my avatar

gotta love this!! okay she looks much better than I do but I had fun making her up! :o)

Cynthia Blythe (now stuckey) Bridal Portrait!

Courtney and Josh

Courtney is one of the church secrataries at Open Door Baptist Church and the church rejoiced with her and Josh as they feel in love and planned this sweet day. It was great to be a part of this day!

Hannah and Sophie

To see their slideshow Click Here!

sugar and spice and everything nice

To see her entire slideshow Click Here!

Snips and Snails and Puppy dog Tails!

We were hoping to do a maternity session with Connie but Josiah wanted to come early. So we had a blast with this newborn session. I personally love the ones of them kissing and Josiah letting them know that He was the one that wanted their attention. Isn't that the way it is when babies come into our lives! :o) Adam and Connie, you make great parents I look forward to seeing this little man grow up!

Link Brothers

Well these guys hold a very dear place in my heart! I love the Link familiy. I was the Maid of Honor in Becky's wedding a few years back and have enjoyed and learned from watching their family grow! I can't wait until #3 gets here! We'll have lots of fun with that little gal!

















Getting your picture taken is hard work for a 2 and 3 year old so what a better reward than Daylight Donuts! They were happy kids!

Dennis and Allison 07-07-07

I loved capturing the beauty of God's love for all peoples in this marriage! I got to shoot with the amazing Mellisa Mestas Pearce of MP Photography, Thanks girl! Allison and Dennis met while serving in Kenya together and God brought them through so much together. Through it all they have been a testimony of God's sovereignty and faithfulness! Thank you guys for letting God use your lives as living examples of His grace!

Here is an article that goes perfectly with this post!! Click Here to Read!

Allison Bridal Portraits

I've learned something this summer. Bridal Portraits are tough to do in the heat! But this girl's a pro when it comes to hot weather, having lived in Africa for over 2 years! So we did it!! And she made a beautiful bride!

Note to future summer brides. Poiema will be having spring and fall bridal sessions for those getting married in the summer. I personally will encourage after the wedding bridal sessions as they provide for lots more creativity and less stress involving the dress!!

Jason and Kathleen Weathers

Classic. No other word can describe this wedding best than classic. Kathleen and Jason were a joy to work with. They had their wedding at Rocksprings Jockey Club turned ballroom in Greenville NC. What a great day! It was beautiful.

some blog humor!!

Robbie and Dana Haynes June10th 2007 @ Raleigh Rose Garden

Our trip to NYC!

Teresa's Prayer Card

Lance and Cynthia Engagement Session

Cole Capps

young love!

Ian and Cam are students at NRCA where Dan teaches. They are too sweet! Here are a few of our fun shoot together!

hugs and lots of Kisses!

here is an engagement session that I've been so excited to shoot for a while now. This is Jeff Capps and Blair who are going to get married this fall in Texas! They were great and really didn't kiss the whole time, these just happen to be some of my favorites!

Big Boy Blue!

I love my dogs! Blue is my favorite but Izzy has always been a "daddy's girl"

so much for the "slow months"...

It's been so busy lately. Can't really put my finger on too much that is keeping us spinning except that I have a lot of expectations on myself and I'm really trying to accomplish a lot that I want to get done.
I'm working on a official website and I'm really excited about it! I'll definitely keep you updated on it's status.
But first let me catch you up on some photo shoots I've done lately!!

Introducing Braylon Paul Jones

This little guy took his sweet time to get here! We were all glad when he came, I know Jessica really was! He was born March 12th (my dad's birthday) and he's adoreable and has totally stolen our hearts!

Joe and Katie March 3

Joe and Katie were wonderful to work with. I love how my job brings me to people who I have never met and after shooting a wedding and doing their hair I feel like a very close friend of the family! I think Joe and Katie complement each other in an astounding way! God bless you two! You have blessed me!

Kristen and John in Kalamazoo MI.

Dan and I had the honor of being a part of his cousin's wedding in Michigan in March. Dan married them and I was the photographer. It was a lot of fun and a great time with our relatives! I love their accents! It was quite the cold weekend though.

Life on Seawell!

These are the Girls that make me smile, laugh, giggle, sigh on a weekly basis. They bring so much joy to our lives!! I've been wanting to get them in front of my lens for some time now. They are beautiful inside and out! I"m a lucky girl to have them in my life and in my church!

Allison

Allison Stokes is one my dearest friends. She has been a missionary in Africa where she met a tall dark and vey handsome man who shared and even inspired her vision for the people and ministry in Africa. They are getting married 07.07.07 How cool is that! I'm so excited for you and dennis! What a journey and adventure. Isn't God good!!!

