Kin | Gadsden Family and Children Photographer

Here are the yearly kin sessions. I love these people so much. They would give the shirts off their backs for us and we would for them. (Figuratively-speaking, of course!)

[Have you noticed how I'm keeping my text short and sweet? I'm not much of a writer ;-)]

My beautiful niece, Palin, also known as my first ever portrait subject!


Five-year-old Carter.




Todd's brother Daniel, his wife Christy are the proud parents.


Fun, expressive Josiah is next.




Lori (Todd's cousin) and Wes are welcoming another little boy in May :)


Reagan is next - she is one of the most imaginative little girls I have EVER met.


Her sister, Londyn, AKA "Londy-Bird" is surely to become just as vivacious as she learns from Reagan.


Jarrod (Another one of Todd's cousins, and Lori's brother) and Lisa, high school sweethearts.




Chad and Jennifer are close family friends.


Connor and Charli who both appeared on Parenting Special Needs Online Magazine January of 2011.


Chad and Jennifer adopted their daughter Charlie when she was just a year and a half old. She has glaucoma and has an amazing prosthetic eye! You'd never know she's legally blind as she runs around just like any other child. Amazing little girl!




Tim, Kristy, and Caleb are almost family as well.




Tim was Todd, Daniel, Jarrod, Lori, and Wes's youth minister many years ago.

Curly, Bouncy 2-Year-Old! | Gadsden Children Photographer

Location: Home

Here's my beautiful niece, Palin. A sweet, energetic, curly 2-year-old!


I took these photos at my Mother-in-law's house a couple weeks ago. Palin was chasing Bella around and calling after her.


Bella stole a smootch!


Palin with Poppy.


I was particularly enjoying Palin's unique trot.


Palin, you are forever beautiful!


Click Here to see Palin's newborn photos - my first photo shoot!

Like a basket full of puppies | Gadsden Family and Children Photographer

One of my favorite things about my hubs is his family...no, seriously. They are the kind that accept you, warts and all, and treat you like you've always been a part. It can't be denied, however, that when you get small children together for pictures, no matter how lovely they are, that they are all over the place. Photography is a sport.

"Kids are like a basket full of puppies" - Jennifer Strawn









Palin, the one who started it all...

1 Year Later

This is the one who helped me discover my love of Photography.



One year ago, I was asked to do my niece's newborn portraits. I said yes and proceeded to borrow a camera!



Not knowing anything about photography, I combed the internet, asked Amy 1,362 questions and practiced like crazy for 2 weeks before my very first shoot.



All the way to Gadsden I prayed and reviewed my notes. My thoughts were such a jumble in my head.

But as I left the shoot I felt an indescribable calm.

This is what I'm supposed to do.

Click here to read more about how Cookwire Photography came to be.

*This was a micro mini session that I squeezed in at Abby's Birthday party. I so wish I could have done a longer, more formal session. :-(

My Photography Debut!

This is Palin Maleigha Cook. She was born on March 20th and these pictures were taken on March 28th. Palin is named after her two big sisters in Heaven, Makinna and Leighanna. After I agreed to design the birth announcement for Palin, I asked her mom, Christy, who was going to take her newborn pictures. She asked me! I had to borrow a camera and play with it 2 weeks before theses pictures were taken. What an honor it was to take this sweet girls' picture! Here are a few of my favorites:



For the 2 weeks before this shoot, I talked to photographers, informed myself on aperture, shutter, DOF, ISO, etc.. When the day came to go take Palin's picture I hadn't reviewed my research or taken any pics for 2-3 days. After dropping off the kids at Rie-Rie's house, I drove and prayed. "God, I'm not a photographer! You're going to have to do this shoot, because I can't."



He did. God helped me capture this angel's details, her sweetness, her perfection.



I just love the details! Especially the wrinkle on her back that touches her head.



These toes couldn't possibly stink.



A couple with big brother, Carter:



Carter's got the most beautiful eyes. He was doing great with Palin, but towards the end he got a sudden nervous look about him. Christy was sitting inches away and gladly took Palin from him.



And the Birth Announcement:



Palin, you have such a beautiful story, I hope you can tell it over and over and be proud of your two big sisters!