brothers...

I love my little brother. Really, he is not that little (he's been taller than me for longer than I can remember now) and it's still hard for me to believe that he's actually a grown-up with a real job and a (super cool) wife. He can make me laugh harder than just about anyone in the whole world but he also thinks deeply about things and loves great music and movies and books. And also mountains. He loves the mountains and I always like that in someone. All that being said, I really love the relationship between a brother and a sister. I get to see that relationship with children a lot but it was really fun to get to photograph Meagan and Matt a few weeks ago. They had the sweet idea to surprise their mom with a photo shoot for Mother's Day. We had fun exploring the city and trying to make it not look like an engagement session!

sparkle...

These two were just plain sparkly. From their eyes to their smiles to their sweet personalities, I just loved photographing them. Enjoy Daniel and Ellie!

update

Thanks to everyone for being so understanding over the past few days. We really miss and will continue to miss Corey's Papaw Jack for a long, long time. As hard as the last week has been, I have been so grateful to be a part of this family and to see the way that they love each other so well. The legacy that Corey's grandfather has left is an inspiring one.

We are jumping back into our routine starting tomorrow (well, really tonight's all-nighter will be more like the routine I know and love!). I know that I owe a lot of people slideshows, gallery links, orders, emails and messages. Please trust me that they are all coming! I know that many of you have been very patient and for that, I am thankful.

Due to some recent family events, I am going to be a little hard to get in touch with over the next few days. If you have emailed me about orders or other things, I will do my best to get in touch with you but it may be a little later than usual. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you were supposed to receive your order this week, it will be next week before I can get to that. Thanks for understanding!

erin

feedback...

Any thoughts from anyone on the new blog changes? Really, please tell me the truth. It won't hurt my feelings.

Here are a few more from Huntsville. All of these families were awesome to work with. I still can't believe that I had a whole day (six full sessions!) of easygoing, totally cooperative kiddos. I could not have hoped for anything more. I just hope that they all love their pictures as much as I loved meeting them!

Maddie and Connor

Hallie and Ethan

Abby, Gracie, and Will

america's next top model...

I've never seen that show but I think I've found the winners...don't you agree? The Holdens were SO much fun to photograph! Can you believe those eyes?

Talk about naturals! These two were awesome. I've learned that you never really know what you're going to get when you photograph babies but this one seriously could not have done better. He looked straight at me almost everytime I wanted to take his picture! And his big sister is definitely no stranger to the camera. I hope you enjoy the Walkers!

just the beginning...

It's true that some photo shoots are harder than others (more on that later...) but these two really were angels to photograph. They were my first session of my day in Huntsville a couple weeks back and they could not have been more cooperative and sweet. Enjoy the show! (Click on the highlighted words to see the show.) I have a lot of slideshows to post so check back soon!

Moving on...

Today was my last day of teaching kindergarten. A lot of you don't know that as well as being a photographer, I have also been a teacher. I am so amazed and so grateful that my photography business has taken off the way that it has and I am so excited to be able to take another step toward pursuing my passion. Tonight I watched my class perform their end of year program and watched them "graduate" from kindergarten. A cheesy tradition, I will admit, but there is definitely something powerful for me in sitting back watching my class as a group. I am so proud of them for how hard they have worked, that they are all reading so well, and that they have grown in the way they treat one another. As I got in my car to leave tonight, I cried as I realized that I'm not a teacher anymore. I have identified myself as that for so long. I know that it is incredibly exciting to be identified as a photographer and I am so excited to see what is in store for this new chapter of my life. But it is always hard to leave people that you love and a place that feels really comfortable. I know that the experiences and relationships I have made over the past 4 and a half years will continue to be a part of my life as I begin this new adventure.

happy friday!

The Millers are great friends of ours and Leah was a huge encouragement to me as I began this photography venture. I am so grateful for her support and kindness to me. Her boys are precious and I am so excited that there will be a third Miller to photograph come this fall!

I have to admit it...I was really nervous the first few times I photographed brand-new babies. Obviously, spending time with kids is one of my favorite things to do but I just wasn't used to being around itty-bitty babies. Now it feels like second nature to me and everytime I do it, I am amazed all over again. There is something so incredible about these new little ones who are so intricate and beautiful and dependent all at the same time. Meeting Olivia and watching her parents so head over heels in love with her was one of the highlights of my week.

may craziness...

wow. i have been taking pictures like crazy and it is so much fun! i had another marathon day in huntsville yesterday so stay tuned for that round of pictures to come in the next couple of weeks. i also have all my shoots from last week to post so stay tuned for lots of slideshows coming up. here is a sweet little baby boy that i met last week. i am always amazed at what troopers the little ones can be sometimes. charles was an absolute angel and gave me some of my favorite pictures ever.

sneak preview...

Here is officially one of the cutest kids on the planet. I was so excited to get the opportunity to photograph Sa'Nya last week. She is a sparkly and beautiful little girl, both inside and out. I may post a slideshow of her later but here is one of my early favorites. More to come...

