December | 2015 | Charlotte NC Wedding Photographer. Lindsey Lee Hartsell

Ya'll, I directly fell off the blogging map there for a minute! We managed our schedule this fall much better than usual, but I have been very much in a "keep my head down and focus" mode for the last 6 weeks! I truly wanted to enjoy my holidays so blogging was the thing that I just had to let go of in an effort to get all my work done. I have to say, though, success(with still room to grow) was achieved! I met all of my deadlines and still managed to get to do some fun things with the kids this holidays season vs. the usual crying in a ball at 1am at the studio because I am so overwhelmed fall/Thanksgivings/Christmases of yesteryear. If you remember my year in review from last year, you can give me a high 5 when you see me for sticking to what I set out to do this fall, which started with schedule management a whole year ago:) My family has been happy to see me more during what is usually a very tortuous time around here. I am thankful for all of the memories we have gotten to make and for a much happier household!

All that to say, there is SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL STUFF that needs to get on my blog! The slow season is going to be filled with people in love for many weeks to come! Please check back often as I will be back on a regular schedule sharing all of my beautiful, talented and thoughtful clients on the happiest days of their lives!

First up in this long run of happy and romantic days are Tabby and Josh! Their wedding was at The Arbors, which is one of our top preferred venues in all of western North Carolina. The property is unmatched we have been fortunate enough to shoot there a few times. Tabby and Josh did do a first look which made for such a smooth and stress free day! We love when our couples choose this option and can get straight to the reception after only a few post ceremony photos. We loved working with Lisa Pleasant, who kept the day running on schedule and made sure everything was in its place.

Here are a few of our favorites, and don't forget to check out their photo fusion video at the end:) As always, shooting video alongside our photography makes our heart happy. Enjoy!

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Getting so excited for our Santa Sessions this upcoming weekend! This is such a different take on the type of portraits I am known for(aka, I NEVER do anything "themed" and "kitschy") but it has become one of my very favorite events that we put on. Each year I schedule a time for my family to hop in with Santa during our sessions. It seems like I usually don't have time to talk or show much of these photos because Santa intersects with the busiest time of year for me, so they sorta get back burnered until literally 2 days before Christmas when I rush and do something with them for my family. These sessions have been such a fun source of laughter and memories for us. Well, I should say fun memories for my family, STRESS memories for me! ha! But looking back today and pulling these shots, I was almost in tears laughing at the nonsense that is my families time with Santa. My parents and Joe's dad always use it as an opportunity to get a shot for their card as well....Mom takes it upon herself to do something fun/surprising for Santa. I usually don't know what it is until they show up with the kids in tow...this makes for a lot of FUN, but depending on what it is, it makes for a whole lot of chaos, too! Here are some funny outtakes from our Santa Sessions. I have to say, the crying ones melt my heart almost more than the smile ones! Merry Christmas Season from The Hartsell's!

Year One, Sharpe having none of Santa. He is one here because his birthday is at Christmas. We did manage to get a cute family pic but it was all we could do to get him distracted enough to take this photo.

Tortured by Santa. Hated every second....Joe and I stand there and laugh. We are super great parents.

Year Two. Sharpe almost 2 years old. Still hates Santa. This year mom thought it would be fun to 1) dress Darby up like Mrs. Clause. And 2) bring elf suits for everyone...which stressed out me, Santa, and Darby...haha, but it was the funniest thing ever!!! Both mom and dad and Joe's dad used this as their card that year. I can't tell you how many people are still talking about it! I was I think 34 weeks pregnant, so you know, this was real fun for me...swollen feet, face, everything!

Darby hated Santa....we really wanted a Mr. and Mrs. Claus pic, but this was the best we got, haha! Darby, the world's best and sweetest bear and look what we put her through!

Rough family pic, but we tried. I do sorta wish you could see my HUGE belly here...Shepherd was on the way! I had him 5 weeks later. Managed to get Darby to sit near santa for picture.

Here come the elves...these are the outtakes. I'm dying at my dad and that big fake ear. I am pretty sure Santa thinks we are nuts.

Mom's card that year:) You can see why all of their friends think they are crazy....grandkids will do that to ya:)

Year three and Shepherd's first Santa pic! What a sweet boy.

Oh look! Sharpe decides he likes Santa! Only took 3 years!

Mimi decided everyone needed footed pajama onesies with their names on the butt! If only I could post a full length of these two grown people in footed pajama onesies, too funny! My dad has no butt and chicken legs, so we were dying at him in these pajamas. He was embarrassed, but mom can be pretty persuading. Maybe I can convince them to put them back on for gift opening this year:)

Pop's Christmas Card. Look at those sweet babies! And Shepherd....gosh, I could just eat him up!

Thanks f0r taking this trip down memory lane with me. I so look forward to all of the families that will be in front of my camera this Sunday and Monday. If you want to know about Santa in the future, be sure to sign up for my newsletter via my fb page(click here). 30 of our 40 spots filled up before I ever started announcing the times and dates publicly, so you will want to make sure to get on this list to get a prime slot for next year!

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Charlotte NC Wedding Photographer. Lindsey Lee Hartsell

{tabby & josh} the arbors

Our Family via Santa Sessions

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