Brooke Turner Photography

Hello blog world…that is if anyone still is checking.  I’m still here! I’ve had my hands full raising my sweet Samuel and Selah, along with tons of photo sessions and weddings.   I have been pondering the future of my blog.  Honestly, it is just ‘one more thing’ on the to do list.  I have considered possibly just posting one image from each session instead of the many I usually post.  I have considered eliminating it all together.  Or I’ve considered making it a combo personal & business blog - because there are so many times something funny happens with the babies that I wish I had a blog to share it on!   Here are my babies at 5 months.  They are 6 months now - I need an updated picture!

just time enough for a quick picture update.  Me and my babies at almost 10 weeks:

I had four FABULOUS baby showers hosted by some dear family and friends!  I feel so incredibly blessed to have such a supportive circle around me to celebrate with us!  These are all pictures from the first baby shower hosted by my best friends (including my sister, who I’m proud to call a best friend also!)

Diaper cake my sister made, and a candy bar favor table

Samuel & Selah’s verses that I’ve been praying over them.  My friends went to so much effort to make everything so personal to us!

Some of the delicious food!

Adorable chalk boards my sister made for the babies

Photo album they put together for me with pictures from the shower, and “words of wisdom” or prayers from guests.  Also check out the ADORABLE invitation!

Drink station - SO cute!

Opening presents! Everyone was so generous! I love these personalized burp cloths

Me with my sister, niece (baby Reagan), mom and grandmother

my sweet friends!

Baby Reagan getting to know her cousins.  They will be less than 5 months apart and in the same grade in school..how neat!

Me with my sis (she looks incredible 3 months postpartum!)

We are counting down the days till the little ones arrive!

Long time no blog!!

As I’m sure you can expect, the past few weeks have been filled with much anticipation, excitement and pure JOY as we prepare for the birth of our twins!  Today I am 34 weeks pregnant which is a big milestone for a twin pregnancy!  I’ve been trying to document my growing belly and it was easiest for me just to take a quick picture with my iphone.   .

As far as my business is concerned, I’m officially out of maternity leave (from shooting) and will work on computer work till I deliver.   I will be back to work mid-September.

My delivery date is currently set for July 1!  Less than 3 weeks before we meet our sweet Samuel and Selah!  Of course anything can happen so I’m trying not to get too set on the date July 1

I have had four WONDERFUL showers thrown by some very dear friends and family.  We are ALL set, I do believe!  Over the next couple of weeks I’m planning to post some pictures of my nursery, shower pictures, and finally baby pictures when the babies finally get here!

For now, here are a sampling of those iphone belly shots

I just have to share some exciting news with all of you!  My favorite local artist, Kelly Bollman, is now taking on commissions for custom art work!  Please do yourself a favor and check out her new website!

Kelly Bollman, artist

About five months ago, I asked Kelly about painting a piece of artwork for our family.  I had a vision for some time of this painting and just knew Kelly was the perfect one to make it a reality. The crazy part - this image was just in my head.  I didn’t have any pictures or anything to show her about what I wanted.  All I knew was I wanted a big tree with Isaiah 61:3 on it, with lots of brown and green.   Isaiah 61:3 is our family verse.  This is my heart and prayer for my family - that we would all be oaks of righteousness, planted only by the Lord - so that somehow He may be glorified through us.

“They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.”

Isaiah 61:3

When Kelly delivered the painting around Christmas time, I could hardly believe it.  She had taken this “tree image” I had in my head and so beautifully put it onto canvas.  It was more beautiful than I ever could have imagined!!  An even sweeter part of the story….Kelly told me that while she was painting this she was praying for our family.  What she didn’t know is that I was pregnant with twins, and not making the info public quite yet. This painting is by far my most cherished piece of art-work…and I have it proudly displayed in my den. It’s the first thing you see when you walk into the house, as a reminder for us and a statement to others.  I also love how the written verse is very subtle at the top, so when others ask “What is Isaiah 61:3″ I can tell them what it means to our family and generations to come.

If you are looking for the perfect piece of artwork, please contact Kelly.  She is AMAZING and has such a gift!!

Story of my life its seems - that I’m slacking on my blog! I can assure you the lack of blog posting is not for lack of things to post about!  When the thought comes up in my mind “should I post on my blog, or work on those new client

images?”   the client always wins, which means the blog misses out.  Sorry, blog.  I have been slammed the past few weeks with bridal portraits, and tons of adorable toddler/infant portraits!