Kathleen and Jason Engagement Session

Meet Kathleen and Jason! They are getting married this summer and I can't wait to see what this classy girl has planned for her wedding! She is a hairdresser at the ever so swanky Sam & Bill's Hair Design in Raleigh and a definitely a kindred spirit! It was so neat to see the two of them interact and see the love that was so precious between them.

Downtown Raleigh

Here are a few of my random dowtown Raleigh shots that I love! Yes, that's an acorn, for those who don't live here. Raleigh is called the city of oaks. And so I guess a huge acorn is the best way to demonstrate that! On New Years Eve they drop the acorn....so on T.V. They have the huge spectacular NYC Ball being dropped and right beside it they show the acorn dropping! It's a little depressing. Oh well. Raleigh is growing like crazy and it's hopefully going to get really built up and have some really cool things to offer....besides a Huge acorn!

Creative Award Friday!

this is fun! I love fridays and I love creativeness! I have an idea and an artist to tell you about today!

I was watching martha stewart this morning and she had a girl on there that showed how to make the easiest yet trendy must have for spring beaded necklaces, the photo doesn't give it justice, cause they are cute! Click Here to see the instructions!


Natasha Wescoat is an artist that I stumbled over and I have fallen in love with her art and her style and her use of color! as a photographer who LOVES black and white images, I love it when color hits me and I fall in love with how it's used to convey something that could never be done in black and white!

Click Here for her website, although I love her Blog....kinda gives you a more personal look into her life and work!

The Owens

These are the Amazing Owens Family Kids ~ Blayne, Joshua, Grace, and Mary! They might as well be my own brothers and sisters....at the very least cousins! :o) I've taken their Christmas picture for years now and it's been so special to see them grow up over time! Blayne is a Senior this year! I can't believe it. I love Senior sessions but this is one of the few I've had the chance to shoot here. Let anyone know that has seniors, that I would love to capture this very special chapter of their high school achivement! Congrats Blayne!!

Quotes from a Great!

Photography, as a powerful medium
of expression and communications,
offers an infinite variety of perception,
interpretation and execution.
-Ansel Adams

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs.
When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.

-Ansel Adams

Courtney and Brandon Engagement Session

Here is an Engagement Session that I've waited a long time to shoot! :o) I have watched these two grow and mature in their lives and love toward each other! I CAN NOT WAIT to be a part of their wedding day in November!

Blue and Izzy

Here are the Christmas Pictures we took of our babies! I thought I would post them for those who didn't get an email. They are so cute. We've really been working with them and they are becoming much more well behaved. *Thanks to Ceasar, the Dog whisperer* Blue has totally won my heart and is such a sweety. Izzy can't stand for anyone else to be getting attention unless she's in on the action. She's very submissive but can actually talk back if she doesn't want to do as she is told. I'm becoming more and more convinced this is great parent training for us.

This week's creative award winner!

Hopefully on Friday's I want to have a weekly creative award. Personally, I love creative advertising, commercials, magazine ads, it's amazing what they come up with. This one is a music video. But I love it!

The Dunn Family

The Dunn Family was so much fun to shoot as well. Debbie has been a client of mine at the Salon for serveral years now and has become a dear friend to me. It's amazing how much my clients and I share over the moments spent doing hair. It's a joy to be able to share the ups and downs of our lives, from interior design to our personal struggles. I"m so glad God's given me friends like Debbie. Here are some of my favorites from their photo session downtown Wake Forest.

be different!

I posted this on myspace but I wanted it on my blog as well. It's so true. I've always thought I was part crazy, and now I hope to embrace that part of me in order to do things differently this year. I want to risk a little....for the gospel, for my husband, for my job, for my friends and family, for me. Here's to the crazy ones. May we not just watch them from a distance feeling safe and comfortable but may we join them in making a difference in our world and hopefully for eternity sake!

art of pancakes

There has to be an art to making pancakes. Because I am horrible at making them. Dan hasn't had the best luck in the past either. But I love pancakes. just plain. no syrup, no anything, unless it's in the pancake (the best is choc.chips) Maybe I don't have the right equipment...I think I may need an actual griddle. I remember growing up and our grandparents and then parents would make them in the letters to our names and of course mickey mouse. We thought that was the coolest thing!
Anyway, But 2 shout outs, the first to Angey who is the BEST pancake maker I know. she creates the best ones too. second to Kathryn Rose, who gave me some Gingersnap Pancake mix that is heavenly!! It's so good. Maybe I'll get her recipe from her and post it before next Christmas! It's the perfect Christmas morning breakfast...with eggs & meat of course if you have men in the house! to me it's perfect just by themsleves! Thanks girl! Ang' you need to git'on over here and fix me some pancakes! :o)

