I first met Ashley and Laurel in 2018 at the JWP Christmas Tree Farm mini sessions. Since then, they have joined me at five sessions…I think. It may be more! I love it when clients keep coming back. My favorite part is to see the kids grow. As parents, we don’t always notice it, but because I see the kids every six months or so, I can see the change, and I love it!
During the pandemic in, Summer of 2020, Hillridge Farms brightened the lives of the triangle by planting a large sunflower field for folks to visit and pick sunflowers. It was such a challenging year, so this was a fun time for everyone to get out of the house and smile. Hillridge Farms is “the Triangle’s best destination for old-fashioned family fun, group and family outings, picnics, school field trips, birthday parties, and more!” It was during this year that Ashley and Laurel booked a Sunflower Mini session with me. They booked one in 2019, but it rained, and we had to reschedule for another day when the flowers weren’t in bloom. The rescheduled session was at the WRAL Gardens and was stunning! So this 2020 season, Ashley was determined to get her sunflower pictures! As their appointment approached, we both kept an eye on the weather, which was not looking good. Ashley ordered a clear umbrella from Amazon, so rain or shine, this session would happen. It was a typical summer day of scattered showers when Ashley and Laurel showed up for their session. However, the rain was easing up as our time together started. Ashley opened the clear umbrella and stood in the sunflower field with her daughter. Just above them, a beautiful rainbow appeared. After I took a few shots of them dancing in the field, she handed the umbrella to Laurel. When I say, these images turned out amazing…I mean it. They are some of my favorite photos to date.
Grab your clear umbrella here!
Dorthea Dix Park
Dorthea Dix Park is the location for this year’s JWP Sunflower Minis. The park’s sunflower field is off Hunt Drive in Raleigh, NC, and is free to visit. During the week, Sunflower Parking is available in the gravel lot off Hunt Drive and in the parking lot near the Magnolia Room off Umstead Drive. At night and on weekends, visitors are free to park anywhere. When you come for your photo session, please remember to be respectful by keeping animals on their leash and not picking the flowers. After your photo session, you might want to stick around because there is a little playground for the kiddos and hammocks for the adults.
Ashley’s Review
“Love that we found an awesome photographer that is patient and easy-going. She makes the photo shoots laid make and enjoyable.” -Ashley’s Google review.
“Some of our best pictures with you came with rain. If you guys are questioning it (Sunflower Sessions)…. do it, embrace it!” -Ashley’s Facebook post.
July 6, 2022
