Yesterday was a regular day…. I had an engagement session, came home and spent time with my family, put the boys to bed, and watched a movie with Chris…. nothing out of the ordinary at all!! Let me preface it all to say, most of you guys reading know I lost my father 4 years ago. He had an intense non operable battle with cancer and to say the least, he suffered for 18 months.  Before he passed I found my mom’s old wedding band and I asked her if I could have it. To me, that wedding band was such a significant statement. See, when my father was younger he worked in the machine shop of the shipyard and he melted a coin (I believe a nickel) and made my mom’s wedding band. To him, it wasn’t much and he swore he would buy her a better one, a gold one, one day that they both could be proud of. Well if you know my mom, I’m sure she chuckled at that.. she’s never needed anything fancy or extravagant to make her happy (I guess that’s where I get it). But just as he promised, as they grew in time and job security he purchased that gold band for my mom. And although she was just as happy with her other band, she retired the first one and wore the new one with pride. I was always way more impressed with that first band….. that band was made with skill and craftsmanship by my dad’s hands. That band was solid, just like my parents marriage!! Now by solid, I don’t mean perfect!! My dad was always a provider but he wasn’t perfect. But no matter how bad times got or how many times I as a child thought maybe they should just split and make everyone happy, they stuck it out!! To the last breathe my dad breathed, they stuck it out! They taught me what it meant to love in the good times and the bad times, and to love in sickness and health, they taught me the real meaning of marriage!! So to me that ring was better than any gold or even diamond ring.. it was the best ring ever created!!  And when I asked if I could have it, without blinking my mom said yes and I’ve worn that ring since… here and there I take it off but to me I would easily say it’s one of my most prized possessions. Well yesterday, as I was leaving for my shoot I realized that I didn’t have on my wedding band. I knew exactly where it was, it was in the bottom of my TKD bag because I never wear jewelry while I’m in class. So instead of running in, I grabbed the old wedding band of my dad’s that was in my cup holder and put it on. The thing about this ring is it only fits the ring finger on my right hand properly, if I put it on my left hand it’s slightly too big, which has never been a problem since that’s where I wear my wedding or anniversary band. But as I was pulling out I thought, that may look weird that I don’t have my wedding ring on but I’m wearing another ring. To be honest, I’m sure most people wouldn’t have even noticed but with a slight hesitation I pulled my mom’s old band off and put it on my left hand. Immediately I felt it slip and I thought maybe I should switch it back but I reasoned I would be careful and be conscious of it. Well if you’ve ever seen me shoot I go into another world so I should have know better. I did my shoot, came home, spent time with the family, watched a movie, locked up the house, started down the hall, and suddenly I glanced at my hand…. my heart stopped and I gasped! It was gone… the ring my father made, that meant the world to me was gone!! Immediately, I grabbed a flash light, ran down the driveway, looked in the grass, tore through my car and gear but it was no where to be found. As I walked into the bedroom tears flooded uncontrollable!! I coudln’t believe I had not listened to that check on my heart, I couldn’t believe I had lost the one thing that meant the world to me. I cried and cried, Chris held me as I cried and told me to ask God to show me where the ring was. But I was so heartbroken and sad, all I could do was cry!!  I know Chris was praying and believing for it to come back to me but I just couldn’t see how. So on I cried literally feeling like my world had crumbled!! I know some say think, it’s just a ring but to me it was SOOOO much more!!! As I fell asleep with tears streaming, I  assured myself the next day I would retrace my steps and believe somehow I would find it. I knew it was a long shot but I had to try.

Fast forward to this morning, I felt Chris geet up and not long after he got up I felt him lay across the bed and heard him say.. “hey” I opened my eyes and there he was holding the ring in front of my face. I shot straight up and snatched it from his hands, all the while almost screaming.. “where did you find it?!?” he said calmly with a smile, “I asked God and he took me right to it!” I immediately shoved it back on my finger and realized it really hadn’t been lost forever. Estatic and overcome with joy to have it back I didn’t question again where he had found it until this evening. So when I asked him again, he told me he found it on top of our dog food in our laundry room….. the crazy part is I NEVER went in there yesterday after coming home. I know some of you probably think I’m crazy and I’m just being forgetful but I know I didn’t! Regardless of what happened or how it got there, I know I NEVER want to experience that kind of sadness again and I’m beyond grateful for a husband that understood how deeply sad I was and also that took the time to not just ask God for his help but took the time to listen too!!

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year……. tax time!!! The fiscal cliff… what does it mean?  Will it change how you file your taxes?  Has it complicated a system that already had your nerves in a ball??  These are questions that most Americans ask and to be honest they should!! Everyday the IRS is releasing new updates about proposed or new tax law changes. And even though it would be nice to say, “well I didn’t know about that new law or the change to an existing law” and get an exemption, if you are caught doing something wrong just know that’s not how it goes!!! When dealing with taxes, you are expected to dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s and if you don’t, no matter what the excuse is, you are help accountable!!!  But that sounds unfair, I mean have you seen the amount of lines and numbers that are associated with tax forms??? It’s enough to scare anyone!! So I ask the question again, do you have someone you trust doing your taxes? Not someone that took a class for a few months but someone that has a degree that has spent years learning the correct way to count deductions and can tell you what the new laws mean. I always chuckle at the commercial where the plumber is fixing the sink. When the husband walks in and see’s him, he questions why he is doing the plumbing, I mean just the other day he was a tax expert filing the husband’s taxes. The plumber explains with a smile, “today I’m a master plumber”.  And I’m beating many of you have laughed at that same commercial but how many of you have a “master plumber”  handling your taxes??  Can you trust your representative to know all the in’s and the out’s and are handling your taxes with complete knowledge and integrity? Just  yesterday it was in our local news that a local tax preparer has plead guilty to fraud, you check the story here.

