The Rising Tide Society is an organization I try to advertise whenever I get the chance. It is an international group of creative entrepreneurs built on the idea that we are stronger together than we are apart - the idea of “Community over Competition”. I joined the group fairly early on and cannot say enough about the wonderful people that are a part of it and the lifelong friendships I’ve gained through it. I am a firm believer in this concept after several years of constantly being impressed by the ideas and creativity that come to life, ideas that would have never existed except through collaboration. Every month local chapters meet during what’s called “Tuesday’s Together”. It’s the highlight of my month and I pretty much have to be out of town or dreadfully sick to miss it. These people get me.

I don’t remember the moment of meeting Jeannine specifically, but it was definitely at one of these meetings. We got to know each other through a styled shoot and I immediately fell in love with her darker, more moody style of photography. Living in the South I’ve noticed a particular aesthetic that is popular and that people tend to gravitate towards. There is less variation in style as most photographers have lighter, more airy tendencies. There’s nothing wrong with the latter style, at all, but it made Jeannine special - a unique visionary.

I’ve only ever shot film (I don’t have a good reason, it’s just my preference) and my personal style, with the slight graininess and richness of color that I aim for, is much closer to Jeannine’s than anyone else’s I’ve met so far. I can respect and appreciate the fact that she’s stayed true to her style as we’ve had the opportunity to work on several different collaborations at this point and she’s become such a good friend in the process. Needless to say I was so flattered when she asked if I’d be up for taking family photos of her, her handsome husband, and their adorable toddler!

We kept getting side tracked though and and couldn’t seem to get something in the books. Months went by and as fate would have it, this momma of one found out she was soon to be a momma of two! The idea of a family/maternity shoot came up but we still couldn’t manage to schedule anything! Then finally, after almost four months, I had a free weekend and literally called her at the last minute. Gosh she whipped them together good! I don’t know how she managed to find matching shoes for all of them in less than 24 hours! The styled outfits were on point without being too matchy-matchy and I was thoroughly impressed! She is the most beautiful momma-to-be and handled little Hal like a pro! Turns out he’s going to have a little brother so she’s going to have her work cut out for her but I have no doubt that she’ll make it look like a breeze!