[In One Frame a Story is Told]

Can’t wait to launch the new look in it’s entirety…Coming Soon! Thank you so much for stopping by!!

If you need to reach me, please feel free to contact me via email at stephanie.reeder@hotmail.com or by phone at 270-816-2034.

Happy Holidays!

SO you’ve wondered where I’ve been?? Well….

2012 started like any other year…New goals, aspirations, and down right determination for another year ahead UNTIL my life shattered and came to a crashing hault. It was January 3, 2012 and I received the news from my husband that my father (my #1 buddy and life long mentor) had entered the hospital with the possibility that cancer had entered his body. A few days later the news was confirmed that yes in fact the man I had seen so strong as a child was facing an uphill battle with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. I never imagined the wall I would hit with such news. I search the internet figurally trying to figure out the cure and how long I had with my father (which I recommend NEVER to do). On top of all the news, I was expecting the birth of my twins any day. The two didn’t make for a great combination as I was states away and could not fly home safely. At this point all I could do was pray and hope that I would make it to hold his hand once more. On January 13, 2012 I gave birth to the most beautiful blessings God could have given me through all the pain. A boy who was named after my father Owen “Steven” and a beautiful baby girl Natalie Marie. I cherished every moment I had with them at that moment as I knew it was God whispering in my ear that it would all be ok and he was near.

As soon I could safely fly with the babies, I was headed to Washington to hold my father’s hand and give him Hope that he wouldn’t have to fight this battle alone. It was the most amazing two and half months my family has had together. My two sisters; One in California, and the other attending college in Hawaii came home as well to be together. We rallied around my mother and father as if we were the parents protecting our cubs. We laughed, we cried, we celebrated, and more then ever we cherished the love we had for one another. I knew wedding season was just right around the corner and I would have to leave soon. I was torn between two places and knew I had to decide what was important. In my head there was no doubt I had made a commitment to my brides and to my family so I didn’t make that decision just yet….I just made it happen! I flew back and forth for the first couple of weekends to shoot weddings and then return back home to my father’s side. At the end of April right before wedding season got crazy busy, I headed back to Tennessee to hold true to my passion of business, dedication, and love for photography (Trust me my Dad would never of let me stay…lol!).

I am sharing this all with you because during this time, I had to take two steps back and analyze what was important in my life. I know my business was on the top of my list, but so was my family, health, and sanity. Rather then worry about Facebook, My blog, or Marketing, I took the time off to focus and pay attention to what was important. This was a time in my life that I knew would be hard to let go of aspects of my business, but it was also time I would never get back.

After the rush of May and June, I flew back to Washington where my father was in and out of Chemo, the hospital, and fighting a major battle with the most evil of Cancer. As a family we made plans to once again reunite in Alaska where my father was from and where my sister’s were now working for the summer. We again spent the most amazing time together in the heart of the wilderness where the fresh air and light just soaked into your soul. We were able to celebrated Father’s Day together and smile together one last time as a family around the table. My father shortly after took a turn for the worst and later passed away on June 30, 2012. He passed aways in a place he loved and most importantly surrounded by his four girls he loved so very much. He was an amazing Father, friend, and Mentor. He was as we called him our “Rock Man.”

I hold onto my father’s words to never give up and when times get hard to pick up your shorts and move forward. He knew photography, people, and relationships were my passion. He knew that I am one to dream BIG and he would want more then anything for me to keep dreaming.

Looking back on this past six months I wouldn’t of changed it for the world. I got time that I will never forget with my father and family. It’s important as a business owner to see the balance and to know when it’s time to step back, analyze and move forward. Trust me, I missed out on some good opportunities and may have taken a little longer to get back in email, BUT I had TIME to be with those I loved and for that I will forever be grateful. Thank you all for the amazing support you have given me through this time. Thank you for your calls, emails, and for mostly understanding. I have the most amazing friends, family, and clients in the world….I am forever thankful to you!

In a photo shoot we had after my father’s diagnosis this picture is now the symbol of our family. While even though we are missing a true rock in our family, he raised us to be strong independent women. Thank you Tonhya Wysong for capturing such a true moment in our lives.

The top THREE winners of this year’s giveaway have won a FREE engagement or portrait session with Stephanie Reeder Photography. BUT, because no goes home without a little something the additional couples will receive 20% off of their engagement/portrait sessions as well. Thank you again to all the beautiful couples who were apart of this fun and celebrative giveaway!!

Without further ado Drum ROOOLLLL Please…..

Congratulations to Victoria and Adam…
We met in October of last year, and he instantly took my breath away.. After getting the courage to talk to him and ask him to dinner, I knew he was different from any man I’d ever met.. And now we’re getting ready to plan our dream wedding!

Congratulations to Danah and Robert…
With the start of 3 little words our life has become nothing less than beautiful. And thats exactly what our first words were to each other, as I turned to him and couldnt say anything except “You are beautiful”. But our life didnt start there, it would be many months before we found our way back to each other. From the very first date as both of our hearts were pounding we were about to become believers, that “Love at First sight” was something that actually existed! From that moment on, we were inseperatable as our “first date” lasted over 60 hours! We were going for the record of longest date ever! To our suprise that “first date” was the beginning of our lives together! As we are parted right now at this moment, due to working situations, our lives do not feel complete without the other beside them. The cant eat, cant breathe, cant sleep kind of LOVE is Real and we want nothing more than to make a “BEAUTIFUL” life together! Our souls are now
complete as we have found our mates.

Congratulations to Alex and Michael…
I am a city girl from Durban, South Africa and my fiance is a real country boy from Kentucky! I guess opposites really do attract! We met in November 2007 and have been in love ever since. We got engaged on January 15 2012 as I got off the plane in Nashville on my way back from my christmas break in South Africa.

Here’s how to enter the Engagement!

1. Submit a photo and short description of you and your fiancé via email to Stephanie.reeder@hotmail.com

2. On March 19, 2012 voting will begin via Facebook for you to gather your friends and family to vote for your chance to win a Free Engagement session with Stephanie Reeder Photography.

3. The giveaway will end on March 25, 2012 with the announcement of the winners on March 26, 2012. There will be THREE winners of the Engagement giveaway and each winner (with the most amount of votes) will receive a FREE engagement session, online gallery, and a CD of edited images for you to have and print as you wish.

**Please Note: If you are already a bride of Stephanie Reeder Photography you can still enter to win an engagement/portrait session or use your winnings towards an after session and/or bridal session!

Please Note: This giveaway is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. By entering this giveaway, you understand that the information is being provided to Stephanie Reeder Photography and NOT to Facebook.

I hope you all enjoy a small glimpse into their love and anticipation for each other and the arrival of their sweet baby girl!

First and foremost, THANK YOU to all the amazing vendors who participated in this year’s holiday giveaway. Without these amazing companies, this giveaway would not have been possible. I feel so blessed to work in an industry where people are so generous and thoughtful to giving back to the people who are passionate not only for photography, but for sharing timeless moments with others at the press of a shutter. If you have not yet shared your appreciation for these amazing vendors, please take some time to say thank you for their generosity and continued support to all of us!

Links to Vendor Facebook Pages!

Photobiz
Shootsac
WPPI
ProPhoto>
Rock the Shot
Bay Photo Lab
Boudoir Divas
Kristina Kathrynn
The Organic Bloom
Skye Hardwick Edmonds
The Album Cafe
HB Photo Packaging
Photographers Cafe
Borrow Lenses