adoption photography •• welcome home hannah

Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph so friends adopting their new son. Hardly two weeks after that I found out some other friends that have been going through the adoption process found out about a sweet baby girl needing a family. The details of how my friends Aaron and Leslie were matched up with this precious baby girl are nothing short of God orchestrating a lot of details and connections that they could have never dreamed up.

Last week they went up to Memphis to meet the birth family and little Hannah and they stayed up there for a week working through details. Originally they had planned for me to go up to Memphis to photograph them there, but the logistics and details were so unknown that it didn’t work out. However, I am thrilled that I was able to meet them last night when they arrived home and document Hannah being welcomed home for the first time.

She was greeted by friends, her aunt and little cousin. There was much oohing and aahing, lots of smiles and Aaron and Leslie recounting the events of the past week. Thank you both for the privilege of being able to take part in such a precious time in your lives. I can’t wait to watch Hannah grow!

You can view the slideshow below or go here to view it on its own page.

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christina d - cried like usual! beautiful!March 5, 2010 - 2:15 pm

Susie - I just love these adoption slide shows. So precious!March 4, 2010 - 4:57 pm

2009 fults family in review

I am well aware that we are at the beginning of March and most people do these kinds of posts at the first of January, but all I can say is, I’m not most people. :-) On a regular basis people say to me, “Oh, I bet you have a ton of great pictures of Emma!” While I certainly have plenty of photos of Emma that I love, I don’t have as many as you might think.

Because photography is my profession, my client’s images take priority and my personal images get dumped onto a hard drive into a folder to be revisited whenever I have a chance, which in the case of 2009 meant being revisited in January of 2010. So, I have spent the last couple of months going through last years personal stuff–about 3800 images– and ended up with a little more than 860 images that I am keeping. That’s really not that many for an entire year. This year I have every intention of keeping up with my personal stuff. Here are a few favorites from 2009. It is amazing how much Emma changed from the beginning of the year to the end.

Playing in Daddy’s boots. She still loves to do this.

This little girl has some of the funniest faces!

This is the evidence of a thoroughly enjoyed chocolate chip cookie–just in case you were wondering.

Why do we as parents buy our children toys? They always opt for the box it came in!

Jon is way more fun than me.

Summer camping with the Grandparents. Campers begin to feel very small with 4 adults a 1 year old and a dog. We had a great time though and I would do it again.

I think we lived with a ‘tent’ in the living room for about 3 weeks. I’m happy to report that the unfinished chair is now entirely recovered. :-)

Who knew a cookie sheet and shaving cream could be so fun?!

Emma really wanted to have a tea party. I couldn’t pass up this photo opportunity.

Emma: “I want to be a ‘rina’!”

Our front yard has oak trees which means tons of acorns. The ritual every time we leave to go somewhere– Emma walks to the edge of the garage and picks up an acorn to take with us. My mom calls it her calling card b/c she finds them at her house and has found them at my dad’s office after we have stopped in for a visit.

We have had more snow in Mississippi this year than I can remember ever having in the past. Emma enjoyed every minute she could spend out in it.

Her first carousel ride. I think she liked it. :-)

A random family tradition growing up was that mom and dad always put a can of Pringles in our stocking. Random I know. One year they didn’t put them in and everyone got mad. They didn’t make that mistake twice. Here is Emma enjoying her stocking Pringles at 9:00 am on Christmas morning in her new tent, dressed in a new dress up outfit.

My little brothers got a mini motor bike for Christmas (I don’t know what has happened to my parents over the years). I attempted to ride it around the yard a few times– one of those times resulted in a nasty crash. The onlookers found it entertaining and I am still being teased for the incident. My brother grabbed this picture– this is proof of why I should stay behind the camera. :-)

christina d - these are GREAT, Erin! Loved looking at them and seeing a little more 'behind the scenes' of the FUlts house - super cuteMarch 2, 2010 - 9:28 pm

Page - Wow she has changed a lot this year. What fun memories!!March 2, 2010 - 8:30 pm

snippet & ink wedding feature

I’m so excited to have Walter and Anna’s Mississippi Agricultural Museum wedding featured on the Snippet & Ink blog! If you are a bride reading this I’m sure you are well aware of the myriad of wedding blogs out there full of beautiful photos and ideas. Snippet & Ink (a favorite wedding blog of Anna’s) is one such blog and Kathryn, the author, does a beautiful job consistently posting great content. When she contacted me about getting images from Walter and Anna’s wedding for a feature I was more than happy to send some over. Make sure and pop over to check out Kathryn’s latest find and to go directly to her post featuring Walter and Anna’s wedding click here.

