Days Go By: Asheville Family Photographer: Sonya Stone

I almost had a heart attack as we started this session and I realized the images were not being recorded as I took them! Thankfully, I know this family well and they trusted me to figure it out, take a break to get a remedy, and jump back on the horse. And I'm so glad they did! We had a great time walking the Botanical Gardens and climbing down into the creek. I did my usual acting a fool and they saw the humor in it and so viola...beautiful photographs of them being themselves. I was so glad to see that side come through and to spend time with such a great family.







this one I especially like because each of them has their individual, genuine expressions...there's not a fake smile on anyone! Love you guys! xo

Family Together: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

In this tech savvy world we live in with all it's social networking and skype and cell phones and email, there is still nothing that compares to being with the people you love in person. I appreciate seeing families together and even more...being asked to photograph them. Because truly the medium that has stood the test of time is the photograph. I can pick up an album from my childhood or from the last visit and bring back memories and emotions and remember what is most important in life.
So go tell your family you love them and by all means, when you have the chance, take photographs!







Our mini sessions are all set (and booked up!) to go tomorrow. I can't wait. And if you are still interested, the minis for Friday, Oct. 21 still have one opening!! These are limited offerings, only twice per year! A quick, easy & fun way to update your portraits just in time for the holidays with special packages with gift giving and cards in mind. Send me a note here or on Facebook if you are interested!

Friends Are Friends Forever: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

In my last entry, I mentioned the family spent time with their good friends. These two families have been friends since the kids were babies and I love that they make time to see each other even though they live far apart. And fun for me, I got to have a mini session within our session!

Getting Away: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

We all have great memories of summer vacations as a kid, maybe even one in particular. Mine was a trip to St. Augustine when I was 7. As I met this family, I thought about that vacation and smiled. I think these kids are going to look back on their trip to Asheville for many years. Time together as a family with good friends...having fun, trying new things...the good stuff of life. Mandatory in childhood and often put aside when we grow up. But we still have the memories...

Sweet Babe: Asheville Newborn Photographer, Sonya Stone

Photographing newborns is dangerous territory, especially when you think you are done having your own children. They are so sweet, so soft and so unassuming. They are miraculous and amazing...so tiny and yet so powerful. Being with them at this blissful time is like crack. Seriously. You think one little snuggle will be enough but they have this magnetic quality and you cannot.stop.gazing at them. And I get to translate this moment, this memory into a photograph. It's humbling and an honor. To know that this family will grow and change but that this baby, this new person will never be so small and so profound as he or she is right now.

This is baby Everleigh. She is fabulous and so is her name.













And these...these are the photos every mom needs to have. These are what I wish I had. I have some amazing birth photographs from my second child and the twins thanks to a couple of wonderful friends who are rock star photographers. So I'm ahead of the game for sure. But this...this tender look at the bond between a mother and her newborn babe. I wish I had some like this.

my loves: Asheville Child Photographer, Sonya Stone

Sometimes I even photograph my own family. My kids are especially cute...according to me. They are not especially compliant with photo shoots however, which is a real bummer for me. But every now and again, I catch them off guard.

Taking it to the Social Network: Asheville Photographer, Sonya Stone

I'm not sure exactly why I resisted this so. But I have finally come around to the current state of things and am hosting a Facebook page for my photography. Maybe it was because I wanted to have a personal page to keep some images just as snapshots...like the ones of my twins running down the street naked taken with my iphone. Both because I didn't want to be judged on these random everyday shots that are really just for giggles for my long distance family members & because I don't need DSS calling me up saying, "how come you let your kid run naked in the street?" Puh-leeze. They run in the street with or without clothes, how am I supposed to stop them?

Anyway, now I am a convert. I have opened up the pandora's box of Facebook giving me yet another place to share images and specials and connect with people who like me and who I like, which is really one of the biggest reasons I love my job SO much! Connection. Through the inquiry process, through the session, through the image, through the print...from you and your family to me to anyone who ever sees your beautiful photograph forever...ahhhhhh. yes. that is why I do what I do. Connection...it's magic.

Ok, so if you want to join me in the land of social networking, get on over to Facebook and like Sonya Stone -Asheville, NC Photographer...and it will warm my heart and inspire me to do some giveaway. Cause that's how it goes. I feel good that you like me/my work, and I get all mushy, gushy and think...I want to do something nice for all these sweet people.

And if you don't like Facebook or don't want to like me on Facebook, that's okay too. I'll still be blogging from time to time. Hope you had a happy start to your summer and I'll look forward to hearing from you soon!

Full Bloom: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

As a storm rolled in across the mountains, we almost canceled this session. Thankfully, we decided to give it a shot and the weather held out. The result? Perfect timing for their blooming flowers and their blooming family! A sweet baby girl who just celebrated her first birthday and a gorgeous family. And when our session was graced with a beautiful butterfly who was content to hang out for a few photos, I wasn't complaining.