Alexa is Four Weeks Old

So the saying goes...."Time Flies When You Are Having Fun." As a mom myself I have learned that Time Flies...yep that is just it as a mom time goes by way to fast. Kenny Chesney's song, Don't Blink, says it best in my opinion. It seems like I just got the call that Alexa was here and now I have done her four week pictures.

I love watching babies grow. Watching my own has been so magical but to watch others grow through the lens of my camera is amazing to me. I feel like it is a blessing to be able to capture a small moment in time of a child's life and give it to the parents to treasure forever.

To me photography is so much more than a picture, it is a memory. Children change daily, if you have never taken the time to notice, there is no time like today to start. When you photograph these memories they should be shared and treasured.

Alexa is a beautiful baby girl. She has an amazing strength and will probably be walking sooner than anyone will be ready for it to happen. Capturing her while she is still is almost impossible, as she likes to move.

She was still not a fan of the tutu, but most babies are not. While it is so cute and makes the best pictures, it is also something that the babies just do not like. As she grows she will love to twirl in them but for this session she was glad to be out of it.

I cannot wait to get back to see Alexa and take some more pictures and help to preserve today's moments into tomorrow's cherished memories.

If you want to capture a memory contact me and we will make it happen. http://www.monicaannephotography.com/ or monicathach@gmail.com or (205) 229-1865

Karen's Baby Belly

As a photographer there are several events that I am blessed with being able to photograph. Maternity shots are always so beautiful. Being pregnant is such a special time for any mom. Being able to capture this beauty is something that I love doing.

I think that all baby bellies are gorgeous. I have yet to see one that is not. A baby belly is a miracle that we can all see probably daily if we pay attention. I love to be able to capture this miracle for the mom and the whole family.

Not having maternity pictures with either of my boys is something that I regret. While I have stretch marks and was embarrassed I look back now and wish that I would have.

When Karen told me that she was pregnant I knew that these pictures would be around the corner. I am so glad that they finally got here. Karen is a great mom and is looking forward to the newest addition to her and Steve's family.

Braylon is coming soon. I do not think that Karen is going to make it to her due date. Actually she did not, she had Braylon last week and I cannot wait to stop by her house and visit and of course take some new pictures! Karen had already been to the hospital when we met to do her maternity pictures and I was glad that we got them done, since she did not even make it a week afterwards.

Karen was truly glowing and is a beautiful mom and mom-to-be. Her and Steve have the nursery ready for Braylon so we had a few pictures in there as well.

If you want to capture your baby belly or give the gift of a session to someone who you know would enjoy it, contact me and we will make it happen. http://www.monicaannephotography.com/ (205) 229-1865 Monicathach@gmail.com

Keith & Carrie Become One

Carrie contacting me about doing her wedding and I was thrilled. Traveling is something that I love to do and even though Decatur is not far from Birmingham it was a change of scenery. I hope to do more traveling with photography soon. It really is a lot of fun and adds some challenges to the normal.





Carrie was like any other bride, in the sense that she was ready to marry her man. She also had the same nerves that all brides have. Not so much about the marriage, just the wedding. Reminding her to relax was just part of my job. It is part of it that I enjoy though, we all have nerves and it is just a reminder that we are all human.





Brandon was the videographer for the day, he really loves being able to capture the day for the bride and groom so that they can look back and enjoy it for years to come. He does really great too, and I am not saying that because he is my husband, but because he makes it personal. It is not a generic video that he does for everyone, it is personalized to who they are.





The day started perfect. First it was gorgeous weather, hot, but gorgeous.





Brandon and I arrived at Carrie's parents so that I could capture her getting ready for her day. She is already a beautiful person, inside and out, but a wedding is definitely a reason to get pampered. Carrie deserved it. She had a lady come and do her makeup. She was from Mary Kay, and just so you all know that is my makeup of choice. She did a great job and Carrie looked great.

Her sister came and did her hair. She had a hairpiece that was pretty but once her hair was done she did not need the added pieces. It looked great. Carrie was stunning.

Once Carrie was ready I went on and took the wedding ring pictures. She had sent me a few ideas on what she liked. Her colors were red, black, and white. I took the ideas that she gave me and got creative. One shot was on apples and the other on gorgeous Christmas ornaments. While getting the rings to behave on something round was not easy, once there it was great!

The wedding was taking place at a park in Decatur. One that I cannot wait to go back to. It was gorgeous. The natural background was definitely picture perfect. The water, the bridges, the train tracks, the old lampposts, I could go on. It was a beautiful park. Carrie was a stunning bride, who really looked elegant against the landscape. The portraits of her were so much fun, I wish that there would have been more time, as there were so many ideas. We used the natural props from the park as well as the parasols. It was prefect and the boat in the back just completed the scene.

Keith arrived, and while they had not seen each other all day the time was here. We went down a path that leads to the water and waited for him to come join us. He looked thrilled to see her. She was gorgeous and it was written all over his face that he thought so.