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Liz Giesman - Snippet and ink is one of my favorites too! Congrats Erin!March 1, 2010 - 8:51 pm

whitney and travis •• engagements

Whitney and Travis came to me by way of Debbie Simmons at Signature Occasions and I am thrilled that she sent them my way. Last week I met up with them for their engagement session and had a blast– hopefully they did too. :-) As with many of my clients they said they weren’t good in front of the camera. Well, they hadn’t yet been in front of my camera and I was determined to prove them wrong. ;-) So, we set out to roam around the Fondren area looking for pretty light and nice backdrops and I think we were successful.

I really love engagement sessions because while I have probably already met a couple before their session, as I had with Whitney and Travis, it is during their engagement session when I really get a good sense of their personality and the dynamics of their relationship. Whitney is more reserved, very easy going and kind hearted with a fabulous smile. Travis is also laid back and has a great sense of humor. Together they just fit. Totally comfortable with each other.

Whitney and Travis, I had a great time hanging out. You are both so fun and I am really looking forward to your wedding in a few weeks! Oh, and I think I proved you wrong–you two are awesome in front of the camera. At least in front of my camera anyway. :-)

A jumping shot at Travis’ request. You guys both caught some nice air. :-)

I love how Travis can get Whitney laughing.

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Jen Disney - Hey Erin! I just saw your work over on Snippet and Ink! Congratulations! That's awesome!!!!!February 27, 2010 - 9:25 pm

christina d - love these - some of my fave engagements ones i think - great location wherever that wasFebruary 24, 2010 - 11:10 am

an adoption story

As a photographer I have the opportunity to be a part of some pretty amazing events and form relationships with wonderful people. People that let me into their lives to document their wedding or growing family. They let me tell a piece a of their story through my camera lens. For all of that I am so grateful.

Recently I had the opportunity to be part of an event that I will not soon forget. Some sweet friends of mine have been going through the adoption process and after mounds of paperwork and everything else required to be approved as an adoptive family they received a call that there was a little boy needing a family. They waited with much joy and anticipation for the day to arrive for them to finally meet their son. Several weeks ago, knowing that they could receive a call any day, I told them that I would love to photograph any part of the process they wanted me to–whether that be the actual exchange of getting their precious baby or something afterward.

After they found out they were getting their sweet baby boy they asked me to come along with them to the adoption agency and photograph the actual exchange of them receiving him. I was thrilled and totally humbled to be able to document such a sweet event.  So, I went with them and photographed their anticipation, abundant joy and contentment as they welcomed their son into their family.

There are tears in my eyes as I type this, because nothing that I have ever photographed has touched my soul as this did. What a privilege to witness this baby boy being welcomed into his new family. I am reminded of God’s great love for me and his grace to bring me into his family through Jesus.

I hope these images touch your soul as they have mine. (Just an FYI, the slideshow has music)

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Dane Sanders - Amazing.February 27, 2010 - 12:11 pm

Barbara Mason - Thank you. This brought back my wonderful memories from thirty-one years ago that were so similar to this presentation. The happiest day of our lives! :-))February 24, 2010 - 10:09 am

annie - ahhh! erin... i'm balling. these are incredible. thank you for sharing your talent and your heart!February 23, 2010 - 11:23 pm

Brooke @ ink stains and fingerprints - Wow, that made me cry. How precious.February 23, 2010 - 4:48 pm

Michelle Tanner - What an amazing story that you got to be a part of. Amazing pictures!February 23, 2010 - 4:00 pm

missy @ it's almost naptime - This is SO wonderful!!! I am crying too. Congrats to them and that precious SO WANTED baby boy!!February 23, 2010 - 11:03 am

christina d - wow, wow, wowFebruary 22, 2010 - 5:48 pm

Matt Giesman - I've decided that the best way for me to keep up with people from Jackson to stalk your blog. Great slideshow. Congats again Adam and Heather!February 22, 2010 - 4:13 pm

Deborah Scott - Incredible story captured amazingly through your lens! Thanks for sharing, it brought tears to my eyes too!!February 22, 2010 - 3:01 pm

Rhonda - AMAZING!!!February 22, 2010 - 2:23 pm

Christi - Erin- This is are great pictures! Started watching the slideshow on my lunch break and teared up at my desk. They are just so sweet. Your pictures are always so beautiful!February 22, 2010 - 2:09 pm

meg - and i cried and i cried. Extremely moving! Amazing job Erin!February 22, 2010 - 2:07 pm

Merianne - What a blessing to be able to witness and document such a sweet event. Beautiful!February 22, 2010 - 1:48 pm