I’m lucky.  I’ve got a loving and supportive family, a reasonably steady source of income, and pretty good health considering I over-stress, under-rest, over-caffeinate and under-nourish my body.  All in all?  I’ve got it made.

I’m not so sure that I should pat myself on the back, though.  It’s not like I’ve had a ton of environmental factors to overcome.  My parents are still married.  I wasn’t abused as a child.  I always had food.  Probably too much…LOL.  Our family’s home was warm and reasonably peaceful, so before arriving at school everyday, I felt energized and ready to learn.  I had tons of positive role-models in my life, instilling in me a sense of self-worth, potential and hard work.

You know what?  As easy as I’ve had it, even still–I’ve been stupid at times, and I’ve foolishly put it all in jeopardy.  Somehow, I’ve managed to turn out okay, despite myself.

What if I didn’t have it so good growing up?  I wonder where I might be now?

It’s for this reason that I feel compelled to give back, and to encourage you all to keep on doing the same.  If I’m being honest?  I’m not very good at it yet.  Still trying to grow in that area.

Pick something that’s meaningful to you, and give in a way that’s best for you.  I don’t have a bunch of money laying around, but I’ve got photography that I can use to help out.

I’m helping out The Lighthouse Ministries of Lexington.  You can read more about them in THIS post of mine from a few months ago.  More recently, I was asked to go meet some of the folks Lighthouse reaches out to.  I talked with them for a bit and several people allowed me the opportunity to photograph them.  They were very excited knowing that the images would be used to show the face of hope Lighthouse works to provide.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Big thanks to Serif Group, too, for donating their time and talent to the Lighthouse Ministries. They’re designing a van wrap (to be donated by AdColor of Lexington) that will feature some of the images I’ve captured while being involved with the Lighthouse.  Check this out:

Pretty fun, right?

Thanks for taking the time to read this!  Last thought?  Feel free to chime in below in the comments section with other organizations in Lexington that you feel passionate about.  Maybe it will inspire us all a bit to see all the varied opportunities to serve available.  Bye, y’all!  -shaun

For once in my life, I’m at a loss for words.  I want to tell you how amazing this wedding weekend in Nashville was for me, but I swear—every word feels inadequate.  For someone like me who gathers energy and inspiration from my surroundings, this wedding was nearly too much for me to handle.  I seriously felt overwhelmed visually, emotionally, at a soul-level.  Let me try my best to explain this and not sound like a babbling fool…

Jess and Billy are like gravity.  They draw together effortlessly, and never with an ounce of pretense or show.  They are 100% comfortable with themselves and each other, and it shows in the easy spirit they carry.  This sentiment echoed throughout the whole weekend.  Everyone was warm and festive.  Like a much overdo family reunion.  I’ve never seen so much hugging, and I’m a hugger from way back.  Love it.

The venue?  Seriously?  I could shoot there for an entire wedding season and still never capture that much beauty.  Historic Cedarwood is THE ideal place for a wedding and reception.  The facilities, the grounds, the food, the service—perfectly connected.

Okay…I can sense that my words are falling short.  I’m going to shut-up now and let you enjoy these images!

Gorgeous, right?

A fun little spin on American Gothic.  Make sure you check out the slideshow to see what else Jess and Billy did with the pitch-fork.

To the family and friends of Jess and Billy—I had a blast with you.  Keep in touch with me through Twitter and Facebook!

To see all of the proofs, go HERE and preregister. You’ll get a nifty five dollar gift credit for print purchases by doing so.

To Jess and Billy—Thank you.  You’ve enriched my life, and I can’t wait to stay in touch.

And now for the slideshow!  Enjoy, and please feel free to leave a comment below when you’re finished! Bye y’all!  -shaun

Some of my favorite people. Ever.  My wife Katie worked as a nanny for Shannon and John a few years back before Carson was born, and before they moved to Elizabethtown.  We got to know them and their two kiddos really well during that time.  They’re precious to us, and I’m so glad they come back to Lexington each year for a fall portrait session.  I can’t believe how big Jackson and Cooper are now!  Time really does pass quickly.  All the more reason for us to soak up each day, eh?

To the Holts—We miss you!  We’ll come see you next time!

Here are a handful of my favorites:

And for the highlights slideshow, click on the play button below.  To the Holts’ family and friends—Please stay in touch with me!  Here are my Facebook and Twitter links.  Bye!  -shaun

I drove up to Candice’s and Josh’s farm a couple weeks ago to photograph them and their two canine kiddos, Avalanche and Affinity.  Candice has been staying in touch with me through Facebook and Twitter for quite some time, and we’ve been talking about her budding career as a photographer.  She’s just getting started, but I know she’s going to be awesome.

Thank you, Candice and Josh, for inviting me into your lives!  I’ll be chattin’ wtih you soon!

Some of my faves:

You can click below to see the  highlights slideshow.  Enjoy, and please feel free to leave a comment below. I love hearing from the friends and families of my clients!  Bye!  -shaun

I sold Amber and Lee their first home a few months ago.  It’s really fun for me when I get to help people with their weddings AND their real estate.  I love doing both jobs, and I love my clients.

Lee and Amber had both their ceremony and reception out at the gorgeous Spring Valley Golf Club.  The following vendors helped to round out the day perfectly:

Catering: Dottie’s Catering

Flowers: Misty’s Florist

DJ: D.Jay Music Service (Jay Ring)

Photography:  Me, silly!

Here are some of my faves:

Amber and Lee chose to do all of their formal photography BEFORE the wedding ceremony, which means we got to do one of my favorite things, a first look.  With a first look, the bride and groom still get that special *wow* moment, seeing each other for the first time, but it’s private.  Just the two of them.  I’m there, too, but I’m hanging back, staying out of the mix while they enjoy some quiet moments together before we get the rest of the day started.  Since all of the formal pictures are out of the way early, the bride and groom, wedding party, and immediate family get to join the rest of the guests at the reception immediately after the ceremony.  Perfect!

So sweet.  Love this shot.

Priceless.

I don’t always post pics of the dj at weddings, but this guy is particularly special to me—he’s my brother from the same mother!  Jay, a.k.a. D.Jay (clever, right?), does an AMAZING job, and we work really well together.  Whether you’re needing music at your wedding, corporate event, or private party, he’s your guy.  Check him out HERE.

Before you watch the highlights slideshow, do me a favor.  Please click HEREto add me to your Facebook, and click HEREto follow me on Twitter.  I love staying in touch with the family and friends of my clients!  OOh, and one last thing—Click HEREto reregister to see all of the images from the wedding (there are a TON)!  You’ll receive a five dollar credit toward any print purchases by doing so, too.  Easy!

Enjoy the slideshow! Peace out, y’all!  -shaun

Shannan got in touch with me after having stumbled upon my blog several months ago.  I’m so glad she did.  Knowing and having folks like the Felix family in my life will change it forever.  They love people.  You can see it in every move they make.

I think what I enjoyed most about our session was seeing how Shannan and her husband Tito give their five children plenty of room to be individuals.  Each of them are just full-to-the-brim with personality. I’m a fan!

To Shannan—Thank you for hunting me down with your van full of kids.   Hahaha!  I can’t wait to stay in touch with you all.