We did some portraits of them together, again using the scenery that was provided by the park. It was perfect and gave them some time to catch up on their day. The best part about this is there is so much love between them and it is obvious. They are a great couple.

It is time. Carrie's Daddy walks her down the isle so that she and Keith can become one. It is such a special moment and anyone is who blessed enough to have their daddy walk them down is definitely blessed enough.

Keith and Carrie unite. The service is simple and yet beautiful. There are tears and smiles and it is just a special moment. As always I am the photographer who cries at weddings, but they are such an outwardly display of love and so many emotions.

A couple of pictures after the ceremony show off Keith and Carrie and their love. The I DO is a prop that was made for me by Crystal's Creations. They are gorgeous, and I cannot wait to use them in more weddings. The detail on the letters is amazing. I was so thankful to have these ready for this wedding that was such a special day.

























The reception is back at Carrie's parents house. It is decorated beautifully. Her mom and dad were so happy. The champagne toast was shared by Keith and Carrie and her mom and dad also toasted.

The cake was shared, and there was not a mess made. While many do not believe it the mess really does not do much for the pictures.

Carrie and Keith danced their first dance and then they danced alongside Carrie's mom and dad. This was a great thing to see. Special moments should be shared. Plus one of the greatest gifts you can give to newlyweds is to dance at their wedding. I always try to sway a little, but being the photographer comes first, so I am usually pretty still. I am always dancing on the inside though.

The garter was removed and the bride finally got to change. It was pretty hot so being able to lose a few layers I know was a great feeling for Carrie!

The dress that Carrie had to change into was perfect. It incorporated all of her wedding colors and still allowed her to keep on her boots. She looked gorgeous and much more comfortable after the change!

Carrie and Keith were truly an amazing couple. They had a love that could be seen in their eyes. They were happy and that is always the best sight to see at a wedding. Their families were happy as well, which is definitely a good thing. Meeting Carrie, Keith, and their families is something that has truly been a blessing in my life. Being a part of this day for them meant more to me than this blog will ever be able to explain. They truly have a part of my heart and I know that they will forever be in my life.

If you want your special day captured in a way that is personalized to you, I am the photographer you want. I make every event special, because to me they are. The day is about you, not me and I capture that with every click. Contact me and we will make your day one that you will remember for years to come.

http://www.monicaannephotography.com/

(205) 229-1865

monicathach@gmail.com

Lightning Strikes for an eight year old Party

So as Danny is getting older (and after experiencing a party away from home) we decided it was time to celebrate elsewhere. I have to say it is much nicer just being able to show up. I am a little frustrated with some of the occurrences at Lightning Strikes, and more so with the fact that a manager has yet to call me back, but overall I was pleased. Danny had a blast and that is what means the most to me.

As a photographer and a mom I typically put personal stuff in the back of the to do order, but I promised Danny that I would do these just as I do my work, so they would fall in line with when they were taken. He is very glad that they are online and is anxiously awaiting prints.

I have to admit that this was a lot of fun to photograph and I would be glad to do it for anyone anytime. There was so much activity that I tried to make sure to capture each child there. They all wore smiles especially when Brandon and I decided that we would get them all an ICEE. Talk about pumped, and a sugar rush to follow!

I hope that everyone enjoys the photographs. Remember if you want your party photographed contact me and we will make it happen. It takes a lot off being the host if you know that the pictures are taken care of. Trust me I left almost everything in Brandon's hands so I could click! Monicathach@gmail.com or (205) 229-1865 I aim to capture your memories so that you can share them with generations. Not to mention so that you can enjoy the present and the gift that it is.

Catherine and Ken Make History

Catherine was introduced to me through a variety of people. Her mom works with my husband, and I used to also work there. I also went to school with her sister. The connections were many, but the fact that we were brought together was great. When she asked me to do her wedding she had been price gauged by another photographer. I cannot imagine doing that to anyone. Her date was the same as the day we were leaving on vacation for the beach. While I am not one to postpone my beach vacation, I also refuse to leave someone without a photographer especially a bride. We postponed our vacation for a few hours and I have no regrets.

Catherine is a gorgeous person, when in a wedding dress she was stunning! She also had a light in her eyes that only a bride has. It is that happiness and love that truly radiate from within. It is a light that cannot be duplicated.

The wedding was at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. I have not been to this church since I was a little girl. We always went to St. Barnabas and now we go to St. Francis Xavier in Irondale. I forgot how much I liked this church and it was nice to go down memory lane. At least for a minute then it was time to get to work.

The bride and groom chose not to see each other before the wedding, but we did stage a shot with them together but they could not see each other. This was the moment that Catherine cried. Ken smiled better in this shot then he did before the ceremony. Now after the ceremony he was all smiles.

Catholic Weddings are almost magical, they are not rushed and the tradition behind them is always so moving. I am a crier at weddings anyway, and this one was no exception. While I do not cry much at a clients wedding they are very moving. The priest talked about this day as the day that Catherine and Ken made history. They would go in the states record books as well as the Church's. Decades from now descendants of theirs will be able to know the date and the place where Ken and Catherine became one. This was so moving to me. I have heard a lot of things said about a lot of people, but this was amazing. Not only will they have the official records they will have their photographs. These photographs show their happiness and their love and generations down the line will want to have this when they say I do.