For me personally, I needed someone that not only could fill out all the forms accurately but could actually worry for me. I needed someone that kept up with the new laws, not from the TV but directly from the IRS or legitimate tax publications. I needed someone that had years of experience and that had a reputation of being ethical and honest. I needed someone that if I ever got audited, could stand beside me, walk me through any steps I needed to take, and be able to defend me no matter what question the auditor might ask. And yes you guessed it, this year I went through my very first (and hopefully last) audit. But when I called my CPA with a shaky voice telling him I had a notice informing me of the audit, he assured me everything would be ok and that he would be there every step of the way and he was! Alex Pappas of  Edwin Gray CPA here in Greenville has been with me every step of the way with my business, advising me when I needed to make a change but more importantly making sure everything concerning my taxes was accurate and complete, he has definitely been someone I could trust!!!

So one last time I’ll ask you, who do you trust? If you don’t have someone you trust handling your taxes I highly encourage you to make a change ASAP!!! And if you are unsure of who to contact give Alex a call or shoot him an email, he is definately someone you can trust!! You can email him at alex@graycpa.biz or you can give him a call at 252-758-7300.

Or if you have a loved one that is getting a DSLR for Christmas or already has one but they aren’t exactly sure how to use it, you are in luck!!! On January 26th and February 23rd I am offering a class called Phase One. Phase One is limited to 10 people and will teach the students how to use their DSLR (even in the manual mode), figure out how to find good light (which is important for all good pictures), capture great expressions from your clients or even your own kids, & become confident in setting up your shot! If you book this session with me before December 25th you will save $25!! For more information or to reserve a spot email me at lcphoto@suddenlink.net

Now for that photographer that learns best in a one on one session, they are covered too!! One on one mentoring sessions can be booked through me and designed specifically for the person you love….. whether it’s shooting, interacting with your clients, or post processing we can design a session that is perfect and covers what is needed to push them to another level! Sessions are $75 per hour with a minimum of 2 hours or $500 covers a 8 hour day session (lunch is included) Evening/Night sessions will increase the mentoring rate.  For questions or to reserve a session contact me at lcphoto@suddenlink.net

And even though I could probably end there, I have to share one of the things that struck me to the heart with this sweet couple. The devotion and love to their family was beyond moving!!  From day one they not only spoke it with their words but they demonstrated with their actions how important family is to them. They told me of weekly meals that are a family ritual, they shared with me stories of their most adorable little nephew that everyone loved, and when we talked about places that meant a lot to them for their engagement pictures they chose home… how awesome!!!

Paige and Jonathan, I know it’s long over due but I couldn’t just post the pictures without sharing how you and your wedding touched me!! I wish you guys years and years of happiness and tons more memories as you continue this journey with each other!! But before you see my favs, if you haven’t seen their slideshow  CLICK HERE !!

But my sessions don’t ever stop in one place…. so to make this session complete we also ventured to River Park North and then to a little spot I knew of near my son’s school. The light at the park was pretty close to perfect and Morgan wore the cutest dress to “my little spot” (it had pockets!!) So in my opinion this session was as close to perfection as it gets!!! Take a look at my favs and you be the judge!!

So for the very first post, I can think of no better person to start with than Sadie!!! Sadie has graduated and moved on to college but last year she was gracious enough to be one of my Senior models for 2011-2012 school year. Not only was Sadie a beautiful girl on the outside but she was well rounded with school, dance, sports, work, and her service in the community.  Her natuaral beauty was combined with manners and a plesant spirit that let me know she was the perfect person to represent Crutchfield Photography!

Sadie I hope you are having an amazing first year in college!!  I knew when I met you, you where destined for success, thanks again for being so willing to help!! And now on to just a few of my favs!!

But beyond the kissing, my favorite part of  Melissa and Justin was seeing them laughing with each other. When Melissa laughs with Justin it’s almost as if her eyes light up. I’ve always believed laughter was good medicine and so it’s my wish for these guys that they laugh together (and kiss) for the next 75 years!!!!

And although I know you guys just wanna see my favs, I just have to say one more thing, I love how this couple chose the perfect spot for their ceremony. They chose a spot that was significant to them, a place that was familiar and by the water!!  They had their amazingly obedient dog in their ceremony, and they incorporated themes such as their dog and the beach throughout their entire decor. So for people that ask me if I get tired of doing weddings all the time, my response is always “No!!”  Because clients like this make sure their wedding is unique and perfect to them!

Now on to what you’ve been waiting for… my favs!!!!

Melissa, you were a beautiful bride!! Thanks for making my job so easy!!!