For all you mom's and pancake lovers! Here's a great book. If you give a pig a pancake!

dougherty family

this is the dougherty family. (which I might be spelling that wrong, if so someone leave a comment and tell me.)
They are a wonderful family that makes having a family of 7 look easy and so much fun. *I know it's hard work* Carolyn and the kids are clients of mine and I love getting to know them more and watching as they grow from children into mature freethinking and talented adults! Great job Fred and Carolyn!

Lykins Family Session

I took these right before Christmas. Nita is one of Dan's Co-workers at NRCA. Her 4 sons were all here for the holidays. WE had so much fun taking these and l'm sure life is never boring in that household. Ethan is a very loved grandbaby!! I'm sure you can tell! :o)

MySpace

check out my MySpace http://www.myspace.com/poiemapeople
I had one and didn't really like it. But this has got to be the best way to keep up with old friends and track down people you might never hear from otherwise!
My goal is to keep up with this blog first and foremost and use Myspace to keep up with everyone on a weekly basis.
Thanks for reading my blog!

Kristen and John Engagement Photos

I am so looking forward to shooting these guys wedding next month up in Kalamazoo, MI. Kristen is Dan's cousin and Dan will actually be marrying them. So that will be fun for me as photographer! :o)
Anyway, I"m going to be posting some of my recent engagement sessions. Now is the time to be thinking about Engagement Sessions if you are getting married this year!

Car Theft

What an "Exciting" weekend. We were downtown Raleigh visiting friends last night to celebrate my birthday and went to leave and our Car was GONE! It had been stolen. We called 911 and it took almost 2 hours for them to get there and we didn't get home until way late. We were stunned! We prayed and had friends praying for us and we got a call this afternoon from our friends saying that they thought they had seen our car drive by their house (the one it was stolen from) and so BRAVE girls decided to follow it and call the police (much better respond time this time!) and they tracked it down and the police and CSI were able to fingerprint it and us! And hopefully will be able to catch whoever took it.
The car was fine besides being trashed a little bit. They got my purse which had my keys,gift cards,check books,cell phones and some cash. So that is not fun but it's nice to have the car back!
Anyway, we'll keep you updated on the results!
Thanks Kristin, Nicole and Alicia for your bravery, support and friendship! Raleigh P.D. can't compare to your keen eyes and quick moving!
Thanks to everyone who supported and prayed for us during this crisis! We definitely learned so much from all of this! I guess if we want to live in NYC someday we better become more street smart....although Dan and I both find the idea of not having a car in NYC appealing! :o)

A little humor for the situation

TCC Staff Families

These families are who make up the staff at my church in Downtown Raleigh, Treasuring Christ Church. It was a chilly day but everyone was great and we had a great time taking these!

Ashley and Sarah Brown

It's always fun for me when I get to use my gifts for friends that I've known for a long time. This family has known me a LONG time! Ashley and Sarah both have occupied the position of "best friend" in my life at certain times! They are an amazing couple with HUGE hearts for the Lord and others! I love ya'll's kindness and hospitality to me both in the present and in years past! Alaska Rules! :o)

A reminder of His Love for His Children

photography meets inspiration

One of my favorite things about photography is the way it can bring words to life! remember the ole' saying a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, I don't think that a picture is quite worth the profound truth and wisdom and life found in the bible but I have found that when you put scriptures onto photos it seems to bring the photo to life and also to leave a lasting impression on those who see/read it! Desiring God website is great for these art expressions on their home page.

Here is one that I was just messing around with. I read this in Psalms 4today and it just reminded me that joy is priceless and when I'm surrounded by messages of wealth=happiness on T.V. such as game shows, sweepstakes, even great shows like Extreme Home MakeOver leaves me longing for a nicer home and looking at what I don't have. Not that having nice things or even money is wrong but it's when you think that without it you can't be happy or that the pursuit of money is greater than your pursuit of happiness found in Christ and His Word. I have Christ and thus have all l need for happiness! Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you! Matthew 6:33

Great Expectations

Today I am 29! 1 More year in my twenties, yikes! Anyway, today my husband bought me french connection perfume which is heavenly! Martha Stewarts Complete Homemaking How-to Book, which is Amazing! It covers EVERYTHING! It would make a great house warming or wedding gift this year for anyone! A great picture frame....which one of my new years resolutions is to fill all the frames hanging or sitting in my home. *I've had one collage frame hanging on my wall since I got married and it still has the "sample pics" it came with. * My dad thought it was modern art because it was pictures of a man walking with an umbrella with birds flying in the air and I had hung it sideways! He just thought it was my strange taste in art, I laughed so hard when I told him it was just my laziness to put my pictures in there.

