Wilma // A Pitbull+Couch Portrait Study.

Wilma is one of the most charismatic and amusing furry creatures we have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She is incredibly happy at all times, and quirky and ridiculous 90% of the time. Words can’t really explain the adorably ridiculous vibe that she gives off, but I can try. Mostly, she’s just really obsessed with the couch. Like, super obsessed. When Jessica wrote me to ask for pictures of Wilma for her 5 year adoptiversary, she told me about the couch (she also told me about her fantastically awesome airbrushed and glitter WILMA shirt from the State Fair that I forced her to wear for a few pictures because there’s no way you can tell me that you got an airbrushed shirt with your dog’s name on it at the fair and expect me not to make you wear it… and she also told me about the custom Wilma beer koozies in her and Dustin’s possession. Wilma, clearly, is very much loved and for good reason). But I had no idea how much the couch was truly, truly loved until we visited and saw her expression of pure delight being anywhere near it, but mostly sitting on it, sprawling on it, and relaxing over a variety of throw pillows.

In addition to loving her couch and not wanting to ever get off the couch, she also enjoys walking outside to simply stand in the lawn (heavy coaxing was needed to play because Wilma is exceedingly lazy in the most wonderful way), laying on her back for belly rubs, and licking Jessica and Dustin (who have the most amazing old Volkswagen but also the most amazing kitchen appliances I’ve ever seen [not pictured here] in their amazing house). But one of the best things that happened was Jessica telling me she bought Wilma a pink dinosaur to destroy, and then Jessica proceeded to drag out this HUGE ass dinosaur from a spare room… the size of which is the large and giant type which your boyfriend would win for you at a carnival and you wouldn’t know what to do with it because you really can’t be expected to carry that around all night. I was expecting, you know, a dog toy. But apparently, in another highly amusing trait she has, Wilma enjoys opening a hole in each of these stuffed creatures and ripping out the stuffing like she’s disemboweling prey in the Serengeti. I can’t explain Wilma, but I do love her. And I love the love her people exhibit for her. So happy to take these pictures for Jessica+Dustin of their lovely little girl!

At Home w/ Lindsay+Ken+KG // Family Session

We are delightfully welcoming Lindsay+Ken to the CSP 5 Timer’s Club, to which there is unfortunately no sweet club jacket, but just the simple joy and satisfaction in knowing that I’ve ran around stalking you with a camera on five separate occasions. Here was their 4th occasion, when I accurately predicted that they were pregnant with what would turn out to be a really, really, ridiculously good looking child. I was right, of course, and KG is a stunner of a little-over-one-year-old. He didn’t like us at all until he realized we were there to take pictures of him, and then he turned on the charm. Big blue eyes, dark hair, and the attitude of an overworked model: smiling directly into the camera 99% of the time, demanding to see the pictures on the screen afterward to make sure he looked good, and then breaking down into tears due to hunger. He is an incredibly adorable kid, and his beauuuutiful parents are two people who are very near and dear to my heart. Dogs Mona and Lincoln, Boxer extraordinaires, were also present and adorable for this session, and also a cat! The cat was sleeping under a kitchen chair and permitted exactly four photos before she said, “I’m out” and left. It is really a cool job that we have to see our clients grow and have families and we can meet little mini versions of our clients. Welcome to the world, KG! And to the CSP 1st Timer’s Club. :)

Christie+Noel+Matlock // Anniversary Session

It’s been 2.5 years since Christie+Noel got married and they decided to do some anniversary photos! We think anniversary photos are great because they’re all about documenting you without the pressure of OMG A WEDDING or OMG MY MAKEUP or OMG SAVE THE DATES and generally everyone is significantly more chill. Pretty sure Christie and Noel would’ve been chill anyway, but no one is anywhere near as chill as Matlock. Matlock is their adopted lab-mix dog. He’s huge (possibly mixed with some Great Dane? Mastiff? Godzilla Dog?)His bark sounds like he’s the size of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. I’m pretty sure I could ride him around like a small horse and my feet would only have a 50/50 shot of touching the ground. When you actually meet him, though, he is the sweetest dog in the worrrrld and you can tell, if he had opposable thumbs and could also negotiate on your behalf, that he’d do anything for you. Matlock enjoys belly rubs, being incredibly clingy to his parents, and hiding his tennis ball underneath the house where you cannot take it from him, ever ever.

Christie and Noel enjoy Matlock and each other and good television and traveling. Together we ran around and talked to some ducks and got Christie repeatedly tangled in her plaid blanket/scarf that I proceeded to wear the entire time they weren’t using it because it was cold. All of the leaves in the Raleigh/Durham area should have been gone by this point in the year (this shoot was on November 20th), but due to the extreme drought we’ve been having, they hung on for this session, which is probably one of our most colorful leafy sessions to date. We had the best time getting to know these guys and their large furchild. Happy anniversary to two beautiful people!