Alana is one of the coolest kids I've met in awhile. She is so funny and matter of fact. I love that she loves to read and also play softball and also twirl around in her pretty white skirt. She is also far more stylish than me and brought more clothes for the photo shoot than I've ever seen! We had a great time.

How cute are these two? I loved meeting the Windhams last weekend at the gardens. We had a great time wandering around and even venturing into a few gardens I had never even seen before. There are so many times lately when I just look around and can't believe I'm getting to do what I'm doing.

Let's talk Mother's Day...

So...Mother's Day is coming up and what better gift than pictures of the children they love? I know my mom, for one, still never gets tired of pictures of us. I know the big day is almost here but I still thought I'd throw a special deal out there. For the next 10 people who book a session and mention this special, I will add a free 8x10 to your order! Also, I am now offering gift certificates for sessions that will come wrapped and ready to give. Just email me at erinnolen@gmail.com to set up your session!

On a different note, I love these pictures of Emily and Jake. There is something so full of life in these two. I really hope that these pictures can communicate that in some way. This bottom picture kind of makes you think it was a calm afternoon but you'll have to see the rest of the pictures to figure out the whole story on that! I love hanging out with them and never knowing what's going to happen next!

blue eyed girls...

It has been a week of blue eyes! Between Grayson, the Dreschers, and then these two, I couldn't believe it. I think that little Lily actually wins the prize for bluest eyes EVER. They are so pretty. I had a great time hanging out with the Turners this week and love the way they laugh together. It won't be hard to see that they love to be silly!

The Dreschers are one of my all-time favorite families. We joined their LIFE group (our church's version of small groups) just as soon as we started going to Oak Mountain, while we were still dating and not even engaged. I immediately fell in love with their oldest (and at the time, only) child, Will, who is just the cutest, coolest kid ever. Since we have known the Dreschers, they have added Zach and Carly to the family. Char let me photograph the boys right when I first started trying to really do this whole photography thing and she was really nice even though the pictures were horrible. They have always been a real support to me. The sad news is that they are moving... and all the way to TEXAS! We will really miss them. I am really going to miss watching their kiddos grow up. Anyway, this slideshow has special significance for me in light of their leaving...I hope you enjoy the pictures.

growing up...

Okay, I guess you wouldn't really call it growing up but here is Grayson, now 3 months old! I photographed him at 2 weeks back in January. I can't believe how much he's changed already. He is a complete joy and I could photograph his blue eyes all day long. Grayson inspired me to start offering a package that would offer several sessions during a child's first year or first few years. Details coming soon!

april showers...

Well, it is a rainy and dreary Saturday here (perfect for staying in to catch up on all my work!) but I thought I'd post one of my recent shoots from a not so rainy day. The wedding season is just around the bend and I am really looking forward to it. I really do love doing engagement pictures. It is great to feel like I really get to know and observe the couple before the actual wedding day. It is also really fun to watch the guys figure out that taking pictures doesn't always have to be a bad thing! Rebekah and Michael are getting married this summer so stay tuned for the wedding pics!

a day in the city...

Molly and Lucy

Thanks so much for all the fun comments to my last post! It really is fun to see who's reading. Here is another way belated post from week before last. This shoot had been on the calendar for months and months and we were so sad when it turned out to be in the middle of the record cold front for Alabama in April. We had some kind of adventure chasing sweet little Lucy all up and down the street. Molly is an incredible big sister and she worked so hard to help me get some great pictures.

wondering...

The flowers at the gardens could not be prettier than they are right now. I love to watch the way things change with the season. There is something new blooming every day. Annabelle is an absolute doll and I loved photographing her last week. And how cool is her name? Her smile makes me smile.
On a more random note, I really like to post on my blog. It sometimes has to come pretty far down on my list of things to do but I still enjoy making the updates and sharing my latest experiences. If you are someone who visits my blog, I would love to know it. I would love any feedback that anyone has and always welcome any comments! It helps me to feel like I'm not alone out here during my hours behind the computer screen...

sweet baby...

Claire

huntsville take two

The Johnson girls were my last session of the Huntsville day. They were so sweet and totally just went with the flow. I love to take pictures of sisters and watch the way they interact with one another. These are 3 girls who love each other a lot.


I can honestly say that photographing Maggie was one of my most fun shoots ever. The place where we took the pictures is called a living museum and the back part is like a farm where you can pet all the animals. I loved watching Maggie's delight as she explored. She thought that the baby goats were puppies and so cutely called them "puppy goats" once she was informed what they actually were.

huntsville whirlwind...

The Owens

I got to spend all day last Saturday taking pictures in Huntsville. It was a whirlwind of a day getting to each place but in the end, I am so glad that we did each of the pictures somewhere different. It is always so much fun for me to take pictures in a new place. One of the highlights of the day was meeting baby Claire, who was in her mama's tummy the last time I saw them for maternity pictures in January. The miracle of life never ceases to amaze me. There was such joy for life in all of the families I met last Saturday and I am thankful for the opportunity to glimpse the way they love each other. Here is one slideshow to start with...many more to come!

springtime craziness...