Anyway, In honor of my birth 29 years ago, I'm posting some of my favorites from my last Maternity Shoot! If anyone knows of someone expecting and wanting pictures to remember this special time, have them contact me!

The Wester Girls

While it's still a little too chilly for a lot of photo sessions. I'm going to load a few of my favorites from my sessions last year!
These are the Wester Ladies! These girls were flowergirls in my wedding in 2004! I met and fell in love with them while I attended Wood Baptist Church for a few years. They have loved me so much and it's been my joy to see them grow in godliness and beauty! *it's amazing how those two grow hand in hand!*
I had a blast shooting these and I love ya ladies!

New Years Eve in Raleigh

We had a Blast at Nicole, Alicia and Kiristin's new home last night! This was the third year that we were able to spend new years with Kristin and Nicole, the second with Alicia! A good time was had by all and we even learned part of the dance to Thriller! yeah, we thought it was a simple dance until we dragged out 13 going on 30 and realized that it took a little skill. Some of us lack in that department. But we had fun trying!
Happy New years Everyone!

Notice the "it's just like, it's just like a mini-mall" hat as faetured on Ellen!

Happy Anniversary Angey & Wes

Today is the second Anniversary of My Best Friend and Photography Partner Angey and her husband Wes Price. They had a spectacular Winter New Years Eve Wedding! It was beautiful! I hope ya'll have a great day together and I can't wait to see you soon!
Here are some Images from Angey's Bridal Session.

Locks of Love

Here are some pictures of my Friend Alicia Christie and her gift to Locks of Love. She is a brave gal but some lucky child is going to get some awesome hair and Alicia still has a headfull herself. I love doing these radical changes to people. It brings some excitement to my day! You look awesome girl! I'm so proud of you. Thanks for being moral support Hallie!

Robin's Family Session

What a great family this was. They asked me to come to a pond that they had picked out and I was very surprized to find this beautiful water mill/falls with wonderful scenic views every where you looked! It was a chilly day but everyone was in great spirits and we had a great time! Thanks guys. Glad I was able to be a part of your holidays together!

Crate and Barrel Mall Madness

Dan, Brittany and I braved the mall today for the Grand After Christmas Crate and Barrel Sale. And Yes, they did have some great sales...after standing in line for 15 minutes to just get into the store, they better have some sales. I had prayed that God would help me stay within budget and not go crazy just because EVERYTHING had a red clearance sale price on it. (My personal spending weakness) WELL... I picked out a few things and after getting mulitple evil eyes...being bumped into 20+ times...and witnessing several actual fights over store items and getting into the store, I go to get in line and realize that people who were halfway from the beginning of the checkout line and the register told me they had been in line for an hour and a half! PRAYER WORKS, because I didn't have any trouble putting down my few sale items and walking out of the store and being able to breathe again! It was insane. It really helped put things in perspective. Is it worth treating people like they are meaningless obstacles in your way to attain an ornament that's normally $8 on sale for $4? I hope I never lose sight that people are far more valuable than any object, on sale or not!

Merry Christmas 2006

Merry Christmas Everyone! I LOVE Christmas for so many reasons but one of my biggest is that I get lots of time with my husband, My home and My dogs Blue & Izzy! They love that too. I work so hard right up until Christmas Eve and so it takes a day or two to really get relaxed. These past few days have been great, I've had time to even create this blog that I've been dying to start but haven't had the time. Here is my first post and a few favorite pictures from my Christmas Day!

This years theme for us in decorating was Star of Wonder! We went crazy with colors and sparkle! I loved incorperating the colored lights.

My stocking. Stockings have to be one of the best parts of Christmas Morning. Dan and I both love them!

Here is Blue (our 2 1/2 yr. old male Weimaraner) sittin pretty in front of the tree

Dan and I are big supporters of the RED campaign, which if you haven't checked into or heard about you MUST! Here is Blue sporting the RED scarf Dan gave me for Christmas

Here is Izzy Girl! She's a sweetheart and loves her big brother Blue!