Also, some news of my own, which I realized has not yet hit the blog!  If you are my facebook friend , or know me in real life, this is old news….but….

we are PREGNANT with TWINS!! Due date July 26th, which means I’m 21 weeks along.

So, in addition to the sessions I’ve got to post, I also want to show you some pictures of my growing belly!   I’m also working on a personal writing project where I will discuss matters of faith, parenting, pregnancy, and so on.

Yes, busy, but blessed!

And, if you are not yet my facebook friend, what are you waiting for?

CLICK HERE to become my facebook friend

my precious niece -  Reagan Elizabeth Fisher born to Liz and Jon Fisher on February 3, 2010 at 1:38am.  This little red-head has already stolen her Aunt Brookie’s heart!!

Last month, Justin and I made the trip to Santa Monica so I could photograph Elisabeth and Shawn’s wedding, but we managed to fit in a mini vacation too!  Here are a few from our adventures

at breakfast at our hotel the first morning - I got a little camera happy

Brooke + Coffee = Happy Girl

One of my favorite pics of my hubby ever!

This is the kind of crazy amazing food we were eating all week. yummy guacamole!

we enjoyed walking around the historic Hotel Del Coronado (aka ‘the Del’) and pretending we were staying there

self portrait at PetCo Park in San Diego

a FABULOUS discovery - in California they have these self serve yogurt places…about 20 flavors you can add your own toppings-heaven in a cup!

sunrise view from our hotel one morning

quite possibly the best Pad Thai I’ve EVER tasted (and I’ve tasted a lot!)- at The Palms in LA  (thanks Liz H. for the suggestion!)

not only did they have awesome Pad Thai - but quirky Asian Elvis impersonators to entertain.  so random but so funny!

I took a trapeze class on the Santa Monica pier!  I absolutely LOVED every second of it.  Way more challenging than I thought - I was sore for days- but it was SO AWESOME!! I guess if photography doesn’t work out, I could always join the circus!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Don’t we all have so much to be thankful for?! Many Blessings!

Oh, you faithful blog readers….still coming back when I am less than consistent on blogging.  I promise, the lack of posts if not for lack of things to post about! Quite the opposite!

I WILL get around to blogging soon, but still trying to catch up from pretty much being out of town the entire month of October working, and the days I’ve been home I’ve been out of the office shooting…which means TONs of editing

Just a few blog posts to look forward to-

- precious images from my portrait sessions at the beach at the beginning of the month

-Kristin & Nick’s engagement portraits

-Kelli & Chris’s engagement portraits

- our vacation to San Diego & Santa Monica

-Elisabeth & Shawn’s Santa Monica wedding

-the Woodward family, including sweet Ava

See what i mean- lots on the way!

What a whirlwind!   The last week has looked like this for me: last week Thurs and Friday - shooting beach portraits in Pawley’s Island; Saturday Kristy & Robert’s Charleston wedding, Sunday Sara’s bridals in Charleston, then back to Pawley’s on Monday & Tuesday for more beach portraits, back home Wednesday, and yesterday to Augusta for Kristin & Nick’s engagement session.   I’m finally back home in time to do laundry, and pack my bags again for our trip to Santa Monica and San Diego.  Justin and I will be leaving Monday and returning Saturday.  A little work, a little play!  I will be photographing Elisabeth & Shawn’s wedding at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica on Friday.  FUN!  Otherwise we will be exploring San Diego and LA.

At times like these it is so easy to get overwhelmed, but if I take a step back I realize just how incredibly blessed I am… to get to travel not only the Southeast to chase my passion, but now my work is taking me to the west coast! What an amazing opportunity!  It was right at two years ago that I was about to “cut the cord” on my corporate job to go full time in photography. I remember clearly the doubt, the fear, of leaving the security of working for a large corporation to live out my dream.   I’m SO thankful at times like these of the Lord’s provision in my business… not only bring me more business than I need, but also to sustain me at times when I wonder how on earth I’m going to get all the work done!  Glory to God!

Needless to say, I’ve got tons of pictures to post here on the blog! Here is just a little sneak peek from Kristy & Robert’s wedding to tide you over till I can finish the slideshow (hopefully today!).