This has been one crazy week! I am so thankful to have had so many sessions in the last few days but I hate that that means people have to wait longer to see their pictures. That also means I have not been very faithful about posting to the blog. This shoot with David Scott was late last week. I love his energy and excitement about life! He truly could not wait to see what was behind each and every corner. What a gift.

where the wild things are...

Fischer is all boy--he spent the afternoon either down in the dirt himself or talking about his favorite thing: dirt bikes. Who knew that a 4-year-old could have a favorite dirt biker (or that such professionals even existed)? One look at these pictures and you will be able to see the sweet sweet love between Fischer and his mama. It was really fun for me to see the way that they make each other laugh. One thing about them that I especially loved is that they can quote Where the Wild Things Are back and forth, just one line after another. That is extra special to me because that has long been one of my mom's favorite books to quote to my brother and me. Just hearing Fischer and his mom tell the story of Max and his mischief brought back sweet memories. If it's been awhile since you've read it, it is worth going back.

saturday engagement shoot part II

Stephanie and Wes wanted their pictures done in downtown Helena which was awesome for me since it's like 2 seconds from our house. I really do love the little town where we live. Even though the trains can be frustrating at times (like when I'm late to get somewhere every single day), the tracks have provided endless photo ops. Stephanie and Wes were great to work with and I really hope that these pictures communicate the sweetness of their relationship. I can't wait to photograph their wedding in a couple of months!

some random thoughts...

Corey and I have been talking a lot lately about photography and how it makes us feel. As he has gotten more and more into photography himself, it has been fun to process these things together. We were having one of these conversations the other day and I couldn't come up with the words to describe my experience.
I was reminded of one of my all-time favorite books, A Ring of Endless Light, by Madeline L'Engle. The book is so rich and so real for a million reasons but one of my favorite parts has always been a poem that she quotes by T.E. Brown called "Indwelling." The first line of the poem says, "if thou could'st empty all thyself of self, like to a shell dishabitated..." It goes on to say, "but thou art all replete with very thou..." I spend almost all of my time being replete with me, thinking about myself, consumed my own thoughts and feelings and desires. But the biggest gift that photography has given me is a break from myself. I really don't know how else to describe it. When I am taking pictures, I feel like I am totally in that moment and nowhere else. Somehow, it is like being emptied of self and yet feeling more like myself all at the same time. A mystery, I guess.

All that being said, I really loved spending Saturday taking pictures of two really fun, really in love couples. I've only finished one slideshow so far but couldn't wait to get it up on the blog. Tiffany and Noeun met and got engaged at Montevallo so I thought it was a great idea when they wanted to do their engagement pictures there. (The pictures where they're in the white gazebo-ish thing is the spot where they got engaged!) I LOVED doing pictures somewhere new and felt like I could have explored new places all day long. I am so excited to be shooting their wedding in May!

Also, it should be said that the Patty Griffin song on their slideshow is my new super favorite song that I listen to on repeat all the time. I have been waiting to use it on a slideshow since the first time I heard it and today was the big day! I hope everyone else likes it as much as me because I am going to be using it a lot. I wanted to save it for a wedding slideshow but I couldn't resist using it today. Anyway, this is officially my longest post ever.

Clearly, I am trying out some new colors and stuff on the blog. I haven't made up my mind yet about the latest edition so if anyone has any suggestions, bring them on! We have been super busy the last few weeks doing some fun and new stuff. I have several things to post that I will try to get to this weekend. For now, here is one of my favorites from a session I had last weekend with Libby, one of the most endearing children ever. She made me laugh the whole time with her sweet words--she is the most verbal 18-month-old ever!

It is not hard to see Ella's energy and passion for life! I loved getting the chance to chase her around the gardens last weekend and watch her explore all the new things to see. I am so glad she let me capture this shot of the upside-down sunglasses even though I'm completely certain that she had no idea they were on the wrong way. I think that makes her expression even cuter! I am also loving her lowercase "e" shirt and wishing that I had one for my very own. Rumor has it her shirt came from ebay... More pictures to come soon...

the davidson girls

the zanoni boys

Lots of new things to post! I'll just do these two for tonight. Meeting both of these families was really fun for me. I love it when people I don't know call me to set up pictures and then when I finally meet them, we get to figure out who I know that they know. And then it's like all of a sudden I'm connected to the person I already knew even more because now I know someone else who's a part of their world. I love connecting with people! Is this really random?

Spring is on the way and things are getting busy! I am so excited to be outside taking pictures again. It has been so much fun to be out at the gardens this week and watch the way things are changing even by the day. I have a lot of stuff to post but I'm going to start with just this one for now. Getting to meet baby Sophie and take her pictures the other day was a huge gift to me. We have loved getting to know her parents better over the last year and have been so grateful to watch them transition into their sweet little family.