonderful time and I’m already looking forward to next year.

Here are a few of my favorite images of the night.

When Little C’s mom called to schedule his 2 year portraits, she let me know that he was getting his very first hair cut the day after our session. All of the little baby curls were going to be gone and she wanted to document all she could while she still had the chance. This was such a fun session to do even though we chose a day that happened to be over 100 degrees. But really, those aren’t hard to come by in the south during the summer. Now, when you are dealing with this age group, you really have to find ways to draw their attention to you. Otherwise, you only get pictures of the backs of their head. So, I have no problem making goofy faces or silly noises to get the shots I want. Sometimes they laugh and sometimes they look at me like I’m a crazy women but at least they are looking at me. Little C was no different than any other 2 year old. We walked and walked and he taught me how to make dinosaur noises along with monkeys and cows. I had so much fun with him and I can’t wait to see how adorable he is at 3!

Yes, I know it’s not even September yet. But the Holidays will be here before you know it. And do you really want to be running around at the last minute trying to plan a session just to make sure that your Holiday cards are sent out on time. And let’s face it, running back and forth trying to set the timer on your own camera trying to get a perfect family portrait is not easy. I know how terrible it is because I tried it ONCE.

Our Holiday Cards this year are so much fun. We’ve got 4 Collections to choose from with several different versions in each one. You’re sure to find the perfect one for your family. We also design custom cards for our clients that want something that no other family will be sending out. Just give us a call and we’ll be glad to work together with you to design a totally unique Holiday card just for your family.

Merry and Bright Collection

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

Candied Christmas Collection

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

Snow Kissed Collection

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

Classic Holiday Collection

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

Card 4

Believe in Magic Collection

Card 1

Card 2

I have been soooo excited to share these with you. I just sent this set out to a recent client that LOVED them. I almost didn’t want to part with them and they weren’t even images of my children! Each album set is custom designed for you. The album is 3″ x 3″ and actually has a magnet inside to keep the front and back secure when it’s closed. They also come in these adorable little clear cases that protect it when you carry them in your purse, etc. I also love the idea of using them as fridge magnets. I’m sure there are plenty of other great ideas but I’m sure Grandmothers won’t need one as long as they can reach into their purse and pull out this little gem! We are going to use them for all different types of sessions/events such as, newborn, families, seniors, weddings, engagements, bridal portraits, child sessions, pet sessions, maternity and boudoir portraits. I can’t wait to start handing these little babies out to all of our clients.