Thank you to Catherine and Ken for the opportunity to be a part of your day! I hope that you are as pleased with the photographs as I am! Congratulations today, and all of the tomorrows!

To have your historical moment captured for generations through photography call me or e-mail me. (205) 229-1865 or monicathach@gmail.com

Josie is 9 Months Old

In my personal blog I talk a lot about time going by entirely too quickly, well I am going to talk about it now. When I first photographed Josie she was days old. Each time I have seen her since whether for a session, or a visit, or we have just run into each other I am blow away with how much she has grown.

She is such a beautiful little girl, and I truly do feel such a connection to her. Probably because her mom and I have known each other for a few years. She is a special little girl and truly a blessing to anyone who has ever met her.

Brandon and Beth are two of the most amazing people that I know. When it comes to being parents again they are tops! I appreciate the two of them allowing me to be a part of Josie's life. It means so much to me. Thank you guys!

This session was at the park in Leeds. Josie went on a swing set and a slide for the first time and the camera caught the moment with all the giggles.

Josie is crawling, exploring, of course tasting everything she can get into her mouth, pulling up, and before long walking will be added to this ever growing list. There is so much light in her eyes and she radiates it everywhere that she is. She is definitely not lacking for love, but you can also see how much she loves. She has a smile that lets you know right away why children are closest to God. She is an amazing girl and while I do not want her too grow up so fast I know that she is going to make a difference in a lot of lives, she has in mine. I hope to continue to photograph her as she grows and capture some precious moments for her and for her mom and dad.

If you want you little one to have a photography session that is just for them instead of what you get at the basic studios call or e-mail me and we will make it work. Monica (205) 229-1865 or monicathach@gmail.com

Shelley and Jason Say I Do

Terri of Terri Lynn Photography asked me if I could join her for a wedding at Aldridge Gardens on May 1, 2011 of course I said yes. I had been to Aldridge Gardens, but not for wedding so I was excited. It is also always nice to work with Terri.

We arrived at Aldridge Gardens a few minutes early so that we could acclimate ourselves with the area and find out where everything would be taking place. This is always a plus for photographers, at least for me, as I like to know where everyone is going to be and when.

Jason, the groom was there first with his family, not long after was Shelley with her family. We started with the groom who was just ready to be married and call it a day. He was looking forward to the wedding, but was very excited about being married. We got shots of him with his family, alone, the flower girl and Ring bearer, etc.

After Jason was done with his pictures it was time to let them see watch other. Terri walked Jason down to a bridge and I went and got Shelley. They were both pretty anxious. As we were walking down all Shelley could see was Jason's back and all Jason knew is we where headed there. Then we turned Jason around and everything about both of them started to radiate. There was joy, and excitement in their eyes.

Then we got shots of Shelley and all of her family, attendants, etc. Then it was time to do pictures of them together. Getting the formal poses out of the way really relaxes the whole atmosphere of a wedding. The bride and groom always seem more together and there is nothing taken away from the ceremony. I am good with doing these however the bride prefers though!

As the time for the wedding drew closer we wrapped up formal shots and gt Shelley inside and Jason in place. The ceremony was very nice with their vows done under an Ivy arbour. Very nice and quite gorgeous for photographs.

The reception was very nice as well, with a few dances...one the bride and groom and the other the bride and her dad. Then it was time for the bride and groom to say their hellos and they tried to get a quick bite. Cake cutting, garter and bouquet tossing, and the exit through bubbles. It was a great wedding and one that I was proud to photograph. Thanks Terri for thinking of me.

If you have a special occasion on your calendar call and I will put you on my calendar today! Memories are cherished forever in our hearts, but can be shared with the world through your stories and photographs! Call or e-mail me anytime monicathach@gmail.com or (205) 229-1865

B's Prom

While Brittany is only a Sophomore she managed to head to prom for 2011. She went with her best friend Heather. No matter the casualness of going with a friend what would Prom be without a little drama.

She stressed over a dress, like we all have at some point. The first prom is just one of the many dresses all of us girls have to worry about. When she found one, it was pretty much perfect for her. It fit her perfectly.

For those of you who do not know Brittany is my sister, technically sister-in-law, but she is definitely my sister. The news of her prom definitely meant a camera trip for me! I was excited though. We had fun at her house with family, and friend Heather. The boys thought it was great to kiss their Aunt B good bye while she was all dressed up. Of course John Michael was thrilled to get his picture made with Heather, who is his girlfriend.

We took some pictures in the living room, and outside. It was a quick session but a fun one. Brittany is a beautiful person on the inside and the out. Enjoy a peek into her session.

If you have a special occasion or that perfect dress that you want yourself captured in let me know. Monicathach@gmail.com or (205) 229-1865.